2010 Overall Audio Quality

My iPod plugged into the AUX input of my III (with the JBL system) sounds phenomenal. No static at all. I don't think I'm quite the audiophile you appear to be, but I do have a pretty good ear, and I'm more than satisfied with what I'm hearing. I hope you're able to work out your static issue. (This is probably a silly question, but have your tried lowering the volume of your PMP? Maybe your input signal is too hot?)

 

You know, that might very well be the issue. With my old car I used a tape-to-1/8th, and always kept my PMP turned up, since there weren't any issues with the signal being too hot. But for the testing it was set to 36/40, so turning it down a bit very well might fix the static issue. Thanks for the reminder about that.

 

I got a small improvement from moving the front-back balance a very small amount back from center. In center setting I only hear the small dash speakers, pretty thin sound and in my face. Moving anything other than slightly back and I only hear the rear, there is just a narrow setting range where I hear the front door speakers much at all. I think this has something to do with the long slanting windshield creating a sound box with the dash.

 

After I got my GPS the next thing I've been looking at was whether or not to get a new radio and/or speakers for my car. The thought of someone cutting into my car to install speakers troubles me greatly. Sometimes, a song sounds great on the radio, and other times I notice that songs lack "richness" and no matter how many times I modify my bass/treble/balance settings, it doesn't enrich the sound any.

Has anyone else considered changing their radios and/or getting new speakers installed but are wary of going thru with it?

 

If you read through this thread I posted links to my install. It keeps the factory head unit. They replaced the speakers and added an amplifier. It looks exactly like stock. It sounds incredible. My install would only work on a trim II level without the JBL stereo system. I have zero complaints, nit-picks or anything. It's so simple and works so perfectly. It still shocks me how great it sounds.

 

Yes, I've read your posts and others who've installed subwoofers into their Prius. You've got more guts than I do. I'm just skittish about the whole thing and maybe I just need to get over it and bite the bullet. If I do get new speakers it probably won't be until next year (I need to save up some cash for it). I will admit I have been looking a new radio units just because some that I have seen on Amazon and Best Buy are "flashier" with larger interfaces. But that's probably an expense that isn't really necessary.

 

I have exactly the same issues with my 2010 IV. I called the 800 number and was given a case number and told to take to car back to the dealer.
If they do not solve the problem, Totoya will work with the dealer on it.
Everyone with this problem needs to report it to the 800 number so they
can figure out the problem and come up with a fix.

 

I just got my 2010 Prius 'exectutive' as the top model is called in Europe. This means it has the 8 speaker + navigation equipment. I find the sound a bit thin. I used to have a 2006 similar setup (not JBL though) and I think that system had better sound. Certainly more depth and power.

I haven't had any issues with the FM radio that seems to be doing its job properly. I don't have satellite radio, so perhaps the antenna is used for FM only in this model. It seems that this model differs slightly from the ones sold in the US. For example, there's a mystery USB-looking connector just above the CD-loading slot that I haven't quite figured out yet.

/Tage Widsell
Stockholm, Sweden

 

would agree .. JBL system was not what I was expecting ... the CDs and iPOD sound good ... I did modify the bass setting and moved the center of sound back a bit and that seemed to help ... I still cannot hear it well when on the road -- much better at a stand-still ...

My sound system in a 2000 Chevy truck is better than the 2010 JBL system ... I'd give it a barely satisfactory

 

I have a Prius II and thought I was missing out by not having the JBL sound system in my car. I've read too many reviews from Prius owners who say they are dissatisfied with their JBL. I'm definitely getting new speakers installed sometime in 2010. Hopefully that will bring me the results I'm seeking and won't be a waste of money.

 

My experience thus far has been favorable, I have owned several Camrys and an Avalon and my neighbor has an '09 with the JBL setup.. my '10 with 8 speaker JBL setup is noticeably better than what I have had in the past.

 

I have been very satisfied with my FM radio. The audio is very clean and the reception has been great. Unfortunately, I wish I could say the same about the XM satellite reception.

 

The radio reception and sound quality are poor with the JBL upgrade in my prius. However, playing CDs sounds much better. Does anyone have an idea if adding HD radio would improve the sound quality coming from the stock radio?

 

I hooked up my Ipod to the Prius today and my negative feelings about the JBL setup changed; the sound is quite good, not great but much better than when fed a signal from XM (which I have dropped) or from FM. The bass and mid-bass levels really came alive. The CD is also pretty good.
XM is a joke when it comes to audio quality but sounded better on my CR-V's system.

 

I think that he sound is great. Lots of bass but still clear in the mid and upper range. I am running a 16GB thumb drive and it works very well. Just plug it in and forget about it. Pressing and holding the Random button allows it to go random in sub-folders. I have my folders arranged
Artist-Album-Song

Love it.

 

So far well pleased with the JBL system in my 2010 V model. It seems to work well on the FM band as well. I do find that CD's are quite clear and the sound quite good. I also have XM and love the sound quality of that. I did find that I had to adjust the sound to the rear more, for better sound quality. But so far, quite pleased. It surely beats some of the past cars I have owned.

 

I too like the sound quality from the JBL system. The XM radio is very clean and detailed with great sound coming (mostly) from the front speakers.

 

Try adjusting the sound to rear slightly on the menu option. It makes a big difference and sounds much better....

 

I think mine actually came with a faulty speaker on the door behind me. It's either a tweeter, or the main speaker, but it definitely fuzzes like it is blown. I'm sure the dealer will take care of it for me.

 

This string seems to have confused two unrelated topics. It started with a complaint about poor FM reception and drifted into audio quality issues. Back to topic, as it says to the right of the window in which I am typing.

In my wife's brand new 2010 Prius III with navigation package and JBL audio, FM reception is markedly inferior to her previous Honda Accord and to my Honda Fit, and really not acceptable on her drive to work; it was perfectly reasonable in the Honda. Speaking as an audio engineer, the symptoms are simply those of too weak a signal, hissy and occasionally disappearing briefly. If the primary source of signal is the roof antenna, this is not surprising; the optimal length for FM reception would be a quarter-wavelength, about 31 inches, whereas the actual installed antenna is only about 7 inches long. Has anyone actually tried installing a longer antenna?

Ken G, Walnut Creek, CA