2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser will feature NXT flat speakers

Speaker manufacturer NXT has announced that Toyota's new 2007 FJ Cruiser SUV will be the first commercial vehicle to incorporate its flat speaker technology, with the FJ to rock the enclosure-less speakers in its ceiling panel. The NXT tech differs from traditional conical speakers in that it uses a light, flat diaphragm to disburse sound frequencies over the entire panel surface as opposed to producing vibrations that ripple from the center outwards. The NXT-enabled FJ will be available in March 2006 for an as-yet-unspecified price.

[Luke @ Dec 28th 2005 3:11PM]

no point of having flat speakers. normal ones are the same and also work the same.

[FJCruiserForums.Com @ Dec 28th 2005 3:15PM]

For more information about Toyota's new FJ Cruiser, check out http://www.fjcruiserforums.com

[Curt Chambers @ Dec 28th 2005 3:28PM]

Uhhhh....I think the story here is the god-awful ugly "suv" from Toyota, not the speakers. If I were NXT I would find something else to launch them in. Perhaps its just me.....?

[Steven @ Dec 28th 2005 3:28PM]

Let's hope the FJ Cruiser gets a major body redesign. Who cares about the speakers when you have a freakin' ugly SUV?



Well, I guess that would be it's only selling point. Ugly as sin, but flat speakers!

[Jason @ Dec 28th 2005 3:28PM]

flat speakers take up far less depth than regular conical speakers. i thought that much was obvious...hence, they can mount them in the ceiling.

[Samuel Lago @ Dec 28th 2005 3:33PM]

Bloddy american designers

[Jason G @ Dec 28th 2005 3:34PM]

I'm getting this truck. It's taking after the heritage of the old 60's trucks and is a true off-road performer (and yes I'll actually use it off road)

[Sha66y @ Dec 28th 2005 3:40PM]

I assume the idea behind this design is what the progression in style would have been had they not discontinued the fj-40. the old body style is a classic - easily my favorite classic 4wd

[Serge @ Dec 28th 2005 3:45PM]

This car is beautiful, and the flat speakers are the icing on the cake.

[Nate MC @ Dec 28th 2005 4:37PM]

Looks like Toyota took a page from the daimler-chrysler design book.



Dodge had a similar looking concept years ago as well as Jeep.

[Sean @ Dec 28th 2005 4:38PM]

Toyota going after the ugly SUV market dominated by the Honda Element.

[CupertinoSlim @ Dec 28th 2005 5:15PM]

The only problem is the crappy sound you get from NXT speakers. (I have some, unfortunately, so I know.) I suggest removing the muffler and transporting hungry sea lions as viable ways to help mask the poor sound quality.

[trimbandit @ Dec 28th 2005 5:32PM]

This truck will nicely fill the void that was created when toyota

turned the capable land cruiser line into upscale pimpmobiles. There

is some cool video on toyota's site of a stock fj cruiser taking on

the rubicon trail. Hopefully, with declining SUV sales, they will be

forced to offer this at a reasonable price.

[Sam @ Dec 28th 2005 7:20PM]

It's not that bad if you get rid of the two-tone ugliness, and get rid of that hideous blue color, and make the headlights rectangular, and...

[Toyota FJ Cruiser @ Dec 28th 2005 7:57PM]

Cool, I never thought I would see the FJ Cruiser featured on engadget.com! :)

[spinteews @ Dec 28th 2005 8:06PM]

to each their own...



but this FJ is gonna rock. gone be sold out, a wait list, and also hard to find.



for the real enthusist.



check out reviews at www.edmunds.com

[Hiptrigger @ Dec 28th 2005 9:10PM]

FJ Cruiser from "Land Cruiser" - get it? The first Toyota Land Cruiser BJ was released in >>> 1951

[Karim Farouki @ Dec 28th 2005 10:19PM]

This speaker technology is nothing new. My high end loud speakers at home are MartinLogan's, which use the same technology. In fact, when loudspeakers were first being invented, flat panel was the first experimental technique *before* cone speakers. There are trade-offs. Flat panel speakers are line-sources as opposed to conical speakers which are point-sources. This difference means that the directionality of the audio information is much tighter on a flat panel speaker, resulting in much better imaging. Check out MartinLogan.com for more information on the technology. I've often considered making some tiny flat panels to install in my cars....

[Liam McNulty @ Dec 28th 2005 11:57PM]

Karim is right. I'm using some NXT speakers for my desktop -- they're attached to my wall with pushpins. Of course the quality isn't up to par with normal speakers, but considering the space they save me, it's fine.



Casio showed an LCD with a similar technology:

http://www.engadget.com/2005/10/01/casio-integrates-lcd-and-speaker/



NEC's desktop and notebook lines feature "SoundVu" technology (also from NXT), which puts a speaker behind the LCD panel itself:

http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/25/nxt-soundvu-display-based-speakers-reviewed/

[submachine @ Dec 29th 2005 1:04AM]

Someone compared this to the Honda Element, are you blind?



The FJ can run OVER the Element

[Aryaan Ahmed @ Dec 29th 2005 3:44AM]

just say cool D'sign

[Kiloran @ Dec 29th 2005 4:47AM]

MartinLogan speakers may be flat but the technology and physics is totally different to NXT speakers.

[CJ @ Dec 29th 2005 9:36AM]

Not to make this an Autoblog discussion, but this is meant to compete with the Nissan Xterra.

[Chris @ Dec 29th 2005 2:24PM]

As for the Ugly SUV comment, Yes, the Element is ugly, but I think the Scion xB has got it beat. The xB looks like a deformed cardboard box on wheels! But the Toyota looks more like a Liberty,(and by the way, Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep are all the same company, just as are Ford, Lincoln, Mercury are the same company.)

[jack @ Dec 31st 2005 10:52AM]

At first look the new vehicle looks fine, however I have 2 issues of concern. Published reports indicate the vehicle will require Premium Fuel. This if true will be a major drawback at 17 city/ 21 highway. Next reports seem to indicate the Manual Transmission will be full time 4 wheel drive and the Auto will be part time 4 wheel drive?

[Justin @ Jan 16th 2006 4:00PM]

"6. Bloddy american designers



Posted at 3:33PM on Dec 28th 2005 by Samuel Lago 0 stars"



Funny considering this was designed in Japan. I know it's not a pretty SUV, and it's not supposed to be. It's a functional one, it's trail rated and I think the flat pannel speakers add to the classic meets technology aspect of this vehicle.



Toyota is putting a lot into this vehicle, with their legendary STAR saftey system and every other feature in this vehicle, along with bringing in the aftermarket companies from the beginning encouraging customization.