Any fixes for levelling the JBL center channel yet?

[Josh256]

UPDATE:
We have a Toyota head unit [and likely JBL amped] high level center channel and battery connected to the dock which in turn converts voltage and audio into to the removable JBL's 5 contact connector. I suspect the dock conversion IC is also performing high-to-low levelling on the Toyota's high center. Using a center channel speaker from a small home theatre kit I am getting much better quality audio and perfect balance to the L/R.. comments in thread.

For those planning on keeping the JBL center: IMHO the best option would be is a high level speaker volume adjuster on the Toyota harness to the dock. This would allow you to lower the volume pre-JBL dock conversion and quite likely improve the audio fidelity as well.



ORIGINAL:
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.

 

[inlandsmog]

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.

I'm still waiting to install mine, been raining/snowing for the past 2 weeks.

 

[Miqie]

The Toyota techs went for the removeable Bluetooth gimmick speaker effect rather than a true sonic experience. It will probably be their marketing ploy until a revamp in the 2027 or 2028 model year. I've yet to hear anyone on Tacoma forums sing the praises of using the speaker out of it's docking port as a Bluetooth speaker.

 

[TacoFreak]

The Toyota techs went for the removeable Bluetooth gimmick speaker effect rather than a true sonic experience. It will probably be their marketing ploy until a revamp in the 2027 or 2028 model year.

True. When the first updates happen it won't be a feature, but a drawback and they will hopefully move on to something better than the current sound system.

 

[Josh256]

I'm still waiting to install mine, been raining/snowing for the past 2 weeks.

Likewise up here - I was surprised how much better the Gen4 is in heavy snow vs my former Gen2 TRD Sport [MT6] - I've had a brat grin on my face all week.

 

[mikeymtbs]

I had a 2024 SR5 rental for a few weeks that didn’t have the JBL dash speaker, though there was a speaker and cover in the same spot in the dash. I took a good look at the cover and don’t see why we couldn’t buy that cover/grill from an SR5 and pop it into place. Stick the JBL somewhere easy to grab and roll on down the road.

I’m going to call my local Toyota parts guy this week and see if that grill is available.

 

[saerandy]

I adjusted fade to rear a bit. Also on sound settings I turned down “midrange” a bit and that helps. Some on this forum have covered the contacts on the speaker so when it’s in place it produces no sound and they seem happy with that. I haven’t tried it.

 

[G MAN]

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.

there is no fix for the center channel.......that's there actually is none, center is part of the front speaker system.....beat sonic will improve overall sound, but center will stay bright compared to L/R. Enjoy the better Sonic sound, after a period of time, center issue will not annoy any longer

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