Any fixes for levelling the JBL center channel yet?

[Josh256]

Curious if anyone has a viable solution for this [short of ripping the JBL out] -- a gain trim/leveller under the dash perhaps?

Details -- skip if you've read all the complaints already, nothing new here other than it's a 2025 :
The JBL center channel/removable speaker is terribly unlevelled in my 2025 TRD Pro, overpowering by ~2x multiplier vs the fronts and higher vs the rears. I'll be installing the Beat Sonic this weekend and don't believe that can provide any adjustment/correction for this issue - which is a sloppy factory sound stage with no built-in sound stage/eq profiles nor manual adjustments to correct the center channel levelling issue. Audio fidelity-wise I was not expecting the JBL to come close to the Burmester in my car nor the B&Ws in my living room however for what I spent on this truck I'm definitely unimpressed with the JBL soundstage and lack of a fix 2 model years in.

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[ridetime]

Use the front to rear fader to move the sound to the rear until it sounds balanced. I also have mine slightly towards the driver side. That will fix the problem but it will reduce overall output. To regain your volume, add the beat sonic. These two things done together will fix the unbalanced front JBL issue.

 

[Josh256]

Use the front to rear fader to move the sound to the rear until it sounds balanced. I also have mine slightly towards the driver side. That will fix the problem but it will reduce overall output. To regain your volume, add the beat sonic. These two things done together will fix the unbalanced front JBL issue.

I tried that... well short of the Beat Sonic, that's good to hear then - thanks... Obviously at present moving balance to the rear decreases the front mains [L/R] and increases rear fill [which is not a clean]... the result may be less center but is "more accurately" less front with the same over-powered center. Hoping the center doesn't return with a vengeance post-Beat Sonic.

Thanks, will report back

 

[DG_TRDPro]

I did the same. Fader to rear just a tad and now all is well. However, Some music is more noticeable out of the center speaker for some reason. Not sure if it’s the frequencies or what.

 

[Vidman]

Take it out.. I removed mine the day I drove the truck home

 

[The Dude]

https://www.tacoma4g.com/forum/thre...-speaker-without-hearing-it.9769/#post-123447

 

[ridetime]

I tried that... well short of the Beat Sonic, that's good to hear then - thanks... Obviously at present moving balance to the rear decreases the front mains [L/R] and increases rear fill [which is not a clean]... the result may be less center but is "more accurately" less front with the same over-powered center. Hoping the center doesn't return with a vengeance post-Beat Sonic.

Thanks, will report back

The beatsonic is the key. It doesn't alter fade/balance it just restores the lost volume from it. Looking forward to you report. Its never going to sound like you spent 5k on a custom system obviously but the fade trick combined with more output should make it much better.

 

[TacoFreak]

I did the same. Fader to rear just a tad and now all is well. However, Some music is more noticeable out of the center speaker for some reason. Not sure if it’s the frequencies or what.

I have noticed the same thing. Since installing the Beat Sonic amp it almost seems to have a normal sound field, but only on some of my music. I have pushed the fade to the rear a little, but I don't notice much improvement from that.

I also tried just removing the center speaker but it seemed to make it sound even worse IMO. If my money allows I will probably just give up on the JBL system eventually and replace it. It isn't actually terrible but a big let down in such an otherwise nice truck.

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