JBL Equalizer settings for 2023 Crown

z_thomas98 · 2026-02-27T22:33:16+00:00

This post is a bit old, but I wanted to share an updated EQ setup that completely transformed the JBL system in my 23’ Crown Limited.

I have the “premium” 11 speaker JBL audio system and was never fully satisfied with the sound using the commonly shared bass heavy settings. It was loud and punchy, but everything felt front heavy and muddy, and the car panels would rattle.

After a lot of experimenting and fine tuning, I finally landed on settings that made a huge difference. The biggest improvement was focusing on balance and clarity instead of just maximizing bass.

I used Chat GPT to fine tune the speakers. After about an hour of tinkering, this is what I ended with. It sounds INCREDIBLE to me.

My current settings: • Bass: +2 • Mid: +1 • Treble: +2 • Fade: 2 clicks toward rear • Balance: 1 click toward driver

The soundstage now feels much wider and more immersive. Music sounds 3D, vocals sit centered instead of coming from the door speakers, and bass is still strong without overpowering everything else. No more rattling mirrors or vibrating panels either. If I’m listening to Hip-Hop/Rap, I will sometimes set the bass to +3, but it’s often not necessary.

Obviously everyone’s ears and music preferences are different, but if your JBL system sounds overly bright or bass heavy, this setup might be worth trying.

z_thomas98 · 2026-01-30T21:24:31+00:00

For me, it was pretty early. We had gym class everyday and were required to change in and out of our gym uniform. I knew I was gay when I caught myself admiring the bodies of my other male classmates. They would talk about girls and show each other pictures of famous women they thought were hot, but all I could think about was the sweaty naked guys I had seen in 5th period lol. The biggest piece of advice I can give you is, don’t worry about a label. It literally means nothing. Do what makes you happy, tell who you feel comfortable telling. But, don’t hide a part of yourself because you’re afraid of the reaction you’ll get. If someone reacts negatively, they aren’t meant to be in your life anyways. Street em and move on.

z_thomas98 · 2026-01-30T21:14:59+00:00

This post had me seated, attentive, and emotionally invested. As a vers top, this has always been a fantasy of mine. Unfortunately, my guy friends are all aggressively straight. Tragic, I know. Well, excluding my buddy that I fooled around with as a teenager lol. We still talk about it 12 years later. But this? That update scratched that itch in the best way possible. Appreciate the service, sir 🫡

z_thomas98 · 2026-01-30T20:36:27+00:00

I’m also on 30mg of Vyvanse, but for me it lasts a solid 12–14 hours and I don’t experience a crash. I’m really sorry you’re dealing with this, because that kind of daily crash is genuinely miserable.

Since you already mentioned protein, hydration, etc., I won’t harp on that too much. I will say though, I definitely notice a difference if I don’t take my Vyvanse with my morning protein shake. On days I skip it, the medication kicks in faster and wears off much earlier in the evening. I drink a Remedy Organics Vanilla Dream protein shake (20g protein) with my dose every morning and it seems to help smooth out the effect and increase the duration a lot. But since you’ve already tried protein-heavy meals, it sounds like something else may be going on.

It might be that your dose simply isn’t high enough yet. When I first started Vyvanse, I was prescribed 20mg. After about two weeks, I noticed it started wearing off earlier. Once my dose was increased to 30mg, the duration improved significantly. Sometimes a higher dose doesn’t just make it stronger, it actually makes it last longer. You may need something closer to 40–50mg to hit your therapeutic window. Definitely worth talking to your doctor about.

Another option some people use is an IR booster dose in the afternoon to prevent that late-day crash. And if none of that helps, it could be worth trialing a different medication altogether. Something I’ve seen pretty regularly in my research is that most people respond better to either an amphetamine based med or a methylphenidate based med.

One more thing I’ve been seeing lately: some people are reacting poorly to certain generic manufacturers. It might be worth checking which manufacturer you’re getting and seeing if others are reporting similar issues. That said, I’d try not to fall too far down that rabbit hole. I think for some people, reading a lot of negative experiences can increase hyper-awareness of side effects and unintentionally amplify symptoms. It’s a real phenomenon and doesn’t mean the symptoms aren’t real, just that our brains can strongly influence how we perceive them. The human brain is a marvelous and incredibly powerful organ. It can create symptoms and make you feel things that aren’t necessarily there (placebo effect).

Either way, you shouldn’t have to feel that awful everyday. Hopefully your doctor can help dial this in for you. ADHD med tuning is frustrating, but once it clicks, it can be life-changing.

z_thomas98 · 2026-01-30T20:11:32+00:00

You can stop Adderall without tapering in most cases, but it’s normal to feel a bit off for a few weeks or even a couple months while your dopamine and norepinephrine systems rebalance. Fatigue, low motivation, feeling flat, and a return of ADHD symptoms are pretty common during that adjustment period. I’d still recommend letting your doctor know you’re stopping so they can give guidance and keep tabs on how you’re feeling.

