Basic q's that need answers!
 

I recently purchased a 02 firehawk and it didnt have a head unit installed when I bought the vehicle. I'm installing a pioneer DEH-P6800mp and an ipod controller. My question is this..... Is it nessecary to replace the factory amp also? I'm going to change all speakers as well and did'nt want any conflicts that would affect sound quality. Thanks in advance.
Tony

Not IMO but others may think different.

It is necessary if you want good sound quality. Search on it.

To get the best SQ, you'll want to put in a new amp to run the interior speakers. Many people are satisfied with the Monsoon amp with an aftermarket HU, though. It really depends on how much you want to do and how much money you want to spend.

In my case totally satisfied with stock HU and Monsoon amp. I know some more SQ and less distortion at high levels could be added with changing them but based off my other systems it isn't going to be night and day or I would have done it. Look at it this way... get your base setup and you can always change later if you aren't totally happy. Up to the individual!

...as opposed to the exterior speakers? :jest:

It depends on your requirements and budget. You can get a nice sounding system from replacing the head unit and speakers while keeping the Monsoon amp. You can get a better system by rewiring with an aftermarket amp.

If you decide to keep the factory amp then you have to be careful about your speaker selection in order to get the best performance out of the setup. There have been dozens (if not hundreds) of threads about speaker replacement so a quick search should turn up lots of information.

It will be a pretty major difference. You can't run a first-order crossover with any small-format tweeter unless it's at 5kHz or higher.

Well, you know, some people like to have a few tweeters and mids on the spoiler and T-tops:P . . . I kinda had a feeling someone might say something about that.

Hatch speakers almost qualify. They are certainly almost as bad an idea.

You're no fun!:buttkick:(never used that one before:))

Thanks everyone for your input. It's defenitly food for thought. I do think that I will end up rewiring the whole car,installing new speakers amp and a sub.
Thanks again guy's
Tony