2012 Prius Package 5 - is this stereo upgrade possible?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by alleyooptroop, Aug 10, 2012.

Page 1 of 2
  1. alleyooptroop

    alleyooptroop New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2006
    49
    1
    0
    the critique of the jbl premium system has been widely documented here. i really hate how the soundstage is so far forward. i plan to keep the head unit and speakers in the dash so i was wondering if there is a way to replace all the speakers in the front and rear doors (especially the woofers in the front doors with something full range) and install a small amp to power them. i understand that the head unit is programmed in such a way to keep most of the sound up front so i wasn't sure if it would be difficult to get the full range signal to the front and rear doors. i was also concerned about the size of the amp. i don't want to compromise the performance of the battery and the mileage i'm getting. thanks in advance for any replies.

    *edit* also wanted to ask if anyone has a stereo shop they can recommend in the los angeles area, i'd gladly take the reco.
     
    #1 alleyooptroop, Aug 10, 2012
  2. Tom Ham

    Tom Ham Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2012
    51
    2
    0
    Location:
    Beverly Hills, California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I've got a Prius 4 with the upgraded JBL Premium System and needless to say I was less than impressed with the sound quality. Where is the bass?!?! And those rear speakers are just worthless! I consulted with a few stereo shops in LA and I found one on Olympic (West LA). Audio 2000 Installations for mobile electronics and home entertainment | AA TECH DESIGN | - Home

    After speaking with the installer, I'm going to put in a 5 channel amp, an audio controller, a pair of Focals in the front and a pair of Focals in the back. He's also going to build a custom fiberglass sub enclosure (for the back left corner) and put in a JL 10" subwoofer.

    I'm also thinking about putting in front parking sensors as well (they install those too). :)
     
    #2 Tom Ham, Aug 10, 2012
  3. alleyooptroop

    alleyooptroop New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2006
    49
    1
    0
    thanks for chiming in tom. sounds like a great set up. i'm assuming you're keeping the head unit and the speakers in the dash? please report back. i'd really like to know how it all works out.

    *edit* tom - was it virgil that you're working with? i think i just spoke to him he mentioned your car. def give us an update once all the work is done. when do you plan on bringing it in?

     
    #3 alleyooptroop, Aug 10, 2012
  4. Tom Ham

    Tom Ham Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2012
    51
    2
    0
    Location:
    Beverly Hills, California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Yes it was Virgil. Great guy, very helpful. Yes, I am keeping the head-unit (I like how its all integrated into the car).

    The plan is to get it done by the end of the month. Will let you know when its done.
     
    #4 Tom Ham, Aug 11, 2012
  5. Tom Ham

    Tom Ham Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2012
    51
    2
    0
    Location:
    Beverly Hills, California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I'm dropping it off tomorrow. Virgil said it will be done in four days. Will let you know how it all goes!
     
    #5 Tom Ham, Aug 13, 2012
  6. Jordan Mills

    Jordan Mills New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2012
    2
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Is the headunit upgradable in the 4/5 packages on 2012 models?
     
    #6 Jordan Mills, Aug 14, 2012
  7. alleyooptroop

    alleyooptroop New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2006
    49
    1
    0
    please do!
     
    #7 alleyooptroop, Aug 15, 2012
  8. Tom Ham

    Tom Ham Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2012
    51
    2
    0
    Location:
    Beverly Hills, California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I got my car back yesterday from Virgil. Man, did they go an AMAZING job. Check out the custom enclosure they built! Looks (and feels) like something direct from the factory.

    photo 3.JPG photo 1.JPG
     
    #8 Tom Ham, Aug 18, 2012
    ockevin likes this.
  9. Tom Ham

    Tom Ham Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2012
    51
    2
    0
    Location:
    Beverly Hills, California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Also check out where he mounted the bass control. It looks like it came with the car!! He put the five-channel amp under the driver's seat. Couldn't have been more satisfied. photo 5.JPG photo 2.JPG
     
    #9 Tom Ham, Aug 18, 2012
  10. alleyooptroop

    alleyooptroop New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2006
    49
    1
    0
    Woah! Amazing job! I'm assuming it sounds amazing. Would you mind detailing all the equipment that was installed and how/where? Have you noticed any performance issues for the car? Has the amp been a drain on the battery?

     
    #10 alleyooptroop, Aug 18, 2012
  11. Tom Ham

    Tom Ham Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2012
    51
    2
    0
    Location:
    Beverly Hills, California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I'm a bad one to ask about performance issues/battery life. As long as I'm getting better mileage than my Porsche C4, I'm happy! If installing the stereo causes my performance to dip a bit, I'm not going to stress about it. :)

    As for what I installed in my 2012 Prius 4:

    JL 10" Woofer
    Kenwood 5 Channel Amplifier XR-5S
    Audio Controller (for bass) - no idea what brand
    Focal IC165 (rears)
    Focal IC690 (fronts)
    Custom Fiberglass Enclosure for Sub
     
    #11 Tom Ham, Aug 20, 2012
  12. Big Steve

    Big Steve ramblin wreck

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2012
    402
    39
    0
    Location:
    Richmond VA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    And the cost if you don't mind?
     
    #12 Big Steve, Aug 20, 2012
  13. Tom Ham

    Tom Ham Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2012
    51
    2
    0
    Location:
    Beverly Hills, California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    $2,900. The bulk of the cost was building the custom fiberglass enclosure.
     
    #13 Tom Ham, Aug 21, 2012
  14. Tom Ham

    Tom Ham Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2012
    51
    2
    0
    Location:
    Beverly Hills, California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    #14 Tom Ham, Aug 22, 2012
  15. alleyooptroop

    alleyooptroop New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2006
    49
    1
    0
    #15 alleyooptroop, Aug 27, 2012
  16. AZGeek

    AZGeek Semi-informed Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2012
    627
    144
    63
    Location:
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Looks like a great installation, and nice to see how well a 10" fits that space.. How much, ball park, for the custom sub enclosure? I found a guy that does just the enclosures (right hand side only), for around $250.

    Gen 3 Prius right Subwoofer Enclosure
     
    #16 AZGeek, Sep 1, 2012
  17. Bill Norton

    Bill Norton Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2012
    2,143
    733
    0
    Location:
    MONW, Ks.
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I contacted Virgil.
    We went back and forth a few times,
    and NO, they won't sell the sub enclosure separately.

    Dang, there must be some industrious person around here that can start building these sub enclosures and make a profit.....

    I asked MGB4Tim if he could rent the mold for a few days....
     
    #17 Bill Norton, Mar 25, 2013
  18. Chris S

    Chris S Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2012
    323
    109
    8
    Location:
    Gilbert, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Looks great! I can't wait for the snow to go away to also follow ALL_600D's steps to put my Boston 10" into the cubby. Must be great to have a nice subwoofer and a useful trunk at the same time!
     
    #18 Chris S, Mar 25, 2013
  19. Muzzman1

    Muzzman1 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2012
    82
    42
    0
    Location:
    So Cal
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    #19 Muzzman1, Mar 29, 2013
  20. nocanvas

    nocanvas New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2014
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    LA, CA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I just started the process at the same place , But I'm not doing a sub

    Keeping Factory Head Unit (Non JBL)

    Alpine KTP-445U Power Pack behind dash
    Focal ISS 690 6x9" in Front
    Focal Coaxial 6.5" in Rear

    Tom's review made me trust this place has worked well with Prius in the past, that sub enclosure photo says it all.
    Hoping this will give me a good bang for my buck upgrade from the notoriously shitty stock speakers.
     
    #20 nocanvas, Sep 12, 2014
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 2