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2018 JBL System Audio Issue

Discussion in 'Audio & Video' started by tbukolt32, Jun 13, 2018.

  1. Jun 13, 2018 at 8:09 AM
    #1
    tbukolt32

    tbukolt32 [OP] New Member

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    Hi all,

    New guy here! Has anyone else noticed that the sound / volume when playing music through BT or AUX is pretty miserable when compared to the radio or XM?

    Anybody know how to fix this?
     
  2. Jun 13, 2018 at 8:16 AM
    #2
    RonW

    RonW New Member

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    Haven' really noticed a difference.

    The sound settings are different for each input. So if you set the FM levels you have to set the BT as well.
     
  3. Jun 13, 2018 at 8:17 AM
    #3
    gamester5

    gamester5 New Member

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    Welcome to the forums from Oregon. Look at the BT phone or AUX item and make sure the volume on that device is maxed out.

    Well hate to break it to you but the JBL systems in our trucks just flat out suck. I had a 2014 4Runner with the same JBL and it was twice as powerful as the one in my current truck. I will be taking it in to the dealership and having them make double sure nothing is going wrong since I filed a complaint with Toyota Corp about the JBL system being so weak and that's the first step you have to take.

    More of us need to bring this to Toyota's attention so something, if anything, can be done.
     
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2018
    Toyotoholic and Buta311 like this.
  4. Jun 14, 2018 at 7:49 AM
    #4
    tbukolt32

    tbukolt32 [OP] New Member

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    What I mean is, when I have the volume level at 30 on radio or XM, in order to get the same volume level on BT, it has to be at like 45, and the sound is nowhere near as good of quality as on radio. Just didn't know if I was missing something...
     
  5. Jun 14, 2018 at 8:57 AM
    #5
    RonW

    RonW New Member

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    Did you set up the sound for the BT?

    It's not the same as the radio.
     
  6. Jun 16, 2018 at 5:05 AM
    #6
    ninjajay

    ninjajay Posting from the toilet

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    Turn the volume up on your phone/ipod
     
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  7. Jun 16, 2018 at 5:33 AM
    #7
    Pudge

    Pudge Super Secret Elite Member #7

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    Yeah you need to turn up the volume and chang some settings on whatever device your running BT or AUX from.
    Most actually say the exact opposite of what your saying.
     
  8. Jun 16, 2018 at 8:11 AM
    #8
    Razorwyre

    Razorwyre New Member

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    Which apps are you using for audio? Often, there is an option for "High Quality" audio in apps like Spotify. Usually the apps have a setting where they don't use high quality when not on Wifi to save on cellular data.
     
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  9. Aug 14, 2018 at 2:59 AM
    #9
    Buta311

    Buta311 New Member

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  10. Sep 20, 2018 at 11:01 AM
    #10
    Buta311

    Buta311 New Member

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  11. Sep 20, 2018 at 11:03 AM
    #11
    Buta311

    Buta311 New Member

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    Please send me the link to file with Toyota! I have a case worker and they basically told me to bad! I am furious about this! I have had multiple people agree including Toyota sales staff that the subwoofer is not firing..
     
  12. Oct 5, 2018 at 2:01 AM
    #12
    2014magtundra

    2014magtundra New Member

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    I have a 2014 limited with jbl. My friend bought a 2018 platinum with jbl. There is no comparison in volume. Mine it much much louder than his. They have done a change somewhere in the system. It’s pretty much like you get no more volume from about 40 on in the 2018. I was really surprised. He listened to mine first and was asking if I changed the door speakers? Which I haven’t. Just added an amp and subs. It seems worse when he is using Bluetooth. When set all phone settings the same as mine. There has been a change in the systems for sure. They may have had some blown speakers covered under warranty and cut the power back on it or something.
     
  13. Oct 5, 2018 at 8:13 AM
    #13
    gamester5

    gamester5 New Member

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    Same was the case for me with my 2014 Limited 4Runner and now 2018 Limited Tundra. They cut the power in half and not sure why. They have no answers for me on why this is. You would think with new models would come better, more powerful systems, not the case here. And I understand the 2019 are no different. I was hoping there was a firmware update that might solve the issue but I haven't seen anything come out.
     
  14. Oct 6, 2018 at 6:57 AM
    #14
    Twinky

    Twinky Keep the shinny side up!

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    So the volume differences between the newer model jbl truck and the previous years jbl systems is really obvious when using a bt or similar device?

    When its just the jbl radio or xm the volume levels are about the same when comparing newer vs older jbl system?

    That is odd if thats the case. Alot of aftermarket head units let you set the volume levels for each individual source. i.e. Bt, usb, aux. So toyota and jbl definitely can do the same, imo. That would be douche bag thing to do. I could see the warranty issue suggested being a possible reason.

    I havent gotten to play with the jbl system so im just kinda tossing out an idea or two hear..

    I guess there isn't any options for compensating for the audio file compression when using bluetooth? Or maybe an "auto leveling volume normalizer" type of setting available?

    If using android, has anyone opened the hidden "developers option" in the setting menu in the "about phone section"? If so, Are all of your audio codex options still set to default and is "disable absolute volume" turned on?

