Difference in Audio quality?

I test drove a Prius C II (in Canada it's the base model). I thought the stereo was pretty good. I've read that the I's stereo is very poor quality. I would compare the II's quality to the stereo in the 2012 liftback. It's got better base response and speaker positioning (tweeters up high) than most subcompacts in lower trim levels. In short, the II on up has a pretty good stereo. (I also paired my phone and found it worked really well both ways.)

 

I test drove the Prius C 3 and i also thought it had a decent stereo. Definitely worth the upgrade from the base model, which only has the 4 speakers. Once my Prius C 3 arrives at the dealership, im going to install a subwoofer and maybe replace the speakers if i feel that it would be worth it. The car itself is also pretty quiet so that helps as far as the sound quality goes.

 

Not at all impressed with the sound quality or interface in either the c2 or c3/4. The speakers get distorted very easily. Also when I test drove the 3 the nav/interface of the touch screen system was very annoying compared to Cadillac, Audi, or even Ford/Chevy. Prius C doesn't even have a dvd/avi playback feature for the kids...
My main reason for purchasing the c2 instead of a 3 or 4 was because the head unit will be much easier to replace with a dvd/nav/backup camera unit once wiring harnesses come out; the head unit in the 3/4 is too integrated with the car itself to feasibly change to another unit. And yes, the speakers MUST be changed out if you enjoy sound quality.

 

I am still tossing up between the C2 or C3, but one of the first things I will be doing is replacing all the speakers.

 

Crutchfield conducted a recent study that showed upgrading the head unit first was the best way to give the initial biggest boost to sound quality. Of course, there's no harness available yet, so speakers are the next best thing.

 

My c3 rocks with the hd radio!superb sound quality no distortion. Action donkey I can't believe you even made that kind of comment

 

LOL, it's all good if you like it that's what matters:rockon:. I test drove the C3 and specifically opted for the c2 due to the questionable sound quality and poor UI of the entune/nav unit. Admittedly I have high standards for audio equipment and was probably expecting too much since my other car is an Audi q5 with a Bang & olufsen system; however even the salesman said the audio quality in the C3 was disappointing.

 

I was very disappointed in the quality of my C3. Perhaps I'll grow used to it, but I don't think so. My experience differs wildly depending on the song and/or source. I hate most of the satellite content. It all sounds compressed and tinny. FM radio is poor for most stations unless I can find an HD station. The HD stations are okay. Still listening to the radio, even HD stations, is very fatiguing to my ears.

The CD and iPod / USB stick sounds pretty good. I think if I swapped out the speakers with some Polk DB6501 speakers it might sound great. Just a guess. At this point I'm unsure what size and depth speaker would fit. I'm thinking 6.5". I know the head unit would not power the speakers to their full capability, but if you got speakers with 92db efficiency they should be louder than even the stock speakers yet not fatiguing to the ears. There is just some frequency range or several bumps that are overly emphasized. There's no way I want to undertake replacing ( or paying for ) a new head unit.

 

I drive around in my C3 relatively all day and I listen to my IPOD, it is just fine for anyone JUST listening to music. I guess IF you have the ear for it, you might upgrade, but it sounds great to me.

 

Hey there Pensacola; Crestview here! Did you buy the white C3 they had there at Bob Tyler?

 

I think the sound is pretty clear, just not as loud as I like. My Honda Fit sport's stereo was better.

 

I listen to audiobooks on my drive and my first impression is I love the plug in feature of the Ipod but the stereo seems to lack for power.

 

I wasn't satisfied with the factory settings of my Prius C-3 either, but I set the EQ (if you want to call Hi,Mid,Bass EQ) for each audio source and set the speakers to be 2 clicks to the rear speakers I found that to be satisfactory

 

I could not possibly agree more. I just got my c2 on Wednesday and I am severely disappointed with the sound of the radio. There's like no power behind it, it just has waaaaaay too much treble and bass, no mid range or any real low end. It makes me sad and I don't know where to begin. I just dropped a large chunk of money on a down payment and I don't want to have to go out and spend a bunch more on a whole new stereo and speakers. Argh.

 

Todd, I'm sorry about your bad experience. The same thing happened to me with the highly distorted stereo on my last car, a 2009 Civic Hybrid.

When I listened to a Prius c Two on Friday, the radio didn't sound very clear, like everything was being played in a cave while I stood outside of it. I couldn't even understand spoken words.

 

Yeah, it just sounds flat and tinny...no crunch or low end at all. I love the car, but I just need a new radio, and hopefully that's all. I think maybe something with like a decent Pioneer 50watt x 4 and a decent EQ will fix it instead of having to get all new speakers. I was stupid and ordered the two without waiting for the dealer to get a three or four in to compare.

 

I have a 2015 prius c 4 and the stock speakers are crap. when i took them out i was suprised at size of the magnets and the overall quality of the speakers. I replaced them with the OEM audio plus refrence system which uses a carbon fiber speaker. sound quality is now awesome.

 

I've kind of found that "audiophiles" or people who simply want to install upgrades to their sound system will inevitably hate whatever stock system comes with the vehicle. And I think that's fine, it's a baseline that can be improved.

However, I've also found that as I grow older, I can't really hear the difference in quality anymore, and I have no desire to install a system that creates a pavement shaking "Sensurround" experience.

So I'll just go on record as saying I think the stock system in my base Prius Two is Awesome.

And whatever the reality is? Just let me keep my illusion alive.