WOW! What an improvement!!

Can you do a write up so many others can do the same? I have no experience with audio hardware mods (just B-Quiet Extreme). I would love to do something like yours.

 

I could see that... My home stereo has something similar. I'm sure a proper EQ would make a huge difference. I just didn't realize there were add-on devices for cars. Off to see how much it costs...

EDIT: ~$400? Ouch.

 

With a username like banjoman, how can we ever trust your opinion relating to music?

Tom

 

It sounds very promising but .............$400.00 for an electronic automatic parametric EQ?

Besides,it is not suitable for all types of Prius audio equipment with out cutting audio wires lines but, it is direct plug and play for newer Alpine line of amps.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mrbigh @ Oct 25 2007, 05:01 PM) [snapback]530497[/snapback]</div>

It made enough of an impact that JL Audio dropped the price of their (less featured) CleanSweep 441dsp $100 when the Alpine unit was introduced.

I paid about $259 for my CleanSweep. The $450 for the Alpine unit was a little more than I was willing to pay for a unit which was still an unknown quantity at the time I was upgrading my audio system. If you are serious about getting decent sound in your Prius, and not willing to give up the factory head unit, you're looking at $250 minimum to clean up the uneven frequency response of the JBL amp (unless you're willing to give up a few things and try a LOC with remote volume control off the constant level head unit outputs).

You're going to be very limited to what you can do to upgrade your Prius audio system if you aren't willing to cut a wire or two.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(banjoman @ Oct 24 2007, 08:32 PM) [snapback]530043[/snapback]</div>

:mellow: For those of us who haven't replaced the JBL system, would it work for us? $400 wouldn't be bad if we didn't have to replace everything else too!

Lee

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(banjoman @ Oct 24 2007, 08:32 PM) [snapback]530043[/snapback]</div>

Many home theater receivers and processors already have that feature. Pioneer's Elite VSX-49TX was one of the first receivers if not the first to incorporate this (over four years ago), and now the technology has trickled down all the way to the $850 retail Denon AVR-2308CI. Upgrading your A/V receiver or processor is probably a much better choice than trying to add it on.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Gadgetdad @ Oct 25 2007, 08:23 PM) [snapback]530505[/snapback]</div>

It would work for you or any one if you where able to "test" drive the Clean Sweep installed by a pro-installer or some body with a solid knowledge of car audio gear installations to have it done right. If it does not sound with the advertised "excel sound" your decision will be to de-install it at only labor costs expenses. A reputable car audio company will accept the challenge. Besides, more likely it will be other interface supplies involved to implement this equipment.

Installation will be right for the ones with the skimpy JBL external amplifier ( under the passenger's seat) and stock HU.

If the total cost averages 400, it is not a bad investment the addition of the Alpine's Clean Sweep.

In my case, I have the standard HU with all new Infinity gear; pwr amp, sub woofer and replaced door speakers over 2 1/2 layers of Bquiet, the cabin was internally Eq'ed with an spectrum analyzer for a FLAT response and a dual 24 band parametric EQ, adjusting mood settings through my carputer front end.

The sound on the Prii can be improved, and a lot, depending on your budget.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(banjoman @ Oct 25 2007, 07:06 PM) [snapback]530537[/snapback]</div>

If you've adjusted the delays for a person sitting in the driver's seat (it sounds like you have), you've actually made things worse for the passenger, as now the left speaker sounds even farther away for them, while you've positioned yourself equidistant from both speakers. Just something to consider when setting up the time delay feature.

IMHO, every link in the Prius audio chain is weak, and you can't have improved audio without replacing the speakers, adding an amp, and adding equalization. With a good pair of component speakers a subwoofer becomes optional. A new (additional) high-power head unit and component speakers is actually the cheapest upgrade that will neutralize or eliminate all of the weak links in the Prius audio system. Keeping the stock head unit means spending a minimum of $500 for equalization and amplification.

Does the Alpine unit apply different corrections at different volume settings, or is it one curve regardless of volume setting, like the JL Audio CleanSweep? I don't view this as a disadvantage, as I would actually prefer to have the effect of a loudness circuit at lower volumes (which is why I don't use the CleanSweep's volume control).

 

Banjoman, sounds like you gave up on the steering wheel controls?

