Upgrading Factory Audio

1684 Views 8 Replies 7 Participants Last post by dj2000lbs, Apr 8, 2009

metalbones

Discussion Starter · Apr 6, 2009

Not sure where to start with this. I have the factory system (non-amped) with 6 speakers. I recently replaced my rear speakers with some Pioneer 3-ways (270W peak, 40W RMS) and they sound horrible with the factory head unit, they seem very underpowered. I don't have a large budget and I (foolishly) though replacing the speakers would help. I am not sure how I want to go from here but basically I am not interested in putting in a sub so let's get that out of the way. I just want a clean system with some admirable volume, fairly good bass (nothing to shake the neighborhood), and I would like to keep my steering wheel controls and the factory head unit because for some sick reason I like my interior to look stock/clean.

I have been considering a few options:

1. 200W 4CH (4x50W RMS) Alpine amp, factory head unit, Pioneer speakers (door/rear - 35/40W RMS) - possibly with a sound processor to clean up the signal.
2. 200W Pioneer head unit (4x22W RMS), Pioneer speakers (door/rear - 35/40W RMS), no amp/processor.
3. Reinstall factory rear speakers, keep factory deck, basically go back to factory system and gain minor improvement over the Pioneers while hating my life.

Concerns for each:

1. Quality of the sound with/without sound processor, using speaker level inputs, running a bunch of wires, hiding the amp/heat dissipation, noises/vibration/rattles in rear deck/doors, and price.

2. Lack of power to speakers again (but ease of install), noises/vibration/rattles in rear deck/doors, theft (minor). :ugh3:
3. Removing the damn rear deck again (stuff is getting loose), general unhappiness with sound. :headbang:

I have been going around with this for a few days now, just looking for suggestions.

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LeanBurn

· #2 · Apr 6, 2009 (Edited)

metalbones said:
....
3. Reinstall factory rear speakers, keep factory deck, basically go back to factory system and gain minor improvement over the Pioneers while hating my life....

:lol: ...it must be getting late and I am loopy, cuz dang that is :rofl: and the smileys don't help :lol:

There has got to be some factory nav looking after market units that still accept steering wheel controls.

Did you keep your stock fronts? If so just flip it to all front until you make your decision.

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metalbones

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 6, 2009

The fade is set at 0 and you can't even hear the Pioneers in the back, I might as well be riding all front. The smileys are posted over my frustration with the situation. I have never been much into car audio and I rushed to upgrade my car after having it for only 1 week. I am frustrated because I had put in the Pioneers, then Alpine type-S (85W RMS) which sounded even worse (head unit couldn't even drive the cone), put the Pioneers back and now I might end up back at square one. All I can do is put up smileys because if I don't laugh I get angry. :cursin:

Anyone have a suggestion? I know some audiophile has the answer! :lurk:

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FirstXrs

· #4 · Apr 6, 2009

Hmm... Looking at the options you've considered, I suggest no. 3 for the time being. I haven't taken out the head unit to see what I've got back there as far as connections go, but I have the JBL system, so it might be different. If you can connect an amp to the factory head unit (doubtful) go with no. 1 but keep the door speakers as they serve as the subs (for the JBL at least, and for what I remember with other Toyotas). If I mispeak, correct me because I haven't seen any of the other factory stereos.

Basically, if you cannot connect an amp to the head unit, go for 3. If you can, save your money then buy the stuff to make it work. 2 is a bad option because your speakers will be underpowered again.

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mmasse

· #5 · Apr 6, 2009

LeanBurn said:
There has got to be some factory nav looking after market units that still accept steering wheel controls.

Eclipse by Fujitsu 10 is one of the few manufacturers that have the steering wheel control option. They are responsible for the stock HU's for most of Toyota.

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Pandaxpress

· #6 · Apr 6, 2009 (Edited)

mmasse said:
Eclipse by Fujitsu 10 is one of the few manufacturers that have the steering wheel control option. They are responsible for the stock HU's for most of Toyota.

He is right.. I have an eclipse navi and I retained my steering wheel controls. I would consider just replacing all the speakers and getting a new headunit. You dont need a sound processor. So if you want better than mediocre sounds, I would suggest changing the front speakers to components. Make sure to put them through a passive crossover and to adjust them accordinly (meaning to a good test CD). The headunit I would change as well...maybe a good pioneer unit (dont pay $90...at the least the unit should be $200 MSRP---if you could get a good discount that is a different story). Also..just keep the rear speakers..what you should do is that if they are not run through a passive crossover...just add bassblockers (you can buy them on ebay). They essentially do the same thing as a passive crossover but you would have to put the "filter" in-line with the (+) terminal and it does not need adjusting. It will filter the frequency itself. If I were you..i would get these ( http://cgi.ebay.com/Pair-Bass-Block...286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66:2|65:15|39:1|240:1318 ) because they are at the appropriate filtering frequency. That would be your best bet and would probably give you the quality you are looking for.

Oh and here is the steering wheel interface you could use to get the pioneer headunit to work with the controls:

http://cgi.ebay.com/PAC-Pioneer-Son...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50

YA GOTTA PAY TO PLAY!

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joeylgarcia

· #7 · Apr 6, 2009

to metalbones

you need a signal processor to use aftermarket speakers with your factory radio.

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dj2000lbs

· #8 · Apr 8, 2009

how about this plung and play Blapunkt AMP check it out http://www.crutchfield.com/p_023THA125P/Blaupunkt-THA1250PnP.html?tp=115

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dj2000lbs

· #9 · Apr 8, 2009

I found this thing called the JL Clean sweep you install in-line with the factory head unit then hook up an AMP if I was going to upgrade my car i would do that

http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_cleansweep_pages.php?page_id=91

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