JBL PREMIUM SYSTEM ~ NEW INFORMATION for Optical or RCA Out & DSP Integration!

[Island4Runner]

So I've started to go down the rabbit hole on the JBL system, and found something that is potentially revolutionary on what can be done to put in a serious system with outboard DSP & Amps, whilst integrating such aftermarket system with the stock 14-in head unit and not losing any of the features of the stock head unit.

~ I first looked at the latest on Crutchfield 2025 2026 4Runner compatibility and found a discrepancy based on a video I saw regarding the Orella Acoustics Element 710 DSP Amp Upgrade (which costs a fortune).

I noticed @ 18 Min 05 secs in the install video for the Orella product

that they were using a PAC AP4-TY14 https://pac-audio.com/products/ap4-ty14 with the optional Toslink Optical Port https://pac-audio.com/products/apa-tos1 https://pac-audio.com/products/ap4-ty14

~ However, on the Crutchfield site, the PAC AP4-TY14 is shown as "Does not fit your Toyota" after I put in my 2026 4R for compatibility. So I phoned Crutchfield and after weeding through Techs to get to a more technically apt person, we had the discussion. They listened as I told them PAC lists the 2025-2026 4Runner as a compatible vehicle (here, scroll down to see the compatibility chart https://pac-audio.com/products/ap4-ty14 ) .

~ So they looked into it and admitted that the Crutchfield website info is possibly in error.

I told them I'll verify with PAC before I order. Next I made the PAC call.

After 30-mins on hold with PAC tech support, I had a very nice convo with an in house tech and we discussed Crutchfield not recognizing the PAC AP4-TY14 as a compatible product. He said hold on he'll speak to the engineer, after a few more minutes on hold that engineer said the product ACTUALLY IS COMPATIBLE with 2025 2026 4Runner w/ 14-in JBL system! Wow! Game on!

For me this is fantastic because I can go as crazy as I want on system design, or just build it in stages as I can use either the RCA outs from the PAC AP4 or the Toslink port for optical out to a DSP (good price on Crutchfield btw https://www.crutchfield.com/p_541AP4TY14/PAC-AmpPRO-AP4-TY14-Aftermarket-Amplifier-Interface.html AND https://www.crutchfield.com/p_541APATOS1/PAC-APA-TOS1.html ).

By the time I get the PAC AP4 and add a DSP which I already have plus amps which I already have, I'm not spending $2,200+ USD to solve this challenge... Plus I'll have way more DSP flexibility & amp power to shape the system however I wish.

I'm pretty stoked for the possibilities now

SonicElectronix also has the same product, similar pricing https://www.sonicelectronix.com/item-214920-PAC-AP4-TY14.html and https://www.sonicelectronix.com/item-123375-PAC-APA-TOS1.html

Also available on Ebay:
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/227136051897?_skw=pac+ap4-ty14&itmmeta=01KZC6WJR4CM63QMNKT4KEE789&hash=item34e25d1ab9:g:FyoAAeSwk~JpQyCm&itmprp=enc:AQALAAAA0GfYFPkwiKCW4ZNSs2u11xB397mfMhCeGP0fg5w2h7Ym5rNMjEuNvL6YAi2zlAjS7l0iyDo88DzN5WkUiiTt0w2ph2ogXibmK+sLmheWLuGwzsvjbxfs3bgozRwgDY3u9fMWHXfRThu49wOsxWOFUVcb5F6Tldy8E8zlMP9aZYIHDXjdZcASUz93RVJqNoarnrZ8vFeuvLwE05t2rJfk/kupOaO8/tAHeqfu3bHliVQ50fORvwXK7B3EajFtjxXGaUlnfP7NHrwHzL/h3fJ/At0=|tkp:Bk9SR6as8ob7Zw

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[Dead Horse]

That's some good looking out man!

 

[Island4Runner]

That's some good looking out man!

Thanks! I was determined, the stock system is that awful.

 

[VA4Runner]

This is a game changer! I've always had amps and subs in my 4Runner/Tacomas. Time to spend some money!

