Installed Kenwood subwoofer

[356driver]

I just installed a Kenwood KSC-SW1 subwoofer over the weekend and I am very pleased with the results. I have an '06 with JBL and was very dissatisfied with lack of bass. Now the system produces a much more balanced sound. I am still considering replacing the door speakers with Infinity Kappa 60.7's.

I placed the Kenwood in the storage compartment beneath the cargo floor. I tapped into both rear speaker wires (red/white and yellow/black) for sound and the grey wire on the head-unit-to-amplifier connector for detection of power. I got power directly from the 12V battery, which is in the right-rear of the cargo bay.

[dgstan]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(356driver @ May 1 2006, 11:40 AM) [snapback]247990[/snapback]</div>

I just installed a Kenwood KSC-SW1 subwoofer over the weekend and I am very pleased with the results. I have an '06 with JBL and was very dissatisfied with lack of bass. Now the system produces a much more balanced sound. I am still considering replacing the door speakers with Infinity Kappa 60.7's.

I placed the Kenwood in the storage compartment beneath the cargo floor. I tapped into both rear speaker wires (red/white and yellow/black) for sound and the grey wire on the head-unit-to-amplifier connector for detection of power. I got power directly from the 12V battery, which is in the right-rear of the cargo bay.
[/b]

Sounds like you've got the same setup as me. Make sure you've disabled the center speaker too. I also set the fader so the back is set a little higher than the front. I've still got the stock speakers and am happy with the sound.

DGStan

[Prizzle]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dgstan @ May 1 2006, 03:22 PM) [snapback]248081[/snapback]</div>

Sounds like you've got the same setup as me. Make sure you've disabled the center speaker too. I also set the fader so the back is set a little higher than the front. I've still got the stock speakers and am happy with the sound.

DGStan
[/b]

New here DGStan, but I'm on on another forum with a different car where the center speaker disconnect mod made a big difference in the "upgraded" sound system-better sound stage. Is that a pretty well established mod here in Prius JBL as well? Is it the same routine, pry up the cover with an old charge card, unscrew the speaker and disconnect plug?

K

[356driver]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(356driver @ May 1 2006, 09:40 AM) [snapback]247990[/snapback]</div>

I placed the Kenwood in the storage compartment beneath the cargo floor. I tapped into both rear speaker wires (red/white and yellow/black) for sound and the grey wire on the head-unit-to-amplifier connector for detection of power. I got power directly from the 12V battery, which is in the right-rear of the cargo bay.
[/b]

One last thing I forgot to mention. The cable pin assignments for the JBL amp on Tom Morrow's web site here do not match the 2006 model. The photos are obsolete as well. JBL has apparently split the single speaker/power connector into two connectors on the 2006 amp. However the rear speaker wires are the same color as the old (red/white and yellow/black).

This is not to say Tom's web site shouldn't be reviewed. It is only to help other DIY'ers avoid total surprise when they get to the amp. Many thanks to Tom and all the other members of this forum for sharing their collective experience.

[dgstan]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Prizzle @ May 1 2006, 04:08 PM) [snapback]248139[/snapback]</div>

New here DGStan, but I'm on on another forum with a different car where the center speaker disconnect mod made a big difference in the "upgraded" sound system-better sound stage. Is that a pretty well established mod here in Prius JBL as well? Is it the same routine, pry up the cover with an old charge card, unscrew the speaker and disconnect plug?

K
[/b]

Sounds about right, but you don't have to unscrew anything. The speaker is attached to the cover, so when you pop off the cover, the speaker comes with it. You just unplug it from there.

[pre-cbs]

Hi,

did you notice any signal loss going to the rear speakers after tapping into them?

[dpeezie]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(356driver @ May 1 2006, 02:46 PM) [snapback]248162[/snapback]</div>

One last thing I forgot to mention. The cable pin assignments for the JBL amp on Tom Morrow's web site here do not match the 2006 model. The photos are obsolete as well. JBL has apparently split the single speaker/power connector into two connectors on the 2006 amp. However the rear speaker wires are the same color as the old (red/white and yellow/black).

This is not to say Tom's web site shouldn't be reviewed. It is only to help other DIY'ers avoid total surprise when they get to the amp. Many thanks to Tom and all the other members of this forum for sharing their collective experience.
[/b]

Any idea which of the wires on the 2006 jbl amp is the 12v acc? I don't see a grey wire (except for the thin one for the MFD unit, wihch I'm afraid to tap into because it's so thin.)

[dgstan]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dpeezie @ Oct 28 2006, 02:18 AM) [snapback]339883[/snapback]</div>

Any idea which of the wires on the 2006 jbl amp is the 12v acc? I don't see a grey wire (except for the thin one for the MFD unit, wihch I'm afraid to tap into because it's so thin.)
[/b]

You're looking for switched power to signal the amp to turn on (not to actually draw power from), right? I tapped into the 12V outlet on the passenger side. No need to bother with amp.

[DanMan32]

Unless they changed it in 2006, there is no radio switched power. The JBL is always on when the car is on (ACC and beyond). It would have to in order to provide the MFD beeps. So you can get ACC+ for power on trigger anywhere, including the power outlet that was mentioned.

There is an antenna power output from the headunit, but I believe that is only on when using the radio. It is off for CD (and tape for 2004/2005).

[dpeezie]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dgstan @ Oct 28 2006, 10:19 PM) [snapback]340200[/snapback]</div>

You're looking for switched power to signal the amp to turn on (not to actually draw power from), right? I tapped into the 12V outlet on the passenger side. No need to bother with amp.
[/b]

Thanks for that suggestion. I ended up tapping into a gray wire at the JBL amp. The gray wire was part of the MFD plug (the '06 JBL has three different connection plugs). I was concerned about applying a wire tap to such a thin wire, but it worked out.