DSP tweaks for factory stereo

[Rick U]

Hey gang Happy New Year. I've had my 2015 Limited for a little over a month and have been trying to convince myself the JBL 15 speaker system is okay. Bottom line, it's not that good to my ears. I've read the threads about changing speakers and all the challenges that come with upgrading the factory hardware. Last night on a 6 hour ride my son started playing with the preset eq's in my iphone. There is definitely some potential worth exploring. Has anyone used one of the many eq or dsp apps available?

Here is a link describing some of the apps. I tried the Dennon app in my last car and liked the results even though the app was designed to use w Dennon headphones.

The Best EQ Apps for iPhone/iPad: Control Your Music The Way You Want
Thanks

 

[dhylander]

Hey gang Happy New Year. I've had my 2015 Limited for a little over a month and have been trying to convince myself the JBL 15 speaker system is okay. Bottom line, it's not that good to my ears. I've read the threads about changing speakers and all the challenges that come with upgrading the factory hardware. Last night on a 6 hour ride my son started playing with the preset eq's in my iphone. There is definitely some potential worth exploring. Has anyone used one of the many eq or dsp apps available?

Here is a link describing some of the apps. I tried the Dennon app in my last car and liked the results even though the app was designed to use w Dennon headphones.

The Best EQ Apps for iPhone/iPad: Control Your Music The Way You Want
Thanks

I have the Equalizer and EQu apps. I think they are both good from an audio improvement standpoint. I prefer the EQu interface over Equalizer.

 

[Rick U]

Thanks I just downloaded BBE SonicMax Pro. Hopefully I can use it to create and save something using one of their pre sets as a starting point.

 

[Rick U]

Initial impression with BBE is very good. I started with the external speakers preset and moved some knobs. Most of the changes were to Lo Contour and Mach 3 Gain. I turned them both down.
Vocals snapped into focus and the boom from the sub was toned down substantially. The processing on/off button allows for quick comparisons. Not a bad start. This JBL system if capable of so much more.
.
.

 

[KostyaK]

I find the Jbl is very capable when using Cds or USB. When playing via Bluetooth it is my understanding the phone does most of the work so don't expect much of a quality output there. At least that's how it is with my android based phone.

 

[dhylander]

Initial impression with BBE is very good. I started with the external speakers preset and moved some knobs. Most of the changes were to Lo Contour and Mach 3 Gain. I turned them both down.
Vocals snapped into focus and the boom from the sub was toned down substantially. The processing on/off button allows for quick comparisons. Not a bad start. This JBL system if capable of so much more.
.
.

Based on your result I also downloaded BBE and am impressed with what it does. Rather than being an equalizer like many of the programs out there, they seem to use many of the same tools I use in my rack mounted studio gear for my synths. It really improves the sound both over Bluetooth and audio cable.

 

[Rick U]

Based on your result I also downloaded BBE and am impressed with what it does. Rather than being an equalizer like many of the programs out there, they seem to use many of the same tools I use in my rack mounted studio gear for my synths. It really improves the sound both over Bluetooth and audio cable.

Dhylander did you adjust any settings? So far this app is the best $2.99 I've spent all year.

 

[05Rrunner]

Consider yourself lucky you could have the premium edition non-JBL Entune system I have. I wish I had the JBL Option.

 

[Rick U]

Consider yourself lucky you could have the premium edition non-JBL Entune system I have. I wish I had the JBL Option.

I'd still give it a shot. It's worth trying for 2.99.

:beer:

I'd also recommend starting with the volume low to make sure you're not overdriving the whole system.

 

[dhylander]

Dhylander did you adjust any settings? So far this app is the best $2.99 I've spent all year.

[MENTION=116871]Rick U[/MENTION], of course I turned the knobs Lots... I'm finding that different types of music, or the way a CD is mixed is influenced differently by the settings, although the factory one's for each speaker type are a good beginning. Very nice program. I wish that it would allow us to save more presets and be able to name them.

I've been playing just about every blue-tooth speaker I have as well as plugging directly into my studio monitors, headphones, etc. I agree, the best $2.99 I've spent as well.

 

[Rick U]

A quick followup. After downloading and using a few apps, I've settled in with the Bongiovi DSP app. This app allows you to set different profiles for every output. It also sounded the best. A "in app" upgrade allows you to download more profiles.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bongiovi-dps/id434681565?mt=8

My best results came through Bluetooth with a profile BA UltimateEars HiFi3 then adjust the eq as you like.

This really kicked the factory JBL system up a notch.

 

[drsus]

A quick followup. After downloading and using a few apps, I've settled in with the Bongiovi DSP app. This app allows you to set different profiles for every output. It also sounded the best. A "in app" upgrade allows you to download more profiles.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bongiovi-dps/id434681565?mt=8

My best results came through Bluetooth with a profile BA UltimateEars HiFi3 then adjust the eq as you like.

This really kicked the factory JBL system up a notch.

this was a surprising let down when i got the 4runner.
My 2012 tacoma with JBL had a shockingly! good sound system on it. it was the first time i left an OEM system completely alone i was so happy with it.
i don't have JBL on my truck but the stock system is really bad even for OEM and hearing enough guys trying to tweak the 4runner JBL tells me it also has its issues. I wonder how much its hardware and how much its tuning. i have to think its tuning being that the hardware n the Tacoma worked great.

 

[DjSamthrax]

A2DP and FLAC files...

arty:

 

[Rick U]

A2DP and FLAC files...

arty:

Dj Is this possible with an iPhone? Please elaborate.

 

[DjSamthrax]

Both are very possible. FLAC files are basically loss-less audio quality files (read uncompressed) that are much higher quality than traditional MP3's.

A2DP is a very common digital processing profile for bluetooth profile for steaming music from one device to another.


I can turn up a FLAC file being played via bluetooth and has little to no distortion throughout the whole volume range.

JBL system never sounded better.

 

[Rick U]

Both are very possible. FLAC files are basically loss-less audio quality files (read uncompressed) that are much higher quality than traditional MP3's.

A2DP is a very common digital processing profile for bluetooth profile for steaming music from one device to another.


I can turn up a FLAC file being played via bluetooth and has little to no distortion throughout the whole volume range.

JBL system never sounded better.

Can you recommend an app?

 

[dekeman]

I have no idea what you sound fanatics are saying in this thread, but just went and got your Bongiovi app and upgrade anyway. I like the JBL but it needs a pinch more. Hopefully this works!

 

[dekeman]

You sound freaks are the best. I was dubious about the Bongiovi app, but was hopeful because Toyota Canada had some deal with them for sound systems in some of their cars. Followed the lead of [MENTION=116871]Rick U[/MENTION], and set profile to BA UltimateEars HiFi3.

At once, had to call my wife into truck in driveway to sit in the truck and hear the miracle that is my new JBL. Even teen son impressed.

Thanks gents!

 

[Rick U]

Glad to hear that. Amazing that Toyota doesn't do this from the factory. Either the buyers just don't care or they like the thin, annoying sound with a weak, boomy, sorry excuse of a sub. Another thought, Toyota doesn't want their best stereo option to sound as good or better than the cheapest Lexus. ??


:cheers: . :music: .

 

[dekeman]

I'm not sure Toyota Canada is still doing this, but they did have a deal with Bongiovi a few years ago. I spent four hours driving in the 4R today, must have had the volume over 35 the whole time. Love this thing. Thanks again!

"Adding the Bongiovi Acoustics Digital Power Station to your Toyota is like putting an expert audio technician inside your dashboard," declared Warren Orton, Director at Toyota Canada Inc. Orton added that each vehicle presents a unique acoustic environment."