 

[horbit]

Still need a harness to T off the factory amp to send signal to the speakers, optional SOS fix, and voice\chimes. Lots of that is generated from the factory amp not the head unit. Something to keep in mind just the PAC device does not tick all the boxes. You would then have to mix those extra channels back in with a DSP. Also the fading and equalizer from the head units are usually done on the factory amp so those features would need to be tapped into as well. I think this head unit only puts out two full range channels that the PAC amp would see.

 

[ysv85]

Okay help me out here, I buy these two products and I can add more amps? I already have an amp and sub installed but the highs (jbl's) definitely need major improvements

 

[Island4Runner]

Still need a harness to T off the factory amp to send signal to the speakers, optional SOS fix, and voice\chimes. Lots of that is generated from the factory amp not the head unit. Something to keep in mind just the PAC device does not tick all the boxes. You would then have to mix those extra channels back in with a DSP. Also the fading and equalizer from the head units are usually done on the factory amp so those features would need to be tapped into as well. I think this head unit only puts out two full range channels that the PAC amp would see.

Check this video out from Pac/Stinger, he talks about the integration & t-harness. He mentions the stock chimes etc at around 5mins 30 secs :

 

[Island4Runner]

Okay help me out here, I buy these two products and I can add more amps? I already have an amp and sub installed but the highs (jbl's) definitely need major improvements

Yes, you can either add more amps, or DSP with amps. If you just use amps you'd need to filter the signal to each speaker with a x-over (using either built in x-overs in the amp, standalone passive or active, or DSP).

My intention is to do the front stage and sub with optical out to a DSP, then I can do filtering, EQ, time correction and more amplification individually to each speaker. I will leave the rest of the speakers (center, rear doors & tailgate speakers) to run off the stock amp and turn those down in volume relative to the front stage.

 

[PdlMnk]

So how does this all play out? You add the device to allow more amps/dsp. Do you also update the speakers? Or update some but not all? Where does thew new amps go?

 

[Island4Runner]

You decide. ~ I think the stock speakers can sound better if given proper power & sound dampening treatment, but personally I will upgrade at least the front tweeters, mids & midbasses, subs as I already have that equipment.

For amp locations we all know it is tight and there aren't a lot of locations to work with, and even those are limited in size. In the hybrid 4R there is a small compartment behind the rear seats which could work for skinny amps, I'm thinking the sub & midbass amp(s) to put there, something like AudioControl (like this oneto run front midbasses & bridge other 2-channels to mono for subs). https://www.crutchfield.com/p_161EPICB4/AudioControl-EPICBIGFOUR.html it has a slimmer profile.

I was also thinking of biting the bullet & going with a new DSP that has amplification built in to handle power for tweets, mids, & rear speakers + processing for everything including signal for the amps & then put that under the passenger seat as they're more squarish in shape and tend to be around 10 to 13 inches each dimension. Something like this: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500PXEX121/Alpine-PXE-X121-12EV.html?tp=105887

There are some really high end & pricey DSP Amplifiers like this which would make a simple & tidy install
https://www.audiotec-fischer.de/en/helix/amplifiers/next/v-eight-dsp-ultimate

 

[C-los]

I have a TRD off-road premium hybrid and I just added today the beat sonic Et3.

All that rave about is night and day difference was crap. It is a bit louder but the music wont clear up.

if anyone is going to upgrade, dont go cheap and do it right. You still can do it for the right $.

my next steps are add sub/amp... then rethink the speakers amp (really save for it). and make the necessary changes.

 

[horbit]

I have a TRD off-road premium hybrid and I just added today the beat sonic Et3.

All that rave about is night and day difference was crap. It is a bit louder but the music wont clear up.

if anyone is going to upgrade, dont go cheap and do it right. You still can do it for the right $.

my next steps are add sub/amp... then rethink the speakers amp (really save for it). and make the necessary changes.

People are overcomplicating what these Beat-Sonic devices actually do. They're basically line drivers in this ENA-2T3\ENA-3T3 configuration: they increase the signal voltage going into the oem amplifier.

This doesn't magically add clarity, detail, or resolution. The factory JBL system already has a clean, sufficiently strong input signal, you're basically paying $300 so you don't have to turn the volume knob up as much to get loud.

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