I’m not an audiophile, but didn’t want to tolerate JBL audio on my 2016 Highlander Limited that sounded really cheap and flat. Inspired by CGM66061 thread with DIY (http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/333-3rd-generation-2014/1151633-horrible-jbl-system-5.html), I’ve decided to upgrade all three dashboard speakers and post enhanced DIY with pictures. His DIY is good, but doing it first time and without pictures made me really nervous – last thing I wanted is scratched dash. I’m still in the process of upgrade, but decided to start posting as I go.
Note: I'm done with upgrade: JBL GX 302 installed at the center, JBL Club 3020 installed on sides. Everything described on first two pages of this thread. Enjoy!
Speakers. Round #1: ordered the same once as CDM66061 (he did research, liked them, and they have good reviews, so why not?):
- Kicker CS354 - 3.5” – set of two on Amazon - $34.95
- JBL GX 302 – 3.5” – set of two on Amazon - $69.95
- Metra 72-8104 Speaker Connector for Select Toyota Vehicles on Amazon for $4.98 for pair.
I installed Kickers on sides and JBL in center (see DIY below), got my son - teenage audiophile in the car, started one of the songs in high quality, and… we are looking at each other… well… to say at least not impressed with sound after upgrade… Okay, spend another ten minutes by adjusting equalizer, sending sounds to front completely left/right… still not impressed. Kickers sound pretty flat and static with mixed range, but definitely lack of clear highs.
I took the second JBL from pair and replaced one of Kickers on the side, so have JBL in center and on left side while Kicker on right side: dramatic difference – send sound to front and completely to left/right - JBL on the side sounds way better compare to Kicker on another.
Now it was time to pick another pair to replace Kickers... I looked at crutchfield.com and according to them (interestingly enough) there’s only one set of speakers that fits Highlander 2016 on dash sides – Kickers CS354… However, as you’ve seen I was able to fit JBL GX 302 in side spot. It didn’t just slide in, but after five seconds playing with it I was able to slide them at specific angle and rotate to mounts. I haven’t placed back speakers grill (dash cover) yet, but it looks like there shouldn’t be a problem fitting it.
I chatted with crunchfield.com and they confirmed that it’s safe to use those JBL on sides from technical prospective. After this discovery, I looked at all 3.5” speakers and ordered two pairs for Kickers replacement: JBL Club 3020 ($69.99) and Infinity Reference X REF-3002cfx ($64.99 after $25 off) both on crunchfield.com. I also learned about cool and cheap device that essentially cuts off basses with fancy name Bass Blockers heh… there are four available on crunchfield.com depends at what frequency you want to cut off – higher number will leave less bass (150Hz, 300Hz, 600Hz, 800Hz). You pretty much just plug this device right before speaker and you done. I ordered two: 300Hz and 600Hz.
Now by the end of this week at my possession will be Kicker CS 354, JBL GX 302, JBL Club 3020, Infinity Reference X REF-3002cfx, and two bass blockers. I will try all possible combination of them on dashboard sides and center, with and without bass blockers, and will report back to you guys on the best setup. I hope to make JBL on my new Highlander Limited a little better so we can enjoy!
[I’ve already installed Ecohitch and configured Techstream soft to change car settings, but these are different stories.]
Note: I'm done with upgrade: JBL GX 302 installed at the center, JBL Club 3020 installed on sides. Everything described on first two pages of this thread. Enjoy!
Speakers. Round #1: ordered the same once as CDM66061 (he did research, liked them, and they have good reviews, so why not?):
- Kicker CS354 - 3.5” – set of two on Amazon - $34.95
- JBL GX 302 – 3.5” – set of two on Amazon - $69.95
- Metra 72-8104 Speaker Connector for Select Toyota Vehicles on Amazon for $4.98 for pair.
I installed Kickers on sides and JBL in center (see DIY below), got my son - teenage audiophile in the car, started one of the songs in high quality, and… we are looking at each other… well… to say at least not impressed with sound after upgrade… Okay, spend another ten minutes by adjusting equalizer, sending sounds to front completely left/right… still not impressed. Kickers sound pretty flat and static with mixed range, but definitely lack of clear highs.
I took the second JBL from pair and replaced one of Kickers on the side, so have JBL in center and on left side while Kicker on right side: dramatic difference – send sound to front and completely to left/right - JBL on the side sounds way better compare to Kicker on another.
Now it was time to pick another pair to replace Kickers... I looked at crutchfield.com and according to them (interestingly enough) there’s only one set of speakers that fits Highlander 2016 on dash sides – Kickers CS354… However, as you’ve seen I was able to fit JBL GX 302 in side spot. It didn’t just slide in, but after five seconds playing with it I was able to slide them at specific angle and rotate to mounts. I haven’t placed back speakers grill (dash cover) yet, but it looks like there shouldn’t be a problem fitting it.
I chatted with crunchfield.com and they confirmed that it’s safe to use those JBL on sides from technical prospective. After this discovery, I looked at all 3.5” speakers and ordered two pairs for Kickers replacement: JBL Club 3020 ($69.99) and Infinity Reference X REF-3002cfx ($64.99 after $25 off) both on crunchfield.com. I also learned about cool and cheap device that essentially cuts off basses with fancy name Bass Blockers heh… there are four available on crunchfield.com depends at what frequency you want to cut off – higher number will leave less bass (150Hz, 300Hz, 600Hz, 800Hz). You pretty much just plug this device right before speaker and you done. I ordered two: 300Hz and 600Hz.
Now by the end of this week at my possession will be Kicker CS 354, JBL GX 302, JBL Club 3020, Infinity Reference X REF-3002cfx, and two bass blockers. I will try all possible combination of them on dashboard sides and center, with and without bass blockers, and will report back to you guys on the best setup. I hope to make JBL on my new Highlander Limited a little better so we can enjoy!
[I’ve already installed Ecohitch and configured Techstream soft to change car settings, but these are different stories.]