Sound System Upgrade

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DanaB @ Aug 4 2006, 05:06 PM) [snapback]297886[/snapback]</div>

Of course you can. You can start by upgrading the speakers, they're 6 1/2" speakers in the doors (with 1"? tweeters in the front?). Search the Audio & Electronics forum for more info. A number of people have gone with Infinity Kappa speakers. There is a great how-to for rear door speaker replacement by ~sparky~. You can do it yourself.

I found the following recommendations:

Inf. Kappa 60.7cs front (2-way component system)
Inf. Kappa 62.7i rear (2-way)

Other options are 63.7i (3-way) instead for the rear, or for both the rear & front with Inf. Kappa 10.7t tweeters in the front.

There are of course other brands. I have not yet replaced mine (speakers ordered & to arrive tomorrow). Good luck!

 

I have a 2006 Prius and would like to update the sound system from the 51824 to the 51825 so that I can have an input for my ipod. Do you have wiring diagrams

 

You should consider the Dice iPod integration kit (or similar) before going to the more drastic step of swapping head units.

 

Or, to think of it another way, if you're going to change head units, you could put in something significantly better than stock.

 

My question was should I put in an Aux input for Ipod, or upgrade to 51825.

 

I think Hyo's point was if you are going to spend any money why not just put an aftermarket head unit in that has full iPod integration instead of messing with extra cords, bad sound quality, no bluetooth, and having to use the iPod interfcae while driving instead of the interface on the stereo.

 

As no-one answered my other thread, I'll try posting my question here: I have a 2005 prius with NAV, JBL and 6 CD changer (at the top of the stereo, not a separate box beneath it) / cassette deck. If I use the DICE iPod adapter, do I loose my 6 CD changer?

 

Hey so I didn't want a new stereo at first, just speakers and amp and after much trouble, time, and money I'll offer my story and 2 cents - take it or leave it.

I did Boston Acoustic SC60 component speakers in the front (so they have tweeters included) and some cheaper Boston Acoustics in the rear, I dont actually remember what they are - as well as an Alpine Amp - which I also dont recall off the top of my head.

I had kept the stock stereo and went with a unit called Audio Control and the model was LC6i to help boost the performance of the stock stereo. The result was a pretty nice sound but no real ipod integration and no ability to adjust any of the sound settings (like an equalizer) which actually matters a lot IMO. Which resulted in nearly popping the tweeter.

Keep in mind that an aftermarket stereo will significantly improve sound quality - even with stock speakers, and depending on what you go with can add lots of really awesome features like Ipod control and bluetooth.

I ended up taking out the Audio Control unit and putting IN a Kenwood KDC-X993 after reading up on it here - I got it for $210 on Amazon, which amazed all the employees and customers at the car audio store - apparently it is a fairly high-end kenwood unit. I haven't had the chance to mess around with it yet, but it looks like it is going to be fun. The bluetooth is a really nice feature - especially since hands-free is a must in CA.

I ended up spending about $800+ over time for all the parts and labor that I mentioned above, and I would have spent less had I just gone with the stereo in the first place.

If you are looking to upgrade, I would suggest a nice aftermarket stereo and a nice set of front and rear speakers, and consider an amp in the future if you are looking to cut cost. Plus putting the stereo in the map compartment below the stock unit is SICKK.

 

I have an 05, non JBL and have always had cars loud, clear stereos. My daughter finally forced me to upgrade the prius audio and I followed most of the guides and suggestions here but wanted it to be invisible so I never upgraded the head unit. I might do this now with something discrete.

I do have the Dice iPod unit, that sounds great.

I added a kicker 5 channel amp, power capacitor, and a JL Audio 8" sub in the little tool storage space thingy under the back lid. This sub is awesome! It sounds phenomenal and shakes the mirrors but doesn't blow out the ear drums or make me feel like everyone is throwing me the stink-eye. The dimensions indicate it will fit but it misses it by about a 1/4 inch. So I puled out the lid, got some excess plywood from home depot and jigsawed that into place, making a hold for the subwoofer grille to fit. There's a heat issue with the amp so I made some holes for ventilation. (I heard of some sound quality issues with that kenwood all-in-one sub so I skipped that.) Next step is to put some fabric on it to match the carpet.

I put Fosgate speakers in the doors, the front needed a spacer so the window rolls all the way down. (BTW Fosgate's included spacers suck.) I also found some sound deadening stuff on here (cheaper than dynamat) and used it on the doors and trunk.

Anyway it all works great but I'm needing to come up with a 'quick release' mechanism for the 22 some odd wires going in and out of the trunk. Getting the spare tire out is a pain, heh.

I've forgotten what this post was supposed to answer, but hopefully it helped someone.

 

It doesn't get much more discrete than the stealth install method unless you forget to close the "hatch".

 

:welcome: coccyx

Thanks for sharing - the set up sounds great! (wait...I haven't actually heard it, well, you know what I mean...)

So, do you happen to know the answer to sktn77a's question since you have a DICE unit??

Your sub install sounds like what Don_Chuwish did - check it out here. Do you have pics??

Regarding quick release, I just left enough cable so that I have lift the tray out and place it on the back seats (folder down) - of course with an amp and subby in the there, you'll have some weight to contend with!

 

F8L has one of the better upgrades on the board. Listen to his suggestions!

for my upgrade I changed the speakers first, then later added an amp and a sub. See the list of items in my sig. My system is considerably cheaper than some on the board, but is adequate for my needs. Installing the speakers is easy if you've ever done any car audio work. Subwoofer placement is up to you - there is probably an example of every possible configuration somewhere in the posts here on the board.

 

Thanks for the vote of confidence bru.

My system is also VERY expensive so it's not always directly applicable. I have been very impressed with the "simple" systems many of you guys have been installing and the craftiness of the subwoofer and amp placements.

Now that I have removed my big speaker box (2 12" diamond subs) for repairs, I kinda like having the extra room. I may have to design something for a single sub and just live with less bass.

 

Um, now that you mention it, there are these little cubby areas that look just perfect for putting a sub into.....

 

The cubby is not large enough for this....

 

Do you have a problem with the rer hatch getting blown open when those puppies come on-line?

My "cheap" system (about $750 in parts - not counting the XM - through very careful shopping and taking advantage of sales) is currently good enough to be adequate to me (which the stock system wasn't). I would not have done even that if I didn't live in my car 3 hours a day commuting.

I've read on the board that the equalization built into the head unit is bizarre, and I can attest to that. I finally found the best way to get a full midrange was to run the bass full up and adjust the output of the sub so that it was solid but not intrusive. Evidently the bass control is more about midrange and lower mid than low. Once I discovered this (a month ago) I can listen to the thing and not be bugged by it. A real equalizer would help enormously.