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Bass not quite right after installing new stereo

Discussion in 'Prius v Audio and Electronics' started by Juan Ramirez, Dec 11, 2020.

  1. Juan Ramirez

    Juan Ramirez New Member

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    I have a 2015 Prius with jbl speakers and installed an after market stereo mostly because I wanted airplay capabilities. In that sense it been very cool; what I expected.

    The sound definitely changed. I’m not an audiophile but I’d say it sounds crisper, and I have many more options in the eq. Problem is the bass doesn’t sound quite right. Seems somewhat hollow, doesn’t quite get there. I’m pretty sure it’s a little worse in this respect than before.

    So what can I do, if anything, I make it sound better? Anything with the built in amp? New speakers? Did I perhaps miss something?
     
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Did you use the car's amp with your new head unit?
     
  3. eagle eye

    eagle eye Junior Member

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    Loss of bass could be due to the speakers being wired out of phase with each other. How many speakers are hooked up?
     
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  4. Juan Ramirez

    Juan Ramirez New Member

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    On the pac unit I used the has an amp port.
     
  5. Juan Ramirez

    Juan Ramirez New Member

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    Would you believe I’m not sure? I have the premium jbl system. I actually saw a video online showing the speaker and they mention a subwoofer. I can’t imagine mine has a subwoofer but that might explain some things if I didn’t hook it up.

    As for the wiring, I followed the directions as well as I could.
     
  6. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    What does that mean?
     
  7. eagle eye

    eagle eye Junior Member

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    [QUOTE="Juan Ramirez, post: 3103679, member: 188814"As for the wiring, I followed the directions as well as I could.[/QUOTE]

    What kind of speaker cable connectors did you use? If there is only one plug for left and one for right, phase reversal shouldn't be an issue. If you had to connect two individual wires with either screw on, spade connectors, or dual banana plugs, try reversing the speaker cable connections for one side. If the speakers are out of phase this should correct it.
     
  8. Juan Ramirez

    Juan Ramirez New Member

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    What kind of speaker cable connectors did you use? If there is only one plug for left and one for right, phase reversal shouldn't be an issue. If you had to connect two individual wires with either screw on, spade connectors, or dual banana plugs, try reversing the speaker cable connections for one side. If the speakers are out of phase this should correct it.[/QUOTE]
    Thanks for taking the time. I think I figured out the issue. Opened it back up looking at everything and noticed the gain on the PAC unit. Apparently it was in the middle setting or so. That was affecting how loud I could turn it up without distorting and it seems causing the issue I was hearing.

    I turned it all the way down and the sound seems more balance now.
     
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  9. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    May have been over-driven into distortion.
     
  10. audiodave

    audiodave Active Member

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    Lots of factory systems are set up for the car. They eq it and do other adjustments for the car. Changing the deck you lose all that.
    Thanks for taking the time. I think I figured out the issue. Opened it back up looking at everything and noticed the gain on the PAC unit. Apparently it was in the middle setting or so. That was affecting how loud I could turn it up without distorting and it seems causing the issue I was hearing.

    I turned it all the way down and the sound seems more balance now.[/QUOTE]

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.