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Base Stereo vs. JBL Stereo

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by The Critic, Jun 4, 2009.

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  1. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    For those of you who have sampled both the base stereo (found in the Prius II) and the upgraded JBL stereo, how do the two compare?

    Is the JBL stereo worth the extra $1000? Are the differences between the two significant or are they minimal?

    I am not interested in bluetooth, so that isn't a consideration for me.

    Thanks!
     
    #1 The Critic, Jun 4, 2009
  2. sferris

    sferris New Member

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    Interested in this as well..
     
    #2 sferris, Jun 5, 2009
  3. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    I would be interested to hear the comparison also. My 09 JBL gets crackin' fairly well on the open highway. It is pretty clear and strong at higher volumes, although not up to audiophile standards. No subwoofer, but there is some base presence. Doubt Gen3 has a sub either.

    I tried base audio sytems a lot in both a 2009 Matrix and Rav4, and they were weak. They just couldn't cut through at highway speeds, lacked clarity, and distorted at higher volumes.

    I wanted JBL because I couldn't see having the door panels and carpets pulled up / off of a new car for a 3rd party job. Just me. (Toyota does not add JBL after factory).

    Little off topic but hope that helps.
     
    #3 cycledrum, Jun 5, 2009
  4. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    w/o having the base audio to compare to, the Gen 3's soundstage is much improved, as well as bass response. The size of the sub "required" to fill the bass the 6x9's miss is probably not worth installing if you care about cargo space. The 2" squawkers do a pretty nice job w/ the upper-mids and highs as well and really bring the sound stage up to the windshield level vs. down at the door level.
     
    #4 HTMLSpinnr, Jun 5, 2009
  5. sferris

    sferris New Member

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    wonder how the base stereo compares..
     
    #5 sferris, Jun 5, 2009
  6. Vincent

    Vincent Don't Wait Until Tomorrow

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    If this is any help, to my ears the 2010 JBL stereo is a big improvement over the 2006 JBL unit. I'm not an audiophile, but the 2010 seems to have a clearer radio signal and a stronger bass all-around.
     
    #6 Vincent, Jun 5, 2009
  7. Spartane

    Spartane Member

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    I just about started a post on this last night for more details on this, but I couldn't decide what to ask.

    I believe the JBL stereo has a CD changer; does it occupy the same form factor as the base stereo, or is the CD changer part separate?

    Are there any pictures with the radio turned on so we can see the display, or any detailed specs on the radio?

    Does JBL have a page that describes it?
     
    #7 Spartane, Jun 5, 2009
  8. DetPrius

    DetPrius Active Member

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    I asked the CD changer question yesterday of my sales guy and I was told that the 6 CDs are inserted through the dash. There is no external storage unit for the 6 CDs as some earlier CD changer models had (in general, not Prius). I'm not that interested in a CD changer, and I didn't want give up any space to an external CD changer in the center console or trunk area. BTW, I'm also interested in the same question posed here as I'm interested in a pkg II or III and may have one or the other, or a choice, coming in the next few weeks.
     
    #8 DetPrius, Jun 5, 2009
  9. Indyking

    Indyking Happy Hyundai owner...

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    Couldn't find anything on it... lots of people are interested in this comparison due to the expressive price tag differences between II and III...

    I personally don't listen much to CDs anymore, so having the ability to load 6 CDs in the dashboard (Prius III) is pretty useless for me, just 1 CD like in the Prius II is enough. Most of the time, I listen to satellite radio or my IPod, which are both possible with the Prius II. Bluetooth is not a big deal for me because I will use the car mostly for hwy drive and I found the road noise on the hwy somewhat disturbing during my test drive... I doubt the noise would allow me to carry on a decent phone conversation in the hwy…
     
    #9 Indyking, Jun 5, 2009
  10. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    Correct -all changers are in the dash. NAV versions JBL's have 4 discs, non-NAV JBL's versions have 6.

    I've found road noise to be rather non-intrusive for a phone conversation via Bluetooth. What's more intrusive is the A/C running on high. Eco mode helps tone that down a bit tho ;)
     
    #10 HTMLSpinnr, Jun 5, 2009
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  11. Husker4theSpurs

    Husker4theSpurs Active Member

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    It would be kind of nice to have the climate control automatically back down to "Medium fan speed" when a bluetooth call is made ... just one nice little improvement that would be much appreciated :)
     
    #11 Husker4theSpurs, Jun 5, 2009
  12. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    Guess you could manually turn it down... I've done that in worst case, but even at high, it's not terribly hard to hear unless the far-end has a bad connection. For most of us, we're having to up the mic volume gain though in the service menu to be audible.
     
    #12 HTMLSpinnr, Jun 5, 2009
  13. sferris

    sferris New Member

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    can anyone offer impressions on the base stereo?
     
    #13 sferris, Jun 5, 2009
  14. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    I can offer an opinion on the iconic (G2) base stereo, which is crap, but haven't had the opportunity to crank up the G3 yet. The upgraded JBL unit was not wonderful, either, and certainly not worth the difference in price. I'm sure you'd get far better sound quality from an aftermarket system.
     
    #14 hyo silver, Jun 5, 2009
  15. Argyle

    Argyle New Member

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    It would kind of nice if the CD changer dispensed money like an ATM when you enter your PIN on the radio buttons. :D

    Hey, if you are going to dream, dream big.
     
    #15 Argyle, Jun 5, 2009
  16. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    All you'd need is a satellite link, a card reader, and a cash card. A tad pricey for your car, maybe, but not difficult. :)
     
    #16 hyo silver, Jun 5, 2009
  17. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    6 speakers and most likely no separate amplifier ....

    probably lack full sound and clarity, especially at higher volumes.

    Doubt most with II will want to confirm this, but the Gen2 pack2 fit description.
     
    #17 cycledrum, Jun 5, 2009
  18. Can'tWait

    Can'tWait Junior Member

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    ofcourse it is a personal choice...

    As for me, I just ordered a II. It already has 6 speakers, I felt that is enough for such a small car..I think I can pop in one CD at a time; so the 6 CD option is not a big deal...as for bluetooth, it is not a priority...I felt 1K extra for these is little too much.
     
    #18 Can'tWait, Jun 5, 2009
  19. Indyking

    Indyking Happy Hyundai owner...

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    It's not only that. Prius 3 is Satellite radio ready with 3 months free subscrition, Prius 2 is sat radio compatible, meaning the dealer will charge you extra $500 to make it ready and no free subscription.
     
    #19 Indyking, Jun 7, 2009
  20. dmhorn28

    dmhorn28 New Member

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    I too have nothing to add about the base stereo. But the JBLs speakers are unfortunately set right next to the windshield and rattle the rearview mirror.

    Bluetooth, however, worked well at 65mph with air on.
     
    #20 dmhorn28, Jun 7, 2009
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