Audio Upgrades for JBL equipped LC's

[88Baron88]

Hello,

I've been disappointed with the audio quality of my 2013 LC JBL system (as have many others). I've searched and located the following two threads about upgrades:

2020 LC with Nav Audio Upgrade

forum.ih8mud.com

Factory Subwoofer Info Guide

This topic doesn’t seem to have been covered much so I thought I would post some usable info on the factory subwoofer enclosure and subwoofer replacement. Before ordering an 8 inch subwoofer replacement for my 08 LC I searched long and hard for info on mounting depth of the factory enclosure...

forum.ih8mud.com

Needless to say, it's a complicated process...

Has anyone ever looked at or tried the PAC amp integration interface:

AP4-TY11

Today's modern vehicle audio systems are becoming increasingly more sophisticated and complex. PAC engineered AmpPRO to dramatically simplify the installation of upgraded amplifiers in data-bus-controlled amplified sound systems. AmpPRO allows you to keep the original radio's fit, finish, and...

catalog.pac-audio.com

OR

AP4-TY12

Today's modern vehicle audio systems are becoming increasingly more sophisticated and complex. PAC engineered AmpPRO to dramatically simplify the installation of upgraded amplifiers in data-bus-controlled amplified sound systems. AmpPRO allows you to keep the original radio's fit, finish, and...

catalog.pac-audio.com

The AP4-TY11 does list the 2008 LC on the compatibility list and other than the addition of BT audio and USB input, I haven't had a chance to pull my head unit to look at the connectors (will do in the next few weeks when my Grom VL2 arrives from the most recent group buy)

Cheers

 

[Itsky]

Before upgrading, ensure that you play with the equalizer. I don't have it in front of me, but it took some really strange adjustments to get it right. If I recall, I think I had to almost minimize the sliders all the way to left for the highs and mids while the bass was in the middle, and then it sounded great. Default was terrible. Search here, that is where I found the advice.

 

[linuxgod]

Definitely disable the simulated Dolby surround sound. That makes everything sound hollow.

The JBL is pretty good if you crank it. Not as good as my Definitive Tech speakers I have at home at lower volumes, but still not bad. At low volumes it doesn't have much punch as the sub doesn't really stand out unless driven.

 

[Desmothedog]

any advice for a 2011 LX? I think the stereo is trash and cant get it to sound right in any condition.

 

[dnh1]

any advice for a 2011 LX? I think the stereo is trash and cant get it to sound right in any condition.

The LX sounds system is amazing. I owned a $100k plus Range Rover and my 2009 LX had a far superior sound system.

On both LC 200s and LXs, disable Dolby or any of that surround BS. Then, I have found that the treble as well as the bass needs to be turned up one or two bars from the top. Do not turn up the midrange.

It will sound very rich if done this way. Also, if you have an iPhone, I like to use the "Loudness" EQ when playing back music through my 200.

The systems in both vehicles are really great when playing lossless Apple Music, etc (but suck when listening to Sat radio), you just need to play with the sound.

 

[TeCKis300]

any advice for a 2011 LX? I think the stereo is trash and cant get it to sound right in any condition.

What are you looking for?

Like @dnh1, I find it great. It's literally the only OEM system that I've not flat out gutted. I'm somewhat of an audiophile and the LX system is more geared towards those enthusiast qualities. Like linear and extended frequency response, clarity, response/attack, soundstage/imaging. The ML system is transparent without trying to colorize the sound with more dynamic EQ, and perhaps this is where it's coming up short as most consumer systems tend use more dramatic equalization to make poor sources like sat/basic streaming sound better or warmer.

Feed the system with a high quality source with a device that has a high quality digital to analog converter (DAC, or even it's own onboard DAC via CD), and the ML system seriously sings. Try the system with a good demo CD source with close mic vocals, snare drums, or cello and it will really showcase its capabilities.

Many cell phones and audio adapters have poor DACs. Feed it garbage, and unfortunately, it lays out the garbage flat with its transparent and undramatized reproduction.

If you're looking for more bass (I use to be really into this when younger), it may not scratch the itch as it's more tailored for extended bass response vs higher SPL mid-bass. Could possibly add an external sub or the like to augment bass?

 

[sfo1]

The LX sounds system is amazing. I owned a $100k plus Range Rover and my 2009 LX had a far superior sound system.

On both LC 200s and LXs, disable Dolby or any of that surround BS. Then, I have found that the treble as well as the bass needs to be turned up one or two bars from the top. Do not turn up the midrange.

It will sound very rich if done this way. Also, if you have an iPhone, I like to use the "Loudness" EQ when playing back music through my 200.

The systems in both vehicles are really great when playing lossless Apple Music, etc (but suck when listening to Sat radio), you just need to play with the sound.

Ageed. I lower the mid but keep the bass and treble lower than you. I'll try your settings as I am curious to hear the diff.

I also run about 60/40 to the front speakers.

 

[Sinister]

Yeah that’s odd. I think the JBL sounds great in my LC. Like most I turned off the surround and have the bass and treble on the higher side and the mid range in the middle. I also have it on 60 rear/40 front. Sheeet even my wife loves the sound. Out of all the vehicles I have owned, this is by far the best. My wife’s X5 is pretty crappy in comparison.

 

[bloc]

I wouldn’t even know if I were an audiophile, but I am picky about how my music sounds. I love my JBL system.

 

[bronc076]

I had the bass, mid, treble set flat on my 2015LC and it sounded really hollow, minor tweaking did not help so I was disappointed but after reading this I may dig out some CDs and play with the sound with a known source and see if I can make it sound good. I am used to high end audio so I’ve been really disappointed with the LC but it is a factory system.

 

[bronc076]

Before upgrading, ensure that you play with the equalizer. I don't have it in front of me, but it took some really strange adjustments to get it right. If I recall, I think I had to almost minimize the sliders all the way to left for the highs and mids while the bass was in the middle, and then it sounded great. Default was terrible. Search here, that is where I found the advice.

Yes I just messed with it and this is exactly what I found listening to Dire Straits and Fleetwood Mac, two CDs with good dynamic range. Very strange settings to get a typically flat sound. Thanks for posting this. I have eliminated the tinny hollow sound I was getting before. It still only has the quality of a mediocre factory system which is good for a Toyota.

 

[kcobourn]

Anyone solve this?

I’m planing to use a Fix82 to clean the signal before sending to a JL VXi for DSP