A few alternatives to dash squakers/midtweets

There's a lot of mis-information as to what JBL (or BOSE) do when they "enhance a car radio". Basically, it works like this:

1. JBL engineers come in and check out new car with base radio.
2. JBL puts stereo microphones at every listening position (all 5 seats).
3. JBL records audio data in every frequency range.
4. JBL runs complex simulations to identify the optimum equalizer settings for each frequency that compensate for car interior, car materials, etc. This is a very advanced sine wave, that is programmed in hardware, not something you can set with the car settings.
5. JBL also identifies where additional speakers, subwoofers, amplifiers might increase audio clarity and documents those recommendations.
6. JBL leaves and gives Toyota a big fat report that basically says:
7. If you do nothing, these are the ideal equalizer settings to program the radio computer to.
8. If you add the following speakers and use these settings, this is ideal.
9. Toyota then implements the basic equalizer setting and on a case by case basis (car interior budget mostly) they decide what additional enhancements to do (add speakers, subwoofer, amplifier, etc.). Usually on lower end cars they just add the advanced equalizer setting.
10. Toyota can now call the radio a "JBL" system.

 

Or, keep stock speakers and get a Nav/Bluetooth/radio/CD/DVD/iPod Player/USB player/Backup camera for the same price. It's an option to consider.

 

I have the cigarette-lighter Garmin in my other cars. Not as good.

 

I don't know if you're aware of it, but you use an insulting and superior tone when you write to people. Some people like cats, and some like dogs. If you own a dog, it doesn't make cat owners stupid or inferior, just different. I respect the fact that you made a choice that you are happy with. I did not like the Toyota nav product, and this opinion was reinforced by a long thread of posts excoriating Toyota's Nav, as well as a friend who owns and dislikes his Toyota factory Nav.

I have the Garmin units in my other cars, that's why I wanted Garmin in-dash on my new car. The add-on Garmins are unsightly and have cables dangling, which you have to put away when you park the car. It's ok as an add-on, or if you use only rarely, but this is my new car, after all. With the units integrated, the Garmin interrupts entertainment to give turn-by-turn directions, and I can toggle between Nav and Entertainment (or Phone) by tapping the bottom of the screen. I realize that adding equipment isn't for everyone, but I wouldn't want it any other way.

 

You are being argumentative. The Prius III has a tiny LED display. It does not have touchscreen navigation, or a backup camera, or a touch screen interface to browse through a USB stick or iPod. You know this already, and I think you are trying to stir up an argument.

As for the Prius Project, it was a goal I set for myself when I bought the car. I will exceed some parts and fail at others. I know that I will save tremendously on the electronics and on the leather seats. But I will probably fail to install water-repellent windows and a door unlocking sensor for the passenger door and hatch, and I won't bother to install an ionizer, because I do not value having one.

So far, Prius Project looks like this:

Nav Unit: $1,000
New Speakers: Maybe $300
Backup Camera: $60
Leather Seats: $1,100 installed (plus tax)
​

Total: $2460 + about $100 tax

Prius II MSRP: $23,550
Prius IV MSRP, with Nav: $29,830

Difference: $6,280 plus about $620 tax, plus higher vehicle registration fees every year. (If you negotiate invoice prices with your dealer, the difference is $5,351 plus about $530 tax)

Budget for The Prius Project: $6,900 / 2 = $3,450
(Or, you could say $2,943, if you use invoice prices instead of MSRP)
Total I will spend: About $2,560

Hmm... maybe I'll buy better speakers. But... I'm doing this because it's fun for me. That, and I like having $360/month car payments.

 

Our II will get something like this at most

JVC refurb $550
sw interface $40
Speaks maybe $300
BU cam $50

The only thing a $1700 stock JBL would do better would be looking just like a factory install. Because it is.

 

There really isn't much difference. Leather comes
from cows, electronics from
China, and that's about all there is to it.

 

Thai, I'm glad you like your system. Since you got the ATP, you have no choice but to get the toyota nav and jbl sound system.

There were a few critical things lacking with the jbl system - sound quality, iphone and ipod integration, backup camera (I know I could have paid another $1800 for the nav). The difference between camera ready and nav systems are so small that I added nav as a bonus. So far I have spent about $1200 for

avic z110bt pioneer top of the line nav
scooshe dash board and speaker adapter kits
metra wirering dash kit and amp wiring kit
infinity basslink
boyo 420 backup camera
other wiring items.

