Boy does the stock stereo suck
- Thread starter Arkangel
- Start date
cbreze
Member
My stereo is fine. I think it kind of depends on what your used to, what your expectations were and what you require in a stereo. I'm wondering if it would have made the difference to the OP if he had taken the time to really test it out would he have still purchased the 4runner. When one's expectations are to high one is usually always disappointed. Also the word "premium" when describing anything should always be taken with a grain or two of salt.
My needs are different and when I do turn it on which isn't that often, it doesn't disappoint. I just like the option to be able to use Bluetooth to run my Pandora over the phone to the stereo. I also like to be able to listen to the hum of my rig going down the road and not have big booming music in my ears. Peace and quiet. But I live in the countryside of mountains and small towns. Tranquility when driving is much preferred IMO.
My needs are different and when I do turn it on which isn't that often, it doesn't disappoint. I just like the option to be able to use Bluetooth to run my Pandora over the phone to the stereo. I also like to be able to listen to the hum of my rig going down the road and not have big booming music in my ears. Peace and quiet. But I live in the countryside of mountains and small towns. Tranquility when driving is much preferred IMO.
tamerunner
New member
I don't know why so many people respond to crap that trolls like this post but when somebody post a serious question or some mod that they have done it gets 3 replies. Why egg this guy on? To the OP, you had the premium of Honda. Maybe you should have got the premium of Toyota. Lexus maybe?
Yup. Try using the analog AUX connection (the mini jack). I've noticed audio sounds slightly digitalized over the USB connection and even more so over the Bluetooth connection. The other bonus with using the analog connection is that you can crank up the volume on your device to help drive it into the deck. The USB and BT just uses a fixed input level (iPhone 5S).
Of course, if you're not using an external device/phone to play music from this doesn't help you.
Matteblack
Member
I have the JBL in my '10 TE and I'm certainly not an audiophile but I was impressed with the sound. I threw on "Hey Nineteen" by Steely Dan to test it out and wow! :thumb3:
The JBL is awesome. I had that on my '08 but wasn't an option on the TEP, so I'm saving to upgrade the Entune. To what I don't know yet...
NoDak
Senior Member
lol 90% of my time is no audio anyway and the other 10% is for the warden when she's in there.
guess its a habit for during the winter time drives to work. tire whine changes when it goes from road to black ice, that is the easies way to tell. and we get decent long stretches of it during the winter on my 15 mile drive (one way) to work at 6am.
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slugman2894
New member
People that want a "real" audio experience buy their own speakers and notice a world of difference. Most factory speakers sound terrible, I've never personally found a set that I enjoyed. Buy new speakers, that my .02.
Sac State
New member
My radio is the tires humming and exhaust note purring contently. Seriously, I have had the radio on maybe twice. If vehicles didn't come with a radio, I wouldn't miss it. Married and two kids under 7, I like quiet solace when I am on the road alone.
If is too loud I won't hear the spaceship as it is coming to get me.
If is too loud I won't hear the spaceship as it is coming to get me.
Lol, funny how many ppl say i shoulda test drove and researched more, and one guy to sell it, come on... REALLY??
Like i said before its not a deal breaker, I did test drive and do alot of homework, thats how i got it for 35k
I just think If im paying for "premium" sound it should at least be equivilent to stock of a luxury car, not the "premium" sound of a luxury car that I would have had to pay extra for as well.
Sorry for doing a little venting and offending some of you
And thanks for the advice on using the analog aux, I will try that out
Like i said before its not a deal breaker, I did test drive and do alot of homework, thats how i got it for 35k
I just think If im paying for "premium" sound it should at least be equivilent to stock of a luxury car, not the "premium" sound of a luxury car that I would have had to pay extra for as well.
Sorry for doing a little venting and offending some of you
And thanks for the advice on using the analog aux, I will try that out
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NoDak
Senior Member
careful on the aux input, they tend to introduce static depending on the connector. I use BT and don't have issues but then again I use a android phone.
BT connection doesn't have any static from what I can tell and the volume sits just right since you can control the BT volume (I have read the BT volume on iPhones is low since I don't know if they can adjust the BT volume separately like android)
premium on Toyota doesn't necessarily mean upgraded audio, it also means better functions/features in the head unit.
ToyotaDoodz
New member
If you do use the AUX input, don't set your iPod or iPhone to more than about 95% volume or you'll start to get noise.
