14 LE JBL Dash Speaker Replacement - Page 2 - Toyota 4Runner Forum

SkidPalace · 07-20-2022, 07:40 PM

As a follow up, I just measured the stock speaker and it is 2.0 across the terminals as expected.

dauphin · 07-22-2022, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarthYota

I know everyone hears differently but what do you guys think? About 1/2 to 2/3 through the video I started balancing front to rear instead of just all front, while shifting left to right.

2014 4runner Limited - JBL GX328 vs stock JBL dash - YouTube

I'm no audiophile either, and I am a newbie regarding audio modifications. But like you, I have had trouble finding anyone with my -exact- scenario to look to for tips. I have a 2011 Limited with JBL w/ Nav (*with 3rd row seats). I -might- be replacing my dash speakers, but I am going to have to probably start a new post to get a little help with my troubleshooting (sound quality is fine. They go in and out (as a pair), typically with bumps in the road!?!).

Anyway, like you and a few others on the forum, I'm not interested in doing a complete overhaul of the system (although I originally started looking at my options for modifications because I would like just a little more bass. But that became secondary once my dash speakers started getting flaky). It seems like it's a bit of an all-or-nothing on "fixing" things because of the way the HU/amp/door/dash, etc. are all kind of "designed" to work a certain way. And I am in no place to re-think their logic. I was disappointed to see your comment that adequate replacements for the dash speakers are few and far between. Ugh.

Back to your stated question: maybe it's because I'm used to the way my system sounds, but I like the stock speaker's sound much more. Based on the price you mentioned for stock JBL's (plus the reduced quantity of tweaks/testing needed), and your video, that's probably the direction I'm headed in (if in fact they need replacing).

DarthYota · 07-24-2022, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy556

It does. The JBL system uses a separate amp and 8" sub in the rear cargo area and all 2 ohm speakers, which makes replacement with aftermarket speakers difficult to impossible without losing a lot of power from the OEM amp.

yeah I'm just stunned that .3 ohms makes such a big difference.

are the stock JBL's just super efficient.

my buddy brought up a good point too (I think, without fully understanding the tech) that this is a 3.5 inch speaker with a larger magnet, so even if it was same ohms and everything else being equal, there is more magnet/cone for the same amount of energy to push which would probably cause it to put out less volume ie not as loud.

decided to hack up the passenger side today and install the other gx328. if after both are in I cant stand it...well that will just be money thrown at an experiment.

will report back after complete.

DarthYota · 07-24-2022, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkidPalace

Chiming in here. Thanks for making this thread @DarthYota .
So happy to see a thread with someone in EXACTLY the same predicament as I am. In my case the passenger side dash speaker is the blown unit in my '15 Limited. I am looking for as simple a replacement as possible for just the blown speaker if possible. I'd rather not spend close to a hundred dollars to replace a single cheap OEM speaker with another cheap OEM speaker. I'd also prefer not to go tearing into the doors to replace with a component setup. Forget about swapping the head unit and amp.
I have built my share of custom car audio systems and frankly, I was relatively satisfied with the sound produced by the JBL system in my truck. With decent quality music and proper tone controls the system can belt out pretty clear sound at a pretty loud volume.
All that said I have bought a couple of pairs of speakers to try out.
I bought these Red Wolf speaker harness adapters to make the install easier and they seem to work great, even though the 2015 LE is not listed in the description.
I have the Pioneer TS-A709 2 3/4" 2-ways that are rated at 4 ohm but measure 3.2 across the terminals. These drop right into the stock brackets plug and play. Unfortunately they are practically inaudible. Completely useless by anyone's standards.
I also have the Infinity 3032cfx. These are rated at 3 ohms but measure 2.4 across the terminals. These at least made a bit of sound, but nowhere near the level of the stock speaker.
Suffice to say I am not real happy with either choice.
I have JBL GX328s and GX302s on order arriving next week. After hearing your video, I might just go ahead and cancel them. They were not any louder than the Inifinitys.
@DarthYota What did your GXs measure across the terminals?
I might try to find the 2-ohm 3032cf Infinitys you mentioned and give them a go in the event that they come in with an impedance lower than the cfx model I tried.

