Results from a weekend upgrade of my (non-JBL) audio system and Dynamat install

I wanted to share my experience with board members on my recent audio install on a 2010 Prius II (non-JBL). Previously I had installed
a new Head Unit - I went with the Ottonavi unit sold on ebay for $699. Very happy with that install (took about 30mins, used the youtube video for the Rosen video install to help).

That left me with 2 issues: The really crappy stock speakers
and the really high level of road noise that drowned out any
semblance of bass. Decided to upgrade the front speakers and
also install Dynamat.

Materials:

Polk Audio DB6501 6.5-Inch 2-Way Component System ($109 on Amazon)
Dynamat 10455 Xtreme Bulk Pack 9 Sheets ($127 on amazon)

I had a couple of audio guys off craigslist help me with the install
(see my post on DFW area installers)

Installation:

35 Sq ft. of Dynamat extreme was enough for the 4 doors (both inner and outer skins), the license plate area in the trunk, the
side panels between the wheels and the tail lights ( access this from the trunk) as well as the front and rear floor.

I plan to put in some additional dynamat in the spare tire compartment in the future since I used up all I had in the above areas.

Replaced the front speakers (door and dash) with the component Polk Audios. This actually took more work than anticipated because the original speakers are 6x9s as opposed to 6.5inch Polk Audio.

Results:

I did some before and after sound measurements with a sound level meter. Across the board I could see a 5-6dB improvement
(for those of you not familiar with the dB scale a 3dB reduction
amounts to 1/2 the sound pressure). I was reading about 74dB
on the highway at 60mph which reduced to about 69dB. On a surface street I was seeing about 71dB which reduced to about
65dB.

Overall it was a HUGE upgrade and for not much money!

 

Yes the doors do sound completely different.

Here is a post with some great pics:

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...ereo-progression-pictures-door-dynamat-2.html

And here is a link to Toyota's manuals that will show you how to remove most panels. I recommend you use a panel removal tool kit vailable on amazon.

Toyota Publications=

No I didnt add a subwoofer.....thats my next project.