Subwoofer and Amp install Help for 09 Prius with JBL System

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by 09priusdriver, Feb 15, 2022.

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  1. 09priusdriver

    09priusdriver New Member

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    Hello, I finally decided to install an aftermarket radio, amp, and subwoofer to my 09 Prius with JBL Audio. However, after hours of research on Youtube, and Google, I am under the impression that installing a subwoofer and amplifier to a JBL system can be very difficult. I have installed a sub, amplifier, and an aftermarket radio in a 08 civic in the past so I am familiar with some audio installation. (I will be using the same sub, amplifier, and aftermarket radio for this 09 Prius installation.)

    Since I have a JBL system I am aware that I will need to purchase the Axxess TYTO-01 Wiring Interface. I also know about the climate control error that appears if I do not use a 68 ohm resistor in the wiring of the car's radio.

    My main question is what is the easiest way to go about installing a subwoofer and amplifier to a JBL system using the equipment I have now? And if not what items can I purchase to make this work? Since I am feeling like I won't be able to do this installation because of the JBL system.

    Thanks I appreciate any feedback.

    Aftermarket Radio: FH-X700BT
    Amplifier: AC2500.1M Planet Audio Amplifier
    Subwoofer: Kenwood KFC-W3016PS 12-Inch 2000W
     
    #1 09priusdriver, Feb 15, 2022
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  2. PriusHead05

    PriusHead05 Member

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    The JBL system already has an amplifier under the passenger seat, so I am not exactly sure how to go about putting in another amplifier. The only thing I could guess it use the OEM JBL amp with the wiring harness and then use the ports on the back of the new headunit that are for the aftermarket amp and subwoofer. In my Gen 3, I was planning on putting a subwoofer/amp combo underneath my passenger seat when ever I install a new headunit, but mine doesn't have the JBL system and amp. The JBL system is actually pretty easy to deal with when installing just a headunit. Some of the audio geniuses who have dealt with this more than I have will probably reply here pretty soon.
     
    #2 PriusHead05, Feb 16, 2022
  3. 09priusdriver

    09priusdriver New Member

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    Oh okay so you're saying its probably better or maybe easier to use the OEM JBL amp instead? I don't really have much experience with wiring up two amplifiers so I will probably just make use of the OEM JBL amp. Thanks for the feedback.

    BTW I did find this pdf on PriusChat but I think they are bypassing the JBL amp?: Subwoofer installation in my 2008 Prius (with JBL Audio) | PriusChat
    I think this might be what I am looking for if I do decide to use my aftermarket amp but I got confused with step 16, tapping into the JBL amplifier's wires as I don't have much experience with this.
     
    #3 09priusdriver, Feb 16, 2022
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  4. Another

    Another Senior Member

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    The real question is why anyone would want a sub-woofer in a car.
     
    #4 Another, Feb 19, 2022
  5. PriusHead05

    PriusHead05 Member

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    When you drive an Avalon with a JBL sound system and a subwoofer, you will know why. A subwoofer finishes out the sound system very nicely. I never knew why anyone would want one either, but when you hear the difference, you'll know. know some people like a subwoofer to shake the whole car; but if you have subwoofer set a certain way in the subwoofer settings of your radio, you can make it sound very good with not too much bass. Also, they make some subwoofers very small and compact so that it will fit underneath the seat. Its called a subwoofer/amplifier combo
     
    #5 PriusHead05, Feb 20, 2022
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  6. Another

    Another Senior Member

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    I’ve only observed them in cars at stop lights where the idiot shakes the whole area. I have one on my home audio system for TV surround sound but as you say at a low level.
     
    #6 Another, Feb 20, 2022
  7. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Even better (IMO) is the spare tire sub-woofer option. The two underseat powered subs I've tried previously don't compare.

    A tremendous bang 4 buck is the high/self-powered rockville. YES, it can be adjusted to overpower the car (thumping, rattle stuff) but it has a hand controller to adjust it to "perfect" amounts of fill in low end bass that traditional door mount speakers fail to achieve.

    The huge plus (besides being incredibly affordable) is it takes up zero extra room in cars with a spare tire or a spare tire area and is hidden from the bad people. It has quick disconnects when one does need to access the spare.

    Rockville RockGhost Active 8" Car Subwoofer For 15"/16"/17" Full Size Spare Tire

    My current setup in a Mazda 5 uses two powered 8 inch subs: a soundforce front underseat and this rockville spare tire sub for the rear setup. They are connected to the sub-outs from the Pioneer headunit. Comparing the two is a non-contest as the rockville makes the soundforce almost sound (pun not intended) like it's not hooked up or something. It's that big of a difference yet they are the same price. The only downside I can think of is size as the rockville is too big to fit under most seats (it wasn't designed to); maybe some trucks.
     
    #7 fotomoto, Feb 20, 2022
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  8. 09priusdriver

    09priusdriver New Member

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    I think I will actually look into purchasing this or another subwoofer with a built in amplifier because I think that might make the install easier for my simple mind. Thanks ! I am still confused on bypassing the JBL amplifier though. In the guide I linked above the user cut speaker wire in half. One half was dedicated as positive and the other half was dedicated as negative. Then they split the wires so that there is two negatives for rear left and rear right and two positives for rear left and rear right. Does this sound right? I do not have any experience with wire tap-in squeeze connectors so this part is new for me.
     
    #8 09priusdriver, Feb 22, 2022
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  9. 09priusdriver

    09priusdriver New Member

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    Sorry didn't mean to spam but I couldn't figure out how to edit my message above. If I use my aftermarket radio with RCA cables to wire into my aftermarket amp, I do not need to tap into the speaker wires of the OEM JBL amp for the high level input, therefore the speaker wires for high level input doesn't need to be used correct?
     
    #9 09priusdriver, Feb 23, 2022
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  10. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Crutchfield is an awesome resource for questions like these. Also, they can build, fairly cheaply and quickly, harness adapters to by-pass the JBL or any other specific need one has.

    GOOD LUCK!
     
    #10 fotomoto, Feb 23, 2022
  11. OBJUAN

    OBJUAN Member

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    Audio level coming from the JBL head is fixed. The JBL head (steering wheel) has digital adjustments on a control bus to tell the remote JBL amp to volume up/down or the MDF to adjust front/rear/right/left and tone levels. Should be able to find mating connectors for the speakers to bypass the remote amp. Basically you will abandon the JBL system and rewire new head system and power amps. IMO, save the money for the HV battery...
     
    #11 OBJUAN, Mar 11, 2022
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  12. Hybrid Larry

    Hybrid Larry New Member

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    Just put a line out converter in, I plan to try it in my 04, wire it to the rear speaker wires coming out of the head unit before the amp, you would splice it, they would go to jbl amp and LOC, then run your rcas from loc to amp along with remote wire (I wired it to cigarette lighter, and rewired cigarette lighter to have constant power) and power ground sound!
    I don’t see why you couldn’t wire in a loc from rear speakers after the amp too, loc should be adjustable for sending power to amp, this is how I’m going to try it since idk what color the wires are for rear speakers
     
    #12 Hybrid Larry, Mar 25, 2022
  13. Eric Dudley

    Eric Dudley Junior Member

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    This what I did with my 08
     

    Attached Files:

    #13 Eric Dudley, Apr 2, 2022
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  14. Another

    Another Senior Member

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    How’s your hearing?
     
    #14 Another, Apr 3, 2022
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  15. kenoarto

    kenoarto Senior Member

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    what are the red tubes?
     
    #15 kenoarto, Nov 15, 2024
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