? Best Audio upgrades for under $1000 ?

You can disconnect the center speaker, which is free, and said to improve the sound.

Another thing to do is install subwoofers. You can install one like the Bazooka, but some have put other types in.

 

Maximum improvement at minimum expense/effort:

1. Disconnect center speaker
2. Replace front tweeters
3. Add a mini-sub

 

Try +2 treble, -2 midrange, +2 bass (from a previous post).

Wayne

 

Last night I had the subwoofer disconnected in my Prius, as I am cannibalizing some of its audio system to put in my SUV (which also gives me an excuse to upgrade the audio system in my Prius, how convenient). I drove around a bit with just the amp driving the front channels and other than the lack of bass extension, it really didn't sound too bad. So I really have to question those people who think the first upgrade should be adding a subwoofer. Have they ever had a decent aftermarket system installed in their car, or had a decent system in their home? It's hard for me to believe that the answer would be "yes" for anyone who finds the stock speakers tolerable; they are soooo bad that they need to go immediately. $300 spent on Ebay for component speakers for the front, a two-channel amp, and whatever wiring/LOCs you need would be the way I'd go for a cheap upgrade.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusenvy @ Sep 10 2007, 02:37 PM) [snapback]510198[/snapback]</div>

I think for those who do NOT want to replace the JBL speakers (the "premium" system, not the non-JBL system) or don't want to upgrade the amp, adding a self-powered sub would be a fairly inexpensive way to enhance the sound. And then later on if they decide to add more stuff they still can. Nothing's wasted.

The trouble with replacing the JBL speakers first, IMO, is that it kinda forces you to get a new amp too, otherwise the new speakers would be a waste of money if you drive them with the stock JBL amp. For some people, this may not be the most cost-effective solution.

So if you're on a budget and want to upgrade your system step by step, a mini-sub is not a bad choice early on.

 

I just installed some a/d/s 1" silk dome tweeters over the weekend in the stock jbl position and it does sound better, even on the stock amp. I found the stock tweeters to sound almost muffled, like they were wrapped in cotton or something. My next project is to soundproof all 4 doors. I did this to my subaru when I installed some a/d/s comps and an image dynamics 10" sub, an alpine mrp-f450 amp and it makes a big difference. For a budget I would suggest:

1) replace front tweeters (I prefer silk dome to aluminum/titanium) maybe $100ish for nice ones
2) sound deaden all 4 doors. I used RAAMAT and ensolite and I recomend it. Rick at RAAMaudio is a pleasure to do business with. this will cost about $200

I think the stock woofers are not too bad and with sound deadining I'm sure would be even better. So, for $300 to $400 you would make a big difference w/o having to rip your stereo apart. AND, you ride would be a lot quieter too!

Jonas.

 

I use a Creative Zen Vision M to listen to my music, it has a custom Equalizer function. With that, I am able to achieve fairly acceptable sound performance, of course, along with disconnecting the center speaker.

 

I too, have ADS silk tweeters installed and they improved the sound tremendously.

Blue tooth and the navigation voice does come from the left front speaker. Others have suggested connecting it to the center speaker, but I have not heard if anyone has done it.

I plan on adding sound deadening material too, long before installing a subwoofer.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Winston @ Oct 3 2007, 03:30 PM) [snapback]520811[/snapback]</div>

Yea, there pretty sweet huh. It's nice when you can almost tell how much saliva is on the lips of the vocalist!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Winston @ Oct 3 2007, 03:30 PM) [snapback]520811[/snapback]</div>

This is interesting news to me. I'll have to check it out. One thing I have always wondered about is if you could re-route the signal from the HU (that is UN-eq'd) into an aftermarket amp. Then, have a dedicated speaker (center channel maybe?) for the bluetooth function comming from the JBL amp. I don't have NAV so its just for the phone. The only thing I think I would loose it auto-mute, but I could eaisly press "power" on the stereo if a call came through.

Any thoughts?

Jonas.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JonasB @ Oct 6 2007, 09:37 AM) [snapback]522175[/snapback]</div>

How do you plan to control the volume of the audio system?

JL Audio dropped the price of the CL441dsp to $299 recently (about the same time as Alpine's unit hit the market for $399). I picked one up a few weeks ago but haven't installed it yet. Hopefully it's going in the car this weekend. Also picked up some Diamond Audio Hex component speakers, since I'm driving my Prius a lot more and want something better than the Infinitys that I've got now. The Infinitys are a good speaker for the price, but not in the same league as the Hexes (3x the price of the 6010s). $300 is about my limit for a pair of car speakers, you won't see me putting a set of Focal 165KP2s in my car.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusenvy @ Oct 6 2007, 05:27 PM) [snapback]522256[/snapback]</div>

Well, the plan is to use the HU volume control knob. Again, I don't know if that knob actually controls the HU volume or controls the jbl amp volume. So It may look like this:

1) Bluetooth volume controlled by MFD, LF speaker wires summed w/transistor and sent to center channel.
2) Stereo system controlled with HU volume knob.

Anyone know if this would work?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JonasB @ Oct 6 2007, 08:36 PM) [snapback]522344[/snapback]</div>

I just got the Alpine PXE-H650. Its not installed yet. Major problem for me is giving up the HU volume control and (less a problem) the HU's fader. The Alpine only accepts a one-pair input but can sum the Hi & Lo front channels to get it. Then you must use its remote to adjust volume and fading. Since phone and Nav audio is on the front left only, not on the rear full range output, you have to use the front outputs to feed it. I'll let you know how it sounds once installed.

Oh, BTW, the HU talks digitally to the JBL amp for all volume functions kinda locking us in to keeping the JBL amp in front of any processing and after market amps.

Rethinking my statement above, maybe the place to insert the Alpine is in front of the JBL amp where it would have constant input volume and preserving all volume functions. This weekend in now booked for me.