Hi,
I was just wondering is it possible to replace the tape deck (which no longer works) or radio with a cheap c.d player (sound quality isn't really important) and wire it up to the existing speakers (which still work).

 

Yes, but you will have to run new wire to the speakers. The stock speakers go through stock amps (on the GSL and GSL-SEs anyway). I have a GSL with just the front two speakers hooked up to a Sony deck. All I did was take the speaker outputs from the deck and hooked them straight up to the speakers.

This works because the stock stereo isnt amplified, so it needs the external amps to make the speakers work. Since most car stereos (except some newer ones, and really high end ones) have built in amps, they dont need external amps. Basically, the newer stereos output enough power to power the speakers without needing an amplifier so if you hook them straight up to the speakers, youre fine .

~T.J.

 

Just FYI: Do your front speakers over power the rear speakers? I've found that any 4" speaker that's hooked up to the stock stereo puts out poor quality sound compared to the rears. As soon as it's warm out, I'm going to put 6.5" speakers in the door panels. Should sound excellent.

 

Unless you werent talking to me...

I only have front speakers hooked up. I was too lazy to run wire to the back . Besides, the stock speakers sound like crap for the most part, and I have no antenna, so that doesnt help either .

~T.J.

 

Nah, I was just pointing out what I had come across.

 

FWIW I've got Infinity 4's up front and I have my deck faded slighty front and to the driver side. I have really nice imaging considering this is more or less a budget stereo system. A lot of the poor sound quality can be fixed with decent stuff..

--Danny

 

I put a pair of Polk GXR4s in the kickpanels, a pair of Polk GXR6As in the rear, and a Blaupunkt LasVegas CD-Reciever. I did have to run some new speaker wire to the rear, but not all the way to the back. I just ran it from where the receiver would be to the wiring channel on the driver's side of the car back to the driver's side storage compartment. There, I just connected my new wires to the old output-wires of the amp (just bypassing the amp). I guess the old wires might be poor quality, but damn changing it all would be tough. The system sounds great. Bass isn't an issue at all, and I don't really enjoy music that rattles the car, so I skipped the subwoofer. I'm no worse for wear. So yes, a new stereo system is very possible, and it doesn't cost a whole lot (if you go with a kind of economical system like I did). I know you want to keep those exisiting speakers... and sure it's possible... but if you heard new speakers compared to the old ones you might be compelled to change. If you need help with wiring or anything, feel free to PM me.

To address this... I have the fade set to 2-front so the rears won't overpower the fronts... sounds fine to me