Heh, just me I guess.


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Not just you, but it's likely as "Issues" go, this is small on most folks lists.

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I agree with you. I hate the weak audio in my 'Yota.

 

I think the new Avalon Limited is just about perfect except for the stereo....and for someone like me that's a huge issue. For $40k it should have a better stereo. I'd be driving one right now if it wasn't for that and I'm thinking about a used LS460 or maybe a new ES350 instead.

 

I think it sounds great; but I was raised on Crazy Otto 78s so I'm no audiophile.

 

I have kept my mouth shut regarding the sounds of the sound system.

Personally speaking...I think it SUCKS!!! I get extremely limited change with the EQ. The sound is very thin and appears to have no substance to its sound reproduction. I also have to turn the volume up just to be able to hear certain styles.

I am a musician by trade so I am much more picky about the quality of sound...and my TAH LMT just doesn't have it.

This is not a deal breaker as I have gome from a 16 mpg vehicle to a 40 mpg!!!

 

Sorry....But you are wrong here. Try adjusting it. :thumbsup: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/311-4th-generation-2013/449353-2013-avalon-limited-jbl-stereo.html

The Stereo is Great!!!

 

Have you taken it out of surround mode? A few here have mentioned that helps sound quality substantially.


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I take out the surround...put it back on...take it off...back on...you get the picture.

When I adjust the Treble, mids and bass...I literally get zero response. I will bring it at maintenance time and let them have a look!

 

Car Stereo

All of you are talking about a "CAR" stereo, right. I think some people expect "iMax" quality 7.1 surround and it isn't going to happen in a $35,000.00 to $45,000.00 car.

 

All of you are talking about a "CAR" stereo, right. I think some people expect "iMax" quality 7.1 surround and it isn't going to happen in a $35,000.00 to $45,000.00 car.

Go to an Acura dealer and listen to their demo DVD-A disc in a TL with the ELS sound system. It basically IS "iMax" quality in 5.1 surround and you can buy one for around $35k.
Once you hear that you'll realize what the Avalon is missing. It really bums me out since I wanted a 2013 Avalon until I heard the stereo (with and without the simulated surround turned on).

 

Sirius 8 and Avalon

Just arrived home from a 400 mile trip from Washington. After the Washington NPR morning news on HD radio went out of range, we tuned to SiriusXM channel 8, Sounds of the '80s. It sounded fabulous to me.

I know music choices are very personal. My wife and I happen to think the 80s sound is perfect for road trips. The heavy beat has just the right cadence. The guitars and occasional saxophone rifs are perfect. I never realized how many of th 80s artists sounded like Rod Stewart. Sure, occasionally you get the very worst of the 80s: that horrible electric piano chimey crap. Happened only twice though, in 350 miles. Then, it's time to go up one to channel 9: the 90s. Then back to the 80's

The main thing is the Avalon stereo is great for 80's music. Good woof. You do have to adjust it to your personal taste. AND TAKE OFF SURROUND SOUND.

 

Worst factory stereo EVER

I'm new here and found this site looking for people with the same opinion on the 8 speaker Avalons sound system and options to make it bearable for anything other than podcasts and am radio.

I've seen comments about how good it is, well you must have the "9 speaker sound system", I have the Premium Package and didn't think to test drive the sound system as much as the car.

I'm 38 years old, did custom car audio and while in college and still appreciate good sound but realize limitations vs cost of the car I bought but still I'm blown away by how pitiful this car sounds and having any bass on the three band eq makes the speakers pop! Even my 2008FJ Cruiser blew this thing out of the water. Our company's loaner cars, 2009 Chevy cobalt with crank Windows and manual locks sound better. My first car and new car was a 1996 Grand Am Gt that shamed my Avalon. We have a Nissan Murano (the wifes) with Bose, good enough for me. I Ford f-150 work truck makes this car sound like a two know Ac Delco of the 80's in comparison. Toyota on a premium luxury car screwed the pooch big time skimping so much on the sound. Very Sad!

 

I'm new here and found this site looking for people with the same opinion on the 8 speaker Avalons sound system and options to make it bearable for anything other than podcasts and am radio.

I've seen comments about how good it is, well you must have the "9 speaker sound system", I have the Premium Package and didn't think to test drive the sound system as much as the car.

