06 Premium Radio ?

[veloindy]

I just purchased an 06 Sport, see "it's official" thread. I absolutely love the car. But the radio is in question. The window sticker had "DJ" for the stereo upgrade. The charge was $200. list. It's a 6 cd-changer, but it isn't JBL. The radio sounds fine, but doesn't have the 10 speaker setup. I thought I was getting a JBL system and I'm a little put off by it. But from what I'm reading people aren't that impressed with the JBL upgrade. Has anybody heard the JBL (EJ) vs the Premium (DJ) in the 06's? Any radio advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[RL4673]

There have been a lot of posts about the JBL stereo. This is my 5th 4Runner and I think it sounds fine. There are others who say it's missing this or that, so to each their own, I suppose. I would go back to the dealer, (or another one close by) and sit inside one with the JBL to draw your own conclusion. You may think it sounds like horrible and be glad you didn't get it after all.

 

[claydoctor]

I have the same problem. The radio you and I have did not exist pre-2006. They just took the 6 CD in-dash changer from the JBL, tacked it onto the base radio and charged us $200 I bought one of the first '06 Sports and expected it to come with the JBL because almost all the '05 Sports I had seen were equipped with the JBL which I believe was an $825 option which I would have gladly paid. Looks like they are trying to keep the sticker price down with this new configuration. Brochure says JBL "available" but as you know we are limited by the way they configure cars in geographic areas. My radio has no "bottom" for lack of a better word. I am constantly adjusting the volume trying to get a consistent listening level. I have been to a couple of audio shops and of course everyone has a different solution and most solutions start at about $1000 and go up quickly. So you put out $1000 or more and you don't even know what it's going to sound like. So far this is my only disappointment with the vehicle.

 

[veloindy]

I have the same problem. The radio you and I have did not exist pre-2006. They just took the 6 CD in-dash changer from the JBL, tacked it onto the base radio and charged us $200 I bought one of the first '06 Sports and expected it to come with the JBL because almost all the '05 Sports I had seen were equipped with the JBL which I believe was an $825 option which I would have gladly paid. Looks like they are trying to keep the sticker price down with this new configuration. Brochure says JBL "available" but as you know we are limited by the way they configure cars in geographic areas. My radio has no "bottom" for lack of a better word. I am constantly adjusting the volume trying to get a consistent listening level. I have been to a couple of audio shops and of course everyone has a different solution and most solutions start at about $1000 and go up quickly. So you put out $1000 or more and you don't even know what it's going to sound like. So far this is my only disappointment with the vehicle.

That's my exact problem. I thought I was getting JBL and didn't. Please keep me/forum posted if you find a resolution. I'm not a big fan of taking the dash apart on a new vehicle. I'm convinced it will not go back the way it came. Usually with the addition of a rattle or two too.

 

[claydoctor]

I don't think trying to retrofit the JBL system is the answer. You'd have to change all the speakers in the doors, cut a hole in the dash for the center channel speaker, put in the sub and replace those dumb rear post mirrors with speakers. You'd probably be out 2 grand in parts at dealer prices. I'd like to know whether both the standard radio and JBL have built in amps and what are the differences in power. If you look at a lot of the posts here many people have replaced the 4-Runner head unit with the one from the Scion which has a built in amp as I understand it. I don't like the appearance however. Doesn't look like it belongs in the 4 Runner although it apparently fits right in the space perfectly and even works with the steering wheel buttons.

 

[sharp4runr]

The SCION and Stock radio has the AMP built into the radio unit itself. The JBL 10 Speaker radio has an AMP in an external location (right next to the factory subwoofer).

The JBL system is a decent system, but you'll have more flexibility if you want to upgrade with the stock system. To me, the JBL system lacks low end bass but that was easily and cheaply fixed by adding another amp and subwoofers.

 

[claydoctor]

Supposedly you can add an amp to the base radio but then people say that's not as clean. There's something else you can buy (don't have the name handy) to overcome that but it comes with it's own volume knob which is a jackleg arrangement. Some say just upgrade the speakers first. Other's say that won't do you any good w/o an amp. Everybody has a different suggestion. I'm not into stoplight decibel wars using old Parliament CD's. I listen mostly to folk and country. I just don't see putting out $1500 for a $200 improvement. I'm sure I would have been delighted with the JBL.