Prius II w/ aftermarket HU or Prius III w/ JBL?

If the stereo is the only factor between the II and the III for you then buy the II and spend the difference on a decent head unit, amps and speakers. To me the SQ on the V's JBL NAV stereo system is only enough to get by. I'd add a couple of amps and replace all the speakers and add a sub to it if I had the money but I'm already tapped out buying the V plus my priority right now is buying an Enginer PHEV kit. If I want to listen to competition worthy system, I'd drive my Tacoma.
As for 6 vs 8 speakers, a strategically placed 6 speaker system can out perform any 8 speaker system. I dont know which 2 speakers are missing in the II. I can tell you that the upper dash speakers on my Prius play a big role on bring the sound stage close to eye level.

 

JBL system is a freaking bargain. There is no way that you can create a half decent sound system (comparable to JBL) for less than $1000...even if you did the install yourself. And if you have someone else install, there is no way you can match the JBL for less than $1500.

The JBL system consists of upgraded speakers and a separate amplifier. I think that it comes with Bluetooth, as opposed to II (but not sure). Here is more info on the JBL system: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...dio-system-information-pretty-impressive.html

To me, the JBL in the Prius is definitely one of the better factory system that i have heard.

CPROAUDIO, what settings do you have your JBL set at? I turn OFF ASL. I turn up the treble, mid, and bass to +2.

 

The difference in price between a II and a III is probably around $800
You can either do a search or scroll down a few pages. Most (almost all?) of the people buying a II and replacing the stereo are installing a NAV/GPS double DIN headunit. They're looking to save money over the additional cost for the III and the extra $1800 for the nav.

I don't think you'll be able to get a new HU, with BT,SAT and upgraded speakers installed for much less the $800 up charge for the III. The adapter that lets you use the steering wheel controls for an aftermarket radio costs around $50.

If you're willing to do your own installation check some of the threads regarding Chinese HU.
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-audio-electronics/79774-chinese-replacement-hus.html The radios are plug n play. You don't need a dash adapter, wiring harness and your steering wheel controls will work without having to do anything special.

 

THAT IS NOT TRUE. I have the III And I did a complete install (New aftermarket HU, AMP, 2 sets of components, sub, and wiring) for $1500 installed. My system sounds incredible, you just need to know how to put together quality equipment for a great price. The JBL system is just ok but not worth the extra $1000. Buy the II and put in an aftermarket system. I made the mistake buying the III.

My Complete Audio Upgrade --> http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-audio-electronics/75574-complete-audio-upgrade.html

 

If you really care about sound, then the stock JBL may not do it. There are *countless* people here who basically gutted the JBL system - at a decent cost.

The real advantage to an aftermarket setup includes speakers, and a headunit... The radio (FM) in the stock JBL also is very very poor (see other threads on antenna).

With an upgrade you will get better sound, and as a huge bonus - GPS integration.

My neighbor did their HU and amps (a Pioneer x920), and the sound was very nice compared with before. Maybe a bigger bang for buck is swapping front speakers ($150). Not sure how they would mesh with stock stuff - because the speakers won't have the same sensitivity (volume).

For $800 you get decent sound for a stock piece (though the FM is very poor). Upgrading a JBL turns out to be very tricky and costly in comparison to the stock II...

 

I would like to hear an A/B comparo b/w your system and a stock JBL with proper adjustments.

 

Believe me there is no comparo. It like comparing a Porsche with a KIA.
Porsche is my aftermarket system and KIA is the crap JBL system.

 

Well, somehow looking at the way you setup your system (and the components), i have to doubt your drastic comparison.

 

Listen to the III. If its good enough then buy it. You won't save much money trying to duplicate it. If you want better sound, it is difficult to modify other than adding a subwoofer. If you want other features or better sound quality start with the II and build your own.

I wanted a better sound than the III, better ipod and iphone integration, and a rear camera. I ended up getting an nav since it was not much more money, and like having the moving map. I spent much more than the $1000 difference between a II and III though.

No, their really are 2 pairs of speakers. Both the JBL and non have components up front (count as 4), the rear spekers in the JBL are components (count of 4) while the II has 2 way speakers (count of 2) in the back. If you use the back as fill the odds are you won't hear the difference. If you want separate components you can mount them as 2 way in the same spot, or modify the back door and mount the tweeters.

 

On a scale of 1 to 10 I'd give the OEM JBL system a 3.5. A decent aftermarket HU, amp and speakers would easily improve the SQ to 5. Adding a sub to the aftermarket system would increase the score to 6. If you want to go all out and use high end audio components, you can get the SQ to a 8 if you have a few thousand dollars to spend. You can get a 10 if you're willing to gut the interior, re-design and rebuild the interior around your stereo system like the Alpine demo cars. Bottom line is that the factory JBL system is only enough to satisfy your basic need to have some music in your car. I wouldn't use it to impress your friends with it. The only thing "that's cool" about the NAV is the backup camera, storage USB-OTG and BT media streaming from smartphones.

 

Also in an aftermarket HU , you can the name of the song on the radio

 

Audio specs for the JBL speakers have been posted to this forum many times already. They aren't that impressive. 2ohm 25watts max for most of the components and the rear speakers are 40W. No way those can match a $200 set of infinity reference components that go up to 100W.

