What do you not like about it? Sounding bad is kind of a broad statement without specifics.

I have the JBL in my ‘21 TRD, and find it to be a pretty good quality stereo for a factory upgrade. I am a bit of an audio snob and have it set to sound good even at high volume (level 48 for when I want to go deaf lol)

 

What do you not like about it? Sounding bad is kind of a broad statement without specifics.

I have the JBL in my ‘21 TRD, and find it to be a pretty good quality stereo for a factory upgrade. I am a bit of an audio snob and have it set to sound good even at high volume (level 48 for when I want to go deaf lol)

Dude. Please. You know the sound is shit in these cars. I’m a Toyota fan. Just got a new 2023 Camry XSE today in fact, WITH the JBL Premium, and compared to what I’m used to, it sounds like complete shit. lol
You can be a fan boy. Just be realistic.

 

I think it's alright for low to medium volume after you mess with the settings. Classic rock guy here.

 

If you want good bass, you will not like the jbl system.

 

Yes. The bass in my ‘17 Camry XSE w/JBL Greenedge is nothing like the bass in my ‘16 Subaru Legacy Touring w/12 speaker Harmon Kardon system. That system rocked.

 

The sound is very flat. the highs are not clear and crisp . The bass is week and muddy . My old BMW 2005 5 series was worlds ahead in sound quality.
Is there any way to improve it? perhaps better speakers? I like the car except for the "premium" sound system

 

What source are you using when you say the sound is flat? USB, radio, satellite, Bluetooth? I assume you’ve played with sound settings, but make sure the balance/fader is centered and turn off auto sound leveling.

 

Definitely turn off auto sound leveling. Night and day. They cheaply clip the audio instead of real leveling

 

I agree with OP. The soft dome tweeters do not deliver on the high notes. The dash speakers project a very harsh, flat sound. The full range speakers on the door have bad placement for full range projection and the subwoofer on the rear deck only delivers enough vibration to cause an awful rattling sound. The head unit does not provide enough to be able to tune (no EQ). Very sad for a premium, expensive upgrade.

 

I agree with Nick2019XSE. Question is what is the best way to upgrade the unit?

 

Unfortunately, the JBL is so integrated with the vehicle that upgrade options are very expensive. For me, I've chosen to live with it. I'll be much more careful on the next vehicle I buy. The Toyota fanboys will always argue that this is acceptable in a $35k car, but those of us who have had experience with other vehicles know better. I still like my car and am glad I chose the Camry, but the JBL has been a sticking point of disappointment for me and maybe next time I'll chose another brand.

 

Maybe the toyota fanboys are more concerned about reliability than the audio performance? What about changing out the speakers? I remember reading some posts here saying that changing out the speakers did help.

I don't expect the audio system to be great in any car. If you want a good audio system to your liking, to your preference, you'll have to change it out to another system. We have folks here that did that, some with JBL, others without. Changing out the audio system will cost you, sure, but that's just how it is.

 

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I don't expect the audio system to be great in any car. If you want a good audio system to your liking, to your preference, you'll have to change it out to another system. We have folks here that did that, some with JBL, others without. Changing out the audio system will cost you, sure, but that's just how it is.

disagree. The stock stereo in my Gs450h is like being in a concert. Toyota has no problem putting in the best sound in the business.

 

they sound fine to me 🤷🏽‍♂️

 

I’m going to take the car to Al & Eds today after work to see if they can install Focal speakers in it . I will keep you guys posted .

 

500W sub and amp to kick it up a notch.

 

Update: I’ve decided to sell the car. The crappy stereo ruined it for me. I’m going to get a Lexus RC 350 with the mark levinson stereo. I didn’t want to cut up a brand new car to try and fix the horrible sound system.

 

I upgraded my factory non-JBL with a DSP, new front dash/door speakers, and a powered sub under the driver's seat. Upgrading the JBL shouldn't be much different other than the factory amp.



Oh yes, I'm sure it's just the Camry stereo that's pushing you into a $50K sports coupe.

 

With the hit you take on depreciation and the extra cost for that more expensive car, you could have the absolute best audio, and have money left over for many other improvements. But yes, Toyota should not be so cheap if they want to stay on top.

 

I came to my 2020 Camry SE from a newer Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition... top of the line truck with JBL audio. The sound was tinny and quiet... just trash. And yes, it's so integrated into the vehicle that it's not a simple amp and speaker upgrade. You need a line output converter and other crap to get a usable signal to an amp. Totally unacceptable in a $70k CDN vehicle. (I did not pay that thankfully.)

The base sound system in my Camry SE is not perfect, but at least it's a base model. I'm sure I'll snap at some point and install a 5 channel amp and some Morel or Kenwood speakers. But if my 1992 Oldsmobile Delta 88 could have a pounding factory system with surprising clarity, why can't it be done in 2020/21??

I will admit that I'm pickier than most when it comes to audio. But Toyota JBL systems are just junk.

 

I came to my 2020 Camry SE from a newer Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition... top of the line truck with JBL audio. The sound was tinny and quiet... just trash. And yes, it's so integrated into the vehicle that it's not a simple amp and speaker upgrade. You need a line output converter and other crap to get a usable signal to an amp. Totally unacceptable in a $70 CDN vehicle. (I did not pay that thankfully.)

The base sound system in my Camry SE is not perfect, but at least it's a base model. I'm sure I'll snap at some point and install a 5 channel amp and some Morel or Kenwood speakers. But if my 1992 Oldsmobile Delta 88 could have a pounding factory system with surprising clarity, why can't it be done in 2020/21??

