JBL Radio interface PAC vs Metra

[KBToys]

So I thought I would give everybody my comparison between the two. I originally installed the PAC TATO radio adapter for my Pioneer radio and for the ease of install this one wins. I was able to install the radio adapter and the PAC steering wheel control with out having to splice into the factory wiring harness. It's all a plug and play install. The problem I had was the volume was not good. I pretty much was maxing out the volume on my pioneer if I wanted to hear the radio if I had the windows down on the freeway. Also the sound quality wasn't really any better than with the factory radio. Also just to let everybody know I made sure when I took out the factory radio to zero out the settings and I turned the volume up to 60. I also tried using the max setting on the PAC TATO which is 7db. I wasn't really happy with this and my original next step was to bypass the JBL amp and install aftermarket amps but I just didn't want to go through this process. As a last resort I decided to replace the PAC adapter and use the Metra TYTO-01, after installing the volume was a lot better. Instead of dip switches that the PAC adapter uses the Metra adapter has dial gain that you adjust the gain for volume. I didn't max out but was close to maxing out, I am pleased with the volume now and also the sound quality is a lot better than with PAC. Now when I say better I am not saying it will be better than if I were to use aftermarket amps. The factory JBL amp can only do so much especially with stock speakers, but I can say it is better than with the original factory radio. Now for the actual install, the issue with the Metra is that you do have to splice into the factory harness to install the steering wheel control. Also the Metra does not have a dimmer wire like the PAC does. So if you do want to use the dimmer wire on your aftermarket radio you will also need to splice into the factory harness as well.

Before replacing the factory radio I did countless searches on here and it seemed that most of everybody was using the PAC or the Scosche adapter. Didn't really find and that used the METRA.

 

[noshortcuts]

+1, Metra wins over PAC

I recently installed a Pioneer head unit and began with the PAC but ended up scrapping it and trying the Metra which worked without issue. For me the PAC seemed to give inconsistent messages to the JBL system. It would work for awhile but then the sound would cut out like it stopped sending a signal to the JBL amp or something.

You may have done this but for others doing an install like this... Note that you will get a wider range of usable volume (no clipping or other distortion) if you turn off the amp on the replacement HU. If both amps are running (replacement HU and the JBL amp) it is harder to set the gains on the PAC or Metra and you still end up with less range of clean sound.

 

[drewm]

I ran the metra for a while, it was good, but I'd get constant static through the speakers. In the end I swapped out my front speakers, ran real wiring to them, and swapped the sub out and ran my own amp. It was seriously better after that. You'd be amazed at how disgustingly cheap the JBL speakers are. The front tweeters are standard cheap 2" paper con speakers just like what come in clock radios.

 

[KBToys]

I ran the metra for a while, it was good, but I'd get constant static through the speakers. In the end I swapped out my front speakers, ran real wiring to them, and swapped the sub out and ran my own amp. It was seriously better after that. You'd be amazed at how disgustingly cheap the JBL speakers are. The front tweeters are standard cheap 2" paper con speakers just like what come in clock radios.

Are you still using the Metra adapter for your mid's and hi's? I have been thinking of changing out the front speakers

 

[Sungod]

I think your problem with the PAC is you didn't follow the instructions. It clearly states that your volume should be 3/4 not full. I didn't think it was a big deal, but had similar problems. I put it back in followed the instructions and it worked fine.

 

[noshortcuts]

I think your problem with the PAC is you didn't follow the instructions. It clearly states that your volume should be 3/4 not full. I didn't think it was a big deal, but had similar problems. I put it back in followed the instructions and it worked fine.

Not sure if you are responding to me ... I did follow the 3/4 volume instruction but the problem I had with PAC could still have been user error.

 

[DC runner]

PAC is a US company that does what every other small size electronic company that wants to make a profit does: They go to China, like everyone else.

Where Samsung, Apple, HTC, Dell, etc. either a. own factories or b. large enough clout to ensure quality control, these small companies have to go to the factory down the road. This factory is given the schematics and then builds it.

Crappy. Half don't work and fail out, not shipped. The other half are a crap shoot. Some might work 100%, some 50%, who knows. The Chinese have never internalized quality control. They literally DO NOT CARE.

An HTC or ASUS power cord will have less than a 2% fluctuation, a chinese knock off that looks just like it? 40% voltage fluctuation and OVER voltage. Will fry your phone.. your ipod, you laptop.

I have been reading these PAC TATO debates on the mine works, why doesn't yours, or : you did something wrong and I decided to step in. I can almost guarantee these things are internally pieces of junk and it is literally a gamble on how well it will work.

Sorry. Small firms have no other choice. They can't afford the margins to have it built here, not yet, nor do they have the clout to force China to give a damn. Sorry.

Best solution? Don't deal with it.

 

[drewm]

Are you still using the Metra adapter for your mid's and hi's? I have been thinking of changing out the front speakers

I'm running the fronts from aftermarket deck power, ran new cables. I currently have the metra disabled so it won't even power up the jbl amp.