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PIP advanced audio ?

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by johngeorge, Apr 24, 2012.

  1. johngeorge

    johngeorge Junior Member

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    I want that deep bass that is missing in the JBL system on my 2012 PIP Advanced (7" screen.) Does anyone know what wires I can tap off of (is amp still under drivers seat?) so I can add a small subwoofer?

    Id love for it to have RCA outputs.. but am sure Ill need to tap off the front speakers.
     
  2. blakemster

    blakemster Member

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    me too ... waiting for some jedi knowledge ... please help
     
  3. johngeorge

    johngeorge Junior Member

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    Anyone? there has to be a pin layout somewhere
     
  4. cheeseguy

    cheeseguy Junior Member

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    I couldn't agree with you more! My 2010 Prius V had a thumping stereo! My 2012 pip has no bass... I'd like to hear some suggestions!
     
  5. longterm

    longterm Member

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    I've been a professional studio musician all my life, so I've stood in front of the best, truest, clearest speakers in he world.

    Overhyping the bass end of a stereo is not what the producers of most projects had in mind... unless it's some crummy rap track, which of course doesn't qualify as music (drum loop, over-loud bass, no melody, no harmony).

    I have no problem whatsoever with the speakers in my base-model PHEV.
     
  6. johngeorge

    johngeorge Junior Member

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    My 'other' vehicle came with a Bose system and the deep bass it has is great, where as the PIP has none of that. I dont want loud 'rap track' bass just want those deep low notes that is missing.
     
  7. longterm

    longterm Member

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    I don't listen loud, but the bass end of the PHEV's base model is fine for me; I hype it a tiny bit, but nowhere near what some people seem to think is appropriate.

    I have a pair of expensive near-field studio monitors at my desk; even at a loud volume, bass is tight, has a great natural roundness, not the kind of thumpiness I hear from some car stereos. Although Bose systems are touted as being somehow superior, a lot of their products are really weak in midrange, overhyped on both ends, and not considered by audiophiles as exceptional speaker systems.

    If you really miss the low end, have someone install a small subwoofer in your car; even at a very low volume, a good-quality subwoofer can add some low-end that you may be missing. Personally, I prefer good high-quality speakers over a subwoofer for listening to music, but for movies, there's nothing like some thumping subwoofer to make the windows rattle and movies come alive.

    In my PHEV though? I'm happy with the system that's in there.
     
  8. bfd

    bfd Plug-In Perpetuator

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    In my old Gen II, that's exactly what I had to do to get any kind of bass response. But it didn't take much. 200W to a good 8" thumper was just enough to fill in the low end.

    I have the "advanced" model, so it's got the JBL system. The bass response is OK enough that I don't really think I need a more powerful amp to push the < 40 that I can't hear anyway (but I can FEEL it). Right now, I don't miss it. Plus, I'm not sure where we'd put even the most modest amp. And where the Gen II had room in the wheel well for my speaker, there's nowhere in the PHEV except in the cargo space. So I'd be giving up that admittedly small volume - but still, that speaker would always be "in the way".

    Time will tell, however. If someone comes up with a killer amp mod for the PHEV - I'd probably take a close look at it.
     
  9. andi1111

    andi1111 Member

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    Exactly. I've been driving Opel Ampera (Volt) for 4 days and I was amazed by the quality of the Bose audio. The particular song I love to listen, which has nice bass, is Duran Duran's The Man Who Stole A Leopard:


    I love good audio in cars I drive. So PiP doesn't have such deep bass? :(
     
  10. Obespalov

    Obespalov Junior Member

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    Wanted to follow up if anyone has found a solution. Just traded in my 2010 for 2012 PIP, and am really disappointed with the loss of the Bass!
     
  11. lensovet

    lensovet former BP Brigade 207

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    seriously? haven't heard the 2010 system, but listening to FM (including HD) on the PiP makes me want more highs/mids, not more bass – the sound is too muddled as it is!
     
  12. Obespalov

    Obespalov Junior Member

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    Depends on the music. For top 40/Dance/et al, not enough bass--especially compared to 2010 premium audio.
     
  13. lensovet

    lensovet former BP Brigade 207

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    "music" :-P
    I've been thinking about getting JBL's MS-8 DSP to better balance and tweak the sound in a few months.