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JBL head unit/amp replacement to Kenwood Excelons?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by Arklier, Jul 12, 2005.

  1. Arklier

    Arklier New Member

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    Hmm. I plan on getting a Prius within the next few months, probably package 6. The stereo is not the attraction for this package, and I would like to rip out the JBL and replace it with a deck that can play MP3s and WMAs. I have three CD-Rs with over 200 songs on each, so audio format isn't an option. The head unit I have in my current car is a Kenwood KDC-X979. I'm not concerned about losing the amp in the deck, since I also have a Kenwood KAC-PS650D 5 channel amp ready to install.

    Here's the specs for the deck:

    Kenwood's Exclusive Mototrized 3D Mask Technology
    High Voltage 5 Volt Pre Amplifier Outputs
    Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Sound Adjustments
    Digital Time Alignment Feature
    Built In Parametric Equalizer
    High Power Output of 50 Watts x 4 (peak)
    System Q Circuitry With Preset Equalizer Curve Settings
    SRS Sound Enhancement Technology
    Tone Adjustments For Bass/Mid/Treble
    Integrated MOSFET IC Amplifier
    24 Bit Burr Brown Digital to Analog Converter (DAC)
    Compatible With CD/CD-R/CD-RW/MP3 Discs
    CD Changer Controls
    Sirius Satellite Radio Ready
    Music Keg Music System Ready
    8 Times Oversampling Rate
    Silicone Dampened Suspension Sytem
    Front, Rear, & Non Fader Pre Amplifier Outputs
    Built-in Selectable High and Low Pass Crossovers
    Crossover Slope of 12 dB/Octave
    Variable Non-Fader Output Level
    High Resolution Dot Matrix Multi Color Display
    CD Text Capability
    A.M.S. Feature For Kenwood Excelon Amps
    PLL Synthesized FM Tuner
    18 FM Radio Presets and 6 AM Radio Presets
    Motorized Slide Down Face Plate
    Detachable Face Plate
    Remote Control Included !
    Auxillary Inputs built in!!

    And the amp:

    Product Features

    60W x 4 and 200W x 1 at 4, 14.4V
    Class-D circuit design (Sub channel)
    Dual MOSFET output stage (Sub channel)
    New BMS (+18dB Boost, freq. offset)
    Variable colour indicator
    General Features 14.4V:
    14.4V Rated power (4, 20 ~ 20 kHz), 0.08%THD 60W x 4 + 1 x 200W
    Rated power (2, 1kHz), 0.5%THD 80W x 4 + 1 x 300W
    Bridged power (4, 1kHz), 0.5%THD 160W x 2 + 1 x 200W
    Max power (4, normal) 120W x 4 + 400W
    Max power (4, Bridge) 300W x 2 + 600W(3 channel mode)
    General Features 12V:
    Rated power (4, 20 ~ 20kHz), 0.08%THD 40W x 4 + 1 x 130W
    Rated power (2, 1kHz), 0.5% THD 60W x 4 + 1 x 200W
    Bridged power (4, 1kHz), 0.5%THD 120W x 2 + 1 x 200W
    General Features New BMS:
    Bass Boost (40 ~ 100Hz): Sub channel: +6/+12/+18dB (+6/+18dB by headunit)
    Bass Frequency offset: Sub channel: Off / -30% (by headunit)
    Built in low-pass filter: 50 ~ 200Hz (24 dB/Oct.): B / Sub channel
    Built in high-pass filter: 50 ~ 200 Hz (12 dB/oct.): A / B channel
    Built in infrasonic filter: Off / 15 Hz (24 dB/oct.): sub channel
    1 RCA gold-plated input
    Variable input sensitivity: 0.2 ~ 5V
    Frequency response: A, B Ch. 5 ~ 70kHz
    Sub Ch. 5 ~ 200Hz
    Signal noise ratio 105 dB
    Maximum current consumption 53 A

    Can I use these in my (future) Prius without any issues? I'm not concerned about losing some functionality from the steering wheel buttons. I've been reaching for the stereo as long as I've been driving, and it's not a big deal to me. However, losing MP3/WMA capability IS a big deal to me. I don't want to go back to lugging around dozens of CDs.
     
    #1 Arklier, Jul 12, 2005
  2. Arklier

    Arklier New Member

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    Anyone?
     
    #2 Arklier, Aug 4, 2005
  3. wilco

    wilco New Member

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    OK I'll take a swing at this one.

    -- First there is the unique size (I think it's about 1.5 DIN) and look of the stock head unit. It would create quite a hole if removed. I think the space below it is 1 DIN so you might be able to get your Kenwood deck in there, and just leave the original head unit in place.

    -- You'll lose the steering wheel functions.

    -- You'll lose the Multi-Function-Display touch screen functions.

    -- You'll lose some of the beeps.

    No big deal so far, but here is the rub... you'll need a solution for the Nav and Bluetooth voice function. Get that sorted out and you're golden.

    Other than that, I don't really see any issues.
     
    #3 wilco, Aug 4, 2005
  4. tmorrowus

    tmorrowus Member

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    Dec 30, 2003
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    I'm assuming you would drive the speakers directly from the new head unit. Check out my document:

    http://tom-morrow-land.com/tests/priusaudio/

    Specifically the "Electrical Specifications" section for more info on the issues with beeps and nav integration.

    Also be aware that you would need to replace the front speakers with ones that have their own crossovers because the crossovers for the JBL system are in the amp.

    Another option would be to keep the JBL, and install the MP3 head unit with an "aux in" aftermarket box that makes it look like a satellite source to the JBL. That would be the most functional upgrade... you'd still have your cassette and nav/beep integration.
     
    #4 tmorrowus, Aug 5, 2005
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