1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Premium sound system? Only with ATP??

Discussion in 'Prius v Audio and Electronics' started by mangomegan, May 20, 2018.

  1. mangomegan

    mangomegan New Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2018
    7
    1
    0
    Location:
    Ben Lomond, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    We're looking to buy a used prius v, and are wondering about the sound quality of sound system. Hubby and I both really appreciate music, and would enjoy good sound. Are we out of luck if we find one without ATP? Is the premium sound only on models with ATP? Does that apply to all years, 2012-2017?
     
    #1 mangomegan, May 20, 2018
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,024
    16,242
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Unfortunately, if you want the JBL audio system, you have to get the v Five ATP; that applies to all years.
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, May 20, 2018
  3. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    8,487
    5,054
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    The standard system suffers in bass and the rear speakers are nearly useless. Not to say that the JBL system will knock your socks off either. Its just fair but has better highs and midranges. The v also has a fair amount of road noise in the cabin with some surfaces and tires worse than others. Upgrading is difficult unless you interface speaker level inputs into an aftermarket amp and add new speakers, particularly in the rear.
     
    #3 rjparker, May 20, 2018
    Last edited: May 20, 2018
  4. Diemaster

    Diemaster Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2017
    290
    260
    2
    Location:
    so. cal
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    This is true for any prius, IMO even the JBL systems. Lack of a good subwoofer. :D:rolleyes:
     
    #4 Diemaster, May 20, 2018
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,024
    16,242
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    At least with the Gen 3 (and I assume similarly the Prius v), I found the front speakers better than the rear. The rear sound tinny and the front sound stage sounds fuller.

    I know it's a different vehicle but it's something to consider when you're listening to the JBL audio in the Prius v.
     
    #5 Tideland Prius, May 21, 2018
  6. Offline

    Offline Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2012
    639
    231
    0
    Location:
    Lenexa, Kansas
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Whatever speakers there are in our 2012 Prius Five/ATP with JBL seem to do a pretty good job of emulating a subwoofer with plenty of base even when I'm streaming from Pandora via Entune.

    Don't buy a Prius if you want music quality while you drive - they're too damned noisy for that unless you are stopped with the engine not running.
     
    #6 Offline, May 22, 2018
  7. mangomegan

    mangomegan New Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2018
    7
    1
    0
    Location:
    Ben Lomond, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Well, I am coming from a 1995 Subaru, so I'm sure it'll be a noise level I'm used to!
     
    #7 mangomegan, May 22, 2018
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,024
    16,242
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I believe the Gen 3 and Prius v JBL audio systems have a "Distributed Subwoofer System".

    From cleanmpg.com

    [​IMG]
     
    #8 Tideland Prius, May 24, 2018
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)