Complete Audio Upgrade in My 2005 Pruis

I just got my car back from the shop. I upgraded the head unit and speakers. I also added an amp and an 8" sub. I'm really pleased with the custom work the guys did in the back (see pix) when they added the amp and sub. I've only had it back for a few hours, but I couldn't be happier with the sound and performance.

I know I mentioned this is an earlier post, but I decided to go with the following:

- Focal 165KF 2-way component speakers for the front
- Focal 165cvx coaxial speakers for the back
- Alpine iDA-X100 head unit (with Sirius)
- Alpine PDX 5 digital amp.
- JL Audio 8W3v3-4 8-inch sub

 

You don't want to know (and neither does my wife)!

If anyone is seriously interested in the costs, etc., email me and I'll email you a breakdown of costs/labor, etc.

 

Yes, but I didn't know it was called a "terminating resistor". They just told me that there was some other part(s) that they needed to install (or something like that) so that the A/C would continue to work.

We contemplated keeping the original factory CD/radio and just adding the Alpine head unit underneath in that separate, empty compartment that sits just below the factory controls. In the end, we decided to go for its current placement, which (IMO) is a better location for ease of use, etc. It's just a matter of personal preference, I guess.

 

Yes. I was very pleased with how the whole thing worked out. There's really only one difference with the touch screen now:

- when you press the "audio" button, it says something like "audio disconnected"

Otherwise the A/C works. All the trip and energy consumption data all works just like normal.

The Alpine head unit is functional with the steering wheel controls, so the volume, etc. works just fine. And since I don't have a CD player any more (the Alpine X100 is MP3 only), they ran the USB cable into my glove compartment and my iPod connects in there. Once my iPod is connected and stored in the glove compartment, I have full control over all my music from the Alpine head unit. The USB connection to the iPod is very fast - there's no waiting around for my music to load or play in between songs.

The 8" JL Audio sub isn't going to win me any competitions, but for my ears, it really thumps. I only have the sub turned up half way and it's almost too much.

BTW - my wife came home from work tonight (she wasn't sure what to expect when it was all done) and she LOVES it. The first thing she said was, "I can't believe how awesome it sounds!"

 

Hey. They removed the entire factory stereo. I've got it sitting here. They didn't have to do anything under the passenger seat or anything like that. I don't know if it's BS, but it sounds like they only know one way to do a Prius aftermarket install.

I went to the local Car Toys here in Denver and I met with the install guy and talked about the Prius and possible issues faced with an aftermarket install - he said he hadn't done too many Prii, but he knew exactly what to do. He even said that more and more cars today have factory stereos like the Prius, and these types of issues are becoming much more common, and much easier to work with because they see it often enough.

Hope that makes sense!