A few alternatives to dash squakers/midtweets

Hmm, just browsing the net, i found these 3.5" coaxials that may fit into the dash hole: Polk Audio - db Series - Mobile / Marie Speakers

They are pretty cheap too...but, i am not sure how good they sound though. But, at least, there is an alternative out there.

JL Audio also makes a 3.5" coaxial: http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_components.php?comp_id=58 It is $69.95. A little higher end: http://www.shopatron.com/products/productdetail/C2-350x/part_number=99611/1451.0.1.1.25605.48022.0.0.0?, costing $89.95.

And with JL, you can go to 4" if it will fit in the dash. From pictures, the JBL dash speakers are almost 5" wide i think. Depth, i don't know.

Personally, i think that the above options is a better idea than traditional setup of a 6.5 woofer (in door) and 1" tweeter (in stock dash location). All you have to do now is find a good pair of 6x9s woofers only to handle the bass...or keep the stock 6x9s...and add a subwoofer independently if bass is lacking for you.

However, be careful with Ohm. The JBL speaker (or base system) is likely low resistance (2 Ohm??). The above speakers are 4-Ohm i think...so, i am not sure if these alternatives will sound better than stock.

Just something to think about for those who are modifying their system. BTW, i am sure that there are more brands out there making the above size, but i trust Polk and JL Audio.

 

What is remarkable is the difference b/w the JBL midtweet and the base midtweet!! The base midtweets look like they are cheap paper cones, as compared to the midtweet of the JBL system. This further enhances the difference b/w the base and JBL system and explains the vastly better sound.

 

But, you can ask any aftermarket installer to make a custom one...maybe a plastic frame with cloth (any color you want) covering it...now, THAT would look really nice IMO. Just give them the stock piece and they can easily copy it.

 

SC? SC430? I don't think that the SC430 used midtweets. They had 0.75" tweeters, 4" midrange, and 6x9s (in lower doors). The rear seat area has coaxial (4" and 0.75). There is an 8" sub i think.

The only time that ML use midtweets is with the center channels on certain ML systems. (SC430 does not have a center channel...i think.) I guess that you can use the center channels from those systems, but the CC may be designed/tuned to specific frequencies...which means that they may not perform to what we want (midrange to high frequencies).

And this is why i think that one should stick to the JBL system rather than upgrading...because tuning of the system to the interior of the Prius is what really makes the difference. I understand that the base system is lacking and i think that upgrading the base system may be worthwhile.

 

Then get JBL with NAVI. There is no way that you can upgrade aftermarket for cheaper or even the same price. And the more that i read about it, the harder it seems to even get aftermarket speakers for the Prius...so, way too much headache!

 

Remind me, how many CDs can your NAVI headunit hold? Have you figured in the cost of the CD changer that you have to buy? So, i think that you cannot use the NAVI while listening to CDs unless you get a separete CD changer, right? How much do those CD changers cost? $400-800?? Oh yeah, real bargain there!

How about backup camera? How much do those costs aftermarket? Installation costs? Scratches on dash and broken clips...how much headache is it worth?

Or how about the cost of the speakers AND amplifier(s) needing to power those puppies?? How about a subwoofer and the associated amp?

So, you both are telling me that you can get ALL OF THOSE LISTED ABOVE for $1200?? Wow, what flea market are you guys shopping at?! Hell, even at the flea market, you won't even come close to that budget!

 

In the past, i can see someone upgrading their car stereo system because it was relatively easy to do. You have the tweeter in the A-pillar, woofer at the bottom of the door, etc.. Now, with the Prius, even if you have plenty of money to burn, i am not even sure if you can improve the system above average with aftermarket parts! Just look at the speakers that are available...all of them are cheap, which makes me think of two things:
1. cheaply made
2. horrible sound

Now, i guess that you can install the tweeter like a few folks by putting it on the A-pillar, but then it looks weird (totally wrong directionally) and it looks "add-on". With my old Corolla, the A-pillar was roomy to add a tweeter (pointing in the right direction).

More and more, aftermarket sound mods for the Prius is looking to be a major PIA!