2007 Solara JBL Audio - 440 Watts ???

[Somedude]

is louder really better? I think the stock stereo system on my Solara is loud enough.

[JadedEMOlush]

Somedude... good point, but it is not just loudness. If an amp can pump out more power and at cleaner levels. This way the speakers do not have to work as hard, less distortion, and ultimately a cleaner sound at the same volume level. If of course, you do want to max out the system you can get the extra loudness, with minimul distortion and crackling.

Either way it should be amazing... i had a 99, 02, and 04 solara with the JBL... and all three were incredible, especially my 04. I doubt this system will dissapoint.

As for my buddies monte carlo.... jeeeez, i just wanted to cry when I heard the stock system... some of these car manufactures just think people dont care enough and will be loyal for life. Long story short, he traded it in for a 15,000 scion, and the scion sound system blows the monte out of the water.

[Down2TheC]

Subwoofer? Where???

Sure doesn't feel like there's one around. The bottom end just gets mushy and the highs crackle. Not a very impressive system at all IMO.

Here...

(Swiped from Junest)

Ragtops lost the rear decks so they put two lame assed rears in the sides and put in a 8" sub to try to compensate. When you drive it's all in the doors though. I thought it was fine until I heard RGZTOY's. Now I know the bass is fuzzy and lame.

P.S. This post saddens me. I have less hope that the JBL 6-disc for '07 (MP3 capable... 3 years late) will plug into my '04. Put that's incentive to get back to the original dreams of a carputer.

[theprodigy79]

Wow, it's actually an 8"? Be happy you got that... Most companies toss in a 6.5" sub...

[Down2TheC]

To be honest... I don't know that first hand. But it ain't no 10"... that's for sure. From the pic it looks bigger than a dollar bill (6").

[mpvpapabear]

The ragtop adjust volume only when the top is lowered. It's not speed or noise volume sensitive. You can here the increase when you drop the top fully.

Don't feel bad even the cars with speed sensitive volume increase don't do it very well. i.e. my G35 has it and you can choose three levels (low,medium,high). On low, it isn't noticeable at all on medium it's only a little bit and on high it's a dramatic jump that isn't very musical.

But the upgraded BOSE system in the G35 (even though I'm a Bose hater) sounds a lot better than the JBL. Bass is better too and I don't think the G35 has a 8" sub just better integration.

Interior isn't that much more isolated than that of the convertible too because the exhaust tune is much louder and the stiffer suspension and larger tires do add more road noise.

It would be interesting if you could drop the new JBL system into the current model years...

[swindler]

Here...

(Swiped from Junest)

Ragtops lost the rear decks so they put two lame assed rears in the sides and put in a 8" sub to try to compensate. When you drive it's all in the doors though. I thought it was fine until I heard RGZTOY's. Now I know the bass is fuzzy and lame.

I'm just finishing up a project where I've been upgrading the 8" JBL subwoofer with a JL Audio subwoofer with a JL Audio mono amp. Tests I'm doing in my 'sound room' indicate that I'm going to get a lot more low end and output level. But I'm having to work through some issues trying to get it flat. I'm going to have to move my testing inside the car pretty quick.

At any rate, I've been driving my car with the JBL sub pulled out for over a month, and you can't even tell much difference. It doesn't add much.

[swindler]

To be honest... I don't know that first hand. But it ain't no 10"... that's for sure. From the pic it looks bigger than a dollar bill (6").

It is definitely an 8" sub. I was looking at putting a 10" in that cavity, but apart from having to build a really weird shaped custom enclosure to fit the larger woofer, it looked like it would be a real tight fit.

If my sub upgrade project doesn't work, I may resort to a custom job.

[MrMikeL]

The wattage goes up when you put the top down. Ever notice that when you lower the top the sound kind of cuts out for a couple of seconds? That's the amp changing modes.

[swindler]

I think the EQ changes with the top down too. I was going to confirm that with some electrical measurements, but haven't yet.

[mpvpapabear]

I think the EQ changes with the top down too. I was going to confirm that with some electrical measurements, but haven't yet.

I haven't even checked the volume via the display to see if it changes with the top down, but would that also help to indicate if the eq was changed? Or the amp switches to higher mode even with the current levels set prior to the top operation?

I would think you lose headroom when the top is down and the speakers are strained at the higher volumes too.

The sub is terrible though but would replacing just the speakers produce better sound? One would think so.

[PXLpainter]

Wow - great info on all counts guys! Thanks for sharing your experiences... keep 'em coming!

I have noticed that the sound fades down and then back up any time the top is almost down or just starting to put it up. No noticeable change in volume though. And definitely no change with increased wind noise, etc... as it states int he User's Manual. Maybe it's just another thing Toyota is kidding us about like the "lower-than-reported-HP-ratings"... Hmmm...

[JadedEMOlush]

Checked out the 07 tonight.

Gauges looked great... nav worked flawlessly with the voice recognition, and the 440 watts really shows on the high end of volume. HID was impressive. Looked pretty good in person.

Going to put one on preference, and put down a deposit next week. Got an excellent deal... 500 over invoice and free sirius install and 6 months of service(500 dollar value)... so I am basically getting it at "invoice".

[Down2TheC]

I never noticed any claim for the '04 about a volume boost w/ top down. Seems the same to me. Always thought the stereo fade out was a "feature" to let you know that the top is moving or that you're done. Or an electrical thing to prevent excess current draw. Now I'm going to have to check my manual.

[PXLpainter]

Wait... so how much room is between the seat back and the front wall of the trunk?



Could you fab some kind of way to mount a couple of 10" Subs on either side - eliminating the stock plastic thingy with the little OEM fake paper sub in it? Hmmm...