Upgrade to JBL or not?

Harmlessharman · 08-30-2009, 09:20 AM

We are in the UK and thinking of buying a new Prius. Can anyone advise if the JBL upgrade is worth the money please?

wfolta · 08-30-2009, 09:38 AM

I think it's worth it: better stereo plus bluetooth. I love the bluetooth.

Haven't been able to compare the stereo to the base stereo, but the JBL sounds good and

Harmlessharman · 08-30-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wfolta

I think it's worth it: better stereo plus bluetooth. I love the bluetooth.

Haven't been able to compare the stereo to the base stereo, but the JBL sounds good and

and what? You have got me on the edge of my seat!

Paradox · 08-30-2009, 01:44 PM

I would also say go for the JBL. Some complain about the stereo but it gets the job done. Yes, I have heard better systems and would like it to be a bit more 'rounded' but it does sound better than my 2006 did. Having the bluetooth is a huge benefit as well. If it's not a hige increase in price over there go for it, I think you'll be happy you did.

zenMachine · 08-31-2009, 12:43 PM

Depends on how much the upgrade costs.

I like the Bluetooth feature a LOT but totally despise the JBL sound system. If I could do it over again, I probably would go with the basic set up and find an aftermarket Bluetooth solution, even though having BT built-in is much nicer.

jestoy7 · 08-31-2009, 12:54 PM

I'm happy that I got the JBL with BT. I agree that it could be nicer, but its good for a stock system.

zenMachine · 08-31-2009, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jestoy7

I'm happy that I got the JBL with BT. I agree that it could be nicer, but its good for a stock system.

The problem I have is that Toyota doesn't call it the "stock" system but actually peddles it as the "Premium" system, which it definite isn't (and shouldn't cost so much!)

I'd gladly pay for a real premium system if it actually sounded like one.

jestoy7 · 08-31-2009, 03:02 PM

The extra $1,000 for the JBL and Bluetooth can be justified if you list out the components individually.

I figure I paid about $700 for the JBL upgrade. $700 in the aftermarket world can get you a good headunit and some speakers, but the peace of mind to have that installed from the factory makes it worth it. (to me)

Should the cost be greater than that, I could justify not purchasing it.

uclabruins · 09-02-2009, 08:42 PM

I've listened to the stock stereo from a 2005 Prius and it didn't sound very good. You have to turn the volume up very high to get any volume. When we were on the freeway, we had the volume up around 40 whereas I normally have the volume around 21 in my 2006 with the JBL sound system.

The JBL does lack solid deep bass, but overall a decent system and integrated into all the electronics.

08-30-2009, 09:20 AM	#1
Harmlessharman Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: UK Posts: 2 My Car: 2010 Prius On Order Model: N/A Package: N/A Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Upgrade to JBL or not? We are in the UK and thinking of buying a new Prius. Can anyone advise if the JBL upgrade is worth the money please?

08-30-2009, 09:38 AM	#2
wfolta Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Washington DC Posts: 254 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: No Package Thanks: 9 Thanked 45 Times in 24 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Upgrade to JBL or not? I think it's worth it: better stereo plus bluetooth. I love the bluetooth. Haven't been able to compare the stereo to the base stereo, but the JBL sounds good and

08-30-2009, 01:44 PM	#4
Paradox Prius Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: SI, NY Posts: 2,114 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: V Package: Adv. Technology Thanks: 21 Thanked 298 Times in 179 Posts Friends: 9	Re: Upgrade to JBL or not? I would also say go for the JBL. Some complain about the stereo but it gets the job done. Yes, I have heard better systems and would like it to be a bit more 'rounded' but it does sound better than my 2006 did. Having the bluetooth is a huge benefit as well. If it's not a hige increase in price over there go for it, I think you'll be happy you did.

08-31-2009, 12:43 PM	#5
zenMachine Just another Onionhead Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,985 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #3 Thanks: 5 Thanked 15 Times in 11 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Upgrade to JBL or not? Depends on how much the upgrade costs. I like the Bluetooth feature a LOT but totally despise the JBL sound system. If I could do it over again, I probably would go with the basic set up and find an aftermarket Bluetooth solution, even though having BT built-in is much nicer.

08-31-2009, 12:54 PM	#6
jestoy7 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 231 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: No Package Thanks: 37 Thanked 24 Times in 21 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Upgrade to JBL or not? I'm happy that I got the JBL with BT. I agree that it could be nicer, but its good for a stock system.

08-31-2009, 03:02 PM	#8
jestoy7 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 231 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: No Package Thanks: 37 Thanked 24 Times in 21 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Upgrade to JBL or not? The extra $1,000 for the JBL and Bluetooth can be justified if you list out the components individually. I figure I paid about $700 for the JBL upgrade. $700 in the aftermarket world can get you a good headunit and some speakers, but the peace of mind to have that installed from the factory makes it worth it. (to me) Should the cost be greater than that, I could justify not purchasing it.

09-02-2009, 08:42 PM	#9
uclabruins Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: City of Angels, Baby! Posts: 222 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: N/A Package: #8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Upgrade to JBL or not? I've listened to the stock stereo from a 2005 Prius and it didn't sound very good. You have to turn the volume up very high to get any volume. When we were on the freeway, we had the volume up around 40 whereas I normally have the volume around 21 in my 2006 with the JBL sound system. The JBL does lack solid deep bass, but overall a decent system and integrated into all the electronics.

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