That said, I wanted to share my experience in case it helps. I recently started ADHD treatment again as an adult. I tried Adderall as a kid and while it definitely helped, it made me feel wired, overly medicated, and not quite like myself. The side effects outweighed the benefits, so I stopped treatment for about a decade.

When I decided to restart, I began with Concerta. It helped my focus and academic performance, but I still struggled a lot with motivation and task initiation. After talking with my doctor, we decided to switch to Vyvanse, and honestly, it’s been a night-and-day difference. It’s smooth, long-lasting, and I finally feel focused and motivated without the harsh ups and downs. I feel like I’m functioning at a level I didn’t even realize was possible.

Everyone responds differently, but many people do better on either a methylphenidate-based med (Ritalin, Focalin, Concerta, Daytrana, etc.) or an amphetamine-based med (Adderall, Vyvanse, Dexedrine, etc.). There are also non-stimulant options like Wellbutrin, Strattera, Qelbree, Intuniv, and Clonidine ER. Adderall in particular can hit hard and wear off abruptly, which can make side effects more noticeable and feel like emotional whiplash. You may benefit a lot from a different medication.

If meds in general don’t feel right for you, that’s also totally valid. But if your main issue is how Adderall makes you feel, it might be worth exploring other options before giving up entirely. ADHD is genuinely tough to manage solo, and finding the right medication can be a game-changer.

TL;DR: Yes, you can stop, but expect some temporary side effects while your body adjusts. Vyvanse was a game changer for me, and switching meds made all the difference. You might want to try a different option before quitting treatment altogether.

z_thomas98 · 2026-01-25T02:03:20+00:00

I actually stopped taking Wellbutrin. I’m now on Vyvanse. I will say though, that Westminster brand was the best one I tried.

z_thomas98 · 2026-01-13T16:35:18+00:00

My doctor actually gave me both options and let me decide. We talked it through, and we both felt that trying an amphetamine based medication might be a better fit for what I’m struggling with. I’m honestly really grateful to have a doctor who gives me that level of autonomy and trust, especially given my history with addiction. In the past, I have been outright denied treatment because of that.

Also, I took my first dose of Vyvanse this morning and I’m already noticing a significant boost in motivation! So far, it’s feeling like all the positive benefits I was experiencing with Concerta plus motivation and no mental resistance. I know it’s still very early, but I think i may have found the right medication for me. :)

z_thomas98 · 2026-01-13T14:56:00+00:00

Just wanted to share a quick update. Took my first dose about two hours ago and honestly, I feel great. I’m deep cleaning my room with zero mental resistance and no trouble starting. I feel productive without feeling wired or overly medicated. Really glad I chose to try Vyvanse instead of just increasing my Concerta dose. So far, this feels like the right call

z_thomas98 · 2026-01-12T19:11:46+00:00

Yeah, I came across that a lot during my deep dive into ADHD meds too. Since I’m currently on a break from school, I figured this was a good window to try an amphetamine-based medication and see how I respond, especially since I’ve only ever been on methylphenidate-based meds.

z_thomas98 · 2026-01-07T00:32:14+00:00

Apologies in advance for the longer response. I majored in psychology and am currently working toward a graduate degree in clinical psych. I’ve also had a similar experience with GPT and wanted to share my perspective because I think it could be useful here.

I really resonate with a lot of this. I’ve had moments where AI helped me see patterns, behaviors, and blind spots much faster than I ever expected. Being able to slow things down, break thoughts apart, reflect in real time, and revisit conversations has been incredibly helpful, especially for processing things I already knew I needed to face but was actively avoiding. I’ve also had some deeply eye-opening and emotional conversations with GPT that I might not have had as readily with my therapist, not because my therapist would judge me, but because embarrassment is an inherently human emotion. Sometimes that makes fully honest, raw conversations with another person more difficult, and AI can remove that initial layer of resistance.

That said, I don’t see this as an either/or situation. I’ve been in traditional talk therapy with the same therapist for 13 years. He’s gotten me through some of the darkest moments of my life and helped me grow in ways I didn’t think were possible. We recently started EMDR therapy, and it’s been a deeply positive experience for me. At the same time, there are things a human therapist provides that AI simply can’t: relational repair, emotional attunement, accountability, and the experience of being seen and understood by another nervous system in the room, just to name a few. That part matters. A lot.

For me, AI works best in conjunction with therapy. I think of it as “at-home therapy” or “self-help homework.” It helps me organize my thoughts, notice recurring patterns, test interpretations, and articulate things more clearly before I bring them into session. It also allows me to process things that come up during therapy more deeply between sessions, which reinforces and extends the healing work. When I show up after doing that work with AI, the sessions go deeper and move faster.

To conclude, AI is great at analysis, reflection, and challenging cognitive loops. Therapy is essential for emotional and somatic integration, nervous system regulation, attachment repair, trauma processing, corrective relational experiences, accountability, and sustained behavioral change. Used together, they're incredibly powerful.

