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

Bass not quite right after installing new stereo

Discussion in 'Prius v Audio and Electronics' started by Juan Ramirez, Dec 11, 2020.

  1. Juan Ramirez

    Juan Ramirez Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2020
    17
    8
    0
    Location:
    Fullerton, CA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I have a 2015 Prius with jbl speakers and installed an after market stereo mostly because I wanted airplay capabilities. In that sense it been very cool; what I expected.

    The sound definitely changed. I’m not an audiophile but I’d say it sounds crisper, and I have many more options in the eq. Problem is the bass doesn’t sound quite right. Seems somewhat hollow, doesn’t quite get there. I’m pretty sure it’s a little worse in this respect than before.

    So what can I do, if anything, I make it sound better? Anything with the built in amp? New speakers? Did I perhaps miss something?
     
    #1 Juan Ramirez, Dec 11, 2020
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    8,504
    5,066
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Did you use the car's amp with your new head unit?
     
    #2 rjparker, Dec 12, 2020
  3. eagle eye

    eagle eye Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2016
    12
    6
    0
    Location:
    texas
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Loss of bass could be due to the speakers being wired out of phase with each other. How many speakers are hooked up?
     
    #3 eagle eye, Dec 12, 2020
    Air_Boss likes this.
  4. Juan Ramirez

    Juan Ramirez Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2020
    17
    8
    0
    Location:
    Fullerton, CA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    On the pac unit I used the has an amp port.
     
    #4 Juan Ramirez, Dec 12, 2020
  5. Juan Ramirez

    Juan Ramirez Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2020
    17
    8
    0
    Location:
    Fullerton, CA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Would you believe I’m not sure? I have the premium jbl system. I actually saw a video online showing the speaker and they mention a subwoofer. I can’t imagine mine has a subwoofer but that might explain some things if I didn’t hook it up.

    As for the wiring, I followed the directions as well as I could.
     
    #5 Juan Ramirez, Dec 12, 2020
  6. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    8,504
    5,066
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    What does that mean?
     
    #6 rjparker, Dec 12, 2020
  7. eagle eye

    eagle eye Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2016
    12
    6
    0
    Location:
    texas
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    [QUOTE="Juan Ramirez, post: 3103679, member: 188814"As for the wiring, I followed the directions as well as I could.[/QUOTE]

    What kind of speaker cable connectors did you use? If there is only one plug for left and one for right, phase reversal shouldn't be an issue. If you had to connect two individual wires with either screw on, spade connectors, or dual banana plugs, try reversing the speaker cable connections for one side. If the speakers are out of phase this should correct it.
     
    #7 eagle eye, Dec 13, 2020
  8. Juan Ramirez

    Juan Ramirez Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2020
    17
    8
    0
    Location:
    Fullerton, CA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    What kind of speaker cable connectors did you use? If there is only one plug for left and one for right, phase reversal shouldn't be an issue. If you had to connect two individual wires with either screw on, spade connectors, or dual banana plugs, try reversing the speaker cable connections for one side. If the speakers are out of phase this should correct it.[/QUOTE]
    Thanks for taking the time. I think I figured out the issue. Opened it back up looking at everything and noticed the gain on the PAC unit. Apparently it was in the middle setting or so. That was affecting how loud I could turn it up without distorting and it seems causing the issue I was hearing.

    I turned it all the way down and the sound seems more balance now.
     
    #8 Juan Ramirez, Dec 13, 2020
    audiodave and Air_Boss like this.
  9. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2012
    4,044
    1,112
    0
    Location:
    New Yawk
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    May have been over-driven into distortion.
     
    #9 Air_Boss, Dec 13, 2020
  10. audiodave

    audiodave Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2017
    788
    269
    0
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Lots of factory systems are set up for the car. They eq it and do other adjustments for the car. Changing the deck you lose all that.
    Thanks for taking the time. I think I figured out the issue. Opened it back up looking at everything and noticed the gain on the PAC unit. Apparently it was in the middle setting or so. That was affecting how loud I could turn it up without distorting and it seems causing the issue I was hearing.

    I turned it all the way down and the sound seems more balance now.[/QUOTE]

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #10 audiodave, Dec 13, 2020
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)