I will admit that I'm pickier than most when it comes to audio. But Toyota JBL systems are just junk.

With the base audio package in the SE, you need a LOC actually. Preferably a good one. Wavtech makes a good one for $80. If you have the JBL, you can actually get a something Pac Audio sells for premium audio system integration called their AmpPRO. I don't really get what it does but all I know is some YouTuber said it's what you need to get for premium sound systems if you want higher quality audio.

 

This is what I put in my 2019 XSE with JBL. The AmpPro allowed me to do this. The only thing I will change is the Kenwood amp to an Audio Control D series.

 

I had the same problem with my 2020 with JBL. Ifixed this myself because the dealership apparently couldn’t hear it. In the back sub, if you remove the child Buckle completely off, you can stuff the sub with foam or Microsoft towels. My car has had this for months and it’s been an absolute life saver.

I also went in the trunk and in the holes on the roof by the sub, I crammed Microsoft towels in there as well and the rattle has completely gone away.
As for the doors, you can easily (and gently) pry the door handle up and I’ve full access to fill some space that may cause vibrations.

They really did not take the time to make this a top trim vehicle. I can also barley hear people on the phone when the volume is at 50.

 

FWIW I’ve been completely satisfied with my Camry’s JBL sound system. I usually use Bose earphones to listen to music because they put more emphasis on bass. The JBL system provides enough bass to keep me satisfied. It is also loud enough at around volume setting 20-25 when I’m cruising on the highway and 12-16 when I’m daily commuting on local roads. I set the balance to be a little towards the rear of the car to get a more surround sound feel. I definitely do not consider myself an audiophile though.

 

on my new (1 month old) 2021 XSE V6 with full JBL I get the subwoofer death rattle without having it cranked up and having equalizer flat (no extra base). Kind of surprised. Thought about climbing in trunk to see if its loose fasteners. Anybody else get the subwoover rattle vibe? And how to fix it?

 

Just bought the 2022 Toyota Camry Sport and the subwoofer rattles like crazy at low volume and bass. This “premium” JBL sound system sucks!

 

I took my 2020 XSE with the JBL sub rattles into the dealer I bought it from. Twice. Not sure if they did anything. After the second time in the service guy was kind of like there are always rattles and shrugged his shoulders. Not impressed, but I do also get that it is a design flaw, product to meet some expectations on a feature sheet and not much more.

 

Hey man,
I just got a TRD, and the bass rattle is making me crazy. Did you figure out how to fix it or uninstall the bass? I think if I can get sound deadening material between the bass and the body of the car should help a lot. I just can’t find out how to remove the grille without breaking it.
Thanks

 

All that depreciation over a car..Factory stereos have always sucked vs pretty much anything...I yanked everything out of my Tacoma and deaded every hollow part of that thing..Access cabs are noisy and tincan like vs my old double cab...I didn't overdo the power. I put in an old Sony double din and a nice little used JL amp..The speakers is where I like to put my money...Total experiment tho..Haven't put it back together...Got some nice JL 3's ? component's for the front door..And some older Memphis component's in the back...The are the older company before they went all limp ...Its balanced with the amp really well so I'm excited to hear 2 sets of component with some scorching treble gear

 

Picked my mine yesterday and the audio doesn't sound any better to me than it did with the SE, even with the bass turned up. I am not an audiophile but don't need the "tin can" sound either. I had bought a subwoofer/amp for the SE and had it removed before taking the car back to the dealer. I can hardly wait to get it into the XSE.

 

Dang. Now I’m wondering if I just got lucky with a good set of JBLs or if my audio standards are just low. I feel like it must be the latter…

 

Haha in my case I think the sound is ok. In my mind, if you want luxury audio, get a luxury car. However the bass rattle from the dedicated bass is unacceptable. Instead of going to the dealer, I prefer to fix it myself. I don’t want them messing with my car.

 

My 2021 LE did not come with any type of JBL system, I know. But I'm in the process of adding a free-air style subwoofer to the rear deck, where there is a spot already manufactured for one. My question is if anyone knows the exact size of the factory cut-out? I will install the amp and line level input to power it. I prefer this method over having a subwoofer box or fixture taking up space in the trunk, compared to this one being up out of the way.

 

The rear-deck sub isn't a standard size, and only a subwoofer designed for free-air use will sound good in it's place. And you'll probably have to deal with rattling from the rear deck.

Look for an under-seat subwoofer instead. The Kenwood KSC-SW11 and probably the similar Pioneer unit should fit under the driver's seat. Someone else here is running the Rockville sub, but I think they had to trim the carpet to make it fit.

 

Agreed anyone who paid for that have not a clue in the world or probably listens to AM radio. It’s ok they’ll comment and justify why they wasted money on it and others will sign off on their bullshit. It’s comical. But any person whose field deals with audio or has a hobby in it will gladly agree with OP. It’s trash and you overpaid. Maybe they want the bragging rights of “I got ALL the options bruh“

 

Or we just wanted to buy a reliable car that has decent audio installed and not have to mess with aftermarket installations. That’s the Apple philosophy and their stock price shows that it works. Yes it’s overpriced, but the system works decently. Not everyone wants to spend time and energy researching and installing audio systems. Not everyone can appreciate the audio quality difference either. Different strokes for different folks.

Also, if high audio quality is really high on your list of wants, then you really should spend time trying the sound system during your test drive.


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