This is very timely information...

I just finished installing a mono amp and subwoofer to my 2008 JBL system. The boomy distorted bass that comes from the front door speakers makes the system sound terrible. I should have enough power from the stock amp and my sub to do what is needed in this small quiet car but it needs lots of work before I will be happy.

My 2008 JBL amp has three plugs not two as I have seen in a few other's write-ups. I added a Sony XM-1S amp because it stacks nicely on top of the factory JBL amp under the passenger seat. Sony amps are close to my last choice in amplifiers but this one seemed to meet my requirements best so I thought I would give it a try.

So far it's just OK, seems a bit underpowered but it's hard to tell with such a poor source. I tapped off the rear channels speaker outputs of the JBL amp. I also installed 100Uf caps on the stock speakers hoping to cut out some of the bass. That crossover point/slope is still too low/flat to keep the muddy bass out of the stock speakers. I took this approach with my BMW HK system and had great results, not so great results with the Prius.

I want to keep the factory head unit, I also want the system to operate as it was designed (steering wheel volume, bluetooth through LF speaker, automatic mute for incoming calls, NAV over LF speaker). I like Alpine gear, specifically the PDX amps and Type R subs.

I am hoping the new 2008 JBL amp has pre-amp level inputs, the third plug? I need to test the signal on the thin wires to see what it is and see how it reacts when I unplug the amp. I spend quite a bit of time in my car, I like music, so I don't mind spending a few bucks to get the sound system up to par.

It's just a little disappointing when my seven year old ext cab pickup with used MB Quart speakers, used e-bay thunderform 2-10 box, used e-bay clarion amp, and $199 Pioneer deck system sounds 1000% better than my new quiet car... Total spend on the truck was less than $500.

 

If the crappy JBL "premium" audio system in the Prius hadn't soured you on the idea of ever putting anything else branded "JBL" into your car:

JBL is set to release a OEM integration processor similar to the Alpine unit at a price point of around $800. Like the Alpine unit, it was announced long ago and is taking forever to make it to the retailers. People were talking about the Alpine unit for at least a year it seems, and its release kept getting delayed (one reason I gave up on waiting for it). The JBL unit seems to have even more capabilities than the Alpine unit (it should, at a 50% higher price point). It seems to have very flexible inputs, and the auto-calibration feature uses three different listening points at each seating position. Apparently you put on this headphone-like contraption and are instructed to sit in each of the seats of your car during calibration and move your head to look in different directions. It has built-in 20 watt amps for the eight output channels, as well as electronic crossovers, and of course time delay and equalization. It looks like you could actually bi-amp both front and rear component speakers with just this unit if you were willing to use the built-in amplification. Here are some useful links:

http://www.audiogroupforum.com/csforum/sho...ead.php?t=65668

http://news.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/10381/350345.html

http://www.12volt.com/index.php?option=com...Itemid=88889342

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USsrTQzq8xQ

I need to keep convincing myself that I've hit the sweet spot for price/performance and that I don't need to make any further changes to my Prius audio system. Still, it sounds like an impressive unit, and the prototypes seem to be performing well.

 

From a thread on diymobileaudio.com, referring to an article on audiogroupforum.com that I can't find:

 

Ya know, this whole thing smacks of conspiracy.

First, JBL supplies Toyota with an OE audio system with a frequency response that looks like a silhouette of the Himalayas.

Then, to solve this problem, they offer an $800 device to "fix" the output of the OE system.

I smell a rat.

 

Where did you find the Alpine PXE-H650? I've had one on back order for some time.

Glad to hear it works well.

Please give an update. Especially on mounting and if you have tried hooking it up different ways. I was thinking to put it under the passenger seat and to put my JL amp under the driver's seat, but will probably just run both to the trunk.

 

My Alpine unit is finally on the way (a different ebay seller for $340 shipped).

Can you help me understand how I can use it and keep the steering wheel controls.

You say it needs to be installed before the JbL amp to do this, but I can't picture why that works and putting it after the JBL amp (and before the added amp) wouldn't work.

Have you tried it both ways (before and after the stock JBL amp)? If so, what are the pros and cons.

I appreciate any input. Pictures or diagrams would be welcome too