    Any android user have "poweramp" as their music player? if yes, OpenSl ES Output or Java for your output?


    Are there any interior microphones, like for noise cancellation. If so, try tapping something over it and listen for a difference. Its common for the sub to serve double duty as the bass and noise canceler.

    Lastly, different volume output through different phones/mp3 players do not have the same volume output when using the aux cord as your connection. some devices are just louder when they are at their max playing through any modern head unit. Aux uses the devices digital to analog converter instead of the head units.
     
  15. Oct 6, 2018 at 7:09 AM
    #15
    dandailey

    dandailey King Tundra

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    This..
     
  16. Oct 6, 2018 at 7:31 AM
    #16
    Heatonrx

    Heatonrx New Member

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    Get new speakers including subwoofers and a 5 channel amp. This is the way to go.
     
  17. Oct 6, 2018 at 2:35 PM
    #17
    2014magtundra

    2014magtundra New Member

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    Nope. Not this. It was up all the way.
     
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  18. Oct 6, 2018 at 2:36 PM
    #18
    2014magtundra

    2014magtundra New Member

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    We used a cd also. It seems to lose a lot after like 40. Just basically doesn’t increase after that.
     
  19. Oct 7, 2018 at 1:30 PM
    #19
    drapex

    drapex Floridian by birth

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    My dealership just confirmed "nothing is wrong" with my JBL system. I'm ready to file an official complaint. Did your complaint have any beneficial outcome for you?
     
  20. May 29, 2019 at 5:18 AM
    #20
    TundraGirlz

    TundraGirlz New Member

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    I had a 2010 sequoia with the JBL system & now have a 2018 sequoia & there is absolutely NO way they are the same or comparable. The one in the 2018 is SO terrible that I started researching what to do about it... hence finding this forum. Like others have said, the volume over 40 just doesn’t get louder. When I use BT or AUX or USB ports it is even lower. The base & entire system sucks & seems like it should come in a small efficiency car that is battery powered. It also automatically connects to the BT & starts playing my music library randomly every time i get in my car- no matter how many times i change the settings to NOT autoconnect. I have reached my end level of frustration & am going to find a solution. I am very tempted to have the whole system ripped out & replaced.
     
  21. Jun 6, 2019 at 10:26 AM
    #21
    Shawnml9

    Shawnml9 New Member

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    2019 platnium here and sound is awful. Guess the only think to do is replace stereo
     
  22. Aug 2, 2019 at 1:36 PM
    #22
    cmodowd

    cmodowd New Member

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    Did anyone ever get anywhere with Toyota on this? Or have a good solution to improve it?

    Came from a 2013 Platinum and the stereo was great. You can barely hear the 2019 with the windows down.
     
  23. Aug 10, 2019 at 1:26 PM
    #23
    191749

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    I bought a 19’ 1794 last week and was wondering the same thing about the speakers and JBL system. Is there a way to adjust x-over frequency— and/or Gain to the sub?? Seems silly to even be asking this question for a truck that retails for over50k. Dealership said everything was working correctly.
     
  24. Aug 10, 2019 at 1:31 PM
    #24
    joesTundra

    joesTundra New Member

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    like wise my 2018 JBL is poor sounding and Bluetooth work then doesn't work, cannot see screen in the sunlight. everyone should call Toyota and complain. they should replace them all. with newer
    apple
     
  25. Aug 13, 2019 at 4:08 PM
    #25
    dalejunior

    dalejunior New Member

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    Yes these JBL systems are pathetic. I simply upgraded everything in mine except the head unit and couldn't be happier.
     
  26. Aug 17, 2019 at 5:21 AM
    #26
    illimin8

    illimin8 New Member

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    I'm in the same boat, brand new platinum and the sound is horrible. 12 speaker JBL system with subwoofer as well.
    I was wondering if keeping the head unit but replacing all the speakers and putting in an amp would rectify the issue? Or if the source (head unit) was the issue.
    Based on your comment above, it sounds like the head unit is fine its just crappy speakers?
     
  27. Aug 17, 2019 at 7:00 AM
    #27
    dalejunior

    dalejunior New Member

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    Well said and the exactly what I did.
     
  28. Apr 20, 2020 at 2:47 PM
    #28
    RadishKing

    RadishKing New Member

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    Have a 2020 1794 and this system is garbage! Does it even have a subwoofer?? I took the fully loaded one and the system in my 2016 Kia Sornto SX destroys the one in my Tundra... so disappointed as my DT, Apple Car Play is so low... at MAX it’s doesn’t even get loud at all... don’t feel any woofer, that’s why I thought there was no woofer.
     
  29. Apr 30, 2020 at 7:26 AM
    #29
    akmerle

    akmerle New Member

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    Same boat with my 2018 Platinum.

    Started with new sub, speakers, and amp.

    Now waiting on Pioneer to release their tablet head units so I can utilize the wireless CarPlay in conjunction with the wireless center console charger mod.
     
  30. Apr 30, 2020 at 7:44 AM
    #30
    RadishKing

    RadishKing New Member

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    What brand of speakers and amp? Also, did you have to get a sound processor for the signal from the head unit to the amp?
     

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