JBL vs. Standard Stereo

I have the AM package ('04 #7) with the standard stereo with the add-on changer (below CD player in pocket). I think it is VERY adequate! It rocks. I'm planning a subwoofer install eventually, since basic factory speakers do not have good low-end.
I've been VERY happy with the stereo and I was a professional installer for 7 years. I do believe that replacement speakers might 'brighten' the sound a bit (replace the factory dual-cones with coaxials).
I want to say the JBL version has 20 more watts and 3 more speakers (center, for NAV and phone, and two rear door tweeters).
Hope this helps. I listen to punk rock and know that the max volume is 63 on the display! Some distortion up there, but it could just be the nature of punk-rock. Your results may vary...Drive fun, drive clean, drive Prius.

 

Below are two PriusChat threads that discuss this very question:

• Any JBL woofer replacements that improve things?The information on these threads led me to decide that I really didn't want to spend the extra $$ for the JBL stereo system.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sws77701\";p=\"41424)</div>

I've given 'em somewhat of an A/B as I have a pkg. 0 with the regular stereo and drove my dad's pkg. 9 for a few days before he left town with it. Didn't attempt an actual comparison though; I just have the stereo on all of the time when I'm in a car.

IMO, not much difference sonically, at least in the front seat. Main advantage is you get multi-CD's and a cassette deck in the upgrade.

rob

 

I have the "package AM" (2004 #7) with the standard stereo and it is outstanding.

Some folks are disappointed that it does not have a cassette player for books-on-tape. But the sound quality is fantastic.

 

I think the JBL is about 30-40 % better even though the standard one is excellent. The JBL comes with more speakers, better amplifier(??), a 6 CD changer and a cassette player. It is great to be able to put 6 of your fav Cds into the player and not to have to change one frequently. Also, you can see/read the titles of all 6 CDs and select on MFD !!! IF they have text. I wish I had a #9 I have a # 7. If anyone wants to exchange... they can name their price.

 

If it's the 6 CD changer you want added, I have seen one available at several Toyota OEM Internet stores. I think it's around $550. But for a little less money one could get an iPod and a ipod2car interface and have hundreds of CD's at their fingertips.

On the amps... it doesn't seem like there is much improvement there. Someone listed the specs of the original one at 40W and the JBL one at 45W. According to my calculations ( 10*log(45/40) ) that .5dB improvement. Hardly noticeable. Of course this isn't taking in account speaker efficiencies of the JBL vs. stock speakers. That's a whole other can of worms. But it does bring up the idea of if you want better sound think of putting in better speakers as mentioned in the other threads.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Gurmail\";p=\"41519)</div>

The JBL system runs through it's own amp. I hard that certain speaks are still amped by the sterio though. You get more speakers and they are better speakers. I have the BC ? '04 package 9 I love the nav and use it every once and a while. The voice command work good for me too. The extra controls on the wheel are excellent. I've hard a standard system. I feel the JBL is a good amount better. You have to mess around witht he sound levels though Low,Mid,High and the centering, which i put rear 1 notch.. somtimes up to 3 or 4 notches if i want to get a better sound for bass.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DanH\";p=\"41535)</div>

I have an mp3 player but since I don't have a casstette player in the Prius, I am unable to connect it to the Prius. (I know one can try and open up the console and all that..). I tried an FM transmitter but the quality was very lacklustre :? I wish there were an input jack and one could connect an mp3 player, USB drive , whatever AND control it through the MFD. In fact, it would be great if the MFD were to be a mini laptop on which one could connect to the internet etc!!!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Gurmail\";p=\"41545)</div>

:iagree Now that would really be nice. The thing is getting the car manufacters and MP3 players to thash out some standards to make it all work together. Maybe someday. You'd think in the short term they'd at least put an AUX in jack on the front.

 

Is there a way to add another equalizer in the system? (5 or 7 band on the frequency range) Perhaps underneath the cassete player would be a great spot.

The ones we have on the pkg#9 has only a 3 band touch screen EQ, high, mid and low. Not enough on the bass and treble.

 

I was afraid this might be a problem. I haven't received my car but I've been shopping for sound system upgrades. The system in my Bimmer is amazing. 11 Speakers and the system is perfectly balanced. Its so clear that I'm disappointed when I have to watch a movie on my home theater system.

So I want that in my Prius. And since the Prius is quiet, I'm hoping I can get it to sound even clearer.

Boston Acoustics makes a very good speaker set (so I'm told), 4 Mids and 4 tweeters and 2 Crossovers. I want to get a good amp too but my question is...

How good is the JBL head unit? Thats the only thing I won't replace. I hate the look of aftermarket head units so I'm hopping the stock one is good.

anyone have experience with this?

 

What do I need 9 speakers for, when I only have two ears? I'm really happy with the standard stereo. As far as I'm concerned, a changer is just one more thing to go wrong.

 

That's because your two ears work so good. It takes a tweeter, mid, and a woofer to cover the freq range your ears can. (Yea, you can do this with a tweater and a mid sized woofer and get most of it.) Then you need to repeat that for stereo imaging and then a set in the back for those there with two ears.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gt4jeth\";p=\"41562)</div>

There's at least one thread on PriusChat from someone who upgraded to a third-party stereo system with an improved amp/pre-amp and an equalizer. Don't have it in front of me, though -- sorry!