Party Mode

[doodman]

Some of you guys might not notice a difference due to only having the standard stereo system with 8 speakers. The upgraded package has a JBL sound system which has 12 speakers. JBL's standard on the LE and an option on the SR5 and TE.

I have the standard stereo system with 8 speakers, and I can DEFINITELY tell the difference. This can't be the reason, but it's a good thought!

 

[desertred]

LOL! I went out and played with the different modes. Turns out I was in party mode all along. There is definitely a difference in my SR5. I most certainly do have sound coming from the front speakers in party mode. However, I wouldn't say that there is increased clarity using the party mode. Rather, I think the shift to party mode not only directs power away from the 2nd row speakers, but also appears to result in an increase in power output to the front and hatch speakers; thus an increase in volume output by those speakers. Loud speakers generally sound better. I found that, to my ears, use of the 2nd row speakers reduces the volume by 5-6 ticks of the meter. In other words, if you turn the volume up 5-6 ticks when switching to non-party mode, the volume output between the two is approximately the same. Try doing this and see which mode you prefer.

It would be interesting to see the schematics for the stock stereo, but I'd venture to bet that the sets of speakers (front, middle, and back) are not independently driven by the amp.

 

[bradj]

LOL! I went out and played with the different modes. Turns out I was in party mode all along. There is definitely a difference in my SR5. I most certainly do have sound coming from the front speakers in party mode. However, I wouldn't say that there is increased clarity using the party mode. Rather, I think the shift to party mode not only directs power away from the 2nd row speakers, but also appears to result in an increase in power output to the front and hatch speakers; thus an increase in volume output by those speakers. Loud speakers generally sound better. I found that, to my ears, use of the 2nd row speakers reduces the volume by 5-6 ticks of the meter. In other words, if you turn the volume up 5-6 ticks when switching to non-party mode, the volume output between the two is approximately the same. Try doing this and see which mode you prefer.

It would be interesting to see the schematics for the stock stereo, but I'd venture to bet that the sets of speakers (front, middle, and back) are not independently driven by the amp.

LOL mine was the exact same thing. After making this thread yesterday because I was confused by some comments I played with the switch on my way to work this morning and figured out that I had also been in party mode the whole time as well. The sound is quite dull in normal mode but in party mode the mids and highs are much louder and there is alot more bass.

On the SR5 you can tell if your in party mode or not by how far the switch is pressed in. The switch is set in about an extra 1/4 inch when in party mode.

I did mess around with the party vs normal mode and I couldn't quite get the normal to sound as loud as the party mode.

 

[Jesse1983]

Some of you guys might not notice a difference due to only having the standard stereo system with 8 speakers. The upgraded package has a JBL sound system which has 12 speakers. JBL's standard on the LE and an option on the SR5 and TE.

maybe those with the JBL system can't tell a difference? i have the JBL (i guess 12 speakers, never counted, but i know i have a sub) and i can't tell a bit of difference.

 

[doodman]

I did mess around with the party vs normal mode and I couldn't quite get the normal to sound as loud as the party mode.

same here. i can't get NORMAL mode to sound anything close to PARTY mode, even after messing with the bass/treble settings. i'm wondering if adding a small amp will accomplish the same thing as PARTY MODE since this would drive more power to the speakers. any thoughts?

 

[5thGenJenn]

same here. i can't get NORMAL mode to sound anything close to PARTY mode, even after messing with the bass/treble settings. i'm wondering if adding a small amp will accomplish the same thing as PARTY MODE since this would drive more power to the speakers. any thoughts?

ok dumb question, why not just leave it in party mode?

 

[doodman]

ok dumb question, why not just leave it in party mode?

not a dumb question at all. i would love to just leave it in PM, but I'm getting a Pioneer AVIC-z110bt installed in a few weeks and I am pretty sure I am going to lose the PM feature. This is why I am trying as hard as possible to NOT use PM so that I won't miss it too much once my aftermarket nav is installed.

 

[F8watcher]

I just played around with the party mode and it is definitely much better with it on.

I have a Limited with the 12 speaker JBL system and there is a noticeable difference.

I'll for sure be keeping the party mode on at all times now. Thanks!!

