Do people replace both HU and speakers together? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

bullpup · 07-21-2006, 11:44 PM

This might seems stupid but I have an 06 CAmry LE with the stock radio. I was hoping to upgrade to play MP3 on the radio. It does not matter if the player is from an IPOD or DISC. I have read the threads and realize all the options. I was looking at the IPOD2CAR but installed it will be $200. The Bestbuy salesman told me for that price I could get an Alpine head unit that would play the MP3 files as well as IPOD plug in installed for about 250. OK I can live with that.
When I went next door to CircuitCity the guy told me besides the HU I will need four speakers because the 12W RMS is to strong for the stock Camry speakers. So the questions is do people change the HU and speakers at the same time? Are both salesman right? Also is it worth losing the steering wheel controls for a new headunit for the people who have changed the HU?
TIA

***darksparkz*** · 07-22-2006, 12:45 AM

12W RMS is not too strong for the stock speakers. Actually, 12W RMS might be a bit underpowered, but I'm not sure if the '05 Camry has a built-in amp somewhere. Getting a whole new HU would be a good idea, MP3 capabilities and Ipod connections are both great.

In my opinion, I have cars with both steering wheel controls and ones with only the HU as a contorl, and it works fine. If your listening to a MP3 CD, you might as well set it on shuffle and random around. You rarely change volume anyways, and its much faster to turn the rotary dials on HUs then to push a bottom constantly to lower/raise volume.

You can change the stock speakers if you really want, it'll be quite a good improvement. I recommend buying online and then trying to install yourself or find a professional. BestBuy/CircuitCity has less options and then to be more overpriced.

Curry · 07-22-2006, 04:25 AM

Sounds to me like circuitcity was trying to load off some extra equip on you and make a nice sale.

Theres no way in hell that your stock speakers will be overpowered. I have never ever ever heard of that happening. I had an alpine HU in my old 84 sentra...

Get the HU... See how it sounds. If it needs bass get some subs, if you neeed a better front stage upgrade to some 3-ways or two-ways. Don't even bother wasting money on the rears. From what I've read if you have a good front setup you wont have to bother with rears.

Mr Marv · 07-22-2006, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bullpup

This might seems stupid but I have an 06 CAmry LE with the stock radio. I was hoping to upgrade to play MP3 on the radio. It does not matter if the player is from an IPOD or DISC. I have read the threads and realize all the options. I was looking at the IPOD2CAR but installed it will be $200. The Bestbuy salesman told me for that price I could get an Alpine head unit that would play the MP3 files as well as IPOD plug in installed for about 250. OK I can live with that.
When I went next door to CircuitCity the guy told me besides the HU I will need four speakers because the 12W RMS is to strong for the stock Camry speakers. So the questions is do people change the HU and speakers at the same time? Are both salesman right? Also is it worth losing the steering wheel controls for a new headunit for the people who have changed the HU?
TIA

IMO a better reason to change the speakers at the same time is the fact that the factory headunit has a built in equilization curve to "compensate" for the poor quality factory speakers. It may be possible to get an aftermarket headunit with enough processing to "equalize" the response of the factory speakers however there is a strong possibility it will still not sound very good.
Also, you don't have to use lose the steering wheel controls. I will be installing one of these in my wifes '05 Camry when I change the headunit. http://www.crutchfield.com/S-101oKOX...ol&i=127SWIALP

nobitanobi · 07-23-2006, 03:16 PM

Don't upgrade everything at once, test each product after you install them and go step by step. New HU is a must, but I would not replace the speakers just yet, it's still 2006 !

nobitanobi · 07-23-2006, 03:16 PM

Don't upgrade everything at once, test each product after you install them and go step by step. New HU is a must, but I would not replace the speakers just yet, it's still 2006 ! Definitely do t

nobitanobi · 07-23-2006, 03:16 PM

Don't upgrade everything at once, test each product after you install them and go step by step. New HU is a must, but I would not replace the speakers just yet, it's still 2006 ! Definitely do the

ShowCarTercel · 07-23-2006, 05:10 PM

Everyone forgot to ask, but are you happy with how it sounds now? Because if you think it sounds great and goes loud enough. Then don't bother changing anything and just get a radio adapter for your stock radio. But if it's an 06, I think some of the stock radio upgrade packages are MP3 CD ready. Might be cheaper and avoid the hassle.

Then you don't end up like me (and probably many others) and spending tons of money and time trying to get everything perfect. Because as soon as you get one thing, you'll need the next thing, then the next thing, then upgrade the first thing to go with the other things. And so on...