Sound is a matter of taste, and you would need to listen to them head to head. I think with the subwoofer and better head unit my system will sound better than jbl on some songs, jbl better on others. To be fair if I had had someone else install the equipment it would have be $300 more.

I will add front speakers and maybe an amp (I'll throw it in the price for comparison). Let's say $400 for that.

So totals $1600 parts for a much better sounding system IMHO. If I didn't do it myself labor would likely be $500 for installation. So total $2100 with external labor.

If you slice off the camera, subwoofer, and nav the price would be arround $1250 installed. It would cost more, but have better sound and better ipod and iphone navigation. I think ajc did this upgrade from his jbl system and liked the sound much better with the new head unit, amp, and speakers.

 

Yes, front/rear seats, headrests, center console and door panels were included in the quotation. In my choice of colors, perforated or non-perf, one color or two-tone. Seat heater is extra, but here in sunny California, I don't want a seat heater.

Anyway, these shops take the seats out of the cars, cut the original upholstery out and stitch the new covers on. You can't tell the difference between the new leather and stock. Several members here have had it done.

 

I had already commented that I thought your first choice of speakers would not sound very good. Since I am not tied to the jbl amp, I can use the crossovers that come with the speakers. I will tune them by ear using the 7 band equalizer in my after market hu. Adding a sub and adding the cleaner signal and equalization of the z110 really does make a big difference even with the stock speakers. I haven't decided yet on which components up front yet, one choice is the polk momo's that ajc put in and said sounded much better than the jbl's. He did have to get rid of the jbl amp to make them work right though.

Already made my decision so no need to re compare. Since I use my ipod or phone for most of the music I play it makes sense that I would use that as a source (most is ripped at 320kbps if not purchased). I did initially play cd's in the cars to listen to the systems. Different people have different tastes. I came from a ML system in a lexus GS, and can tell you the prius jbl was not even close. The bad interface to my source of choice and the desire to add aftermarket speakers and a back up camera takes the jbl out of the running.

Lots of idiots on the internet. You can spend $5k to build a system that sounds bad. If you want XM and listen to mainly CDs and don't want to upgrade speakers you will make a different choice than me.

If I was a bass lover I would have bought a better sub. The JBL and stock can get plenty loud in the lower frequencies, but I don't like the distortion. I have an equalizer to adjust the frequency response of different source material. Both sets of speakers have distortions at different ranges. You need to listen to the different systems with the road noises before you prejudge that you like how the jbl sounds versus a system you have never heard.

Sure, if you have a JBL adding a sub will make it better. But... you really are making a stretch, or have poor reading comprehension if you think that system would be better for me. It lacks a good interface for me. The pioneer has a great touch screen to navigate my ipod and iphone, switch sources, use my phone, handle back up camera showing it with map or music, has vr so I can find songs artist albums just by saying the names. The jbl requires an additional installation of a cable for my ipod and it is not designed for my phone. The JBL system has no interface for my back up camera, so I would have to add a mirror interface or buy the nav (much more expensive and worse than my current navigation included in my system). My system also allows me to change sub LPF and speaker hpf from the head unit so I can switch on different sources. This is not to mention the ease of installation of aftermarket speakers while JBL keeps you locked to its built in crossovers in the amp.

 

On amp I am leaning towards the Pioneer GM-D9500F 4 channel amp. It will go under the passengers seat.

If I had a final decision on speakers I would be posting a review after my install. I'm a little busy right now but will chose and do an installation sometime in June. I am considering Polk Audio MM6501, JL Audio C2-650, and hertz hsk 165 xl. The hertz tweeter is most squawker like with good frequency response down to 1500hz. I'll try mounting in the factory locations first.

I'm not quite sure what point you think I'm making for you. I think the jbl system is a good choice for many people. It just is not for me. Others have had problems tuning the jbl with their speaker choices.

It was a fairly standard statement about information you glean on the internet. I would think that if you know what you are doing you can put together a much better system than jbl stock for $2000. I did not call him an idiot since I don't even know who he is. I did say my system sounds as good as JBL, I clearly stated the system is not good enough for me. I don't understand your argumentative nature of thinking the one size fits all jbl is appropriate for everyone.