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-audio-electronics/61103-2010-prius-audio-specs.html

 

Ok...hmmm, you just don't get it...it is NOT all about "max wattage" that makes a system good. Yeah, i had those Infinity's...it is not all that good...and i was driving it with JL Audio amp too.

It has much more to do with tuning and speaker placement. The JBL amplifier allows for 8 separate channels to individually tune each speaker to need. You have separation of jobs with each speaker. The high and mid-frequencies come from one source...again, this is just not available aftermarket in the Prius...and this is what creates superior staging of sound. You don't get the delays in sound getting to your ears. You just don't have that type of flexibility aftermarket, unless you go all out. Like most other high end factory system, this was tuned specifically for the Prius interior using equalization and whatnot well beyond a 7 parametric equalizer or equivalent that you get from an aftermarket headunit.

Now, if you want to do it right, then i highly recommend getting a headunit with proper equalization mode, something along the lines of Audyssey.

 

i know wattage isn't the only thing. But JBL isn't considered by audiophiles to be among the elite sound-system makers. It is more of a mid-level consumer brand. That's why JBL systems aren't used in Lexus vehicles. Sure there are some advantages and conveniences from factory tuned speakers in those select locations, but aftermarket will always be better than stock. Just look at all the testimonials from many of the prius chat members. Many of them were not impressed with the sound quality from the JBL system. It's not that great.

 

What other "many testimonials" are you talking about? I can count on ONE hand (probably using just 1 or 2 fingers!) of people who upgraded the JBL system!! Let's not exaggerate here.

And for those with II, what have you guys found out when it comes to upgrading? Pain in the nice person to find the appropriate components!

Better than stock in what way? Do i care if the Infinity has 100W peak or do i care how the WHOLE SYSTEM sounds? I would take the latter anyday of the week. Tuning is a major part of how good a system is. Yeah, my old Corolla system was superior than my JBL in every way, except the tuning. My Corolla had Infinity References (components in front, 6x9 coaxials rear) along with JL audio 4-channel amp (300/4) and a subwoofer...installed by shop (no noise). Yet, i never got satisfied with it...it was just a case of the superior parts that don't add up to a whole. And this is where the JBL in the Prius is far superior...the sonic quality as a whole is much better...no peaks, no separation issues, sound stage not around chest level (or lower), no lateralization of sound (from driver's seat) to one side, etc..

A few on here questioned how low the "subs" in the Prius JBL goes...and it indeed goes fairly low (see previous link in my thread above)...certainly low enough for music (30 hz). JBL midtweets are made of metallic-injected polypropylene material. All woofers use neodymium magnets. Correct me if i am wrong, but i think that the frame is metal. So, it ain't like old cars factory systems with cheap-quality paper cones and tiny ferrous magnets on plastic frames.

And the Camry's JBL system (which is nearly identical to Prius JBL) ranks up there, according to Edmunds.com and CNET: http://www.insideline.com/toyota/ca...ta-camry-hybrid.html#article_pagination_top_1 (click STEREO EVALUATION)

EDITED for better grammar!

 

Upgraded amps and speakers may not matter much if the audio source is highly compressed SAT or mp3s recorded at a low bitrate. I can't believe how many people judge their music library on how many songs they can fit on their IPod. memory card, USB thumb drive.

No question the JBL concept of matching the speakers/amp to the acoustics of the car allow them to use lower cost equpment to get reasonable (acceptable, adequate take your pick) sonic quality at a lower cost then would otherwise be required.

No question a person who wants better sonic quality, and is willing to spend the money, can get better quality then factory JBL.

The cost to buy AJCs system, professionally installed, would be over 2K. The factory JBL system costs $800-1K.

I suspect Thai is wrong, I suspect AJCs system sounds better then the factory JBL. It's not clear if the OP is willing to pay twice the cost of the factory JBL system nor is it clear what music source will be used.

 

Doe anyone have real specs on the JBL system? How many volts is the HU preamp? What's the RMS wattage on the amp?

 

Agree. If you are going to upgrade the JBL, then do it right...and that means willing to spend a lot of $$$$. In my prior life, i was into car audio and did some of the installs myself. Even though it seemed like the cheaper route to go, it always led me to throw more and more cash out the window to achieve good sound. I found out long ago that proper tuning and proper speaker placements go a long way.

So, if i were to go aftermarket, then i would put the speakers like on a normal car...A-pillar or upper part of the door with maybe a 30 degree angle aiming toward the opposite front seat. A good amp...ajc has a good amp for sure. A good sub with amp. Proper crossover. THEN, get Audyssey (Imprint or whatever it is called) to properly tuned my car. This requires a good car audio shop that is experienced. This may very well cost over $2000 or even 3000. And i have no idea about headunits or interface, but the above is what i would do.

 

Let's assume I want to replace the HU but aren't willing to spend the time and money to upgrade the amp and the speakers.

The instructions for the PAC TATO suggest using a HU with at least 4 volts. A couple of posters said the JBL amp can't handle the 5 volts outputted by a Kenwood eXcelon HU. How many volts does the Prius HU output? Is the 2-2.5 volts from a "regular" HU enough? The high end Pioneer unit outputs 4 volts. Is that likely to make a difference? Can the JBL amp handle 4 volts?