I've been searching around for a while now and while some people seem to be in the same boat as me they aren't asking the same questions so I feel like its time for me to speak up. Basically, like many others, I would like to install a better soundsystem in my 9th Gen (2006 Corolla S with 6 Speakers Non-JBL). I would like to do this while keeping the stock head unit / deck. Can I do this without losing audio quality / fidelity? How hard is it to wire in an amp with enough power for 85W per channel 6x9's in the back and 80W per channel 6.5 inch components in the front? Where would I put the amp? Would I have to re-wire the speakers? Could I use the existing wiring? Also, what size tweeters will fit in the front with the same stock grill? I think I've thought it through, but please feel free to humble me at any point. Thanks!
I was curious about the same thing, but most answers I got indicated that the stock speakers were better than the stock head unit. In other words, if you were going to do one thing (either speakers or head unit), it was much better to replace the head unit. I want to keep the stock head unit also, and install new speakers, but most folks said I wouldn't really gain anything by doing that.
another point to change head unit is all after market HU is capable to play mp3 and the oem hu at 2006 I sure will not plays mp3, even you don't change speakers after market hu still have good sound out on those oem speaker, you just can't tune it lound or blows the speakers
and I think spend $200 on after market HU is better than you spend $200 on speakers imo
ps. both Oem speaker and HU is made by panasonic, and I believe speakers is 4 ohmes with 18 watts at the back, and 4 ohmes 15 watts at the front
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2011 RAV4 I4 LTD with leather package. Used have 9th Gen Corolla with 2nd Gen Altis Tail, 2nd Gen Halo Projector, 17" Enkei RS Evolution, NEXEN N5000, AEM SRI, Vibrant Performance Muffler,Tein H-Tech
Springs
I know, I fully understand that the stock head unit is not that great. However, like I said, I am willing to install an amp. Also, I have a Dension ICE link installed already so my iPod is already hooked up to the stock HU, so adding a new deck wont really give me any functionality on that front. Its not the money thing, I am willing to spend a decent amount, I just want to keep the stock look. My assumption was that by adding an amp, I would get all the sound quality benefits of adding a new headunit.
Yes, the amp would boost the power to where you could power aftermarket speakers. Unfortunately it would also amplify the distortion and overall piss-poor output quality of the stock headunit.
Yes, it would be louder, but it might actually sound worse because all you would be doing is boosting what already makes the stock headunit garbage.
In that car, there is NO way to keep the stock look AND have good sound.
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Toyotas in the family/next of kin:
1982 Corolla Wagon, 1989 Corolla DX, 1991 Previa LE, 1993 Previa LE,
1993 Pickup, 1994 Corolla DX, 1995 Avalon XL, 1996 Camry XLE, 1998 Avalon XL,
1998 Sienna CE, 1999 Camry XL, 2000 Camry XLE, 2002 Tundra, 2003 Tundra,
2003 ES 300, 2004 Camry XLE, 2005 Tacoma
Yes, the amp would boost the power to where you could power aftermarket speakers. Unfortunately it would also amplify the distortion and overall piss-poor output quality of the stock headunit.
Yes, it would be louder, but it might actually sound worse because all you would be doing is boosting what already makes the stock headunit garbage.
In that car, there is NO way to keep the stock look AND have good sound.
Perfect. Thank you for explaining it in that way. I never understood why just simply adding an amp would not solve the problem. Secondly though, most aftermarket HU's I've seen dont have enough juice to power most aftermarket speakers so I would still have to get an amp right?
Yes. The closer the speakers and amp power are matched the better off you are. Sadly, most aftermarket speakers with a power rating low enough to just run off a headunit are of such poor quality that it defeats the purpose.
However, depending on what you are looking for exactly, I put a JVC KD-HDR50 headunit in my 05 (also with the 6 speaker setup) and the stock speakers are rather impressive. Of course this depends on your music preference, but depending on what you are looking for you may be perfectly happy with a good headunit and the stock speakers.
The stock speakers (woofers anyway) that were used with the lesser model stock stereo's were the same ones used with the 180 watt JBL audio setup. They are rated for 17.5 watts RMS each, so an aftermarket headunit putting out 18-20 RMS and 200 peak is about as close to a dead-on power match between amp power and speakers.
