Question for Prius II Owners on your Sound System?

Do you believe that anyone anywhere, much less this forum would base the decision on which Prius generation to purchase based on how CD's sound? This question wins the prize!

In terms of the sound, I just traded my Gen II with JBL for a Gen III AT. The sound is a little better in the new one. That should setting your decision.

 

I have a 2010 Prius II, so far I am satisfy with the audio system. I listen to the radio and CD, some mp3 (using AUX).

Before, I bought my car, I tested drive Prius III with JBL, and do not remember big different. However, it is not a side by side comparison.

My personal opinion, it is not worthy to paid extra $1000 dollar plus tax for JBL 6cd changer and bluetooth. But, if the dealer willing to give some discount for the III with JBL, I will consider that.

 

I think the radio is ok in my car. I used to drive a 04 impala with the stock radio and it even comes with an amp and is sounded way better. But i'm content with the radio is my bone stock prius. If your big on the sound quality thing i will admit its not very good, in my mind. But if that was the case i would just say buy the car and a few months down the road put in a really nice radio. i have seen people complaining about the jbl also, so maybe an after market system would be better for you.

 

The sound is not very good but this is largely a matter of personal judgment. In fact, the sound system pales in comparison to the one I had in my 328 BMW and the one I currently have in my CR-V (both stock systems, btw). I am not a fan of Bose systems (either in vehicles or elsewhere) but some people swear by them. From my personal observation, the JBL system in any Prius is not even a mid-level audio system so I would not let that influence your choice.

 

Hello Stedye:

I have a G2, package V with the JBL 9 channel system. I am underwhelmed by it.

I can't comment on the G3 systems. But on my JBL system, their choice of center frequencies and Qs for the shelving bands seems to be poor. The mid and low band settings are quite critical, and it took me a long while to find combinations that would adequately cover the genres of music to which I listen.

Bass response is weak, especially since excessive increases in the low shelving results in overly pronounced mid range bass with too much mud and not enough low end.

Fortunately, the system allows for customized EQ and fade/balance settings for each input. So I have AM, FM, and CD each optimized independently.

Again, I don't know how this translates to the G3s.

Best wishes,

Frank

 

Yeh, go for the model III with the JBL system so that you too can have a rear view mirror that vibrates; the model II simply lacks that feature!!!

 

For the difference in price you can add REAL sound from the aftermarket. I did.

 

mine will shake the mirror, maybe not rattle it, but it does vibrate alot if there is alot of bass. lol

 

Stedye:

I think it's safe to assume that you are an audiophile. I've always been a fan of Harmon Kardon and Bose. I bought a Prius II and plan on upgrading the sound system, but I'm not sure which brand to go with, and wanted your opinion. I considered Memphis, but I'm not married to them. If you've gotten your Prius, could you let me know what you advise switching out/keeping? I'd really appreciate your help. =)

Chance

 

The one main area that Toyota REALLY needs to get their act together on, is the sound system, for a company that is based in Japan, and a car that is built there, the Prius has a terrible system, JBL or not.

 

The Gen II probably had the lightest speakers ever built (for their size). I believe that was Toyota's goal. I guess for the weight they were probably not bad. And maybe the majority of their customers might not mind the loss of music fidelity. However, they were easy to replace, and I now have great sound and still have steering wheel and touch screen integration. So whether Toyota can get great sound at a weight they can tolerate is going to be interesting to watch in the future.

 

'Easy to replace' seems so relative lol. I'd love to upgrade my (hopefully soon to be mine) Prius II's stereo but am not technically proficient at something like that. Anyone had any experience with having this work done? How much can I expect to pay in labor?

 

I listened to a III and a II before deciding on the Prius II. I felt the 6 speaker system had more bass while the III has more upper frequency (highs) quality.

I don't talk on the phone while driving so the bluetooth was useless. I use a XM radio I can move between vehicles so the sat ready Pruis III along with the 6 cd changer was not needed.

I like bass so I decided on the Prius II. Besides for the $1000 I saved, I can install a 12 inch sub with amplifier for less than $500 and have bass so loud it will loosen the fillings in your teeth!

 

I'm glad to read the audio difference isn't that much. I didn't go for the JBL sound system either. I'll slowly upgrade the audio in the prius with aftermarket stuff and hopefully end up with something fantastic.