JBL Legend 700 Multimedia Double DIN Receiver Review

When it comes to car audio, JBL has a long history of providing excellent products. These usually consist of amps, speakers, and subs. But JBL has recently started selling a new product: receivers. Up for review today is their double DIN sized color 7” touchscreen multimedia receiver. It’s their JBL Legend 700, with only $329 MSRP.

 

Features and specs:

Screen Size:  7

Screen Type:  Capacitive

Din Size:  double-DIN (4" tall)

Supports multiple audio sources:  Bluetooth, USB, Auxiliary Input and AM/FM

Apple CarPlay:  Wireless or Wired

Android Auto:  Wireless or Wired

Bluetooth Version:  5.0

Built-in AM/FM tuner:  Yes

RDS:  Yes

EQ bands:  16

Preamp Outputs:  6-channel

Preamp Voltage:  4

Subwoofer controls:  Yes

Backup Camera Input:  Yes

 

The JBL Legend 700 came in a nice color printed box, with photos and specs of the receiver. Opening the box revealed a well-protected receiver, held in place by custom cardboard. Materials used in the construction was mostly metal, with some plastic. Quality of materials used, as well as fit and finish, was very good. Also included was the trim ring, wiring harness, GPS antenna, external mic, mounting brackets, screws, and a quick start guide.

 

I really like the simple design, yet great features at such a low price point. It’s a Multimedia Receiver. And like most, are becoming matchless, meaning, there is no CD\DVD player. But it does feature Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. After all, most everyone uses their phones for everything, including their music and GPS for getting around. So with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, most of our functionality is met. But there’s also a tuner, as well as Bluetooth, USB, and Aux In.

 

Using the JBL Legend 700 is simple. It features a touchscreen display, as well as a few hard buttons. Most is done with the touchscreen display. But the hard buttons are used for power/mute, vol+, vol-, return, voice activation, and subwoofer. Connecting your phone through Bluetooth, you’ll be able to use it to make handsfree calls using the included mic. The main menu is simple and intuitive. Settings takes you to the audio controls, where you can adjust the EQ and choose between the 8 presets.

 

You also get great functionality with the JBL Legend 700. There’s the tuner, and as previously mentioned there’s the USB connection for Android Audio and Apple CarPlay, which gives most of what we will use. But the USB connection can also be used for a flash drive with say, your CD collection on it. There’s also and Aux-In as well. And if you want a back-up camera, there’s a connection on the back for that too. I particularly liked the hard button the front for the subwoofer. It makes subwoofer adjustments very simple.

 

Using the JBL Legend 700 proved to be a great performer. Using Android Auto was simple. The controls were simple and very intuitive. The tuner worked well, and making handsfree calls with the included mic also worked well. And equally important, my tunes came out sounding great.

 

Disturbed: Sound of Silence – Piano sounded really natural, acoustic guitar was extremely crisp and clean with excellent resolution of the stings. Violin was also really smooth with equal resolution of the strings. Cymbals were really crisp and clean, with tympani being very dynamic with very good low-end extension and played with great authority.  Vocals were smooth like honey with excellent texture of the timbre.

Rush: Tom Sawyer- guitar was nice and raw, cymbals were extremely crisp and clean with good resolution of the stick.  Drums were an aural smorgasbord with the snare and multitude of toms, and kick drum.  They all had excellent dynamics, toms had the sonic pitch definition I was not expecting at this price point.  Kick drum had excellent depth and played with great authority.

Guns & Roses: Patience- acoustic guitar had excellent resolution of the strings including their pluck and decay, which was almost holographic.  The whistles were so smooth with excellent harmonics!  Vocals were smoother than a Dove bar, and had excellent texture of the timbre.  I also wasn’t expecting the width depth of soundstage. It was almost like being in the recording studio!

 

The JBL Legend 700 proved to be a great performer. It has the features that we all need. The built-in amp provided ample power for a couple pair of speakers. And the sound quality coming out was very good. All of this from a receiver that seemed well made for years of use, at a very low price point. Based on its design, features and quality and performance, but JBL Legend 700 has earned our Highly Recommended Award. For more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.JBL.com.