"Standard" Stereo improvement

[Warwind]

There are a lot of threads about how to improve the sound of the stereo system. Mine sounds a little fuzzy at times. So I was wondering if anyone had simply had all the speakers in the car replaced with better ones? If so, did that make any difference? If so, where did you go to have that done, and what did you replace them with?

The last time I had a stereo put in a car, I went to Circuit City and they did a great job. I don't really want to mess with the stereo itself, so I was thinking better speakers might be the answer.

Anyone have any experiences to share?

Thanks!

[silentak1]

Originally I replaced all four speakers with the Infinity Kappa 62.7i and it did wonders. The sound was much more clear and had decent bass, but still lacked some kick. After I changed my headunit, the difference was even more spectacular.

I think I paid close to $150 for the speakers and $50 for labor. You could do it yourself since each speaker only has two (simple) wires. The two 'challenges' that you might encounter are: removing the door panel and drilling the new speaker into the door's frame.

Removing the door panel is a breeze if you pull with some force (and remove 2 screws). Drilling will require a power driver... unless you could find a speaker door mount kit! By the way, I highly recommend that you stop by a local shop and buy the Dynamat Xtreme speaker kits because they make some rattles go away.

I'm looking into adding an amp to the speakers, the Kenwood KSC-SW1 subwoofer, and perhaps change the tweeters for a better experience.

[Charles Suitt]

In numerous posts over the last couple of years, many have found that disconnecting the center speaker [above the MFD] made the JBL "9-speaker" system sound better by making the stereo seperation more evident.

Yesterday, I disconnected the center speaker and can't really notice a lot of difference yet. It's an easy mod. You can remove the center speaker by getting your fingernails under the side of the grill and pull it up and toward you. The speaker is attached. Disconnect the white 2-wire connector [you will need to press down on the 'catch' on top of the connector] and replace the speaker [now inactive]. If you prefer it connected, it's easy to re-connect.

[Warwind]

I don't have a center speaker above my MFD--not that I can see anyhow. I have two front-pillar speakers, two in the front doors, and two in the rear doors.

I finally loaded 4 gig of music into my mp3 player, and I've discovered that some of the songs sound really great, and others sound horribly fuzzy. So I might be blaming my speakers when in reality some of the songs I have were probably ripped at a low-quality rate.

I'll do a quick test over the weekend with some highest-quality mp3's and see how they sound.

[Ari]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Warwind @ Nov 17 2006, 05:54 PM) [snapback]351171[/snapback]</div>

I finally loaded 4 gig of music into my mp3 player, and I've discovered that some of the songs sound really great, and others sound horribly fuzzy.
[/b]

I'm with you there. I have also noticed that certain songs just don't sound like they ought to. Stock stereo systems are junk.

[Beryl Octet]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(silentak1 @ Nov 16 2006, 10:02 PM) [snapback]350631[/snapback]</div>

Originally I replaced all four speakers with the Infinity Kappa 62.7i and it did wonders. The sound was much more clear and had decent bass, but still lacked some kick. After I changed my headunit, the difference was even more spectacular.
[/b]

With a new headunit, do you lose the MFD and steering wheel controls? Or is there a way to keep those with an aftermarket system? Thanks.

[Charles Suitt]

Howdy Warwind

If I recall "packages" correctly, the Package 2 has the "standard" sound system rather than the JBL sound system [9 speakers & 6-CD changer]. That being the case you might not have a center speaker atop the MFD. Looks like you had to go to Package 5 or above for the other system.

Package #2 Includes Rear Backup Camera;
-Smart Key System
-Am/Fm Cd W/6 Speakers
-Aux Audio Input Miniplug
-And Mp3/Wma Playback Capability

Package #5 Includes JBL Am/Fm 6-Disc
-Cd Changer W/9 Speakers
-Front And Rear Side Curtain Airbags
-Smart Key System
-Aux Audio Jack
-Vehicle Stability Control
-Mp3/Wma Playback Capability
-And Hands-Free Phone Capability Via Bluetooth
-Rear Backup Camera
-Driver And Front Passenger Front Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
-Anti-Theft System
-Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror With Homelink

[prberg]

I felt the same way about the stock system. I replaced the stock speakers with 4 6.5" aftermarket pioneers (TS-G1641R or something similar from Best Buy). The sound was alot better. I had much better 'highs' after doing the upgrade. Not a great system but much better than the original speakers.

I did the install myself... not too hard. Pull out the old ones... in with the new ones. Only thing was trouble for me was figuring out which wire was + and which was - Still not sure if I have it right but it sounded 'best' the way I hooked it up.

-Peter B

[Beryl Octet]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(prberg @ Nov 18 2006, 03:17 PM) [snapback]351471[/snapback]</div>

I felt the same way about the stock system. I replaced the stock speakers with 4 6.5" aftermarket pioneers (TS-G1641R or something similar from Best Buy). The sound was alot better. I had much better 'highs' after doing the upgrade. Not a great system but much better than the original speakers.

I did the install myself... not too hard. Pull out the old ones... in with the new ones. Only thing was trouble for me was figuring out which wire was + and which was - Still not sure if I have it right but it sounded 'best' the way I hooked it up.

-Peter B
[/b]

There's a wiring diagram in the PDF attached to this topic

http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=9542&hl=sparky

I'm thinking new speakers are in my future, too, I have the base single CD system.

[silentak1]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Beryl Octet @ Nov 18 2006, 09:32 AM) [snapback]351378[/snapback]</div>

With a new headunit, do you lose the MFD and steering wheel controls? Or is there a way to keep those with an aftermarket system? Thanks.
[/b]

I only lost the "Audio" steering wheel controls. The rest of the steering buttons work.

I didn't lose the MFD. I had the audio installed perform a hack to allow the MFD to work as a stand-alone unit.
Link to Hack