Hi, I live in Upstate New York and I just bought a Pioneer DEH-P8500MP headunit to install in my car. So I brought it to a place called Custom Cars and the guy just laughed and said "there's no way that's going to happen". He said he could just install my amp and 2 subs and that's it (Just leaving the factory headunit). I had the metra kit with me and I showed it to him, so that's not the problem. He said that the wiring is weird, so they'll basically need to re-wire everything in my car, he said I'd HAVE to buy new speakers for my front and back doors, and I'd need some extra things. Is this guy right, or should I just go to someone else?

 

That guy has no idea what he is talking about, I installed and wired all my system and I'm not even that great with car audio.

Take it somewhere else, or do it yourself...

 

He is not right. You do not have to replace the front or rear speakers. Whether or not it will sound good is another issue but, they will work fine on your Pioneer. The first upgrade I did on my TL was replace the head unit only. Used a Honda/Acura wiring adapter and wired up an Alpine 7893. Worked like a charm and sounded decent. I have since upgraded everything but, that was the very first thing I did.

I do not know why so many installers keep saying you have to replace the speakers. You do not, plain and simple. A more accurate response would be, "You do not have to replace the speakers but, it would be best to replace them". My advice would be find someone else.

 

do the stock speakers sound bad with aftermarkete heaadunits?

 

I did not think they sounded bad. Just not as good as I want them to. For me, I knew it was just a temporary thing so, it was not a big deal. I think after listening for a while, you would probably want to change them to something better. Alot too depends on how picky your ears are. I love good clean sound and anything else is unacceptable.

 

But does the sound quality change with an AM HU or is it still the same sound quality?

 

I know why they say that. They take one look at a bose system and think automatically it is a 1 ohm or 2 owm system. There aren't many cars like ours that have a 4ohm bose system (I think the only other i have seen was either a 95 or 96 nissan maxima).

 

the sound quaility wont decrease from stock tho will it?

 

Its been over a year so, I am trying to remember. I really think the sound did improve a bit with just replacing the head unit but, do not hold me to it. I have changed systems so much, it is hard to remember.

 

hmm..wel is changing the speakers hard?..do i have to run new wires?

 

Not really that hard if you go with something that will just drop in. You can do a search for speakers and see that Polk and Infinity both make a speaker that will install pretty easy.

You can also buy adapter plugs so that you do not even have to cut wires. Just plug and play.

 

in your opinon whats the best speaker i can just drop in easily...and will that give me an improvment?

 

hey njtls i would say for a drop in speaker look at the jl audio vr's or maybe the polks.. but i think you should really go with some components upfront powered by another amp cuz i am sure those 2 l7s will drown out any drop in replacements you choose.. oh by the way i will definately have your stuff out my saturday hopefully sooner... i have had a change to work on it a little this week so far so i am pretty close to having it all out...

 

I would NOT get anything done by that guy if that's what he told you.....he's obviously not experienced if he can't do this installation(many guys on this board have changed HU's themselves)...take your business elsewhere, especially someone with more confidence and experience.

 

thanx for trying to get everyhting out so soon...

i dont know about components and an amp..i would like them eventually...but i dont think i can afford annother amp and good speakers right now...and i doubt i could install them myself so thats more money...i'll look at the vr's..thanx for the suggestions

 

It's just weird because the guy I talked to said he just worked on his friends TL and said that there was no way to change HU's without getting new speakers. I think I'll just get the amp and subs installed there because he gave me a pretty good price of $180 for labor, amp install, sub install, sub box, wires, etc. After he finishes that, I think I'll just call around to find price quotes for just a headunit install. Do you guys think this is a good idea or no? Thanks!!

 

he prob wanted u to buy the speakers from him, i changed out my HU and havent changed my speakers yet...i plan on to in the following few months....sound wise, its not that bad....then again, im not a sound quality freak....

 

stock speakers sound bette with an upgraded HU period...no theyre not competition quality, but if you want better sound from your stock setup, then upgrade the HU...about the installer, he's a joke, tryin to get more $$$ out of you...i mean you even brought your own kit, thats the hardest part of the install....is finding a kit, or have a shop customize a kit for you....

 

So then do you guys think it would be a good idea to just call around to find price quotes for just a headunit install, and let him install my amp and subs, or should I get it all done at the same place and cancel my appointment there (It's on Monday).

 

damn i bought the same headunit Pioneer Premier DEH-P850MP....
is there a difference between regular pioneer and ones that say Premier???

 

I would call around and see what you can find on the complete install.

 

if you have the dash kit and wiring harness you could probably do it yourself

 

Could someone possibly tell me how to install it myself. I've never done these things before but I have the kit and the harness. If not, I'll have my friend do it...he put his own in himself. THANKS!!

 

the most you could do is give it a try begfore you pay someone to do it right?....all you lose is time and you have a chance to save yourself moeny....

ok..so on hte DIY section of this site there is instructions for installing a cd changer....follow those instructions for the removal of the radio...it requires removing the driverside under dash and basscialy the whoe center console...not that hard.ive done it before trying to hid my neons...after you get the radio out...put in the kit wire it up and you should be good to go

ive never actually done this...but im about too...but ive been reading my service manual from the last week so i know how to take the car apart....and ive had everything out before (center console and everything) so i know its easy to take out and put back in...the wiring part is the only thing ive never done...but people say with the harness its simple..maybe someone can chime in

 

I've just gotten myself a P7500MP. The story basically runs exactly like you guys said. The hardest thing was to find a dash kit that matches. Our cars are tough, but eventually i gotten the metra kit 7868. The first shop i went to said the same thing - the wiring inside is just too complicated for us to do. Since then i gotten response from two other shops. The front and rear speakers can stay, both said the stock amps and sub would have to go. The amp i'm getting is on order, so i'm now running without the amp and the sub. Of course, completely relying on the four speakers for bass just plain sux, but they do sound a bit better than the original stock HU. Anyway, i'm now stuck on a decision, is that do i need a box for my sub or do i just stick a flat sub and replace the original sub. Space at my trunk is valuable, so having a seperate box there just for the sub is something i don't desire. I'm not very picky in the sound, but having no sub is just not acceptable. I'm very happy with the original sub. So do i really need a seperate box for the sub ?

Thanks,
Kenneth

 

I agree that the trunk space is valuable...it is for me also. Luckly we have a huge trunk!! I have both my subs in the trunk and I still have decent space in the trunk. You could get 1 sub...if you get one get a real good one and a big amp and you could have great sound without taking up much space at all. Changing the stock sub wont give you really any more bass....freeair subs arent really going to give you much, expecially with the size of our cabin it has to fill. I would get 1 good sub, and get the shop to port it through the spot where the stock sub was. This will give you good bass and you can keep your trunk space.

 

Send me a PM - remind me of your situation and I'll send you what I can in .pdf format.

 

mine sounds better with a aftermarket HU. it would sound better with new speakers with tweets though