JBL Stereo

[FirstLC]

What was total cost to buy + install and how long did it take?

Hey there, as I mentioned in a previous post for the sake of full disclosure, Eric and Beat-Sonic gave me the amp and provided the install to create their promotional video. I think the amp works very well to my ears. YMMV, as sound is subjective.

I will say, they did an amazing job putting everything back together. No rattles, everything was perfect.

 

[Martinfj250]

Well I just installed it in mine (LC Premium) Sounds really good compared to the stock amp!!! However, when I start the car I have a parking break error then a system error. I took out the center console and made sure the 3 connections were clicked in and they were. Unplugged them and replugged them. Still have the error.
Says to see the dealer.

 

[McCloud_Rainbow]

Well I just installed it in mine (LC Premium) Sounds really good compared to the stock amp!!! However, when I start the car I have a parking break error then a system error. I took out the center console and made sure the 3 connections were clicked in and they were. Unplugged them and replugged them. Still have the error.
Says to see the dealer.

Check your battery charge. Possible your 12 volt battery ran low during install

 

[Vetterous]

Well I just installed it in mine (LC Premium) Sounds really good compared to the stock amp!!! However, when I start the car I have a parking break error then a system error. I took out the center console and made sure the 3 connections were clicked in and they were. Unplugged them and replugged them. Still have the error.
Says to see the dealer.

I cycled the brake via the switch, and power cycled the LC and that fixed it for me

 

[rickc5]

Now that more guys have their LC….what u all think??. JBL good or not good enough….guess it depends on the trim too.

We have the JBL and while it's not as good as the Mark Levinson systems in Lexus vehicles, we're happy enough to not change anything. Bass response is sure lacking though.

 

[Martinfj250]

I cycled the brake via the switch, and power cycled the LC and that fixed it for me

Thanks. I didn't have time to mess with it as I just finished and had to head out. When I got back I cycled both and it worked just like you said.

I followed the video and the whole process took just under an hour. It's not a mind blowing change but it is definitely better than stock

 

[shwazz714]

As a follow up, I ordered this and decided to install myself as the San Diego shop I reached out to wanted $300+ to do it and I didn’t want to use 3-4 hours to go from San Diego to la to have beat sonic do it for $100.

I’ve got very little experience with this stuff (my first time doing anything more than strapping a surfboard on roof tracks on a car was when I did my 1k oil change for my lc), but I’ve been trying to become more handy and self sufficient so have it a go.

Used trim removal tools, a drill and the YouTube video. Was minority stressful but really not that bad.

Would say it did a solid job of increasing sound quality - more clear, more bass, more fun

 

[LandcruiserNut]

I like mine! Couldn’t fit the Stones or Pat Metheny in the cargo area.

 

[SOCAL250]

One small detail that I left out is the Beatsonic amp is a class A/B amp, which will run hotter than the more efficient class D amps which are very popular now. I asked Beatsonic how much the relative lack of airflow will affect the amp. They indicated that the amp has a thermal shutoff if it gets too hot. However, they did not indicate how many hours they had tested it before the shutoff occurs. I am speculative that anything more than a couple hour roadtrip in summer temps at a volume loud enough to overcome road noise may cause it to kick off. Hope I am wrong though. Also, if you are used to an aftermarket subwoofer handling the low frequency duty (even at lower volume), you may not be happy with anything but another aftermarket subwoofer.

Or you could install it here. Night and day difference. I was going to upgrade speaker but not anymore.

 

[EOD Guy]

As a follow up, I ordered this and decided to install myself as the San Diego shop I reached out to wanted $300+ to do it and I didn’t want to use 3-4 hours to go from San Diego to la to have beat sonic do it for $100.

I’ve got very little experience with this stuff (my first time doing anything more than strapping a surfboard on roof tracks on a car was when I did my 1k oil change for my lc), but I’ve been trying to become more handy and self sufficient so have it a go.

Used trim removal tools, a drill and the YouTube video. Was minority stressful but really not that bad.

Would say it did a solid job of increasing sound quality - more clear, more bass, more fun

Never be afraid to try something, but remember to stop before you do something that can't be undone. If you follow that simple rule, you'll learn a lot! (some examples: drilling a hole when you don't know what's on the other side. Cutting parts of the car off, when you don't know exactly why.)

 

[LC3]

Now that more guys have their LC….what u all think??. JBL good or not good enough….guess it depends on the trim too.

