Base Stereo vs. JBL Stereo

In the European models I understand it to be no difference between the head units, they are at the same spec. I don't have the optional CD changer. But no there are no markings on the head unit at all for it. The sub is the best indicator for it that it is there...

 

So in UK also the Prius doesn't feature the JBL logo on the system? I browsed the net for some pictures of the car with JBL and not, and I'm totally confused, with the 2nd Gen. it was much more simple.

The car is a SOL trim level, it features HDD Satnav, 17" wheels, IPA, LED headlamps, light and rain sensors, HUD, JBL System with subwoofer and orange logos on the door cards, SKS, heated seats and other things. It laks the Radar Cruise Control, Solar power moonroof, USB and DAB.

Due to local conditions in Romania, Toyota and Lexus doesn't sell cars fitted with Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Assist, so that option in not available officially.

 

Indeed it doesn't in the UK, it is purely a speaker and external amplifier upgrade. Head Unit is the same. I've got same specs as you but also with USB and DAB. I'm glad as DAB together with JBL is brilliant...

 

Head unit is the same everywhere (except for model-specific upgrades). The JBL upgrade is strictly speakers and amp no matter where you are. In the US there's a JBL badge on the dash and on the doors.

 

Funny thing that my Gen2 has a different HU compared to non JBL units. First thing is the presence of the CD Changer + the JBL Logo and the special audio output for the JBL Amp, so for that reason is hard to put a JBL unit on a Prius w/o.

I read on a blog that the JBL Gen2 Prius uses a balanced audio output for the amplifier which is quite exotic for a car, compared to regular unbalanced fixed level outputs.

 

The GEN2 is totally different to the GEN3 in that area, it is not comparable...

 

The CD changer head unit isn't actually part of a JBL upgrade, but they may be packaged together in some models. In some models you can get the changer without JBL. But you're correct that the JBL amp may have specific requirements for its input, which would rule out some head units. I expect it changes from year to year as the sourcing for the head units changes. Also each model has a uniquely designed JBL system built just for that model. The Prius gets a sub, the v does not, etc. Speakers and amps also vary model to model.

Balanced amp inputs are actually well suited for a car environment where EMI/RFI is high.

 

I drove the Plug-in for 4 day and I looked all over the car, and it's Greenedge system sound lile paradise compared to my 9 speaker one, with deeper bass and high pitched highs, I had to turn down the high freq sounds to make it more "edible" for my ears. But the system doesn't feature any sub, only 8 speakers, which 4 of them are tweeters. The HU has a poor USB thumb drive support and it skipped tracks on my iPod Classic, but on CDs and Radio sounded great, the iPod sounded great too bot at random, after playing flawlessly some tracks, it skipped on during in the middle. Te system was the small one with the CD slot above the screen and 2D Graphics for the EV-HV system status.

Also looked at some Prius3 2009-2010 cars on the web and the navigation units feature that odd code, at least for the HDD enabled ones and the JBL System featured bright orange logos affixed to the door cards and no JBL Logo on the unit itself, so Toyota is at finest moments of making a soup of all the headunits and speaker system available for the Prii.

 

I use the NAV and Pandora on my smartphone on the II. Got the great Mountek mount that slips in the cd slot. I'd think that's the future, even with the patch cords.

But those 6x9 cheap front door woofers are the weak point. Can't wait to replace them but that's cheap.

Good $20 mount, maybe $70-$100 pair of speakers.

 

Local SoCal dealers required Bluetooth to be installed either stock (3) or added aftermarket (2), making the cost difference only $600. Considering I spent around $14 to Consumer Reports to get the net invoice/net kickback/net incentive price and bought the car for $100 under dealer cost + an extra tank of gas, I'm stoked that I got the upgraded stereo system and get good playback through the aux line and my phone.

 

Got a 2010 Prius IV with the JBL upgrades a few days ago. Sounds like the typical "hifi" system for the average consumer -- bloated bass and shrilly highs that's marginally better than most car stereos. I don't plan on doing any upgrades, as the sound isolation is about as poor as it is on my civic -- that is, 80-85dB noise on highways. No point to getting anything decent if I'm going to have to sacrifice my hearing for it.

 

The plug-in with it's GreenEdge system sound better than the 2nd Gen. Prius and the 3rd (the one with subwoofer), but even though it can't compare to BOSE or B&O cars or enthusiast made systems.

My old Nakamichi MB-X and RockFord Fosgate Fanatic-X components kicked JBL's transistors pretty hard, in terms of SPL and SQ and soundstage, but that system costed more than the navigation and JBL package combined.

 

I laughed to learn the stereo was a JBL product as I gave my old living room Reference 100s to my son when I bought some "real" speakers (Paradigm Reference 100s). It has decent sound for a car stereo, although nowhere near the quality of our BMW head unit (no surprise there). After upgrading my home system, my opinion changed over time and now I think that even the best JBL, Bose (today's Bose, not 40 years ago) and Sony products are more for mass-merchandising and not audiophile grade. That would be B&W, Adcom and McIntosh territory, a very dangerous and expensive addiction! That said, I'm not going to pump another $5K into my prius stereo.

 

BMW uses Harman Kardon right?
JBL, mark levinson are Harman brand..
but nice systems are not light, audiophile must be willing to sacrifice MPG.
the cd player on these car also not great, not sure if an audiophile will be willing to put a hi-end CD player ie Mark Levinson No512/ RotorGazmoTron XT-35000 cd player which cost EUR/USD$12K in the car.

 

I remember the day that european spec Lexuses were fitted with Nakamichi systems, and they were ok, even though they didn't had 1001 speakers fitted around the car.

It's clear that JBL is a mass-market brand, like many others but it has it's pluses, and the professional products by them are ok, at least I heard a dozen times JBL systems fitted in concerts, parties and the likes.

Auto and audiophile are two things that rarely combine and when they do it, often leave heavy footprints on the bank accounts.
In my opinion, only the H/K systems from BMW sound great, the Professional or the stock one sound quite weak and "puny" compared to other cars.

 

Hello!
I have the Big Soundpackage in my 2010 Prius, but without the NAV.
I have a real hard time to get bass from the speakers, i have the jbl subwoofer in the spare tire place but it doesnt do much.
Is it any difference to the sound quality with the nav or without the nav?