Toyota Camry '08 Stereo System
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Toyota Camry '08 Stereo System - 1/5/2008 3:46:29 PM
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Eugene08
Posts: 5
Joined: 1/5/2008
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I would appreciate any help on the following.
I've just bought a new '08 Toyota Camry LE, and while the car has many good things about it, I am EXTREMELY disappointed with the stereo system. Even my friends who have '07/08 Camrys agree with me that the sound is thin, muddy, distant, and cold. I've tried altering the Bass/Treble EQs and the front/rear balance but the general quality remains poor.
Brief history: My previous car was an '03 VW-Passat, which came with a 'MONSOON' system. That one was excellent, with a very rich and powerful warm sound.
Since listening to music is crucial for me, what are my options? I spoke to some of my friends, and they gave conflicting advice:
1) One said that the key issue is the head unit, the in-dash player itself. According to him, sound quality greatly depends on that; so I should look into getting an Alpine or Kenwood CD player.
2) Another (sales guy in a store) told me that the main problem is the speakers+amp. The head unit itself isn't the main issue, and I should really upgrade the speakers. He confirmed that many Toyota owners came to him complaining of a distorted and quiet sound.
As proof of his words, and an explanation for why Camry's sound is poor, he pointed out that the tweeters in a Camry are adjacent to the windshield (a very stupid location), whereas normally -- for a bright and 'close' sound -- they should be on the side doors, as they were in my VW-Passat.
3) Yet another option is to ask the dealership to install JBL for me. The JBL system comes standard with an XLE. But, the guy at my local dealership told me he's "never heard of anyone doing that for an LE" (I find it hard to believe that most people don't notice the bad stock sound, however). Will that be more cost/time-effective than other options?
Any comments, advice, or experience much appreciated. Thanks
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RE: Toyota Camry '08 Stereo System - 1/5/2008 5:43:48 PM
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ToyotaArkie
Posts: 1
Joined: 1/5/2008
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We are in the same boat. We just bought an '08 SE with the standard audio system and I agree with your analysis of the sound quality. We did ask our sales rep about getting the JBL system but he said that there are so many differences that it would end up being very costly to upgrade. I am interested to find out whether a new headunit would make a difference, though.
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RE: Toyota Camry '08 Stereo System - 1/6/2008 10:02:15 AM
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Eugene08
Posts: 5
Joined: 1/5/2008
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ToyotaArkie,
If you look here, the JBL sound system is an "Option" for both LEs and SEs:
http://www.toyota.com/camry/models.html (click on "Interior")
Therefore, it can't be the case that it's so difficult to install on our cars. If it were impossible, it would be shown as "-". I intend to point this out to my dealership if they start saying things like that. Some wiring or placeholders should already be there...
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RE: Toyota Camry '08 Stereo System - 1/10/2008 3:09:05 PM
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Seth937
Posts: 68
Joined: 10/3/2007
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Please for the love of your ears, do NOT get the stupid JBL system! It's such a waste of money for speakers that just aren't that great! To answer an earlier question, the deck is more important than the speakers. Speakers will do what they do regardless, but you need a good deck to really get them to perform at their best! With a good deck you can take full control of the sound coming out and make adjustments that will get you the sound you want. Just getting good speakers isn't enough. I swapped my factory deck for an Alpine (which I've used in all my cars, families and friends) for over 12 years and IMO I believe they have the best options. Also when choosing a deck, the more volts you can get per preout the better. 2V is pretty standard but anything 4V and up and now we're talking! 3V would work fine, too.
You can get decent speakers for a decent price at any audio shop. 6x9's will fit in the doors and the rear deck and you can get those for pretty cheap. Of course if you really want to bring the sound out put an amp on them. Without the deck though, all you'll get is loud crap. With a good deck, it can make a huge difference.
Hope this helps! Check out my page at the link below for the stereo products I got. I did a complete overhaul of the sound system. I'm hoping to get pics up in the next week or two once the rain stops on my day off!
Seth
_____________________________
07 Camry LE Lowered on 20's wrapped in Toyo's...check me out at http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2660804
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RE: Toyota Camry '08 Stereo System - 1/10/2008 6:05:50 PM
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Eugene08
Posts: 5
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Thanks,
Let me ask you some questions: If I get a new deck, will that break the steering-wheel controls? I don't want to have anything broken in my brand-new car.
Also, what about the tweeter speakers? the ones next to the windshield. Should I replace those?
A sales guy told me I need to get a "clean sweep" and keep the deck, but replace the speakers and add an amp. Is that a good idea?
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RE: Toyota Camry '08 Stereo System - 1/10/2008 7:02:00 PM
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akira751
Posts: 150
Joined: 1/18/2007
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Eugene08
Thanks,
Let me ask you some questions: If I get a new deck, will that break the steering-wheel controls? I don't want to have anything broken in my brand-new car.
Also, what about the tweeter speakers? the ones next to the windshield. Should I replace those?
A sales guy told me I need to get a "clean sweep" and keep the deck, but replace the speakers and add an amp. Is that a good idea?
Some aftermarket head units WILL let you your steering wheels controls.
_____________________________
07 Camry SE V6 Nav, Leather,TRD springs, 18'' Nex-o wheels gunmetal. K&N Typhoon Intake http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2475669
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RE: Toyota Camry '08 Stereo System - 2/15/2008 7:32:31 AM
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Eugene08
Posts: 5
Joined: 1/5/2008
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Maybe some of you remember this thread. I'd like to give you an update on where I am right now, and ask for your advice once again.
I changed the entire system: I got a new head-unit (Alpine CDA-9885), new professional speakers (all 6 of them - Polk), and an external amp, Alpine 4-Channel. The CDA-9885 is hooked up to the external amp; there is no internal amplification, for maximum quality. In short, everything about my current system is now top-of-the-line. I spent close to $1500 on this ordeal!!
Don't get me wrong, the sound is very clean and crisp, but... it's not warm, or mind-blowing in any way. I really miss the warmth, I guess that's the best way to put it. The people I showed my new system to all liked the clean sound, but they said, "It sounds like a very good stock system, but nothing more," and I agree. Of course, this is a 1000x better than what I had originally in my Camry. But in my VW-Passat that I had before this car, even the original Monsoon system was much warmer and more pleasant than this!!! Even the stock systems in other cars, like Nissan, sound better than what I have now! How could this be?
I showed the system to my Dad and he agreed with me that the sound was clean but cold, and said, "I get the feeling that in its natural state, music isn't very pleasant, so some systems add an artificial 'warmifier' to make it warmer." So, is this the problem of the CDA-9885, or the positioning of the speakers in the Camry (they're far away from each other), or what? Alpine CDA-9885 is a very good unit, it was recommended to me as "best sound quality".
< Message edited by Eugene08 -- 2/15/2008 7:36:48 AM >
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