Just a little more bass would be nice

You might want to also look at the Kenwood KSC-SW10. Compact and powered - tap the front speaker out, and the Kenwood should fit fine under either front seat... Ebay search has them at $130...

 

I'm ok with the JBL sound system- it's a bit muddled at times and doesn't have the pop that some other aftermarkets gave me back in my youth- but it's ok.

I just wish Toyota had teamed up with Polk Audio or Boston Acoustics instead of JBL for their speaker components...

 

Well, the Boss 8" is on sell for $80, so I was kind of thinking about getting that one. I was just wondering if it was a simple matter of plug and play, or is it a pretty big ordeal to hook one of these up.

 

Very Simple.....power, and left/right out from power amp to BOSS unit.
I installed one in my car, sounds GREAT. I have AMP pinouts if you decide to go this route!

Go to this thread, read post #37

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-audio-electronics/42592-subwoofer-location-4.html

 

Well, I don't have an amp, just the stock head unit in the non-JBL trim II. So since this is a powered sub I was hoping I'd just be able to plug it into the back of the HU? That was the main thing I was worried about, in deciding if this sub would work for me. So when you say "left/right out from power amp," does this imply that something more than the stock head unit is needed in order to integrate this sub into my car's system?

 

Guess simple is a relative thing

You will need to:
Pull the stock head unit out (there are a few threads on this - takes minutes to do).
Locate the front door speaker wires (left and/or right depending - most subwoofers allow a single input). These are on a connector back there - you'll need to find which wires it is...
Run that wire(s) to your subwoofer, and power it via 12V switched power from where ever (if you're mounting under the seat, I believe there is power to the center console that's switched (for the 12V plug). Some subs require a special adapter plug to put a speaker level signal into them...

Make sure the sub is accessible so you can change its settings (the Kenwood has a remote)...

 

Rrolff, C'mon, it really is a relativly simple thing to install!

Capek, The BOSS takes either Low Level Preamp, or High Level Speaker driven feeds. If the head unit has an Low Level L R Preamp output, just plug it in. That was hard! If not find the 2 speakers, preferably Left and Right like rrolf suggested, or take the speaker feeds right at the output of the HU, clip a couple of wires in parallel, a set for the left a set for the right, mind the polarity!, connect to the supplied BOSS plug, plug it in. Run the power cords to the battery, both RED & BLACK and the sense line to any switched +12 line, say the cig lighter, or ACC point you can grab, yer done!!!

Hardest issue I had was where to mount the unit. Capek if the space under the passenger seat is open, it will fit nicely

You will have to put a ittle bit of effort in do getting this done, it just will not install itself, I looked for that model, it doesn't exist, or you could always find a stereo shop you TRUST to install it for you....if it takes them more that 4 hours, your being taken!!! You pretty much set it up once, and there is a remote Volume contol you can mount practicaly anywhere, dealers choice!

Beside for that price, its a great unit!!!

That being said, if you want your BASS to be heard 6 cars away, your going to be HORRIBLY disappointed. If you just want to fill in the missing bottom end, go for it!!! Its the reason I installed one!

Any installation pointers you need, just ask, I would be happy to assist!!!

 

rrolff and KK6PD, thank you so much for your help! "Simple" is definitely a relative term, but now I feel like I have my bearings, and I'm definitely going to ask for this for Christmas. I'm not looking for or expecting any crazy improvement, just a cheap and "easy" way to boost the music experience in my Prius. So it sounds like this will fit the bill nicely.

And KK6PD, thank you very much for your offer of further help. I'll have much more time, post-Christmas, to research installation, so I should be good, but I reserve the right to bring a couple questions your way!

Thanks again guys.

 

I believe that's what I said.

"You will need to:
Pull the stock head unit out (there are a few threads on this - takes minutes to do).
Locate the front door speaker wires (left and/or right depending - most subwoofers allow a single input). These are on a connector back there - you'll need to find which wires it is...
Run that wire(s) to your subwoofer, and power it via 12V switched power from where ever (if you're mounting under the seat, I believe there is power to the center console that's switched (for the 12V plug). Some subs require a special adapter plug to put a speaker level signal into them..."

There is no line out, so you need to tap one or two speakers. That means you need to know *which* wires to tap. To do this you pull the HU.

Locating the device, running wires, and finding a switched 12VDC supply (one with enough power), then mounting are very easy if you've done it

BTW - if I was doing this, I'd simply run the wires and power from the HU to under the seats via the "bridge" wheere the shifter is. When you have all that apart, there's gobs of easy room to run wires to the center console, then pass it under the seat...

 

I was just in agreement with you!!!
I should have just quoted you and said yes....

We're not putting a man on the moon here, just a simple powered subwoofer install.

I figure if anyone is game enough to try it themselves, I'm game enough to lend assistance and help!!!
And I stand by my offer!!!

 

http://www.amazon.com/Boss-BASS600-Profile-Amplified-Subwoofer/dp/B000OSZA44/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1245270018&sr=1-1?tag=priuschatcom-20
ON Sale Just bougght one
Jim

 

I'm in, just ordered one

 

I went to Amazon site and found similar one with 10". Anybody tried that?

 

It's the same thing, only BIGGER!!! The same installation rules apply!!! Ya just gotta figure out where you want to place it!!!

 

Amazon.com: Boss Audio BASS600 8-Inch Low-Profile Amplified Subwoofer (Single): Electronics
ON Sale Just bougght one.......However I heard about AmazingWatcher.Com which is a free website that will “watch†items for you on Amazon and let you know when amazon has them in stock at regular retail price.

 

Yahoo! Thanks to all - at $69 (with 2 day shipping of you sign up for Prime), this is amazing. Saved me $80 on the Kenwood...

As it is the season, if you sign up for the Prime thing at Amazon, you get unlimited 2 day shipping (free), and like $3.99 1 day... You can cancel in the first 3 months - but this gets you through Christmas
Edit: After reading this, I realized why 2 day - so I changed to 1 day shipping ($3.99), and I get it tomorrow! Love instant gratification!

Now for some more shopping

 

Amazon Prime Best deal since sliced bread
Jim

 

I still have to argue that sliced bread is a better deal - I can never get good proper slices form my home made bread - they're always thick at the bottom, slim at top. If the world as a whole had to slice their bread on their own, there would be chaos in the streets...

Now - how bout subwoofer location - I've read a few posts from people installing these - and some mention under the passenger seat vs drivers.

I'm not clear if this is due to sonics, or just lack of room (many cars have stuff like computers/GPS under drivers seat).

Anyone care to chime in???

 

I like this spot...



It's easy to access, not blocked, and I usually never carry anything big in the back.... Under the matt in the spare tire well is a option, I have also heard of under the passenger seat.....

 

Well, LFE is non-directional, so there shouldn't be much if any difference sound-wise where you mount it.