JBL System - Easy way to add a sub-woofer?
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Spaceman Spiff
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10 Spaker? My 04 JBL Synthesis system is only 8 speakers.
Either way, I'm finding it extremely difficult to do anything with this system because of the surround sound and CD/Tape Player combo.
Either way, I'm finding it extremely difficult to do anything with this system because of the surround sound and CD/Tape Player combo.
Spaceman Spiff
New member
You're right, it is 10 speakers. I read Toyota's website incorrectly and thought that later models had the tweeters installed in the dash, not the upper front door.
Mine does have 10 speakers.
Let me know what you find out on the schematics though, I'm interested in what options we have. I'm currently installing XM radio in mine this weekend.
Mine does have 10 speakers.
Let me know what you find out on the schematics though, I'm interested in what options we have. I'm currently installing XM radio in mine this weekend.
TeryT
New member
I looked at the schematic. Basically it's pretty simple, if you don't pay attention to the back seat controller or some of the other bells & whistles.
There's only the right & left channel (4 wires) from the head unit to the amp, a couple "TX" lines (whatever that is) & a mute line.
So I would think I could just tie into the two channel output lines to go to a powerered subwoofer.
The local Bust Buy guy recommended I need a "line output converter." What does that do?
There's only the right & left channel (4 wires) from the head unit to the amp, a couple "TX" lines (whatever that is) & a mute line.
So I would think I could just tie into the two channel output lines to go to a powerered subwoofer.
The local Bust Buy guy recommended I need a "line output converter." What does that do?
TeryT
New member
I just found a new, slender, powered subwoofer by JVC that is only 2.5" thick and that will fit under the seat. I don't need head thumping bass, just something to punch it up a notch or two.
Here's the JVC and another new unit at Crutchfield. At least one can be hooked up directly, and doesn't need a line out converter. The JVC has been around awhile & has decent reviews. The Blaupunkt is new and only has two reviews, although both were good. However, the Blau is much thicker at 3 3/8", which I think is too much.
JVC $150
Blaupunkt $200
Here's the JVC and another new unit at Crutchfield. At least one can be hooked up directly, and doesn't need a line out converter. The JVC has been around awhile & has decent reviews. The Blaupunkt is new and only has two reviews, although both were good. However, the Blau is much thicker at 3 3/8", which I think is too much.
JVC $150
Blaupunkt $200
New03formeh
New member
This is what the guy at Best Buy was reffering to. It's a PAC SNI-35 Line Out Converter. I just used one of these to install a set up of two Eclipse 12's in my 03 T4R with the JBL Synthesis 10 Speaker System. I just tapped into the Factory Amp and ran my subs from there.
http://www.fadfusion.com/selection.php?product_item_number=20082404878
http://www.fadfusion.com/selection.php?product_item_number=20082404878
nserpa9248
New member
the line output converter takes a high-level signal (what the speakers see) and convert it to low-level (what amps see from their RCA inputs)
I would suggest staying away from those super compact bass systems.
You can go with something like the infinity basslink, or the MTX thunderlink or something of that type, those are pretty small, but they help fill in the low end a little (prob be assisting the factory sub more than anything)
If your not looking for thumping bass but want to "punch it up more" then look at a single 10 somewhere around 200w rms and a matching amp.
I would suggest staying away from those super compact bass systems.
You can go with something like the infinity basslink, or the MTX thunderlink or something of that type, those are pretty small, but they help fill in the low end a little (prob be assisting the factory sub more than anything)
If your not looking for thumping bass but want to "punch it up more" then look at a single 10 somewhere around 200w rms and a matching amp.
sharp4runr
New member
I bought a subs/amp combo at Circuit City and they installed it for me. Total price for everything, less than $300
http://toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&postid=34884#post34884
http://toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&postid=34884#post34884
TeryT
New member
Thanks. However, space is my number one concern - plus my wife already thinks I'm nuts! The only person that really cares about more bass is me - so I figure putting one under my seat is like adding "personal bass." Even if no one else really notices or cares, my butt will know it's there.nserpa9248 said:
Plus I'm over 50, and I'm supposed to be "practical." :biggrin2:
TeryT
New member
I installed the little JVC 6" powered subwoofer last night. I put it right under the driver seat. It does the trick in just filling in some extra low-end bass. While it won't thump your ear drums, since it is sitting right under me, I can feel it nicely. It also has a cool little remote, with a light button to show when it's on, and a volume control. Again, they're not going to hear you down the block, but to me it adds what is lacking & doesn't take up any space.
I think this is about the only powered subwoofer that would fit under the 4Runner's seat, as the seats almost right on top of it.
As far as the installation, it took about 2 hours. Much thanks to whoever posted all the great pictures of taking the rear inside panel off to get to the factory amp- this really helped!
As per the Crutchfield dude (those guys are great!), I tapped right into the 4 amp outputs to the factory subwoofer. (It's a dual cone.)
Heard something interesting from Crutchfield. They have all the schematics, etc. for the JBL Synthesis (I have them too, thanks to someone posted them on here). He said that ALL of the lines running to the amp from the head unit are data transmission lines of some sort, and therefore you can't get signal off of them. In fact, if you tap in, it will likely mess things up. A friend who had a local chain of car audio stores, told me the same thing after he talked to an acquaintance who was a JBL engineer.
He also mentioned that after-market head units can mate up to this amp now, but you have to buy the $150 wiring harness. It used to be supposedly "impossible" to do, proprietary, etc., but some engineers figured it out. Just ask Crutchfield!
Not that I want to change the head unit or anything. I'm satisfied for now. I've got a volume control on that blaring center speaker, and xtra bass vibrating under my butt! (although maybe I should put one under the passenger seat too, to "warm" my wife up)
I was surprised how small & light the factory amp is - that thing really runs 10 speakers & produces the surround sound!? (Crutchfield said the amp produces surround sound, not the head unit.)
In any case, I'm pretty happy with this little, discrete unit, for $150!
I think this is about the only powered subwoofer that would fit under the 4Runner's seat, as the seats almost right on top of it.
As far as the installation, it took about 2 hours. Much thanks to whoever posted all the great pictures of taking the rear inside panel off to get to the factory amp- this really helped!
As per the Crutchfield dude (those guys are great!), I tapped right into the 4 amp outputs to the factory subwoofer. (It's a dual cone.)
Heard something interesting from Crutchfield. They have all the schematics, etc. for the JBL Synthesis (I have them too, thanks to someone posted them on here). He said that ALL of the lines running to the amp from the head unit are data transmission lines of some sort, and therefore you can't get signal off of them. In fact, if you tap in, it will likely mess things up. A friend who had a local chain of car audio stores, told me the same thing after he talked to an acquaintance who was a JBL engineer.
He also mentioned that after-market head units can mate up to this amp now, but you have to buy the $150 wiring harness. It used to be supposedly "impossible" to do, proprietary, etc., but some engineers figured it out. Just ask Crutchfield!
Not that I want to change the head unit or anything. I'm satisfied for now. I've got a volume control on that blaring center speaker, and xtra bass vibrating under my butt! (although maybe I should put one under the passenger seat too, to "warm" my wife up)
I was surprised how small & light the factory amp is - that thing really runs 10 speakers & produces the surround sound!? (Crutchfield said the amp produces surround sound, not the head unit.)
In any case, I'm pretty happy with this little, discrete unit, for $150!
