I'm getting an Alpine CDE-7858 head unit from a friend, and I was wondering if the stock speakers (02 xe) will be able to handle the 45w per channel it puts out. I don't have the $$ right now for new speakers, but I also don't want to blow the ones I have now. Does anyone know what the max wattage is that the factory speakers can handle?

Thanks,
Megan

Megan, if I'm not mistaken that head unit won't be putting out 45w per channel. Instead I think its more like 45 watts total power going through 4 cannels so you are actually getting 11.25 watts per channel...but I may be wrong. In any case its highly unlikely that any head unit alone will blow your speakers.

The box at his house said "45Wx4 amplifier". I don't know anything about stereos, so I don't know if that's total or per chanel

Megan

Have you ever seen the size of a 200 watt amp? Is there one installed in your head unit?

specs;

Product Description
8x Oversampling.
CD-R Compatibility.
1 PreOut.
2-Color Display.
45W x 4 High Power Amplifier.
Anti-Theft Detachable Front Panel.
Preset Stations (FM:12/AM:6/DAP:6).

Details
Brand Alpine
Estimated Price Under $250
MD Changer Support No
Peak Power 45 Watts
Playing Options Random Play • Repeat Play
Preamp Outputs 1 pair
Reads MP3 CDs No
Security Feature Anti-Theft Detachable Front Panel
Station Presets 6 AM, 12 FM
Subwoofer Preamp Output No

Notice the peak power in bold. I'm pretty sure that means 45 watts max divided by 4 channels...sorry

The 45W is peak power per channel. Stereo manufacturers rate head units with peak power to make them look like they are soemthing they are not. Average power is probably more like 15-20W (of dirty power) which will almost certainly be fine with the factory speakers. Factory head unit is probably putting out about 10W nominal. On the bright side it will be an excuse to get good speakers later if you destroy them!

One thing to note is that with a speaker it is better to over power it than under power it unless it's a subwoofer. More damage is done to speakers from not getting enough power which causes signal clipping. This is not a problem on subwoofers and generally the opposite is true.

Okay. That makes sense. I'm actually glad that the peak is 45 watts. As much as I would love to put in new speakers, i can't afford it right now.

And, no, I have no idea what a 200 watt amp looks like, I told ya, I know nothing about car stereos.

Thanks again guys,

Megan