Toyota JBL premium sound system not that premium

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Frank - 03 Apr 2008 21:59 GMT

Just installed a new headunit on the Camry XLE to replaced the OEM
radio/cassette/6 CD changer. The new headunit has preamp outputs so I went
for the integrating harness to reuse the OEM premium JBL power amplifier(s).
Turns out the existing amp is nosy with a hissing sound during silent
passages even at low volumes - not very good S/N ratio, that is. The new
headunit preamp outputs are clean as tested out on my headphone and
harman/kardon home stereo. Surprised as the new headunit is considered well
below premium.

Anyway, did you guys noticed this your OEM JBL premium system or has Toyota
fixed this on newer models?

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johngdole@hotmail.com - 06 Apr 2008 19:55 GMT

Heard JBL has lot their touch years ago. Then people want to go with
Bose. And Harman, which also makes Infinity and Mark Levinson brands,
was in bankruptcy and may be heading back in (must be doing great). So
who makes a good speaker these days?

> Just installed a new headunit on the Camry XLE to replaced the OEM
> radio/cassette/6 CD changer. The new headunit has preamp outputs so I went
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> Anyway, did you guys noticed this your OEM JBL premium system or has Toyota
> fixed this on newer models?

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Frank - 10 Apr 2008 16:13 GMT

> Heard JBL has lot their touch years ago. Then people want to go with
> Bose. And Harman, which also makes Infinity and Mark Levinson brands,
> was in bankruptcy and may be heading back in (must be doing great). So
> who makes a good speaker these days?

Don't know much about these days and car speakers. For home speakers, I
really like the old school full panel electrostatic, only if I could stuff
those suckers into the car and have the amps to drive it! My experience with
Bose was not good - over priced and bad sound quality, but that was for a
home system, not car.

>> Just installed a new headunit on the Camry XLE to replaced the OEM
>> radio/cassette/6 CD changer. The new headunit has preamp outputs so I
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>> Toyota
>> fixed this on newer models?

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johngdole@hotmail.com - 12 Apr 2008 05:07 GMT

I have friends building up vacuum tube audio systems. I really don't
know much about various sound systems or spend time to shop a whole
lot. That's why I have the Bose Acoustimass for home. There were
cheaper but larger speakers with excellent sounds at the store, but
for me it's a good tradeoff with the small cube speakers.

> Don't know much about these days and car speakers. For home speakers, I
> really like the old school full panel electrostatic, only if I could stuff
> those suckers into the car and have the amps to drive it! My experience with
> Bose was not good - over priced and bad sound quality, but that was for a
> home system, not car.

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