Glad I could help. I had the same problem. There was only one or two threads specific to LE JBL system. I was pretty satisfied with the stock JBL system too. I probably should have just bought a replacement stock but I like to tinker and frustrate myself. Even the stock JBL's seem cheap quality compared to the GX328.

The GX328 measured 2.3/4 initially and then settled in at 2.0/1 across the terms. Had to go buy a new voltmeter just for this...thank you

Wish I would have known those wire harnesses worked. I looked at them but couldn't find anything conclusive. Hacking up the stock's wasn't hard but now it means I have to buy 2 stock replacements if I decide to go back to them. Might buy the 3032cf's and give them a try just so I know.

DarthYota · 07-24-2022, 02:49 PM

oh and just to make sure it didn't change the audio composition I removed the speaker grille on the passenger side. I had a thought that maybe that area that everyone has to shave off might be focusing the sound more and directing it to bounce off a specific area of the windshield thereby causing it to appear to sound different. No change...Same results of gx328 vs stock with both grilles removed.

DarthYota · 07-24-2022, 06:50 PM

so got the passenger in.

80mph, highway, all windows down and sunroof open. Max volume. Can hear it well, but yeah seems a little less volume and filling than before. Sadly can still hear myself singing now. And still wishing for a bit more, but that was true for the stocks too.

If nobody had told me, I would think they were stocks for just a serviceable upgraded stock system. I actually really liked the stock JBL system. Was probably the best one out of my 2010 Equinox, 2004 Audi A6, and 2001 Passat. My 99 528i had the standard stock system which was great on the highs but 0 bass. Had added an infinity self amped sub to it. it was still mediocre.

For grins I tested the stock JBL passenger speaker which was still good. On the mid terminals it measures 1.9/2.0 ohm. On the tweeter terminals (top) it measures 6.1 ohm. Ummm...wtf.

just ordered the red wolf harnesses and the infinity 3032cf. Will be here tuesday. I just had to know since they are .3 ohm less and 2db of sensitivity higher. will report back next weekend or whenever I get to put them in.

matoolie · 07-27-2022, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarthYota

so got the passenger in.

80mph, highway, all windows down and sunroof open. Max volume. Can hear it well, but yeah seems a little less volume and filling than before. Sadly can still hear myself singing now. And still wishing for a bit more, but that was true for the stocks too.

If nobody had told me, I would think they were stocks for just a serviceable upgraded stock system. I actually really liked the stock JBL system. Was probably the best one out of my 2010 Equinox, 2004 Audi A6, and 2001 Passat. My 99 528i had the standard stock system which was great on the highs but 0 bass. Had added an infinity self amped sub to it. it was still mediocre.

For grins I tested the stock JBL passenger speaker which was still good. On the mid terminals it measures 1.9/2.0 ohm. On the tweeter terminals (top) it measures 6.1 ohm. Ummm...wtf.

just ordered the red wolf harnesses and the infinity 3032cf. Will be here tuesday. I just had to know since they are .3 ohm less and 2db of sensitivity higher. will report back next weekend or whenever I get to put them in.

Thanks for all the feedback and follow-ups. The GX328's are on my list as possible upgrade, but seems they are similar to stock with some subtle differences as you pointed out. I tend to agree your comments based on your video.

The 3032cf are also on my list so I am looking forward to your results.

For what it is worth, I changed out my headunit on my '14 Limited to a Kenwood unit to get Carplay and most aftermarket radios have multiband EQ's that allow much better adjustments than just treble, mid, bass on OEM headunit. As a result, I was able to get the system to sound the way I wanted with the OEM JBL speakers. But swapping out the headunit on my '21 is not an option so why I've been looking at possible speaker upgrades and your posts have been helpful. Thanks again!

DarthYota · 07-27-2022, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matoolie

Thanks for all the feedback and follow-ups. The GX328's are on my list as possible upgrade, but seems they are similar to stock with some subtle differences as you pointed out. I tend to agree your comments based on your video.

The 3032cf are also on my list so I am looking forward to your results.

