Questions about E7008 HU and Speakers

[malmgren]

I've spend the last few days researching as much as i can on these forums about this NAV system, but I'm still left wondering about a few things - and some opinions.

First of all, I haven't done a test drive or demo of the 2007 LE 4R that I will be buying. I've put about 500 miles on a 2007 SR5 however, so I'm familiar with stock HU. So before you say "go test drive", I hope you all can answer some questions about the E7008 HU in the 06-07 LE models. I like to be prepared as much as I can before going in for the test drive.

1) How many speakers come with this model HU? I'm not getting a clear answer from the forum info or other websites that list options for this vehicle. 6, 8, or 10? Can you tell me where they are located?

2) If not 10 speakers, is it possible to order this HU with the 10 speaker/high watt amplifier, or are they not compatible?

3) Does the subwoofer come with it? If not, is the wiring harness present in the back so I can hook up my own? I know it's only an 8", but it's better than nothing until I can install something else.

4) Most importantly - For those of you who have this model (06-07 LE 4R with E7008 HU) - how does it sound to you? What's your honest opinion about the features it has? If you had to do it all over again would you skip the NAV unit and go after-market?

5) What would be a good way to go if I didn't get the NAV unit? Which after-market model would you suggest that has all the features this one has?

I think I have more questions, but can't think of them now. I'll post them to this thread if it's related.

Thanks!

 

[tkr128]

1) It comes with 8 speakers, 2 in each of the front doors (one tweeter and one speaker), one in each of the rear doors, a center channel speaker on top of the dash board just above the headunit and a subwoofer in the rear cargo area on the passenger's side.

2) No, the NAV system is only available with the 8 speaker system.

3) Yes it comes with a subwoofer.

4) I haven't listened to one yet, so I can't help you there. I do have an E7007 sitting it a box that I haven't installed yet (same unit as the E7008, but used in the Sienna). What attracted me to it was the 4-disc built-in changer with MP3/WMA playback as well as the lane guidance (it tells you which lane to use), voice commands and bluetooth. Also, I like the stock look of it.

5) Not too familiar with aftermarket NAV's, but you could go with the Solara NAV off www.oemvalue.com. To do this, it would be best to get the 6-disc JBL Synthesis unit with your 4Runner since the wiring will be in place and you will already have a digital amp. Of course you will need to get a different trim piece for the radio if you do this. I've also heard good things about Eclipse NAV's, which are made by Fujitsu-Ten, the same company that makes the Toyota NAVs. They have pretty similar features. I've also heard good things about Pioneer NAV systems.

I hope this helps you out a little bit.

 

[malmgren]

WRT to #5, I was originally under the impression that the one that oemvalue was selling was the same that came with the new 2007 NAV. Someone in another thread mentioned it was the same except for the led color.

However since your reply, I have done a little more digging and ran across this site:

http://www.jbltoyota.com/toyota_4runner/audio_advantages.asp

And it has really made it clear the difference in the two systems - premium (with NAV) and Synthesis. I was under the impression that the Synthesis brand came with the NAV HU, but it doesn't appear that way. You also mentioned that in point #6.

I'm just trying to get the best sound quality along with the best value. I guess that's why I wanted to know what other owners of that model seemed to think of the stock NAV unit.

 

[Uneek]

1. 2003 and some 2004 with nav had the JBL Synthesis 10-speaker system. Some 2004 and 2005+ all had 8 speakers with nav. If I recall, the nav with the 10-speakers did not have a backup camera, but had a tape deck and a seperate nav DVD ECU.

2. No, unless you order it with the JBL Synthesis system and then swap out the head unit. IMO, not worth the effort for the two extra speakers in the D-pillar. I say the bus mirrors (cargo backup mirrors) are more handy.

3. The sub is the passenger side cargo area. The bin/storage pocket is filled with sub and amp.

4. The sound is ok (a notch above average, nothing outstanding like Mark Levinson in Lexus), you can tell it sounds better than the base system. However, the 8 speaker JBL system in my '04 Camry sounds better. It doesn't have a sub, just 2 tweeters on the dash, 2 2-ways in the front doors and 2 on the rear deck, has more bass and I set the bass two notches below "middle" or "normal". To do it all over again, I still go with the factory nav, simply for backup camera and Bluetooth. Until those two can be added easily, it's not worth the trouble IMO. Also, even if you can get a Bluetooth aftermarket nav headunit you will need to get steering buttons for the phone and voice command. It's arguable you can do a lot better than the $2400 Toyota charges for the nav package. To me, it's personal preference. If you want to go the aftermarket route, it's much easier to avoid any of the JBL setup and get the base radio and add your own amps and subs.

5. Aftermarket, I would get an Eclipse AVN-5435 or AVN-6600. The Pioneer is suppose to be a good one, as well as the Alpine (touch screen is suppose to have a feedback feeling--like pressing an actual button). Sorry I don't know the model numbers of the Pioneer or Alpine, because the only option for me aftermarket is Eclipse because the interface is similar to Toyota's factory nav, plug and play and steering wheel controls work without any interface module and exactly like the factory buttons.