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2017 Prius 2 best audio upgrades?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by Andrew Lechien, Jan 10, 2020.

  1. Andrew Lechien

    Andrew Lechien Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2020
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    Location:
    Muncie, Indiana
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Hey everyone. So I was able to get a great deal on a 2017 Prius 2 and wanted to upgrade the sound system. I traded in my 2016 Dodge Ram 1500 Big Horn with the upgraded Alpine system in it and now I miss that awesome stereo like I lost a child... I'm a huge gadget nerd when it comes to all of the different displays I can watch when I'm driving, so I know I don't want to lose any of the functionality of the OEM head unit just to get better sound. So I have read so far there is no way to replace the head unit without losing at least some functions that the stock head unit has, but is there a way to at least upgrade the speakers and maybe the amp and get at least a little better sound quality? I'm not opposed to getting an upgraded OEM head unit from the dealership to replace the one I have if I need to.. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. Also a good place to even start would be the best.. Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Gas Mizer

    Gas Mizer Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2014
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    Location:
    Redding, California
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius
    Model:
    One
    If I did lose any oem functionality, I didn't notice. I would start with replacement speakers though. Probably the biggest bang for your buck.
     
  3. Andrew Lechien

    Andrew Lechien Junior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    What all did you do to upgrade your sound system? Did you end up changing out your head unit?
     
  4. Gas Mizer

    Gas Mizer Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2014
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    Location:
    Redding, California
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius
    Model:
    One
    I changed everything. I have a JVC head unit, Audio Control amplifiers, Audiofrog mids and highs, and Massive ToroX 12" subs.
     
  5. jstevens44

    jstevens44 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2018
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    Location:
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    How difficult was changing out the speakers? I’m not as concerned about the door speakers as that seems fairly straightforward. The ones in the dash seem like they will be difficult to get to.
     
  6. Gas Mizer

    Gas Mizer Member

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    Apr 24, 2014
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    Location:
    Redding, California
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius
    Model:
    One
  7. rain27

    rain27 Junior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Issues to note with changing out the speakers (at least on a Prius Prime 2018 with non-JBL):
    1. It is difficult to run aftermarket speaker wire from the cabin to the door. Very little space.
    2. If using the factory speaker wire in the door, keep in mind that this wire is connected in parallel with the dash speakers. This means that if you disconnect the dash speaker, power will not run to the door speaker.
     
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  8. thomassster

    thomassster Member

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    Location:
    Colorado, US
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius
    Model:
    XLE AWD-e
    Not sure where you heard about losing some functions. If you get an idatalink compatible head unit, you’ll keep the functions and get more. With most other head units, you can keep at least the basics with most used functions assuming you are getting a compatible aftermarket head unit. Something with an equalizer, crossover control is recommended. I installed a compact amp behind the head unit. My head unit has CarPlay,but not cd or dvd, do it was pretty compact which allowed to fit the amp behind. It got a bit tight with all the aftermarket harness and amp, but it all fit. I reused the same wiring (dash speaker wiring parallel with door speakers). I replaced all 6 speakers with inifinity references coaxial. The sound is much cleaner, a little brighter, and bass is punchier. I got an underseat subwoofer to add a bit more bass since the punchier bass of the speakers didn’t hit the really low tones well. The dash speaker has a really large capacitor that prevents bass from going through. I didn’t install a capacitor crossover on my new dash speakers but I do notice a tiny bit of distortion on low frequencies. The aftermarket dash speakers did come with a 270uf capacitor so I’ll be installing that this weekend.
     
  9. David Rush

    David Rush Junior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Base
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  10. Andrew Lechien

    Andrew Lechien Junior Member

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    Location:
    Muncie, Indiana
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    The functionality I am worried about is the data I get when I hit the car button on my stock head unit. I don't really use too many of the controls on the steering wheel, so I wasn't as concerned with losing those buttons. If I was to change out the speaker wire does anyone have any suggestions on a higher end brand of wire? when changing out wires its really easy to just disconnect them and tape the new wire to the old ends and just pull it back through in the opposite direction. You mentioned that you installed an under seat sub... Which seat and what kind of sub? Thanks for the help!
     
  11. thomassster

    thomassster Member

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    Location:
    Colorado, US
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius
    Model:
    XLE AWD-e
    Although the speaker wire on the car is a small gauge, it'll do the job for reasonable size wattage speakers. I have 55 watt RMS infinty reference speakers and they are plenty loud. There are plenty of good brands out there. But if you want quality, get some oxygen-free copper. If you are not running any major power to speakers, I wouldn't recommend upgrading. On the forum, some have tried and had extreme trouble trying to get the speaker wires through the door jam. and I've heard the sound didn't really make too much of an upgrade. If you are really determined for new speaker wire, I found that NVX is a good brand you can find on amazon or Sonic Electronix. Stinger makes some really good quality stuff as well.

    I'm a bit unsure on what you are trying to do with the old speaker wire, but those are all bundled up in a harness all taped and wrapped like many other wires in the car. If you are trying to take out those wires, you'll have to break apart all the harnesses, which is impossible to do cleanly. You are better off leaving them alone, and running the new speaker wires.

    The car button only displayed some few diagnostics and a very few controls. I forgot what features it had (tells how much I missed it). Those controls, you can most likely get if you use techstream software or carista. My head unit, a recent model pioneer DMH-1500NEX connects to OBD2 connector and receives a lot of different diagnostics.

    The underseat subwoofer was my last project on the list, installing a Cerwin Vega VPAS10. I installed it under the driver seat. There are air vents under the seat which forced me to install it front/back portrait style instead of left/right landscape direction. This caused the subwoofer to peek out a bit in the back and gives the back seat passenger less leg room. But I used a NVX 8 gauge amp kit for my Alpine KTA-450 compact amp which I managed to fit behind the head unit and used the RCA cable and leftover power wire for the subwoofer. I am currently enjoying my setup. I can turn it up just a notch when the kids are away, subwoofer is just the right amount of power for me.

    Hopefully that helps. BTW, my DIY job looked exactly like Gas Mizer's pictures that he had. It is pretty involved, but you get to understand your car better. Be patient, and having Amazon ship me supplies in 2 days whenever I needed it really helped out.