I have the LC edition 10 speaker and am pleasantly surprised. Only issue is the lower end when I'm listening at regular volume. Talked to a stereo guy and he said that it's designed to filter ambient noise with the system at lower volume levels.

 

[micah]

Now that more guys have their LC….what u all think??. JBL good or not good enough….guess it depends on the trim too.

I also spent all kind of money upgrading my 17 TACO head unit to a really nice pioneer system and new speakers only to really like my JBL sound system in my LC trim package much more. I'd give this new system a 7.5 out of 10.

 

[reclinerhead]

Hi - has anyone played around with CarPlay and high-quality streaming (like Tidal) over a wired USB cable instead of bluetooth? Sitting in my driveway this morning I did some listening and I'm almost certain that it sounds better and less compressed.

 

[SOCAL250]

The 14-speaker JBL system just wasn’t cutting it for me—it lacked fullness, and the frequencies felt off, muddy, and not harmonious. I’m not a fan of bass that’s all about the unnecessary “boom boom boom.” I prefer bass that complements the music and stays in sync with it. Thankfully, the Beat Sonic amp solved that issue for me, bringing the sound to life in a much more balanced way. Having it in the glove compartment for quick adjustments is a bonus—I can easily tweak the gains whenever I need to, and I’m really happy with the result.

That’s just my take, though, after hearing some solid sound systems. If you’re happy with the OEM sound, then stick with it! But if you’ve ever listened to a truly refined audio system (and I’m not talking about the ones blasting crazy bass down the street), you might find the stock system underwhelming, just like I did.

 

[micah]

The 14-speaker JBL system just wasn’t cutting it for me—it lacked fullness, and the frequencies felt off, muddy, and not harmonious. I’m not a fan of bass that’s all about the unnecessary “boom boom boom.” I prefer bass that complements the music and stays in sync with it. Thankfully, the Beat Sonic amp solved that issue for me, bringing the sound to life in a much more balanced way. Having it in the glove compartment for quick adjustments is a bonus—I can easily tweak the gains whenever I need to, and I’m really happy with the result.

That’s just my take, though, after hearing some solid sound systems. If you’re happy with the OEM sound, then stick with it! But if you’ve ever listened to a truly refined audio system (and I’m not talking about the ones blasting crazy bass down the street), you might find the stock system underwhelming, just like I did.

Tell me more about your install of this amp. Thanks.

 

[landcruiserc]

Prem stereo here. Does not get loud enough, like all Toyotas. Looking for solutions to get more volume.

Bass is fine for without a dedicated subwoofer. For a factory sub, it is alright. Doesn't really hit hard, leaves much to be desired. For a premium audio system, these car manfs are anything but premium. It's what a normal new vehicle audio system should be at a basic level.

 

[johnny burb]

Prem stereo here. Does not get loud enough, like all Toyotas. Looking for solutions to get more volume.

Bass is fine for without a dedicated subwoofer. For a factory sub, it is alright. Doesn't really hit hard, leaves much to be desired. For a premium audio system, these car manfs are anything but premium. It's what a normal new vehicle audio system should be at a basic level.

I have the JBL Premium and getting the best sonic installed next week. Also, replacing 3 dash speakers with 3.5” kicker and the front door 6x9s with kicker. He will be installing some sound damping in front door to reduce rattling at volume. He will see what he can do with shallow mount sub as a replacement. Hopefully it all turns out!

 

[SOCAL250]

I have the JBL Premium and getting the best sonic installed next week. Also, replacing 3 dash speakers with 3.5” kicker and the front door 6x9s with kicker. He will be installing some sound damping in front door to reduce rattling at volume. He will see what he can do with shallow mount sub as a replacement. Hopefully it all turns out!

Have them put in the glove box like I did. It's so much better if you need to tweak. I was also testing it for the heat it never really got hot or anything just warm.

 

[SOCAL250]

Does anybody have a picture of the JBL premium front doors speakers, the a pillar tweeter and L/R dash speaker . I want to see what they look like

 

[SOCAL250]

Tell me more about your install of this amp. Thanks.

I got it installed at the Beat-Sonic shop. I asked them if they could install it in the glove box, but only if it didn’t require drilling any holes. The sound quality is much cleaner and healthier now. This should be done before upgrading any speakers, as the head unit itself is not good at delivering clean sound.