Premium JBL Hi-Fi System Worth It?

Totally up to you. I have the upgraded stereo on my Portofino, love it. With the F8 I decided not to get it. I did however order the lift. I have a garage lift and I won’t be able to get the F8 on the lift without it. I also did it for piece of mind. I already assumed I would be driving in rallies and such so you just never know. This summer my daughter and I will drive the F8 to the FCA event in Canada from Chicago. Have no idea what roads, driveways, etc will be like.

So in summary, really up to you. It is your car so make it how you want it.


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Did you get the lift I on your PISTA...... I am trying to consider a Pista used or an F8 have passed on the PISTAs without lift .... but I doubt I would use it so did you order it with or without....thanks

 

I have had the upgrades JBL since the 458 and for me it is worth it and has greatly improved but not as good as other manufacturers with a lower cost. I selected it in the 812 as it seems even better than my 488. I had the lifter in my Diablo and never used it. When I have a curb to cross, I just take it at an angle. When trying to buy a used 812, NOT having the stereo upgrade was not a deal breaker though.

 

Would definitely get both! Can’t see it any other way.

 

I did not order it. In almost 3 years of 488 ownership I never once used the lift and that was with taking the car on and off on my lift in the Gm garage on a regular basis.

 

Start from Lusso/488, i am sure it worth.

 

I got the lift and the JBL on my 812. We don't have either on the Portofino and I didn't have them on the Cali T HS or the 488 Spider. Those are drop tops and really, I never listen to the music in those cars since the top is down most of the time. That won't be the case with the 812 so I got the JBL. I had Burmester on my 991tts and I listened to it a good bit since it's a coupe and you drive with the windows up enough to make it worthwhile. We had the Bowers and Wilkins in the QP. In a nice coupe or sedan, the better sound system makes sense.

I haven't had the lift on any of the other three F cars or any other but I got it on the 812 because here in Austin there are plenty of places I need it. I am tired of having to go so slow and careful to get in and out of driveways around town. My driveway is great but most businesses have steep drives here in Austin. Plenty of houses do too.

I think it depends on the car for the hi-fi and the geography for the lift. Yes to better stereo in the coupe, no in the drop top. Yes to the lift in a hilly city and no in a flat city.

 

Is the relative improvement in JBL audio across generations strictly to due with the system itself or is there an element due to the 488 not sounding as good/loud as the 458?

$4500 High End Burmester AMG GTS + High Fidelity streaming on Tidal = Epic

 

On my Pista radio delete and no lift. Don't need either and probably save a decent amount of weight. If I want music I use a BT speaker and stream from my phone.

 

The lift depends strictly on where you live. I also live in Austin and my 488 does not have the lift. Let’s just say I wish it did.

 

Having had cars both with and without the JBL system and lift I think the lift is for peace of mind and JBL is for peace of the spouse as the base system is a disgrace and unlistenable even when standing still.


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In terms of resale you’ll only get back fractions of the option cost for these, but when I bought my used 458 Italia, I valued these options over cars without. In terms of your use - well, I’ve only used the lift a few times but when I did I HAD to. The JBL I use 80% of the time and wish it was even better. Minimum audio quality I would accept in a car - especially one that costs big $$$$. I keep toying with upgrading it but don’t want to touch the interior. Might upgrade the exhaust instead!


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I find it necessary to regularly use the lift. I also enjoy the sound quality of the JBL system, even if it's only marginally better than the standard audio system.

 

Hifi is a must have for me if/when available, I'm already spending X dollars at this point so I didn't want to to stress over adding in $4/8k more (Hifi and CarPlay). On buying used I'd prefer if a car had it. Sometimes I enjoy music off and engine screaming, and other times I'm contemplating life in gridlock traffic where music is nice.

Lifter I'm 50/50 on, it's nice to have in a pinch but I've made do without it on my Speciale (I have skidplates)

 

What are the other options you are considering?

 

I took matters into my own hands with regards to the crossover . Stuff the council I redid all the footpath and my crossover and lowered it about 4 inches to as to less the angle into my property

 

I know some people who got the standard system in the 488 and then had some quality Dynaudio components installed by the local dealer instead. Nothing with amps or the like, just drivers. I heard one of them, and it absolutely blew the "upgraded" system out of the water. I have not seen or heard the F8 system yet, but from what I'm told, it is very similar to the 488 system, and uses the same drivers. I've seen the drivers that was taken out of both a 488 with standard and "upgraded" audio. Both Ferrari and JBL should be ashamed. What an utter pile of bottom shelf Harman Kardon rubbish that was, an utter joke. Our dealer here bring in an installer when they have this sort of thing done. Everything gets done in factory location, and everything looks and functions 100% factory stock. It just sounds like something worth using, rather than a base system from a 90's BMW.

Do I think it's worth it? As it can be a dealbreaker in my neck of the woods, yes it is worth it in that way. Is it worth it if you cannot get by without your radio and some tunes, and if your dealer can't or won't upgrade your speakers? Yes, because while it is still bad and stupidly overpriced, at least you can get by with it. The base system is just so atrociously poor and unpleasant to listen to, that it is useless for anything but a weather report and the news.

Lifter? Few ever need them where I am, even when going on ferries or in multi story carparks. It is still a bit of a dealbreaker, as most seem to like the peace of mind.

I will consider both a bit of a necessary evil.

 

Re: FAL

If you have to ask the question whether you need the lift, then you need the lift.

 

Is ground clearance of F8 the same as 488?

 

‘don’t worry about a dealer average. The base unit is so pathetic that if you don’t get the jbl...you’ll be regretting it every time you’ll hear it. Lifter is a must so really that’s a no brainer. Have fun..be indulgent ...it’s a Ferrari

 

Have both, use both.......peace of mind.

 

I have people tell me all the time that they bought the JBL setup - and they regret it every time they hear it LOL

 

Well my two pence is that I love it! It’s much better than the base unit. Cheers and best wishes on your F-Joy drives!

 

I always add it because the base unit is almost embarrassing. That said, the JBL unit isn’t great or what you might expect, but at least you will be able to tell what song is on. I think Ferrari doesn’t want anything competing with the sound of the engine.

 

My two cents... If you don't think you will listen to music or barely at all. Don't get the nopegrade JBL. However, I think it may help with resale (usually not a deal breaker). I too wish Ferrari would consider being less greedy in keeping a high profit margin on such a low grade sound system and keeping JBL alive and maybe charge 1-2 k more for a system more in keeping with its brand and prestige; and throw in the Android auto and Apple Carplay.

I think the lifter is like a owning a weapon. It is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

I got both... and a tad more... Except the stupid Apple Carplay...