Hmm. I plan on getting a Prius within the next few months, probably package 6. The stereo is not the attraction for this package, and I would like to rip out the JBL and replace it with a deck that can play MP3s and WMAs. I have three CD-Rs with over 200 songs on each, so audio format isn't an option. The head unit I have in my current car is a Kenwood KDC-X979. I'm not concerned about losing the amp in the deck, since I also have a Kenwood KAC-PS650D 5 channel amp ready to install. Here's the specs for the deck: Kenwood's Exclusive Mototrized 3D Mask Technology High Voltage 5 Volt Pre Amplifier Outputs Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Sound Adjustments Digital Time Alignment Feature Built In Parametric Equalizer High Power Output of 50 Watts x 4 (peak) System Q Circuitry With Preset Equalizer Curve Settings SRS Sound Enhancement Technology Tone Adjustments For Bass/Mid/Treble Integrated MOSFET IC Amplifier 24 Bit Burr Brown Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) Compatible With CD/CD-R/CD-RW/MP3 Discs CD Changer Controls Sirius Satellite Radio Ready Music Keg Music System Ready 8 Times Oversampling Rate Silicone Dampened Suspension Sytem Front, Rear, & Non Fader Pre Amplifier Outputs Built-in Selectable High and Low Pass Crossovers Crossover Slope of 12 dB/Octave Variable Non-Fader Output Level High Resolution Dot Matrix Multi Color Display CD Text Capability A.M.S. Feature For Kenwood Excelon Amps PLL Synthesized FM Tuner 18 FM Radio Presets and 6 AM Radio Presets Motorized Slide Down Face Plate Detachable Face Plate Remote Control Included ! Auxillary Inputs built in!! And the amp: Product Features 60W x 4 and 200W x 1 at 4, 14.4V Class-D circuit design (Sub channel) Dual MOSFET output stage (Sub channel) New BMS (+18dB Boost, freq. offset) Variable colour indicator General Features 14.4V: 14.4V Rated power (4, 20 ~ 20 kHz), 0.08%THD 60W x 4 + 1 x 200W Rated power (2, 1kHz), 0.5%THD 80W x 4 + 1 x 300W Bridged power (4, 1kHz), 0.5%THD 160W x 2 + 1 x 200W Max power (4, normal) 120W x 4 + 400W Max power (4, Bridge) 300W x 2 + 600W(3 channel mode) General Features 12V: Rated power (4, 20 ~ 20kHz), 0.08%THD 40W x 4 + 1 x 130W Rated power (2, 1kHz), 0.5% THD 60W x 4 + 1 x 200W Bridged power (4, 1kHz), 0.5%THD 120W x 2 + 1 x 200W General Features New BMS: Bass Boost (40 ~ 100Hz): Sub channel: +6/+12/+18dB (+6/+18dB by headunit) Bass Frequency offset: Sub channel: Off / -30% (by headunit) Built in low-pass filter: 50 ~ 200Hz (24 dB/Oct.): B / Sub channel Built in high-pass filter: 50 ~ 200 Hz (12 dB/oct.): A / B channel Built in infrasonic filter: Off / 15 Hz (24 dB/oct.): sub channel 1 RCA gold-plated input Variable input sensitivity: 0.2 ~ 5V Frequency response: A, B Ch. 5 ~ 70kHz Sub Ch. 5 ~ 200Hz Signal noise ratio 105 dB Maximum current consumption 53 A Can I use these in my (future) Prius without any issues? I'm not concerned about losing some functionality from the steering wheel buttons. I've been reaching for the stereo as long as I've been driving, and it's not a big deal to me. However, losing MP3/WMA capability IS a big deal to me. I don't want to go back to lugging around dozens of CDs.
OK I'll take a swing at this one. -- First there is the unique size (I think it's about 1.5 DIN) and look of the stock head unit. It would create quite a hole if removed. I think the space below it is 1 DIN so you might be able to get your Kenwood deck in there, and just leave the original head unit in place. -- You'll lose the steering wheel functions. -- You'll lose the Multi-Function-Display touch screen functions. -- You'll lose some of the beeps. No big deal so far, but here is the rub... you'll need a solution for the Nav and Bluetooth voice function. Get that sorted out and you're golden. Other than that, I don't really see any issues.
I'm assuming you would drive the speakers directly from the new head unit. Check out my document: http://tom-morrow-land.com/tests/priusaudio/ Specifically the "Electrical Specifications" section for more info on the issues with beeps and nav integration. Also be aware that you would need to replace the front speakers with ones that have their own crossovers because the crossovers for the JBL system are in the amp. Another option would be to keep the JBL, and install the MP3 head unit with an "aux in" aftermarket box that makes it look like a satellite source to the JBL. That would be the most functional upgrade... you'd still have your cassette and nav/beep integration.