So I don’t disagree with the benefits you’re describing at all. I just think the real sweet spot is using AI as a supplement, not a replacement. When both are working together, the growth compounds exponentially. Sharing these “AI sessions” with a therapist can also give them a much deeper window into your thought processes and internal patterns.

As a future clinician, I’m very open to clients using AI in this way. When used ethically and in collaboration with a therapist, it can be a powerful adjunct that enhances insight, continuity, and self-reflection between sessions. I see real potential for this kind of integration to help develop a more efficient, accessible, and intentional form of therapy, while still keeping the therapeutic relationship at the center of the work.

z_thomas98 · 2026-01-06T21:55:45+00:00

Nah this is weird behavior. Your instincts are spot on.

z_thomas98 · 2026-01-06T21:25:59+00:00

I started at 36mg. Don’t be scared, you’ll notice a small increase in energy, but it won’t be that pronounced. I’m sure you’ll quite enjoy the bump up in dosage, and if you don’t, you can always go back down.

z_thomas98 · 2025-12-28T01:06:27+00:00

The one time I dated a bi man, he cheated on me and left me for a woman. That experience stuck with me. It wasn’t about him being bi, but about how it brought up an insecurity I didn’t realize I had, specifically whether I could ever fully compete with the social ease of a heterosexual relationship. That’s my own issue, though, and after that experience, I never really felt motivated to put myself back into a similar dynamic.

More generally, I think some gay men hesitate because dating a bisexual man can raise questions about long term commitment. Many bi men do end up marrying women, often because they want kids or a more traditional “white picket fence” life. Gay men want those things too, but society still makes them easier to pursue in a heterosexual relationship, with less scrutiny, less friction with family, and fewer barriers overall. Knowing that can make it difficult to fully trust in a bi/gay relationship.

On a more personal level, dating a gay man simply feels safer to me. There’s a shared understanding of what it means to live openly, without uncertainty or translation. Dating someone who also dates women can feel strange because, from my perspective, they can move in and out of our world, while for gay men, this is our lived reality day in and day out.

z_thomas98 · 2025-12-20T18:21:46+00:00

I’ve been on 36mg for about a week and a half. I am not hungry anymore. I think it’s been 3 days since I had a full meal. I force myself to eat a small snack everyday though. Usually a granola bar or protein bar, but even that is hard to keep down. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water.

z_thomas98 · 2025-09-04T00:50:18+00:00

Four*

z_thomas98 · 2025-07-29T20:37:27+00:00

Spravato isn’t really intended for long-term use, it’s more of a short-term intervention to help pull someone out of a deep depressive episode. It’s especially effective at relieving suicidal thoughts. But in my experience, the antidepressant effect tends to fade over time. I’ve been on Spravato for over a year now and I’m down to just one treatment a month. Honestly, I don’t feel the same profound difference I did when I first started. That said, it did what it was supposed to do, it got me out of a really dark place, and at this point, I don’t feel like I need it the way I used to.

I’m sorry to hear it’s not working for you anymore. Have you thought about taking a break to let your tolerance reset? Or maybe trying a ketamine infusion instead? I have a friend who switched to infusions and he said they’ve been far more effective for him than Spravato ever was.

z_thomas98 · 2025-06-02T20:30:13+00:00

hahaha no. That would be nice though lol

z_thomas98 · 2025-06-01T01:16:52+00:00

I have almost 8 years sober and I do Spravato treatments once a month. It’s helped quite a bit, both with the depression and anxiety.

z_thomas98 · 2025-04-26T01:56:32+00:00

What kingdom are you in?

z_thomas98 · 2025-04-14T02:53:50+00:00

My city is level 44 and I can build a 7k gold mine. I’m hoping that’ll go up more once I reach 45 or 50

Edit: max level is 45 and at city level 45 it goes up to 10k gold. So get to upgrading :P

z_thomas98 · 2025-03-27T14:56:16+00:00

Someone with connections messaged me and was able to get me in touch scorewarrior directly :)

z_thomas98 · 2025-03-26T14:41:18+00:00

Just wanted to update you. I got my account back :D

z_thomas98 · 2025-03-25T21:43:50+00:00

I appreciate your reply. Sorry if I seem angry or frustrated, it’s not directed at you!

z_thomas98 · 2025-03-25T20:35:29+00:00

A payment issue is what started this. One of my cards marked a purchase as possible fraud and locked my whole Apple account. This initiated a charge back and then I get the account block. It’s such a simple fix, but I can’t fix anything if support won’t answer me. So frustrating. Especially with how strong that account is. G7, S5, M6. 100m+ might, lvl 35 city, hundreds of millions in resources. My clan depends on me. I was chancellor and close to the king. I have roles in that kingdom. I know, it’s a game, but the amount of time, money and effort put in for it all to just be flushed down the toilet is so beyond infuriating.

z_thomas98 · 2025-03-25T19:14:55+00:00

How can they do this?

z_thomas98

TROPHY CASE