How much better does JBL sound than factory system in Gen III

Installing aftermarket speakers are a better way to improve sound. I wouldn't pay extra unless it was a Bose system.

 

^^^
Even using the base head unit?

Going w/model '11 Three or above also gets you a CD changer (not worth much to me) and Bluetooth phone support.

 

If you're an audio snob, then no and replace the base system with a $$$$ aftermarket solution. If you think most base systems are OK and don't want to spend the big bucks to upgrade them then the JBL will adequately suffice.

If I had to do it all over again, I'd still get the JBL. It's not outstanding/superb but good enough (for me).

 

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...ctronics/62800-base-stereo-vs-jbl-stereo.html

 

I actually don't have any seat time in a non-JBl 3rd gen Prius, but -

The JBL has the 2 extra tweeters mounted high on rear passenger doors, plus it has a amplifier under the passenger's seat. I suppose the speakers are of higher quality, but don't know.

Typically, base systems do not have a seperate amplifier, lack lows and highs, and when you turn volume up more to get something, they lack some clarity and power. But, it's all personal, and if you like it, that's all that matters.

There is unfortunately moderate tire and road noise in Prius at highway speeds, so clarity and power in audio will help.

The '11 JBL can sounds pretty good with a high quality CD. For example, most of Celine Dion's music quality is really good and well produced. Other artists stuff may not sound as good. source is important.

Would it satisfy an audiophile or someone looking for powerful bass? Not even close, but the JBL does produce a pretty good, and IMO, nicely balanced sound field.

 

The base radio is just that, does not include USB or Blutooth, and sounds "base". The JBL is slightly better, includes USB and Blutooth, but cost apx $1000 more, or apx $3000 more with the NAV. I will add that NAV is convenient, but a $150 Garmin with free lifetime is far superior to the $2000 factory upgrade, which still cost apx $200 for an annual update disk.

Let your ears, needs and money can make the decision for you.

 

The JBL gets you hands-free dialing with Bluetooth plus an AUX jack. It does not give you USB. You have to get the Nav package to get USB and Bluetooth streaming.

 

Stand corrected, thanks.

 

Hi Cindy,

It's JBL made for Toyota, so it's all original equipment installed when car is built in Japan.

I had a pretty good listen to the sound system in the new 2012 Three which is same as Two, which is the base system.

2011 JBL - with a good source* (CD, etc..) - I like it a lot and I'm a little picky about music having played drums for years. Nice little boom in lows, crisp highs, turn it up, it responds. It doesn't have fender shaking bass by any means, but it's enough to shake the rearview mirror.

base sound system - turn it up and not too much happens. lacks lows and highs, not powerful or all that clear. Just ok for me. It sucks a little that must get the 2012 Four to get JBL, but it's the new JBL GreenEdge which hopefully is even better. It is what it is and that's base audio from Three down.

I played my JBL at 34 volume, base system at 40 volume , same tunes, JBL much better than base system

* When checking system, must have a good quality source CD or mp3, etc. No sense to evaluate it with a lousy FM station. XM radio sounds pretty good in car.

 

i have the Prius 4 JBL system. the sound is not impressive at all. I suggest to go for aftermarket.

 

When I was looking to buy my Prius, did sit and listened to both a JBL and non-JBL model. Not a big audiophile, so I saw no big difference worth paying the extra $.

 

Have the 2011 II but never considered the III. It depends on your needs as another poster said. Am happy with the base stereo. The base unit certainly seems better than my '07. Check eBay for used systems or pull outs from new cars, maybe that will save you some money.

 

Some have said the JBL in only 'slightly' better than the base audio system ...

btw, if you're trying to eval the sound system with FM radio, forget it. Use a good sound source.

how is that possible given the JBl has a seperate amplifier mounted under the front passenger seat and the non-JBL has no seperate amp?

The JBL has quite a bit stronger lows and highs and it projects and cuts through road noise. problem with base systems is you turn them up on the road and they don't project, high and lows are weaker, ... they don't do too much.

I find the 2011 JBL pretty good for the class of car. It's just about as good as the '270 W premium' stock sound system that was in my 2011 Accord Coupe EX.

I used the same CD, turned up the non-JBL pretty far a tried to tune it. Beauty is in ears of the beholder, but it sounded like most of the base systems I've heard in Toyota Rav4s, other Prius and such.

Although the JBL doesn't have bumper rattling bass if that's what one likes, it is clearly better than the base systems, not just slightly better.

 

I have to agree with Cycledrum, on my 2011 Prius III w/ JBL non nav, the sound is not just slightly better, its clearly better, compared to stock, but you could probably do even better with aftermarket.

 

Agreed as I, also, can compare it to the Honda "premium audio" in the wife's Civic.

My suggestion is to take a thumb drive with MP3's or, better yet, a favorite CD to test both systems. The JBL sounds remarkably better with higher bit-rate sound sources. Listening to FM or even highly compressed SAT on a test drive won't demonstrate much (garbage in-garbage out).

 

I read about the GreenEdge and then paid for the upgrade including a bunch of stuff I don't care about. Still, the speaker system is fantastic. A little more on the FM vs. CD, MP3 or Pandora… Definitely bring your own media. There seems to be some disconnect in the system that makes radio sound even more compressed or flat in Toyota's audio system, even given the limitations of the input signal. While this is a flaw, I don't listen to much music through the radio anyway, so it's not a major concern to me. Pandora sounds great as an alternative to radio. I haven't opted for the XM yet, so I don't know how that sounds through the system. If it's as bad as FM, I'll probably pass. Anyone with experience there?

 

n/a

 

I have an '07 Touring with Nav and JBL, and I test drove a '12 model prius II and my 5 year old JBL sounds better, especially with MP3 source.

 

Is that a joke. My dad has a 2010 with JBL. For a factory system it actually sounds pretty good, decent lowend . It sounds better than the stock JBL in my 04 did. However I upgraded all my speakers and added an amp and subsequently and now my system lows his out of the water.

Nexus 7 ? 2