prius extra speaker/better sound quality

Don't try to install home speakers in cars - car speakers are typically 4 Ohms impedance, and home speakers 8 Ohms. It can lead to power and heat problems, and potentially ruin your amp. The way I added bass was with a compact car subwoofer that fits under the passenger seat. You have to tap into the speaker wires behind the radio, or at the amp under the passenger seat if you have the 6-CD JBL system. Which stereo do you have?

Here's the sub I bought for about $120:
http://www.amazon.com/Boss-BASS600-Profile-Amplified-Subwoofer/dp/B000OSZA44

Any further questions and I'll try to help. Some other folks have improved the sound by disconnecting the center dash speaker, if you have it (above the touchscreen under the grille).

 

Not much you can do without spending any money other than adjust bass/treble, and disconnect the center speaker if you have one. Or if you use a portable MP3 player, you can adjust the equalizer in it for more sound control.

What specifically do you want to change? Are you getting distortion?

 

Just to clarify, it's the other way around: Don't use car speakers on home systems. Other than being a bit redneck, home speakers in a car system won't cause any damage. Home speakers won't be able to make full use of amplifier power due to the higher impedance.

 

hello -
i have heard about the disconecting of the center speaker to improve the poor quality of sound reproduction in the prius.... and i am thinking of doing it... but i am wondering if any one knows exactly why this does the trick ?
anyone.
thanks paul
dunedin, fl 34698

 

1. the center speaker is of poor quality, it adds a dirty element to the sound
2. it kills the stereo separation effect, making things sound muddier and jumbled together.

(to my ears anyway)

 

It really does help. I did replace my speakers, which has also made a big difference. That cost a few hundred $, BTW. However, I'm still ambivalent about getting a sub and/or signal processor.

 

What kind of home speaker are you talking about? If it's small enough to fit on the dash, it probably won't sound any better. If it's big enough to have more bass, there won't be enough power output by the factory stereo to drive it loud enough. The factory stereo is only a few watts per channel, less than aftermarket stereos. In any case, just splice the two wires from the factory stereo to the two wires of the replacement speaker. Polarity doesn't matter much, try it both ways and see what sounds better.

 

A package #2 doesn't have a center speaker. We only have the standard audio system with six speakers.

 

So it looks like there's nothing you can do about the sound quality without upgrading the stereo/speakers or adding a sub, which will cost a few hundred at least. It puzzles me how a laptop computer could have better sound than the stock stereo.