JBL Upgrade Options?

Hi folks -

Last week I picked up a new-to-me 2010 with leather, JBL 8 speaker, and nav. I've done a ton of reading about audio upgrades for the non-JBL Prius, but have found almost nothing related to the JBL version. Are there any suggestions on audio system upgrades for us JBL drivers?

Thoughts so far/questions I have:

1. There's a DSP setting in the head unit. Obviously there's not much in the way of control, it's either on or off, though it does seem to have the effect of moving the sound "forward" to the dash pretty significantly. Are there hidden equalization controls anywhere?

2. I'd rather stick with the stock head unit/nav. I think that leaves me few options in speaker upgrades as I understand it (Infinity seems to make some 2ohm equipment that might work). Will the head unit give me enough power to make a speaker upgrade a worthwhile pursuit?

3. If I want to add a "real" DSP, is there a current replacement for the JBL MS-8? With the understanding that "real" and "ms-8" don't necessarily go together given what it shields the user from doing... Any other drop in replacements for the stock JBL amp besides the MS-8?

4. I'd like to add a sub to the system. Does the head unit have a pre-out on buried in the back? It's model E7022. I'd rather not tear apart the dash to find out if I don't have to. If not, is a small powered unit the most reasonable thing to add to the JBL setup? When I say reasonable, I'm defining that as a noticeable benefit for under about $250.

Thanks for any help and insight you fine people can offer. I'll probably pop a door panel over the holiday and start familiarizing myself with what's what, but you guys always seem to have at least a few answers at the ready when asked.

 

Yes, I'm aware that I've got a weird JBL OEM amp, not an MS-8. What I'm saying is that there's folks out there who don't regard the MS-8 as a "real" DSP, because of the ease in setup for noobs like myself. I'd love to have one, and I may wind up paying out the nose for a used one.

Not very easily done on the JBL Prius system, as I understand it. That's part of why I'm asking the questions I have above. The existing system amp would have to be replaced in such a way to keep the phone functionality provided by the front speakers, so not every amp can be used. The MS-8 is one of the few options that I'm aware of (though I admit I'm unclear as to whether it drops in as a replacement or is piggy-backed with the existing). I'd love to hear from someone who has been down this road before me.

 

Your writeup was indeed helpful, thank you. I'm always happy to see mentions of specific speaker models in particular. In my case, rather than a factory Entune head unit I've got a factory JBL E7022 navigation unit.

After yet more looking, it appears that I've got two (expensive) options. I can either replace the head unit or I can put in an MS-8 (or other similar piece of hardware). That's in addition to speaker replacement, of course. Speakers are not all that spendy, but I could easily drop about a grand rounding up an MS-8, some decent speakers, and a sub.

The much more cost effective alternative would be to add a small sub to help out at the low end, but that's going to give some limited benefit as well.

That seems to be the two available scenarios, either full hog or just a strip of bacon. No options for a really good pulled pork sandwich. :\

I did pick up a JBL MS-2 at $50, just to give myself a poor man's intro to what a DSP can do and find out whether I want to bother. Makes the factory stereo in my old 2009 (now my son's) sound heaps better. Helps mine as well, but not to the level that it does his. There are no free lunches though, that same $50 could be spend on a set of low end 6.5" speakers that would accomplish much of the same improvement in the low end.

Even more fun, it sounds to my ears like there's a possible blown speaker in the front passenger door. There's something harsh in midrange coming from that location. So regardless, I might end up taking a chance on some Infinity Reference in the doors. I'll probably have to change out the wiring to help get the impedance more in line with what the amp wants, but I suppose if I burn up the factory amp then I'll have the excuse to put in a pumpkin head unit and gut everything. :\

 

That's a given, when I get around to doing it. Won't be until the weather breaks though. Right now I'm just in the learning and planning phase.

I'm choosing to replace my speakers first. This afternoon I ordered up speaker harnesses and plastic mounting rings to go with Infinity 9633cf (front) and 6032si (rear). Both are 2ohm, so should be drop in replacement without affecting the JBL amp. Each has a sensitivity of 93dB.

If that goes as expected, and I get a good look at the rear door upper location speakers, I may replace them with the current Infinity 3.5" model, and possibly the dash as well. At that point, if bass is still lacking, I'll augment with a small sub either in the right rear cubby or in the plastic tub area. I never used that area in three years of owning a Gen 2, so I can't imagine I'll start now that I have a Gen 3.

The important thing in this process seems to be keeping my speaker replacements of the 2ohm variety if I wish to keep the OEM head unit and amp (which I do). There's a chart linked in Frodoz737's account (here: img_7606_67749.jpg | PriusChat) which shows the OEM speaker sizes and ohms.

Somewhere I saw that the JBL amp puts out ~30w RMS per at 2ohms, enough for my purposes.

At the same time I'll be putting in some sound deadening materials. I think I have a leftover roll or two of eDead from Elemental Designs (may they rest in peace)

Sub wise, I do have a spare e3.8 from ED as well, back when they were being discontinued at low prices. Perhaps a right hand cubby install with a modest amp...

 

Eh, that's really where I'm at, is trying to spend a couple of hundred dollars I can be happy with. Sub might come or might not. I may decide to add an MS-8 later, and if I do I'll likely add a sub as well. My figuring is that for ~$200 I can see if I can hear some decent improvement. If I do, I'll drop in an MS-8 for some more improvement and the ability to add a sub. I've decided to treat the whole thing as "what can I do but leave the stock HU in place". If the answer turns out to be "not enough", then I'm willing to walk away and accept that. I don't have the need to gut literally everything and start over, though I understand that desire. Some higher quality speakers *should* get more some better response, even if the JBL amp is filtering what is sent where.