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Toyotas in the family/next of kin:
1982 Corolla Wagon, 1989 Corolla DX, 1991 Previa LE, 1993 Previa LE,
1993 Pickup, 1994 Corolla DX, 1995 Avalon XL, 1996 Camry XLE, 1998 Avalon XL,
1998 Sienna CE, 1999 Camry XL, 2000 Camry XLE, 2002 Tundra, 2003 Tundra,
2003 ES 300, 2004 Camry XLE, 2005 Tacoma
Hmm. Ok that gives me somethings to think about. I listen to a lot of rock (311, Rage Against the Machine), and hip-hop (Jay-Z, Kanye West). I like a lot of bass, and I like it to be smooth, not muddy or too sharp. But I dont want all the extra bass the comes from a Sub. Basically, I like the stock speakers, but would like it to be a little bit more bassy, and a little cleaner and crisp sounding. As for a HU, I guess my next logical question is...what is the best fit aftermarket HU for the 9th Gen Corolla? Im looking at a double din unit to make it look as close to stock as possible. . Basically, I want to reduce the amount or thickness of any sort of trim ring. Not too many buttons on the front except for maybe a volume knob. I want a headunit with bluetooth, ipod, and possibly GPS/Nav but that part isn't completely neccessary. Price isn't really an object but I mean I want to keep it reasonable, like maybe new unit for under $700 or a used one for under $500. Any ideas?
The bass is actually pretty good when those speakers get enough power, but some hip-hop might be too demanding. I listen to all kinds of music and find myself having to turn it down a couple notches with most hip-hop. Rock usually is just fine even at high volume.
Everyone has brands that they swear by. I have had excellent experiences with several JVC units (KD-HDR1, KD-HDR30, and KD-HDR50) but they are by no means the only good brand out there.
If you get a single din unit and the install kit with the storage pocket on top, you do gain a useful storage spot, but a double din would look a bit more like stock, depending on the model.
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Toyotas in the family/next of kin:
1982 Corolla Wagon, 1989 Corolla DX, 1991 Previa LE, 1993 Previa LE,
1993 Pickup, 1994 Corolla DX, 1995 Avalon XL, 1996 Camry XLE, 1998 Avalon XL,
1998 Sienna CE, 1999 Camry XL, 2000 Camry XLE, 2002 Tundra, 2003 Tundra,
2003 ES 300, 2004 Camry XLE, 2005 Tacoma
Also, I want iPod control to be easy. I've used some that are as easy to control through the headunit as they are through the iPod. The alpine one where you can scroll through using your finger instead of having to hit the button to go down a list. But yeah, I really want a double din with the cleanest looking interface and the least amount of buttons. I was looking at something like the Clarion MAX675VD or the Alpine IVA-W200 . I like how those are just bassically a headunit with a touch screen and all the buttons are either small and on the side or touch activated.
Like some people have already said, by upgrading the headunit the sound will be 10x more clearer than stock deck, since the new headunit wont have a limited frequency range to protect the speakers. If you wanted to keep the stock look, but want better sound quality your gonna have to look at a Rockford Fosgate 360, they go for $200 or so a pop, its pretty much the only way i can think of it you want great sound quality but keeping the stock headunit. I havent used any dvd headunits before so i cant talk for them, but one of the brands that i like are the kenwood ones with the z-flip action screen.
Most aftermarket stereos have adequate power to drive aftermarket speakers. Even though a speaker is rated, at say 100W RMS, it doesn't mean you have to drive it with 100W RMS. Most units put out about 15-25 W RMS which is adequate for most people as long as you're not turning the stereo way up.
Now if you want more bass, I think the way to go is a single subwoofer. Those folks you hear driving down the street before you actually see them, they have very high powered systems. They might be running 1kW or more. I'd say that 200-300 W is sufficient for a 10 or 12 in a sealed enclosure. I had a 300W RMS hooked up to a 12 in a sealed enclosure before and at normal volumes, you couldn't hear it from more than about 3 feet outside the car.
I can say from personal experience though, that 160W RMS x 2 for the front speakers is a bit much. But it sounds good at ridiculously high volumes...
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2007 Camry 2.4L 5M
Last edited by touringcamry; 08-08-2009 at 08:07 PM.
Yeah, I've been going to crutchfield for a little bit. They are a tremendous source of information, facts, data etc. Actually, I usually buy things like this on eBay or elsewhere, but the last deck, speakers, and wiring I bought was from crutchfield. Anyway, back to the point, I am looking at the Pioneer AVIC-X910BT. It looks like a great unit, however, the output is only 14W RMS per channel. Which to me seems fairly low. Especially considering I want to get the Alpine Components in the front rated at 100W RMS and Alpine 6x9 3-ways in the back rated at 85W RMS per channel. I would do a sub but except for two things A) it takes up too much space, B) it is WAY more bass than I need. Im going with the 3 Ways in the back and in my last car, those worked perfectly for the amount of bass I wanted.
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