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My audio adventure to get the JBL system to sound decent. Review of Trailgridpro set and Beatsonic Encore X.

ToyoTech808

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The audio system in our JBL equipped vehicles just is a disappointment from factory. The factory sub is barely audible and how the factory system is tuned is not so great. Even when changing low mid and high setting it does not sound good at all.

First I sound deadened the usual places in the vehicle with Amazon matting and closed cell foam sheets. Door sound insulators were retained just not pictured.
2025 4runner 6th gen My audio adventure to get the JBL system to sound decent. Review of Trailgridpro set and Beatsonic Encore X. 20251019_082554
2025 4runner 6th gen My audio adventure to get the JBL system to sound decent. Review of Trailgridpro set and Beatsonic Encore X. 20251020_102111
2025 4runner 6th gen My audio adventure to get the JBL system to sound decent. Review of Trailgridpro set and Beatsonic Encore X. 20251020_112136
2025 4runner 6th gen My audio adventure to get the JBL system to sound decent. Review of Trailgridpro set and Beatsonic Encore X. 20251019_081333
2025 4runner 6th gen My audio adventure to get the JBL system to sound decent. Review of Trailgridpro set and Beatsonic Encore X. 20251018_085232
2025 4runner 6th gen My audio adventure to get the JBL system to sound decent. Review of Trailgridpro set and Beatsonic Encore X. 20251018_091618


I also stuffed the subwoofer enclose with polyfill from an old jacket i never use.

2025 4runner 6th gen My audio adventure to get the JBL system to sound decent. Review of Trailgridpro set and Beatsonic Encore X. 1000022595


I still was not satisfied with the lower frequencies and feel the sub bass needed to be better.

Then I tried to change the speakers with the set from trailgridpro.com
All I can say is that kit needs help and is not a direct plug and play.
I had changed out the screws and nuts as someone else did for the dash speakers. The brackets for the door speakers were not lined with foam on the rear so after being bolted there was gap between the metal and brackets. I lined the bracket with some closed cell foam strips to seal. Also lined the cutout for the speaker wire to seal also. Also the harness adapter needed to be isolated with foam to stop vibration. Another thing is that dielectric grease needs to be used cause the speaker terminals will be exposed to water. Closed cell foam rings were added to seal against the door panel.

2025 4runner 6th gen My audio adventure to get the JBL system to sound decent. Review of Trailgridpro set and Beatsonic Encore X. 1000024172

2025 4runner 6th gen My audio adventure to get the JBL system to sound decent. Review of Trailgridpro set and Beatsonic Encore X. 20251217_125241
2025 4runner 6th gen My audio adventure to get the JBL system to sound decent. Review of Trailgridpro set and Beatsonic Encore X. 20251224_102554
2025 4runner 6th gen My audio adventure to get the JBL system to sound decent. Review of Trailgridpro set and Beatsonic Encore X. 20251224_112259
2025 4runner 6th gen My audio adventure to get the JBL system to sound decent. Review of Trailgridpro set and Beatsonic Encore X. 20251224_115703


After the install the system did not sound right as it sounded harsh on the high-end and missing alot of midrange. It is due to the fact that the alpine dash and hatch speakers does not produce the correct range of frequencies at the right level. I believe its cause the speakers is smaller than the factory. So I replaced the dash and rear hatch speakers back to factory and it was much better.

The sub frequencies still sucked. After much research I had got the beatsonic encore x even though it says it does not work with JBL systems.

How the audio system works is that the signal from the audio unit is sent to the JBL amp from only the front. The JBL amp then sends the signals where it needs to go. So the Beatsonic DSP will only work with ch1 and ch2. You would need to zero out the time alignment as its done through the JBL amp. You only use this to make the eq curve better. You can not boost it too much or the signal will distort. You should always cut. I installed the DSP under the center console and routed the harness to the audio unit. I routed the USB cable to the passenger side and can easily hide or access it from the under panel on the drivers side.
2025 4runner 6th gen My audio adventure to get the JBL system to sound decent. Review of Trailgridpro set and Beatsonic Encore X. 20260111_132642
2025 4runner 6th gen My audio adventure to get the JBL system to sound decent. Review of Trailgridpro set and Beatsonic Encore X. 20260111_132155


Tuning is subjective and I used pink noise to get a base line and adjust by ear after. The settings on the audio unit i have it centered for the low mid and high. The fader I have it set to 1 click back for better surround. Don't waste your money on the beatsonic alpha and guess and pray for it to sound decent.


2025 4runner 6th gen My audio adventure to get the JBL system to sound decent. Review of Trailgridpro set and Beatsonic Encore X. 20260121_111343


2025 4runner 6th gen My audio adventure to get the JBL system to sound decent. Review of Trailgridpro set and Beatsonic Encore X. 20260123_134902
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Joestac

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That is a shame to hear about the TrailGrid kit. Was on my radar as a possible upgrade chance for factor JBL speakers. This is a great write up though.
 
 







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