Hello!

I have a Pioneer DEH-7700MP <-- Link

It's 22watts RMSx4 50watts Peak for 88watts RMS 200peak.

I have the basic 140watt 6-speaker setup in my RA... I was wanting to know a few things before I do this swap.

I assume the 140 rating is Peak power (that's what's always advertised)

1. What is the actual RMS rating of the stock basic sound system?
2. Will the "Tweeters" in the a-pillars work with an aftermarket headunit?
3. Will the 22watts RMSx4 sound better than the stock headunit?
4. I assume that the tweeters don't really take much power - how does the 6-speaker setup work with an aftermarket headunit?

The only thing that is really keeping me from doing this is that I'm slightly afraid the sound quality will go down due to mis-matched headunit and speakers. So any insight is appreciated.

Thanks

Mike

 

so you don't have the sun and sound package?

If not you should consider getting an amp to power your speakers instead of using your head unit.

To answer your question to the best of my ability, why do you want to change HU's? Do you want better features, or what? I will be on for a bit so I will be sure to keep checking your thread.

 

MP3, WMA, ACC playback
Remote Control

Basically I am getting tired of switching CDs constantly. I drive a lot, usually 2+ hours at a time and I am just getting tired of switching CDs.

Plus I love to use Shuffle All where I can listen to random songs from up to like 10ish CDs without swapping.

The Pioneer is pretty nice, 22watts RMSx4 50peak per channel, so if the max of the factory is 140 peak (unless that really is RMS which I doubt) the peak of the new HU would be 30% more than the stock... But what I really need to know is RMS!!!

In my previous vehicle I had installed some Kenwood KFC1377 5-1/4" speakers in the doors rated at 120peak 45watts RMS each and the Pioneer could not drive them very well so I installed an ALPINE V12 4-channel amp for them... But I don't think the stock speakers in this Lancer are 45watts RMS I was thinking probably more around 15~25???

Mike

 

Well my guess is that the OEM head unit in there now would probably be putting 35 Max watts and maybe less than 20 RMS per channel. All the factory speakers should work fine with the Pioneer head unit you plan on installing. It should be almost "plug & play" especially if you don't plan on putting in and amp. In the front you should have a crossover feeding the separate tweeters and the lower door speakers but I'm thinking that you wouldn't even mess with that, just make the existing connections to the Pioneer.

On sound, I'm sure anything with more power than the OEM unit would put out cleaner sound at all volume levels. Having different brands with speakers and head unit shouldn't have any negative effects on quality.

I have the Sun & Sound package and I've thought about doing a swap especially with the speakers. They say Infinity, but must be the most basic speaker they put out because they're strictly made out paper, instead of the new composite materials made on higher quality speakers.

Keep us updated on the swap, I'm curious on how it'll sound!

 

DO it. You will be amazed at how much better the sound is, even with the stock speakers. I swapped in an Alpine HU and mp3 changer ( I was also sick of changing CDs, I drive 2+ hours a day), and the sound is MUCH better.

Of course, I have the S&S package, so it's still the stock amp driving the speakers, but I don't see how you could go wrong with a better amp than what's in the stock radio.

Maybe I'll get new speakers sometime this summer. For now, I'm very happy with what I've got.

 

i had the stock basic system. and yes the existing tweeters will work with an aftermarket headunit, just be sure to get the right wiring harness (crutchfield). Also, the rating on the back of the stock speakers is 15 watts. Aftermarket sounds a TON better. It will be well worth it. right now i have a dual headunit that does 23 rms x 4 and 220 peak x4, 4 Dual illuminute speakers, a sony sub and a power acoustic amp. Also, even without new speakers, the stock system sounds pretty decent with just an aftermarket headunit.

hope this helps

-Lefty

 

I swapped for Kenwood off the get go an one of my rear decks blew so i replaced with alpines.Now i have put in a sony flip up an im hearin a rattlin on the right side(dont know if its the tweet or door ) I would say start lookin for new speaker cause they are not gunna last long.

 

I swapped the unit in - the bezel does not fit so I have a small "gap" around the aftermarket unit. But it doesn't look bad.

Sounds good but I can hear the lack of fidelity in the stock speakers but for now they sound fine (way better than before, and way better than any other setup I've had thus far)

Mike

 

i use the top of the line eclipse head unit and you can pretty much max out the speakers with a new head unit. and much more bass. its definately worth switching your headunit from the factory cd player. I recommend replacing the front speakers though, the rears handle a lot better.

 

Put a washer on each of the screws, between the bracket and the car, to bring it out a bit. It'll be just enough to get the bezel on there.

 

I might have to do that with mine. The bezel fit (barely) but when it's up loud, the bezel vibrates against the dash and makes a buzzing noise. I want to pull the bezel off and back it with some felt, then reinstall.

 

I was thinking about that but it looks like the bracket will hit the actual radio bezel if I get it out far enough to install the aftermarket "bezel".

It's not really a big deal it looks ok =)

Mike

 

It'll work, stock trim piece will fit just behind the bracket. I'll try to get a picture to show what I mean.

 

Well the bracket also does not fit perfectly onto the headunit for some reason (on the stock it's fine)

So it's a bit "wide" where it'd "fit" between the bezel as you said... I'd have to drill a hole in the headunit or a hole in the brackets to make it fit perfect, but I'll just settle for how it is now =)

Mike

 

Since we are on the topic of sound systems.... i got the RA without sun and sound...got 2 12's in the back...was just wondering.. are the front door speakers 6 1/2 inch like the back ones ?