I much prefer and like the iPod USB integration with the ability to browse playlists, etc. You don't need to shut the iPod off. Just power off the vehicle or the audio knob and the iPod will pick right up where it was shut off last. The vehicle manages the iPod for you. Pretty sweet.
PS, I get zero noise or audio issues from the USB connection.
I much prefer and like the iPod USB integration with the ability to browse playlists, etc. You don't need to shut the iPod off. Just power off the vehicle or the audio knob and the iPod will pick right up where it was shut off last. The vehicle manages the iPod for you. Pretty sweet.
PS, I get zero noise or audio issues from the USB connection.
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TheLast13
New member
I do prefer the USB option, but I have noticed a ticking coming from the speakers only when I use USB. Its not a volume or bass thing either, but it does come out the same volume as the music. not a big deal to me.
ToyotaDoodz
New member
That's weird. You might try a different USB cable just eliminate variables. Also, copy some MP3's to a USB stick and see if it does it with them as well. That will tell you if it's on the vehicle side or the input device/cable side.
I've not noticed anything like that on my 2014 TEP.
dekeman
New member
I've listened to just about every stock car stereo there is, from Audi's to Aston Martin's to Panameras with the luscious Burmester system. (An Aston needs no stereo, the V12 is music enough). Audi's B&O system is close to being the best there is, but Toyota's JBL is not all that bad considering it doesn't cost the equivalent of a first born. I like the stock set up in the LE, especially via Bluetooth, though I wouldn't rule out changing speakers in the doors and tailgate to get that little extra that would put it on par with the best in the business.
Whiplash Willy
New member
All stock factory stereos are cheap junk. Even those that are premium branded, like bose, JBL, Mark Levinson.
Just pull off a door panel and look at the speaker of any premium brand, and you will see cheap, POS speakers, that look like junk when compared to even the cheapest aftermarket stuff.
For example, here is the $200 Mark Levinson sub woofer from a GX470.
They use such cheap materials, that after a few years, the cone starts separating. Even though the Mark Levinson audio is a $3000 option in the GX470, the component parts they use are complete junk, just like other mass produced vehicle.
Just pull off a door panel and look at the speaker of any premium brand, and you will see cheap, POS speakers, that look like junk when compared to even the cheapest aftermarket stuff.
For example, here is the $200 Mark Levinson sub woofer from a GX470.
They use such cheap materials, that after a few years, the cone starts separating. Even though the Mark Levinson audio is a $3000 option in the GX470, the component parts they use are complete junk, just like other mass produced vehicle.
My 2014 TEP sounds great. Many have remarked how good it sounds. Wonderful out of the box bass, BUT I don't listen to the radio unless it's for a football game.
I pump pure max bit rate VBR music created from lossless, non clipped, FLAC files straight from my iPod. If your input is crap, so is the output. Yeah, HD Radio, FM, AM are all lacking, but that's not new. You get used to the good stuff and you don't go back.
No I don't have or need a subwoofer, but "Bass Outlaws - Stereo Bass" still sounds good. :rockon: I don't need to break glass a block away but my bass still works well on local constipation issues.
Hi so you can play FLAC files? I thought you couldn't..
Hawaiian4runner
New member
All stock factory stereos are cheap junk. Even those that are premium branded, like bose, JBL, Mark Levinson.
Just pull off a door panel and look at the speaker of any premium brand, and you will see cheap, POS speakers, that look like junk when compared to even the cheapest aftermarket stuff.
For example, here is the $200 Mark Levinson sub woofer from a GX470.
They use such cheap materials, that after a few years, the cone starts separating. Even though the Mark Levinson audio is a $3000 option in the GX470, the component parts they use are complete junk, just like other mass produced vehicle.
I hope you are wrong (but I'm pretty sure you are right). Wife has a 2014 Lexus GS350 with the Levinson audio. It actually sounds damn good for factory. Sound staging not great but otherwise sound quality is good. Does not produce pounding lows but it does produce very high quality sound. Mids are wonderful. I have been tempted to look at the speakers but don't want to be disappointed. Lexus says the 2014 GS ML has the newest and finest high efficiency speakers but I suspect they still have the cheap plastic frame and overall flimsy construction.
slugman2894
New member
To put things more in perspective, its just like everything else factory. A better option exists, it just depends on what you want to spend the money on. Yeah your stock suspension will take you off road, but lets be honest, you wouldnt mind having that nice Icon system. 
NoDak
Senior Member
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