I'm 38 years old, did custom car audio and while in college and still appreciate good sound but realize limitations vs cost of the car I bought but still I'm blown away by how pitiful this car sounds and having any bass on the three band eq makes the speakers pop! Even my 2008FJ Cruiser blew this thing out of the water. Our company's loaner cars, 2009 Chevy cobalt with crank Windows and manual locks sound better. My first car and new car was a 1996 Grand Am Gt that shamed my Avalon. We have a Nissan Murano (the wifes) with Bose, good enough for me. I Ford f-150 work truck makes this car sound like a two know Ac Delco of the 80's in comparison. Toyota on a premium luxury car screwed the pooch big time skimping so much on the sound. Very Sad!

I think audio fine it speaker poor..:facepalm: I had big audio just like you in my car just change speakers and add subwoofer. It not bmw,lexus etc get my point. I 50 luv all kinds music it not B&w Speakers IT NOT mAC, dENON ,

 

And the only fix I see and I despise to have to do this is run a 10" aux subwoofer in the already smallest trunk of an Avalon in history (or its competitors for that matter) and run the eq with zero base, 1/3 mid range, and the higher frequency I'll adjust to taste and music. I love the car except I can't stress how disappointed I am. It's a week old today btw.

 

I also hate it.

 

I think it just needs a subwoofer
The sound really sucks in my car

2013 TAH Limited with tech

 

This car is aimed at 55 and older. Most of that age have somewhat impaired hearing.

After 50 years of riding motorcycles, driving tractors, and 3000 hours in propeller driven aircraft, well...My Avalon sounds pretty good to me.

 

Checked out a TAL earlier this week. NO rattles or speaker "pop" whatsoever. YMMV.

I also believe Toyota is aiming for a younger demographic with the new Avalon, than the 55+ set....

 

I just love these guys who come on to the "xxxxx" forums, who have no intention of buying an "xxxxx" car, then nit pick and cut down the "xxxxx" brand.

Happens not only on this forum, but even on other forums.
Don't talk bad about the brand, or what is wrong with the brand, unless you own the brand.

 

When I upgraded from a fully loaded 2006 (model 5) Prius to a New 2013 TAH XLE Touring I was aware of the difference in quality of sound. Having said that, I did not buy the Avvy for its sound system, but rather for its ride, reliability and economy. I knew from the start that an upgrade to the sound system would improve my listening pleasure. Anyone who plans to invest $30K (+) for a car with quality ound must expect to trade off other features. If you like the vehicle for its features other than the quality of its sound system, quit belly-aching and invest in a quality sound system of your choosing.

Personally, when I shop for a new ride, I keep the radio off so I can listen to the car as it travels over differing road surfaces and driving conditions. It is only after I am satisfied with the vehicle that I evaluate the need to replace or embellish the installed sound system.

Bottom line - If you don't like the sound system as delivered, replace it! And, please remember that the tunes you like aren't necessarily appreciated by others around you. If you must add woofers/subs and amps, be courteous and keep the volume at a reasonable level so others aren't agitated by the sounds you generate.

A hard of hearing retired ditty chaser!

 

change speakers

I had many cars and for years was in car stereo and home audio. Car stereo of today have come long way,but it does not beat after market. I first off would recommend changing out stock speaker they junk on any car and cheap bose system,JBL they just junk lowest grade speakers found. I had 350z that I sold, but could not put back stock speakers so I left infinity separate in front and 6x3 in back this was huge different over stock speaker and using the bose amp. The infinity speakers made sound of high end after market system. I had mustang GT 2007 same thing. So I would recommend replacing stock speakers. :clap:You will be surprised with change in sound and sound damping in doors.:hi:

 

I had many cars and for years was in car stereo and home audio. Car stereo of today have come long way,but it does not beat after market. I first off would recommend changing out stock speaker they junk on any car and cheap bose system,JBL they just junk lowest grade speakers found. I had 350z that I sold, but could not put back stock speakers so I left infinity separate in front and 6x3 in back this was huge different over stock speaker and using the bose amp. The infinity speakers made sound of high end after market system. I had mustang GT 2007 same thing. So I would recommend replacing stock speakers. :clap:You will be surprised with change in sound and sound damping in doors.:hi:

have you replaced them in the TAH? I am thinking of replacing them..

anyone here got them replaced or replaced them as DIY and have pics??

 

Audio is terrible

I agree that the audio in my 2014 TAH XLE is awful. I mean, bad to the point that having music on was grating. And I really like everything else about the car, but I have a long commute and good music is important to me. I drove for 5 years in a Prius with the stock audio system and it was fine. But for the TAH, so far I bot a new amp and new 6.5 inch and 6.9 inch speakers. The sound is much better but I still need more work done. There is just way too much tweeter - before and after my modifications. If a drummer hits the cymbal that is all I hear. If they hit it repeatedly I have to change the song. I'm going back to the aftermarket place to see what can be done.