 

[fins]

stupid question - how do you know when party mode is on? If i press the button, nothing lights up or anything. I think i pressed it once but wasn't sure so pressed it again and by that time i had no idea if it was on or off. I couldn't really tell the difference in sound. I wish the button itself lit up or something.

+1 :

 

[bradj]

ok dumb question, why not just leave it in party mode?

It is in party mode all the time. Just observations.



As far as doodman is concerned, this stereo sounds this way with party mode because of how the head unit sends power to the speakers. Once you have your new stereo you won't have to worry about that because the new unit will probably have more power per channel.... But you may want to add an amp if you really want the speakers to be as loud as possible. If thats the case you might as well upgrade all of the speakers too.

 

[TTown]

This is what the manual says about Party Mode:

"In party mode, the sound volume from the speakers on the back door is bigger than in the base mode. (The output from the speakers on the rear doors will be transferred to the back door speakers)"

I have the JBL System. I went out and tested the system with the back door up and closed, and Party mode pressed and not pressed. I did not notice any difference in sound from the rear door speakers to the back door at all.

Based on what I am seeing on this thread with the exception of one is:

JBL System: When party mode is pressed, the volume is lowered then comes back on and there is no noticable difference.

Base System: When party mode is pressed, the volume is not reduced and there is a significant difference in sound.

Can anyone else confirm or deny?

 

[4RunnerTrail]

This is what the manual says about Party Mode:

"In party mode, the sound volume from the speakers on the back door is bigger than in the base mode. (The output from the speakers on the rear doors will be transferred to the back door speakers)"

I have the JBL System. I went out and tested the system with the back door up and closed, and Party mode pressed and not pressed. I did not notice any difference in sound from the rear door speakers to the back door at all.

Based on what I am seeing on this thread with the exception of one is:

JBL System: When party mode is pressed, the volume is lowered then comes back on and there is no noticable difference.

Base System: When party mode is pressed, the volume is not reduced and there is a significant difference in sound.

Can anyone else confirm or deny?

I have JBL and i think that the above sounds correct. Though i did not sit in back seats to see if sound was turned off in those when pressed. I think maybe i can tell a little difference like a bit more bass. but to be honest sounds worse and more distorted with Party mode depressed. It's hard to hear the difference if any at all.

 

[kpromero]

On my SR5 when you press the party mode, sound is gone from front speakers and transferred to just the back speakers.

 

[desertred]

That's what I thought initially as well. However, I suspect that when you hear the front speakers, you are actually in party mode, and when you hear the sound coming from the rear, your 2nd row speakers are actually engaged along with the other speakers.

 

[kpromero]

to me if your in party mode you will not hear the front speakers. That's why it is party mode. You can close all doors and just leave the hatch up and hang out in back. At least that is what i was told.

 

[Jtraskell]

Wow...Im surprised that some of you dont hear the difference. In my truck it is significant. I am a professional sound engineer and musician but I dont think that matters..its that significant and should be apparent to everyone....I wonder if there are problems with the systems in some of your rides.... ? The rear door does not need to be open for it to work.

I hear a difference, but it is not great. It is immeidate. Seems like it adds a couple of watts of power, which would effect the bass a bit more, I think. Better sound, but again, not by much. I agree, it would be nice to have some sort of indicator as to on or off. Sometimes, depending on the music playing, have to turn it on and off a few times before I know if it is turned on or not. Have not noticed is other speakers turn off or on with or with PM on. I will check. SR5 with just the 8 speaker system.

 

[jgedmond]

:iagree: that there should be some sort of visual indicator such as a light. Although there is no light to indicate if it is on, you can still tell by the depth of the button when you push it in.

Push the button once and take note of how deeply recessed it is. Then push it again and compare the depth of recession to the first time you pushed it. Party mode is ENABLED when the button is more recessed and is DISABLED when the button is less recessed in the two available positions.

I hope that explanation makes sense!

Thanks doodman, I was struggling with this as well. I just checked and on my TE, the bottom of the button is flush with the dash when off and recessed slightly when on.

 

[nothardly]

I like it in Party Mode all the time. The larger speakers in the rear door have
a better base response. SR5 with upgrade package.

 

[prestone818]

if there is any benefit from PM it is not worth the lesser volume.

 

[JS5thGen]

I have a Limited as well and can't tell the difference when it is on or off....