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JBL OEM Speakers Upgrade

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by Tony Dang, Nov 24, 2013.

  1. Tony Dang

    Tony Dang Junior Member

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    Hello, I recently purchased a 2013 Prius Four. It comes with the JBL sound system. My other car is BMW 335i with Logic 7 sound systems from Harman/Kardon which sounds a lot better then the JBL sound system on the Prius.

    Since my Prius is my main commuter now I would like to upgrade the JBL system to make it similar to my other car. I know aftermarket sounds system sounds the best but I don't want to get a complete system. I just want to simply improve JBL system.

    I ordered the infinity basslink and should be coming in next week. This should improve the lack of bass in the stock JBL system.

    With that in mind, are speakers upgrade worth it for the JBL system? I did research on here and it seems that upgrading the speakers on the non-JBL system is worth it but I couldn't find much information on the JBL system.

    I'd already ordered four infinity 6032si based off Crutchfield recommendation. Should I install them or cancel the order since they haven't shipped it yet.

    Thanks
     
  2. kknguyen1168

    kknguyen1168 Member

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    Tony

    yes, it is worth it, I had 2010 prius 3 with JBL, upgrade all 4, but the front is 6x9 and the rear is 6032si, sound a lot better, try to use 6x9 in the front you will like it.

    V/r
     
    Tony Dang likes this.
  3. vskid3

    vskid3 Active Member

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    In general, I find that an aftermarket headunit makes a big difference, even with the stock speakers. I would do the headunit first unless there's a feature you really like about the stock one or its really good (unlikely).
     
  4. wbray123

    wbray123 Junior Member

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    Let us know how it sounds and what you got. I have a 2013 Prius 4 with JBL. I don't think the sound is as nearly good as it was in my 2011 Prius 3, and it wasn't great then. I have the equalizer (bass) turned almost all the way up to hear any bass, also have midrange turned up high and added moderate treble just to get a a sound I could live with. It was almost like listening to a 1960's am radio before turning the adjustments up. Without the adjustments it sounded muffled and "flat", but not flat as in high-fidelity language (meaning reproduced as intended without tone adjustments). I am very disappointed in the sound and wonder if it is because of the green system they use that saves energy. And I still am frustrated that I can't figure out how to make a thumb drive of music play properly.
     
  5. HI_BRED

    HI_BRED New Member

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  6. Tony Dang

    Tony Dang Junior Member

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    Ok I replaced just one of the front speakers and it is distorting a lot more then stock. I thought aftermarket speakers distort less but have less bass response.

    Help?
     
  7. kknguyen1168

    kknguyen1168 Member

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    Tony

    what did you replace the front with? 6x9 or what? double check everything, you much do something wrong, the sound should be a lot better.

    V/r

    Khoi nguyen
     
  8. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    JBL Automotive: Toyota Prius
    http://www.crutchfield.com/S-v0ttkrZjtX5/p_1086032SI/Infinity-Reference-6032si.ht

    Your system is similar to the Prius JBL's of past. Do not use a coax in the front door position especially. Go with separates, but the problem then become the factory amp is your crossover. In fact there is a separate feed for all eight of your speakers off the factory amp. Your chosen replacement speakers are 4 ohm and I am pretty sure the amp/system is 2 ohm. The base system was easier to upgrade.

    frodoz Stereo Upgrade | PriusChat
     
    KK6PD likes this.
  9. Hortevin

    Hortevin Junior Member

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    I have also a Prius 2012 with JBL Green Edge. I was not satisfied with the Bass.

    I add a slim subwoofer Crunch GP800 under Driver seat, splitting the signals on Front Woofer speaker lines.

    The result is really nice. Now I get a signal which goes low (31.5Hz). The result is really close to big subwoofer in normal listening situation. And I am happy with the sound now, which is much deeper...

    So, my advice, add first the Slim Subwoofer. Then see if you are happy with it...
     
  10. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    You have to be careful replacing speakers in the JBL system. The amp has built in crossovers and as mentioned the impedance Ω of the replacement speaker must match. The next issue is what is the speaker efficiency of the new speaker? For a given reference signal, what is the SPL of that speaker. If it does not match the Toyota OEM speaker it's gonna sound funky! Your best option to start, add a powered subwoofer. I have a BOSS800, there are other models. It did a great job of filling in the bottom end that was missing. JBL did take time to match components in the system. To alter any of the components will give questionable results!
    Try the subwoofer first!
    [​IMG]
     
  11. Tony Dang

    Tony Dang Junior Member

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    I called crutchfield and they informed to replace all four speakers first to determine if it is really distorting. I did exactly that and the front 6.5" speakers still distort a lot. I have zero distortion from the rear speakers. I called them back and they told me that I need a bass blocker which they're going to provide to me at zero cost.

    I am having a feeling that I wouldn't have this problem if I went with a 6x9 setup in the front.
     
  12. Skunkworks

    Skunkworks Member

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    True, 6x9 would have been a better choice..
     
  13. doug jenkins

    doug jenkins New Member

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    Anyone know where to purchase the JBL green edge amp? I have a Prius v (trim level five) and really don't like the sound of the speakers. I want to upgrade and believe I need that amp in order to power infinity reference speakers in the current configuration (also I think that amp may be essential to not draw beyond the recommended 30 Amps). Any advice for someone totally clueless about doing this?
     
  14. nedear88

    nedear88 My 1st Prius.

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    Chances are...all of the JBL speakers are 2 ohms impedance, common car speaker is 4 ohms Toyota probably fit in those Green Edge speakers in JBL equipped sound system from 2012 and up, so they are less power hungry to conserve electrical consumption.

    In my 2011 IV also have the JBL/NAV (not green edge speakers) and it was o.k but not enough low end punch so I added the kicker subwoofer and the JBL sound system is pretty good now.