Do I need to replace my speakers?

[DM616]

I've heard from someone that if you install an aftermarket radio with stock speakers your speakers will eventually blow.

This is the first time I heard of such, he says it's because of the power it outputs and that the stocks can't handle it, it happens gradually.

True or false?

Pioneer DEH220UB
1997 Camry stock speakers

if it's true, it's just the driver and passenger speakers I need to replace, right? any recommendations?

[Chris Crash]

I don't believe that for a second. Don't replace them until they blow. IF they blow.

[DM616]

Alright, thanks, I'm just making sure if they do blow nothing worse could happen, even if the blow it's a $50 fix, speakers aren't worth much.

[Drewfuspx]

The stock speakers IIRC are designed to handle 15 watts. Your average aftermarket deck will put out 50 watts per channel, though the RMS will be lower than that. It's o.k. to over power speakers, however it will entirely depend on how loudly you plan on listening to them.

What you will find is that if you go to a couple low-range speakers from a reputable brand like alpine or JL audio you'll get much better sound! But you'll be fine if you want to do it in stages and do deck first.

[DM616]

Rofl, I'll keep the volume to a minimum now, I'll browse around at Alpine speakers, if anyone can recommend any thanks :P I might upgrade or I might not. And with the camry, do you have to take off the entire door panel or just the grill area? Didn't really look at it yet.

[cuzz22]

Originally Posted by DM616

I've heard from someone that if you install an aftermarket radio with stock speakers your speakers will eventually blow.

This is the first time I heard of such, he says it's because of the power it outputs and that the stocks can't handle it, it happens gradually.

True or false?

Pioneer DEH220UB
1997 Camry stock speakers

if it's true, it's just the driver and passenger speakers I need to replace, right? any recommendations?

the only way the stock speakers should blow..is if you put an amp.to them...radio change should not blow stock speakers..

[iovaykind]

Radio change CAN blow stock speakers if you listen to music loudly that is over the 15w RMS rating of the stock speakers. They probably won't blow though unless you want to blow out your ears.

The entire door panel has to be removed, the grill is there but doesn't really come off so you have to remove the door panel

[DM616]

Alright, I'm going to keep my song playing at a minimum now, I might play it loud sometimes if I'm tired and I need to be awake rofl, but yah, if anything happens, just the speakers need to be replaced? Easy enough, thank you!

[projektvertx]

I wouldn't worry about it at all. Most headunits are rated at 50W PEAK per channel, which would mean 20-25W RMS tops in what I've seen. I ran an aftermarket headunit on stock speakers for about 9 months and they didn't blow. If you listen to your music loudly, then yes they might blow. For the average listeners though, stock speakers can take a beating up until you can get other speakers (at which point you should also consider an amplifier, but that's a whole other discussion).

[DM616]

So I should be okay for now, if they do blow no big I'll just buy new speakers...I truthfully don't understand what the amp does so I never hand interest in it, might as well research it.

Are the subwoofers the ones that cost lots of money <_<

[projektvertx]

Originally Posted by DM616

I truthfully don't understand what the amp does so I never hand interest in it, might as well research it.

I was from the same school of thought. Until I got a good 4 channel amp. I never regret the money I spent on it.

[Chris Crash]

I mean..If you can afford new speakers (nice ones! not cheap ones..) and have the time and skills to replace them...do it. It will be the best decision ever. But if you don't, the stock speakers will still be fine.

[projektvertx]

^ I'd just like to add on something to his statement. If you decide to buy speakers, and don't want to do an amplifier as well, check what the RMS output per channel is on the headunit. Compare that to the speakers you are buying. I wouldn't want you going out and buying 60W RMS speakers when your headunit is only putting out 20-22 W RMS...

[SexieWASD]

Car audio is a fairly complicated subject, but the best advice I can give you is listen to projektvertx, he is speaking the truth.

[Zembonez]

Originally Posted by projektvertx

^ I'd just like to add on something to his statement. If you decide to buy speakers, and don't want to do an amplifier as well, check what the RMS output per channel is on the headunit. Compare that to the speakers you are buying. I wouldn't want you going out and buying 60W RMS speakers when your headunit is only putting out 20-22 W RMS...

This is bad bad information.

The wattage rating on a speaker is simply the amount of wattage they are designed to safely handle. It has exactly NOTHING to do with the efficiency of the speaker. Most any aftermarket speaker will be built to handle 60 or more watts and they are typically quite efficient. OEM speakers are generally the cheapest single cone thing that will fill the hole... Even mid priced aftermarket speakers can make a HUGE difference in the quality of sound reproduction.

I do agree with the others. Using your new head unit at reasonable volume levels will not blow your OEM speakers.

EDIT: This is not a swipe at the Mad Chemist. Just clearing up the air a bit.