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Which is best to upgrade basic audio in an '09?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by jcgee88, Feb 15, 2010.

  1. jcgee88

    jcgee88 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2010
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    Location:
    Maryland Heights, MO
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I recently purchased a used 2009. I like the
    car a lot, but I would like to upgrade the installed
    audio. It came with single CD and AM/FM (no SAT).

    I want to put in SAT. I wouldn't mind having a
    6-CD changer as well, but that is only a "desirable"
    not a "must have."

    Here are the options as I see it:

    1. Buy an aftermarket SAT receiver which plugs
    into the AUX port. Pro: cheap. Con: not integrated
    into the MFD.

    2. Have dealer install an aftermarket SAT kit. Don't
    know enough about this to say whether this is a
    good solution nor how much it costs. Don't know
    how well it is integrated into the MFD.

    Edit: called Toyota dealer, who referred me to
    a 3rd party company. Rep at that company
    said they can do a seamlessly integrated Sirius
    or XM for $449. Said I could access the SAT
    by pressing the current AM button (even though
    that button is not "AM/SAT"). The only visible
    artifact of the install would be a small antenna
    mounted forward on the dash.

    3. Buy a salvaged, aftermarket Toyota audio head.
    I found a 6-CD unit on eBay from "XVIPERS" for
    $325. Pro: affordable. Con: don't know in advance
    if you can just replace this one part and everything
    will just work. For example, would I need a new
    antenna? Would the MFD auto-recognize the
    new unit? And, have to get some help installing it.

    4. Buy new audio head from dealer. Pro: confident
    it will work and has look and feel of factory install
    (except for lack of steering wheel controls). Con:
    most expensive solution.

    --

    Advice?

    John
     
    #1 jcgee88, Feb 15, 2010
  2. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
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    What is SAT?

    The best option for overall utility and sound quality is to simply add a new aftermarket stereo. You can either:


    • Replace the factory stereo and install a double DIN stereo that has Navigation, DVD, CD, MP3, iPod, Bluetooth, Aux etc.
    • Add a new single DIN stereo underneath the factory stereo that has CD, MP3, iPod, Bluetooth, Aux etc. The advantage here is that it looks factory and is less likely to be stolen. See Stealth Install thread
     
    #2 F8L, Feb 15, 2010
  3. jcgee88

    jcgee88 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2010
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    Location:
    Maryland Heights, MO
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A

    Siruis or XM tuner.

    John
     
    #3 jcgee88, Feb 15, 2010
  4. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
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    Ok, the aftermarket units support that too. :)
     
    #4 F8L, Feb 15, 2010
  5. McKeeius

    McKeeius New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2009
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    Location:
    Redwood City, CA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    I went back and forth with this issue for awhile. I have finally settled on some upgrades and the results are good. I think if I had to pick one single upgrade that would make the most significant difference to your listening enjoyment, it would be to replace the stock head unit.

    A good quality aftermarket head unit will do wonders for your stock speaker setup - louder, richer sound - and hopefully you get a little more control over the audio if you get an equalizer - nonetheless I am hearing such a marked difference.

    Then I suppose I would go with the speakers.

    I was able to have a shop do the stealth install, but you have to make sure that they reverse harness the aftermarket unit into the stock head unit so it doesn't mess with your MFD and climate control.

    You can also get an aftermarket piece called a PAC-SWI jack which will allow you to retain steering wheel controls (volume and input mode). I would recommend doing your own research to find out what unit is going to best suit your listening needs (satellite, ipod, bluetooth etc.) - buy the head unit yourself online (great deals to be had on Amazon and other vendors), and you could possibly buy all the parts yourself because it seems like car stereo shops are like giant middle men that make money off of the equipment.

    I did try component speakers in the front and aftermarket in the rear seats (Boston Acoustic SC60 and 65), and I am thinking about upgrading again, I already popped one of my tweeters, so I think I need something that can handle more juice.
     
    #5 McKeeius, Feb 21, 2010
  6. nene212

    nene212 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2010
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    Location:
    New York, NY
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    I
    i also have a 2009 Prius.i want to upgrade my stock radio. i am leaning toward the JVC kw-nt3. does anyone have any feed back on that head unit in the prius 2009?
     
    #6 nene212, Jan 31, 2011
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