Volume/head-unit Problems....installing An Amp...enough Power?

[iamtheguyy]

I drive an 01 Corolla...

I recently bought a 50watt x 4 head unit to replace the stock unit...i replaced the standard crap speakers with good max 250 watt three-ways from my trade in...I have a problem...

the system begins to lose volume after rocking out for about 10-15 minutes at high volume + Bass...and if I leave the volume turned up the head unit will go into "protect" mode whatever that means and has to be reset before using again....

is this because the corolla can't put out enough power to run them, is my wiring shoddy?? or is it the head unit getting overworked because the speakers need a real amp?

I had an amp 1000 watt xplod... that was in my other car...SUV...should I hook it up? I figure it could solve the overworked head-unit and possibly bad wiring situation, through sheer power, but can the corolla put out the juice?? I doubt I will hookup the sub because it would take up my whole trunk and probably make my headlights flicker..

I'm sure I could get a better ground and better sound out of my speakers but it is a pain in the ###### to wire up...if it is a problem with the alternator's output...adding the amp would just make things worse...anyone know about corolla power output??

(something I have noticed....It does not lose volume or go into protect mode when the car is running on battery power only (engine off), what does this mean?)

Thank you in advance...sorry im kind of a car audio N00b

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[RidnClean 5,000+ posts]

what headunit and speakers?

neither put out those watts to let you know..

also its best to amp the speakers if there a component set, not coaxials.

 

[iamtheguyy]

kenwood kdc-mp235...yes i know the 50watts x 4 is more of a selling point than a fact, generally it is better to have a lower output head unit going into an amp, but i figured i could get away with just the head unit....

the speakers are threeway pioneers "normal/big size" six inches or something... it is all one piece low mids and highs...i have four of them wired up, but because the volume drops after using them loudly for a while I am only using the front two right now...

 

[Enellz 10+ year member]

I think its a wiring problem. Did you put it in?

 

[iamtheguyy]

yes, I couldn't justify paying someone to do it....yet...

i used the wiring harness from best buy...used flat blade connectors to hook up the speakers ( im bad at soldering and I might change my mind...)

...so far I haven't messed with the factory wiring except to put on connectors and wire up the harness...it passes the each speaker fader test....do you think I am asking too much from my head unit? are the speakers too much for it? considering the factory ones max out at 20 watts

I ran the same "unprofessional" unsoldered connections in my old car (with the amp and a sub) and it did just fine...think the factory ground is not good enough?