If I add aftermarket head unit, will I need to replace car speakers as well?

Question

A man in Best Buy told me that if I bought aftermarket head units, chances are that the head unit will not be compatible with my factory amp already built in my car. So he told me I will need to replace the speakers to get good quality audio. Is this right?

Can I just buy an aftermarket head unit without worrying about replacing my stock speakers?

Answer 1

I need more information about the vehicle to answer. In most cases, you can use an after-market head unit with a factory-amplified system, but you may need a special interface adapter to make them work well together. Most Chrysler Infinity sound systems and Volkswagen or GM Monsoon systems will work with after-market decks without an adapter. Other types of vehicles with Bose, JBL and other premium sound systems would need the adapter, and a few vehicles (like Mercedes with fiber-optic audio cables) won't let you connect the after-market deck to the factory amp at all.

Often the speakers in factory-amplified systems are lower impedance than what after-market decks are designed to operate. Therefore, if you can't keep the factory amp in the system, it might be necessary to replace the speakers.

Let me know the year and model of your vehicle, and what kind of premium sound system it has, for more information.

Answer 2

That depends on what car you drive. Expensive cars have nice sound system. Cheap cars have a so and so speakers. It you can replace it with nice brand 3 way speakers, yes it will sound better. That is what I did with my Ford.

Answer 3

not true at all i have bought a pioneer head unit for a 99 cavalier and used the original speakers and the sound was fine so his answer was a sales ploy to sell you some speakers

Answer 4

You don't have to replace the speakers if you don't want to. The radio will work with the ones in the car already.

Answer 5

he's trying to make money. just replace your head unit, but new speakers will sound better.