Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio Power limits for factory speakers

I don't have much experience with car audio. I recently bought a Pioneer DEH-12A AM/FM/CD player at Wal-Mart for my 98 Mystique. It is rated at 45 watts per channel. I am not looking for high power or premium sound--just an inexpensive unit that will play CDs. At the moderate volume levels that I use, it sounds pretty decent.

Anyway, the manual warns that the speakers must have a minimum rating of 45 watts, and that anything rated less could catch fire, emit smoke, or be damaged. I can deal with damage, but I don't want my speakers catching fire. Do I need to replace the factory speakers?

If I worked for Pioneer I'd say..."You'd better go out and buy 2 sets of Pioneer 6x8 (don't know nor care about model #'s for this post)...but, if you aren't interested in cranking the music up, you can hook up some bass blockers clicky to protect your factory speaks...however, I would reccomend a speaker replacement. you can find cheap ones all over the internent...
like here!
or here!

basically, it's all up to you and what you want it to do...just stay with a brand name that you've heard of...Pyramid=bad...

If that's all you can afford for now, you'll be fine. You may end up blowing out a factory speaker or two, no big deal. You can get replacements for $2 each, or I have a pair lying around. The stock speakers are pretty decent sounding, if the bass is blocked such as t-red said. But if you don't have a sub, don't worry.

The stock speakers are only rated at 20 watts. I say replace them. Your Pioneer is putting 22 watts RMS. 22 does not equal 20.

I don't think 2w is gonna make or break 'em.


With some bass blockers, the stockers should be able to handle the power output of the Pioneer HU. I'd choose around 75Hz for the best frequency coverage or 150Hz for the best power handling abilities.

They are still stock no matter what way you look at it!

That's true. But, sometimes they're good enough to meet the owner's needs and/or wallet.

I used the stockers myself for a few months. With the adjustable hi-pass x-over on my HU and its higher power output with less distortion than the factory garbage amp, they sounded decent for stock speakers.

They weren't quite up to the 100w per channel that I put at them next, tho.

If you crossed them over at 1000 hz, the stock speakers can probably handle 100w or more. Put some bass blockers on them if you have a sub, if not, just hook them up and play them until they blow. No chance of fire.

Thanks for your replies. If that 20-watt rating on the speakers is really an rms rating, and my CD player is rated to 22 watts rms, then I should be OK unless I crank the volume all the way up for loud music, which I don't plan to do. I guess I'll wait and see if I have any problems.

My stock speakers must have been built blown.
They were better at bouncing that playing music...Well, I enjoyed bouncing them more than listening to them at any rate.