1999 Tahoe Rear Speaker

[WorleyGuy]

Does anyone out there know what kind of speakers (OEM) are in the rear roof of a 1999 Chevy Tahoe?

Is it a 1-way mid-range?
2-way tweeter and mid-range?

How many watt output?

I bought a Tahoe with Pioneer, 2-way, tweeter and mid-range, 120w speakers. I thought one was blown. I replaced the one I thought was blown with a new Pioneer 2-way (just like the one removing) and it still sounds blown.

Anyone have any idea what speaker was OEM?
Anyone have an idea what these Pioneers sound like crap?

WorleyGuy

 

[DriveHard]

The rear roof speaker in your Taho looks to be a 4"x10". I would visit Crutchfield whenever you have size questions.

As far as what was in there to begin with...I am guessing you have a paper woofer cone with a wizzer tweeter on it (small paper cone glued to the dust cover of the speaker). Normally these are low power handling speakers with high efficiencies. Your new speakers (no matter Pioneer or not) are far superior in almost every way. Any name brand speaker will pretty much out perform the stock paper units the OEM's try to pass off as speakers.

Those 4x10 will not handle much bass. I would suggest installing a bass blocker in line with the speaker. It should help you to be able to turn it up a bit more. Don't expect too much from your stock head unit either...they don't put out much power.

If your new speakers had the similar "blown" sound as the factory speakers right out of the box I would suggest a wiring problem or a head unit problem. The wires may be bare and touching ground somewhere, or each other. You could try taking the head unit out and wiring a speaker directly to the speaker output in the back of the unit. If the problem is solved, you know it is the wiring...if not go get yourself a new head unit.

Any more Q's, just let me know.

 

[WorleyGuy]

Hey DriveHard,

Thanks for you input.

I checked online with Crutchfield, I've got the right deminsions, but I'm wondering if I have the right wattage.

I called my local chevy part dealer, they have no idea, but they did tell me it is a two way.

You are right about those speakers not handling too much bass. Thing is, if I turn the bass down to keep them from popping etc, I won't hear bass at all. If I fade to the speakers up front, I can crank it but I only get bass and tweeter. I need to check the wiring and/or the head unit. I guess wiring would involve removing the head liner and then some.

I'm also hoping to find someone who has a '99 Tahoe I can ask to pop the speaker cover and take a look.

I need to pull the radio out the dash and check all connections and work to the back where the speakers are.

Any idea house much a head unit costs?

 

[DriveHard]

WorleyGuy -

The wattage of a speaker does not really matter when powering them off a stock headunit. The rating is simply an estimate of the total amount of power the speaker is supposed to handle without damage. You can use a 5W speaker with a 2W amp and be fine. You can also use a 1000W speaker with the same 2W amp and be fine. The only difference in output will be due to the sensitvity. This is the rating in db that is usually in the 85 to 92 rating. The higher the better for the most part.

Don't go tearing out your headliner just yet. Get a digital multi meter and run some tests.
-disconnect the speaker wires from the back of the head unit.
-check both leads to ground...both should NOT be grounded
-check both leads to each other...should NOT be connected
-check that both leads offer almost zero resistance from the speaker location to the head unit.

If all that checks out ok, its probably your speaker or your head unit.

Test the speaker...
hook it up somewhere else...do you have a home stereo? You can use that...just DO NOT TURN UP THE VOLUME. You are simply testing to be sure it reproduces sound like you would expect.

Test the headunit...
Hook up other speakers. You can do this with any other speaker...it doesn't have to be installed. Extend the wire leads if necessary. Adjust the output so it is only on the speaker you are listening to. Sit close to the speaker. In big cars many times you don't realize how loud a rear speaker is until you are right next to it.

If you turn up the speaker to where it pops...you are doing damage! If you turn it up to where it destorts...you are doing damage! You can destroy a 500 watt speaker with a 250 watt clipped signal (distorted).

A new head unit can run anywhere from $100 to well over $1000. Depends on what you want. Most people would be happy with your average $150 to $200 unit.