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Prius Prime Premium Stereo Upgrade

Discussion in 'Prime Audio, Electronics, and Infotainment' started by Sean McMillan, Oct 11, 2018.

  1. Sean McMillan

    Sean McMillan New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2018
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    Location:
    Petaluma, CA
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    Thought I would share my experience:

    Used a 5 channel amp - Alpine MRV - V500
    JL Audio C2 - 3.5" speakers (4ohm)
    Alpine s-s65 6 1/2 coaxial speakers (4ohm)
    JL Audio 8" ported Micosub (4ohm)
    Dynamat

    The front speakers are run in parallel (this is stock) - meaning the with the Alpine 6.5s and JL 3.5's its showing a 2ohm load to the amp, not a 4ohm one. At 2ohm the Alpine MRV puts out about 60 watts RMS (At a 4ohm load amp puts out 40 watts per channel). I needed to put a bass blocker on the 3.5" JLs because they were distorting (cutoff below 2.3khz.) The JL sub is small enough to fit in the back trunk (~10.5" x 6), its receiving 150 watts.

    I have the 6.5s cut off at 160hz and the sub is crossed at 80hz.

    Everything sounds really clean, could be a little louder but the speakers have a low sensitivity rating. Some rap songs do bottom out, but its only at a few impactful moments in a song. R&B, Jazz, Rock - all sound great - great depth, very dynamic, a little tad on the bright side because I'm using coaxials.

    All the best.

    Sean
     
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  2. MikeDee

    MikeDee Senior Member

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    Prime Plus
    Where did you have your work done and how much did it cost?
     
  3. Roy2001

    Roy2001 Active Member

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    +1

    And how about the bass? Sounds great?
     
  4. Sean McMillan

    Sean McMillan New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Petaluma, CA
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    the 8" JL ported sub sounds great, however wasn't able to hit those low notes (like the kick drum in a rock song). So upgraded to the 10" JL ported sub and its now perfect. Upgraded to the Alpine - PDR-V75 (5 Channel Amp) - providing more power.

    Cost: -
    4 Alpine Speakers: $200
    JL 10" Ported Microsub - $350
    JL 3.5" speakers: $100
    Amp - $400
    Paid for Amp Installation. Did the remainder of the work myself.
     
  5. G23

    G23 Junior Member

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    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Do you know where/how they got the power wire for the amp through the firewall? I have been trying to figure out the best spot to drill a hole for mine.

    Also, looking at the same 3.5 JL speakers for mine. Did they drop right into the dash locations? Or did the shop need to modify anything.

    Thanks.
     
  6. Sean McMillan

    Sean McMillan New Member

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    Oct 11, 2018
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    Location:
    Petaluma, CA
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    Power wire goes thru the driver side firewall. I installed the 3.5 JL's myself, no customization needed, dropped right in. But you need to put a 600 Hz bass blocker on it, or it will distort.
     
  7. Delbert

    Delbert Junior Member

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    Location:
    Lawrence, KS
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Thanks for the details on your audio upgrade. I added a sub to my 2017 Advanced Prime("JBL speaker system") and I am now satisfied with the bass. However, the next most glaring deficiency to me is the harshness of the dash speakers(coaxial). The dash speakers are pretty good for the spoken word, but but they produce painful mids and highs on much music material at moderate or louder volumes. Toyota tells me the front door/dash speaker combo gets 35 watts RMS per side from the stock amp. Would the JL C2 3.5's provide a smoother sound from the dash, and would 35 watts RMS per channel from the stock amp be enough to provide at least moderate volume with the C2's? Or is the stock amp crap and would it still produce harsh mids and highs? Any thoughts on how might the C2's compare if I just drop them in to replace the stock JBL dash speakers? Toyota says the dash speakers have a high pass filter at 200 Hz.

    Thanks,

    Warren
     
  8. Tweaksalot

    Tweaksalot Member

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    Location:
    Huntington Beach
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    2019 Prius Prime
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    Prime Premium