question about SQ

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jakediggity

Copper - Posts: 84

Joined: July 12, 2004

Location: United States

Posted: July 18, 2004 at 1:24 PM / IP Logged

Hi, i have a 95 toyota avalon which has 4" components in the front and 4" coaxials in the back all powered by a factory amp which im pretty sure is crap. Anyway I'm planning on replacing the stock radio with a good Alpine, somethin like a cda-9835 or somethin, and maybe by-passing the amp alltogether because i think the alpine would push the speakers better, do you agree? Also i planned on getting new components for the front and coaxials for the back. My question is, should i run an aftermarket amp to the speakers or would it be too much mids and highs to tolerate at a decent level, because i really dont want to put a sub in for financial reasons and because a sub ate up my cars alternator and battery on my last car. I guess im just asking is it worth it to wire an amp.

customsuburb

Gold - Posts: 1,813

Joined: January 17, 2004

Location: United States

Posted: July 18, 2004 at 1:44 PM / IP Logged

You should look at Eclipse cd players also, if you are looking for SQ. An aftermarket amp will greatly improve your sound (component sets love amps). With an aftermarket amp you will hear more of the details in your music, and you will be able to play your system louder then you would with your cd player's internal amp, without hearing distortion. You shouldn't be able to fry your alternator or battery with a small to medium sized four channel amp, and the correct wiring.

DYohn

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Joined: April 22, 2003

Location: Arizona, United States

Posted: July 18, 2004 at 1:47 PM / IP Logged

I suggest you do your upgrade in this order: First get the new head unit that you want, install it with the proper wiring harness (Metra 70-1761) and dash kit (if you need one.) Definately by-pass the factory amp, and see how it sounds. You may be amazed by the difference in SQ over the factory head. THEN decide if you really need new speakers, and THEN if you need more power (or more clarity at higher volumes) pick up a good quality 4-channel amp. Have fun!

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jakediggity

Copper - Posts: 84

Joined: July 12, 2004

Location: United States

Posted: July 18, 2004 at 1:52 PM / IP Logged

Also i was wondering if you could recommend some 4" components and coaxials and maybe a type of amp.

DYohn

Moderator - Posts: 10,741

Joined: April 22, 2003

Location: Arizona, United States

Posted: July 18, 2004 at 1:59 PM / IP Logged

You'll have to go out and listen to them to find ones you like. Without a sub, you'll be missing most of the bass with 4" speakers as they do not respond well below 150Hz... but look at any of the better mainstream brands like Alpine, Infinity, Memphis, Focal, MB Quart, Boston, Diamond, JBL, etc. For amps, it depends on the power ratings of the speakers you end up with and how much money you want to spend...

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jakediggity

Copper - Posts: 84

Joined: July 12, 2004

Location: United States

Posted: July 18, 2004 at 2:07 PM / IP Logged

thanks for your help guys. Dyohn you said "First get the new head unit that you want, install it with the proper wiring harness (Metra 70-1761) and dash kit (if you need one.) Definately by-pass the factory amp, and see how it sounds. " So once i get this harness in order to by pass the amp i need to cut the speaker wires from the factory amp harness and wire them directly to the speaker terminals? I'm sorry if these question are stupid but im trying to learn as much as i can.

DYohn

Moderator - Posts: 10,741

Joined: April 22, 2003

Location: Arizona, United States

Posted: July 18, 2004 at 2:38 PM / IP Logged

If you are sure your car HAS an OEM amplifier, yes, you will need to either find a wiring harness that by-passes it (I do not see one listed for your car) or you will have to splice around it - or, perhaps the easiest solution, run new speaker wire from the head unit to the desired mounting location. How many speakers are stock in your Avalon? If it has 4, there is no stock amplifier. If it has 6 or 7, there probably is.

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Steven Kephart

Platinum - Posts: 1,737

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Joined: November 06, 2003

Location: Oregon, United States

Posted: July 18, 2004 at 5:01 PM / IP Logged

I have a slightly different opionion in upgrading the sound system. I agree to start with a new head unit. But I recomend getting an amplifier next, then upgrading the speakers later. The amplifier will provide a great deal more CLEAN power, which will make even your factory speakers sound better. You will be able to turn the stereo up louder by doing this.

The biggest reason for this different opinion is that a lot of times people are upgrading to a higher end speaker. These speakers are designed to be played off of an outboard amplifier, and won't be very loud off of head unit power.

Steven Kephart

Adire Audio

jakediggity

Copper - Posts: 84

Joined: July 12, 2004

Location: United States

Posted: July 18, 2004 at 5:29 PM / IP Logged

well the only speakers i've been able to locate are a component set in the front doors and a coaxial set in the rear doors. I dont know if the component set in the front counts as 4 speakers (tweets and mids) and the rears as two making 6 speakers im for sure about there only bein those speakers in the car. About running all new wiring, would i have to go through the firewall and everything to make my way to the battery for the 12volt wire or would i just splice into the OEM harness and use the existing one. That seems like a lot of Afro-engineering. I dont want to ghetto rig this car just in case i have to sell it later and want to put the old stereo back in. Do you think you could elaborate on the process of using all new wiring, it would be a tremendous help.

DYohn

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Joined: April 22, 2003

Location: Arizona, United States

Posted: July 18, 2004 at 6:49 PM / IP Logged

I mean running new speaker wiring. Connect the HU using the factory wiring harness adapter. Check with your Toyota dealer to see if there is an external OEM amp in the car. And Steven's approach (new amp before speakers) is good and his logic is as usual sound. I guess after the HU upgrading order is simply a matter of opion!

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question about SQ

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