Upgrading Stock Audio Questions

i'm listening almost exclusively to live GD and ABB ... mostly soundboard recordings, through the iPod/iPhone or the Sat radio

... at the appropriate time, i'm going with a real amp and real speakers, none of the factory stuff, and nothing cheapo

 

ejmckee,
:welcome:

You'll find that there are LOTS of people on here with good advice about stereo upgrades. Keep searching and reading and hopefully some members will respond to you here as well.

A lot of your questions will be a matter of opinion. For example whether a cheap pair of speakers will suffice in the rear, what speakers are "best" for you, or whether you need amp, or whether you need any of it!! Member F8L has a great write up about his install of an aftermarket HU here - http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-audio-electronics/38700-stealth-install-aftermarket-stereo-in-prius.html

I think many people, including me, would advise you this way: you can always do a bit at a time (especially if money is an issue) and see how you like things.

But to answer #2 definitively (I had the same question) you need component speakers up front - ones that have the woofer and tweeter separate.

Hope that helps and let us know what you come up with.

 

I've yet to do this, but I have done some research, and talked to people who know what they're doing.

To get the best performance, you really need to replace the stock head unit. All the other changes you make and money you spend will be seriously handicapped by keeping the old unit.

There is a unit available to retain use of the steering wheel controls, but not the touchscreen.

Yes, get rid of that centre speaker. And if you're only going to spend $50 on a pair, they'd probably sound better off than on. You can spend as many thousands as you want, but less than $1,000 is probably not going to get you very far.

 

First thing I'd like to suggest is NOT using Best Buy. The small shops need you more and will take better care of you. Use Best Buy to audition speakers if you must, but go to a proper independent audio shop if you can.

About the rear door speakers - do you care what it sounds like for the rear passengers? Many car audio experts would say you don't even need speakers back there. But they only care about what it sounds like for the driver. For me, the Infinity Kappas coaxial (or 2-way) speakers that the previous owner put in were good enough. I don't know how bad the stock ones are.
For the front, you want components - woofer in the door, tweeter in the A-pillar, replacing the factory units. Most important thing about picking speakers isn't specs or advice from a forum, rather it's what sounds good to you. Go listen to speakers that fit your budget. You may need to go to several different shops to hear a variety of brands - no single shop will carry everything. Bring your own music.

BTW, for some great car audio general knowledge, have a look here: Car Audio Book - Free Car Audio Information

Going bit by bit is a good way to avoid overspending - you can stop when you're happy with it or choose to do more. But there is the risk that you'll rip something out to take a different approach. So considering this, my suggestion is to go in the following order, stop whenever budget or satisfaction dictates:

1. Front component speakers - lots of options under $200, easy to do, big improvement.
2. Rear coaxial speakers - even easier than the fronts, tho not as important.
3. Head Unit - suggest Alpine for adding options easily in future and generally superior user interface.
4. Amplifier + Subwoofer? This is where you break into real money. You could do something simple like an Alpine Power Pack (only with Alpine HU) - fits behind the dash and just adds a little extra to the existing speakers for $120. Or you can go with a nice 5 channel amp that allows you to add a subwoofer as well. There's a million ways to tackle the amp question but space is tight in the Prius.
4b. Subwoofer? Many people would put this higher on the list, but that forces the amp question very early, because you need an amp to drive a subwoofer. Tho there are 'powered' subwoofers like the Kenwoods that many have been happy with too.

Steps 1-3 will probably come to $500-$700, then amp + subwoofer could add another $500 plus, using authorized dealer retail pricing. This is why I like the bit by bit approach. $200 here $200 there is less intimidating than the $1800 estimate that a shop could throw together quite quickly!

Hope that didn't ramble too much!

- D

 

That sounds like a great start actually, the LC6i is something I considered as well but decided to replace the head unit instead. Be sure to let us know how you like it!

- D

 

Have you considered an iPod and some decent earbuds? It's much cheaper, more portable, and may well result in better quality sound.

 

There was a TSB about ground loop noise in the center console AUX line, not sure if it applies to 2009 tho. Toyota dealer did the replacement on mine without hesitation.

- D