2018 JBL Premium Sound Upgrade

Here’s the image of the screen showing premium JBL as not available on Limited. That’s where I saw it.

 

I too have a Limited with the JBL premium sound system....premium by Toyota's standards I guess.....Getting ready to gut the entire system and go with Kenwood/Hertz/Rockford to replace it all.....

 

I don't know what the screen shot is but it does say what is included in the JB package. You can go on the Toyota web site and build a Tundra Limited and when you get to the option tab it will let you pick the JBL as a stand alone option or as part of the Premium package.

 

Download spottily if you already don't have it.
Go to settings > music quality > set to extreme
Search for beastie boys song is intergalactic

That song will move your sub if it is working. If you cant see it move playing this song there is something broken.

 

love that song....blast from the past!

 

Dropped the truck off at the Toyota dealer so they can figure out while the sub isn't working.

And no offense but I will have to find another song to test the sub. The one suggested is just horrible, I can't listen to that garbage.

 

Wow...the Toyota website can be very confusing. I went back, and the package I have should be the premium JBL. I guess I just need to make an appointment at the dealer to find out for sure.

 

You are right about that. When I tried to figure out what I wanted it took me a while because some packages or individual options want to remove stuff you selected in another step.

 

Was your sub broken?

 

I don't know yet what the verdict is, my truck is at the dealer as we speak. One thing, the service writer couldn't get the sub to work or was able to hear or feel it. I am hoping they find something wrong with it, fix it and make it sound somewhat like a premium stereo. I am not holding my breath though and I am prepared to by the OEM+ Audio JBL upgrade kit.

 

Let me know how it goes. I’m skeptical about those kits but without I’m looking at about 5 grand

 

I am sure a well put together system for several thousand Dollar will sound better, if you have the expertise to properly match components. I am by no means an audiophile, just want a little bit better and clearer sound which, according to reviews, the OEM+ Audio solution will give me at a reasonable price. I will first see what the dealership tells me. No matter what, I have to be sure that my factory system is working as it is supposed to because the OEM+ stuff just piggy backs off it.

 

I got out my window sticker...and I'm also supposed to have the JBL Premium. My '13 had much more bass power and better sound, and it was also the JBL Premium. I'm anxious to hear what your dealer says..I'll call mine next week

 

Went to get my truck and was told everything works. The tech checked all the wiring nd pulled the sub-woofer plug and said it makes a faint difference. They also compared it to a new truck on the lot which had the same shitty sound. I guess it is time to upgrade, I wish they had some Black Friday sales going on.

Dealer findings are attached.

 

Ugh! I guess I'll just have to get used to it. The difference in the sound from my '13 to my '18 is truly unbelievable. I'm not sure why Toyota would go backwards on what was a fantastic sound system?

 

Here is Toyota's patronizing response to my email. I guess we are the non-paid part of their product improvement research for future trucks.

What a joke.

 

I just sent them an email with very similar content. I highly doubt the system is 440 watts. My '13 Tundra had the older version of the JBL Premium, and it was the best factory sound system I ever had. The '18 is truly disappointing. They could have a huge class-action suit on their hands.

 

You know, they could probably fix or at least improve the system with a software update and some frequency crossovers for the front door speakers.

 

I asked them a question and got the same response. No answer to my question. They will send you a survey on how the support was.

 

There is no "power" there. The JBL system in my '13 literally shook the rearviews! It really thumped. I'd bet the new system is only half the power of my old one. I was very disappointed when I wanted to crank it up. I guess if enough people complain about it, they might do something.

 

Doubt it. They can say you heard the stereo when you test drove it.

 

If they advertise a 440 watt system, it must produce 440 watts of sound. Otherwise, every vehicle would advertise 100mpg. After owning a '13 Tundra, with the 440 watt JBL premium system, I can assure you that there's no way in hell the premium system in my '18 is anywhere close to that amount of power. There's either a problem, or they mis-represented the system. Period.

 

You would think that the same team who designed the Tundra JBL system also designs the up-level systems for other Toyota models so they have to realize that the Tundra system is inferior.

We can complain about it all we want, judging by Toyota's reply nothing will happen and they don't care because they already have our money.

 

Taco Tunes is offering a 15% discount and free shipping as a Black Friday deal. I wish OEM+ Audio file suit.

 

Platinum /JBL owner here. Yup, what a joke the "upgrade" is. And I'm sure I'm stating the obvious but the problem is the whole system is tied together, so replacing a component here and there is worthless. I'm waiting to hear some feedback on the OEMPlus plug and play. The ********* system addresses the shortfalls properly but looks like a hassle to install.

Anyone ditch the whole system and regret loosing the vehicle controls/options in the head unit?

 

Bought the first pieces today for the redo. Keeping the head unit. Everything else is going.

 

Last thing I would want to do is replacing my head unit, there are just to many features embedded I would loose. Besides that I like the way it looks and really have no complaints about it.

 

What are the components of the set up you are going to use?

 

Agreed, that's what makes the JBL so frustrating to try and correct.

 

Hertz Esk 165L.5 components front (bought)

Hertz ECX 165.5 rear doors (bought)

Alpine X-A70F 700w run the above speakers (bought)

Alpine X-A90M 900W run the subs (bought)

2 10” Focal subs (not bought)

Rockford 3sixty processor to clean up signal (Not bought)