 

Question for you audio experts from an audio ignoramus. I love my 2013 TAH Limited but would love it even more if the JBL Synthesis sound system were able to reproduce in an accurate way the base sounds from large classical orchestras. While the reproduction of piano sounds and the sounds of other individual instruments seems fine, whenever there is an orchestral base sound to reproduce, what comes out is a sort of noisy, harsh, toneless "thump." This makes a lot of orchestral classical music unlistenable. I have tried turning the surround sound on and off, but whether it is on or off, the "thump" is what I hear even when I've turned both the bass and the mid-range controls down as far as they will go. I don't know if this is because the woofer and/or the sub-woofer is inadequate or whether it's because the system is underpowered, but sad to say, when the system tries to reproduce these full base sounds, it sounds much like a cheap "boom box." My question to those of you who have dealt with after-market auto sound shops - do they have the wherewithal to analyze this sort of issue and correct it in a way that does no damage to the car or diminish space within the car, especially in the trunk? I am sorely tempted to pay a visit to one of these shops, but before I do I'd be graterul for any advice or thoughts that any of you who have expertise and experience in this subject would be willing to share. Many thanks in advance.

2013 TAH Limited w/o tech package, 2/13 build date, crimson mica w/ light gray interior

 

rjohanson,
I do not have the JBL system but I think your problem would be solved with a modest new amp and new 6.5 inch / 6.9 inch speakers just like what I got. My system didn't come with a subwoofer so you may ask their recommendation about whether to replace that as well (you don't want to blow it out with the new amp). With my modifications (non JBL system), the crude bump sound is gone now replaced with a smooth consistent bass.

A good car audio shop should be able to replace the speakers without showing any signs of having been there. As for the amp, mine was bolted into the trunk underneath the center tweeter. I don't see it unless I stick my head into the trunk. You would have to really pack the trunk full and tight for it to be in the way, as it only hangs down a few inches.

I am still left with an annoying overuse of tweeter (in my opinion) but it sounds like we have different musical tastes. For classical that might sound very good. For rock music it can be a bit much. And also, I don't have the JBL so I don't know if that issue would apply to you.

Good luck.

 

I can't answer rjohanson's question above, but I also am a classical music lover and have noted the boominess of the bass in the JBL sound system of my 2013 Limited V6, which detracts from the otherwise quite good sound.

I have noted something, however, which may contribute to the unsatisfactory bass sound. The woofers are in the door, and when I have my arm on the armrest, the deep bass seems to be transmitted through my body, exaggerating the boominess. When I take my arm off the armrest, the bass effect is reduced, There's not much one can do about this except to keep one's arm off the armrest when the boominess is prominent in the piece playing on the system. It's like the old doctor joke: "Doc, it hurts when I do this." "Well, then don't do that."

Robert N.

 

Has anyone installed a system in their car yet? I have a system hooked up in my 2008 Accord, but I would like to take it out and install it in my new Avalon. Just curious to see if anyone has run into any issues or not.


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Regarding what one person here thinks we should expect, please let me clarify.
In addition to our 2014 Avalon, we also have a 2006 Camry LE, and my 90 year old mother in law drives a 1998 Olds 88 with a $78 after market radio/CD, but the original 88's speakers. Both of these "low end" systems compare to the Avalon like a Bose home theater does to a Sony Walkman. Maybe it cost Toyota 78 cents for this system.
Maybe these systems were made by Takata Air Bag company. When a call comes in on my connected iPhone, the ring is so loud, you practically get blown into the back seat. (Do you think it could blow up like one of their airbags?)

We still totally enjoy the Camry. It has been a great car, but the quality of sound, along with other ridiculous shortcomings, errors, oversights, items missing, etc., makes us think Toyota no longer gives a damn about anybody other than a Camry customer. My daughter's 2012 Lexus has most of the same shortcomings as the Avalon, and both the Avalon and the Lexus have a great deal more road noise on the highway than the Camry. We regret the purchase of the Avalon to the extent that we will never buy another Toyota product. Their high point of manufacturing quality cars has passed. They are becoming another General Motors of a decade ago.

Would others with this damned audio problem please post it so we can get an idea just how extensive it is. I suspect that all Avalons without the JBL upgrade have audio quality just below a 7" tablet.