aftermarket speakers w/o an amp

[Presto]

Along with the sites F8L suggested, I would highly recommend checking out Basic Car Audio Electronics. It may be called Basic, but there is a staggering amount of useful information there.

[Stefx]

Wouldn't the issue come up only if the new speakers have a different impedance rating than the OEM speakers?

[F8L]

Originally Posted by Stefx

Wouldn't the issue come up only if the new speakers have a different impedance rating than the OEM speakers?

What issue?

[Presto]

Originally Posted by Stefx

Wouldn't the issue come up only if the new speakers have a different impedance rating than the OEM speakers?

If the impedance of new speakers is lower than OEM, then you risk overheating/blowing the amp. If the impedance is higher, then the new speakers may sound quieter than OEM. I think the stock speakers (at least in the JBL) were 3ohms.

[PriusLewis]

Originally Posted by superjew1492

so i'm gathering that throwing a jbl unit in is almost pointless. im good with adding new speakers but an amp's power draw on the battery and the risk of it voiding any part of my warranty give me pause. anybody know if i'll get improved sound by putting in aftermarket speakers, or will the low level 'quality' from my stock speakers be better than a speaker that is better but requires more watts than the OEM head unit can provide?

I started my stereo mod by replacing the door speakers with Infinity Reference 6 1/2" 2-way speakers. They're very close to a bolt-in. With the stock head unit and no amp they were more efficient than the stock speakers (slightly louder at the same volume level) and increased the quality from mid through high considerably. However, they did little for the bass, and I knew I wasn't getting all out of them that they could produce.

I then added a Clarion 4-channel in, 5-channel out 500 watt amp (200 watts for the sub, 75 watts per channel times four for the cabin) and a 10" Rockford-Fosgate Punch sub in a small, down-firing enclosure. The change was dramatic. I now have great, well-balanced sound with excellent bass. good for anything from rock to jazz to classical. Hip-hop might be better with 2 of the subs, but it's certainly adequate.

The key is in balancing the system (and, no, the bass "loudness" contour and sub volume knobs are NOT meant to be full up no matter what!). I've spent days tweaking the various controls on the amp, one at a time, then driving my 50 mile commute to evaluate the change. Make small changes and take time to see how they work on a variety of music.

I'm not aware of any loss of mileage, but I'm not a hypermiler.

Coupled with the Sirius radio add-on, everything is still controlled through the touchscreen (balance, fade, tone - to an extent, and sirius).