JBL vs non JBL

What’s up guys. I’m looking to upgrade the sound of the shitty speakers in my SR5. I don’t want/need anything exotic, and don’t want to spend a ton of money on a sound system. I have to opportunity to buy a JBL head unit with the JBL speakers. Is it worth it and is the sound quality better than the stock SR5?

 

IMHO, no...the problem with both the JBL and non JBL is the lack of power. I would look at upgrading to an aftermarket amplifier and speakers. There are quite a few threads on this. ********* and tech12volts both have bundles/plug and play stuff put together to help owners out, or you can just hit up a reputable local stereo shop and see what they can do for you.

 

Do not go with the stock JBL system, everyone on here says it sucks and you're better off going with aftermarket. I don't have the stock JBL, but have read more negative comments on it than positive

 

NO!

 

I have the JBL and am not impressed at all. Now, I also am not overly worried about it, and may upgrade at some point, mostly to get something with carplay or androidplay capable, but for now, it's meh.

 

I do not like my JBL. It's easier to improve the non JBL too.

 

I have the JBL in my 17 and I agree with...meh. It's not bad, but it's not up to par with about every other auto manufacturer, imo.

 

NO! Avoid the stock JBL system at all costs!!!!!

 

Ditto to what everyone else is saying.

 

Get

 

JBL or Non JBL... they both suck.

 

No don’t do it!

 

The only audio with a J and a L that's worth it..

 

This

and this

 

What’s that ? Lol

 

I’m in the same boat. Called one place and they sent a $1200 quote for a way overboard system.

I just want more depth and bass. I think aftermarket head units always look funky, but stock doesn’t have much capabilities.

 

Funky? No.

 

Agree! Funky? Hell no!

 

Looks good. I’m talking about basic head units. Reminds me of the 90’s/early 2000’s when every 1980’s car had one put in. Don’t forget to bring it in at night so it doesn’t get stolen!

 

I didn’t realize how bad a stock radio is until I had a new F150 rental this week and good lord that radio at volume level 15 was louder then mine all the way up.

I’ve read the Tesla style radio is better then stock.

 

Thanks for the feed back guys. Sound like I’ll enjoy the radio at level 40 until I buck up and get a big boy sound system.

 

Cool! I see it now!

 

I just replaced the stocker in my GMC Envoy with a double din Kenwood. The Envoy had a premium Bose system from factory and now that system is unleashed just with the change of the head unit. I went with the now already out dated Kenwood https://www.crutchfield.com/S-pw1T3mbVM1U/p_113DNX573S/Kenwood-DNX573S.html. Its the last model but at half the price.

 

So first post and maybe a dumb question, but how do you tell if you have JBL vs non JBL? Is there badging somewhere? I have the non-nav head unit and I am looking to upgrade to something with nav. I see some standard head units in the marketplace but they are either non JBL or JBL and apparently they are not compatible. I was also looking at some of the aftermarket stuff but I don't want to spend a grand to listen to music...

 

Welcome! Go over the new member area and post up some pics of your truck!
You are wasting your time/money trying to upgrade to a better factory head unit. Just go aftermarket. Find one with Android Auto or Car Play and call it a day.

 

If you have a JBL unit there should be a logo at the top of your stereo. As others have said, don't waste your time/money "upgrading" to a JBL unit. It's a lot easier to upgrade a non-JBL system since you don't have to deal with the crappy amp. Just get an Android/Apple-compatible unit without nav and use Car Play/Android Auto for nav if you want to save some money.

 

Thanks for the quick responses. I have to pace myself in this forum, I have already found thousands of dollars worth of stuff I want to do and I haven't even had the truck for a month! I will hit up some of the local car stereo places and see what they have for a reasonable price. I am not an audiophile, but the radio does seem pretty underwhelming volume wise.