For what it is worth, I changed out my headunit on my '14 Limited to a Kenwood unit to get Carplay and most aftermarket radios have multiband EQ's that allow much better adjustments than just treble, mid, bass on OEM headunit. As a result, I was able to get the system to sound the way I wanted with the OEM JBL speakers. But swapping out the headunit on my '21 is not an option so why I've been looking at possible speaker upgrades and your posts have been helpful. Thanks again!

so I ordered the 3032cf's from amazon. 3032cfx's (True 4ohm whatever the hell that means) showed up. Returning and ordered the 3022cf's. At 2.65ohm I'm less inclined that they will be any better than the 328's.

When you did the HU change on your 14 did you swap out the amp and/or everything else or were able to just do the HU?

matoolie · 07-27-2022, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarthYota

When you did the HU change on your 14 did you swap out the amp and/or everything else or were able to just do the HU?

I only swapped out the headunit. Kept the JBL amp and speakers. Got everything from Crutchfield and they provided all the harnesses and adapters to make everything work.

DarthYota · 08-09-2022, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarthYota

so I ordered the 3032cf's from amazon. 3032cfx's (True 4ohm whatever the hell that means) showed up. Returning and ordered the 3022cf's. At 2.65ohm I'm less inclined that they will be any better than the 328's.

well guess what...once again 3032cfx's showed up from amazon instead of the ordered 3022cf's. I give up. ymmv. returning the red wolf wiring harnesses since I only needed them for the infinity's.

However part of the reason I'm giving up is the GX328's have settled in quite nicely. After a few weeks of running them, I am happy with them just not blown away by them. Not sure if they needed a little "break in" period or if I just adjusted to them, but I'm no longer considering going back to full stock or trying other options.

So I now have a perfectly functioning passenger side stock JBL dash speaker. Dont think it matters whether passenger or driver. I've clipped the harness right against the terminals but other than it's in good shape...for an 8 year old speaker. If anyone wants it, just pay shipping and it's yours.

NYRunner · 08-17-2022, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarthYota

well guess what...once again 3032cfx's showed up from amazon instead of the ordered 3022cf's. I give up. ymmv. returning the red wolf wiring harnesses since I only needed them for the infinity's.

However part of the reason I'm giving up is the GX328's have settled in quite nicely. After a few weeks of running them, I am happy with them just not blown away by them. Not sure if they needed a little "break in" period or if I just adjusted to them, but I'm no longer considering going back to full stock or trying other options.

So I now have a perfectly functioning passenger side stock JBL dash speaker. Dont think it matters whether passenger or driver. I've clipped the harness right against the terminals but other than it's in good shape...for an 8 year old speaker. If anyone wants it, just pay shipping and it's yours.

@DarthYota

If the passenger side dash speaker can fit in the drivers’ side space I’d love to take that off your hands!

Frasher4Runner · 08-18-2022, 11:34 PM

sub'd

SkidPalace · 08-20-2022, 02:54 PM

@DarthYota
PM'd

DarthYota · 08-25-2022, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYRunner

@DarthYota

If the passenger side dash speaker can fit in the drivers’ side space I’d love to take that off your hands!

I believe the speakers are identical. If anything the bracket might be different.

As of the moment it's spoken for but I will let you know if that falls through.

arcticsilver · 10-09-2022, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarthYota

well guess what...once again 3032cfx's showed up from amazon instead of the ordered 3022cf's. I give up. ymmv. returning the red wolf wiring harnesses since I only needed them for the infinity's.

However part of the reason I'm giving up is the GX328's have settled in quite nicely. After a few weeks of running them, I am happy with them just not blown away by them. Not sure if they needed a little "break in" period or if I just adjusted to them, but I'm no longer considering going back to full stock or trying other options.

So I now have a perfectly functioning passenger side stock JBL dash speaker. Dont think it matters whether passenger or driver. I've clipped the harness right against the terminals but other than it's in good shape...for an 8 year old speaker. If anyone wants it, just pay shipping and it's yours.

looking for one of the stock jbl speakers to replace a blown tweeter if you still have it

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