Pioneer Premium Sound
07-02-2011 | 11:25 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: 06-27-2010
Posts: 59
From: NJ
Pioneer Premium Sound
I have an HHR SS with the standard radio but would like to upgrade to pioneer premium sound system. Is the radio and the sub available and how much would it cost to upgrade?
The current system is ok, but really would like something with a a bit more base and volume. Want to go OEM and dealer installed to avoid problems.
The current system is ok, but really would like something with a a bit more base and volume. Want to go OEM and dealer installed to avoid problems.
07-02-2011 | 12:13 PM
#2
Rest In Peace
Joined: 06-13-2010
Posts: 2,301
From: IL.
SKIP the so called "pioneer premium sound system" altogether. It just is NOT that "premium" IMO.
Upgrade with all aftermarket audio/video.
I had the pioneer premium system in my HHR Panel, and it aint that good, I can Barely even hear the 8" sub at all, it's just not Powerful at all with the wimpy supplied amp in the system.
I am upgrading my whole system with Real Pioneer products, 2 amps, 12" sub, 4 new speakers, new head unit, all Pioneer.
I currently have my interior apart adding sound deadening. Head unit is installed the new speakers are in the doors and am working on wiring up the amps and new subwoofer soon.
I think you can get ALOT more power/sound going fully aftermarket over the oem pioneer so called system.
You won't have the wiring harnesses in your car for it, so it would be a PITA to get it all and hook it all up, it's easier and a Better system overall if you just go aftermarket.
IF you buy the 8" subwoofer used with it's cheap little thin plastic sub housing you'll need the amp and the Connector from the oem harness at the very least to connect and make a full length harness on your own. To buy the Whole harness from GM is VERY EXPENSIVE.
Do yourself a BIG favor and upgrade your audio system using whatever brand aftermaket components you like. You will have a Much Better sounding system.
Upgrade with all aftermarket audio/video.
I had the pioneer premium system in my HHR Panel, and it aint that good, I can Barely even hear the 8" sub at all, it's just not Powerful at all with the wimpy supplied amp in the system.
I am upgrading my whole system with Real Pioneer products, 2 amps, 12" sub, 4 new speakers, new head unit, all Pioneer.
I currently have my interior apart adding sound deadening. Head unit is installed the new speakers are in the doors and am working on wiring up the amps and new subwoofer soon.
I think you can get ALOT more power/sound going fully aftermarket over the oem pioneer so called system.
You won't have the wiring harnesses in your car for it, so it would be a PITA to get it all and hook it all up, it's easier and a Better system overall if you just go aftermarket.
IF you buy the 8" subwoofer used with it's cheap little thin plastic sub housing you'll need the amp and the Connector from the oem harness at the very least to connect and make a full length harness on your own. To buy the Whole harness from GM is VERY EXPENSIVE.
Do yourself a BIG favor and upgrade your audio system using whatever brand aftermaket components you like. You will have a Much Better sounding system.
07-02-2011 | 01:59 PM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: 06-16-2011
Posts: 95
From: Rocheter, NY
The issue with an aftermarket system is the tight integration they did with the factory system. Things like the lights on/ignition key in lock/door lock chime and turn signal "click" being part of the radio. Not to mention steering wheel / OnStar integration if your vehicle has those. We pulled a similarly integrated OEM radio out of our 96 Pontiac Transport (just traded with 272,000 on the new HHR) and had seemingly a ton of things that stopped working. With that old a vehicle and the need to upgrade from a cassette to cd it was worth the hassle but on a new one to give up all that integration - some of which may not have a functional equivalent replacement is tough to take.
While the Pioneer Premium may not be the best out there (or even close) you have to weigh it against what you'll be giving up to have a aftermarket unit.
While the Pioneer Premium may not be the best out there (or even close) you have to weigh it against what you'll be giving up to have a aftermarket unit.
07-02-2011 | 02:08 PM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: 03-06-2010
Posts: 6,869
From: Ohio
Mine sounds fine, A&P, but then I'm not playing to the neighborhood either. It's all in what you are looking for I guess. I can feel the bass, mirror shakes, loud enough for inside the car and it sounds good. Maybe there was something wrong with yours.
Agreed going GM is more expensive and doesn't have "broadcast" power, but it does work.
Agreed going GM is more expensive and doesn't have "broadcast" power, but it does work.
07-13-2011 | 06:55 AM
#5
Rest In Peace
Joined: 06-13-2010
Posts: 2,301
From: IL.
If you install aftermarket with the Correct wiring harnesses you will loose NOTHING at all, if you don't want to loose it.
Some don't care to keep on star, or dash chimes, so they opt for the harness that does not work with them to save a buck.
If you want everything to work as it did before, buy the Correct parts.
My 8" subwoofer works, just not up to My audio standards. Nor the rest of the stock so called "premium" system.
A transister radio with 1 speaker and a 9 volt battery, works. And I guess thats good enough for some people, not I.
A candle gives off light, but a light bulb gives off alot more and better lighting.
I am not looking to play to the neighborhood, that's kid stuff. I do however appreciate a Quality sounding system with enough power to crank it up on the highway and rock a few classics loud and clear. My wife also likes to crank up some good heavy metal tunes.
Vibrating a cars mirror is not a sign of a high quality audio system.
An upgraded system sounds better at low volume as well as at higher volumes. More power gives low levels more Umph, sounding better at the lower levels, not having to turn it up louder to Feel the music, and therefore not turning it up to Distortion levels to get that mirror vibrating.
Of course a kid wants 2 or more 18" subwoofers just to be Annoying as all hell, they have no clue yet about actual sound quality. To them, just loud Noises impresses their buddies.
I think anyone (an Adult) wanting to upgrade their system basic or the oem "pioneer" system would and could do ALOT better going full aftermarket.
And going from the basic system to the "pioneer" would be pita since the wiring is not there for it already. And it would not be all that much in the way of an upgrade, for the work involved.
Aftermarket could be done much better imo. And the cost is totally up to the person, you can spend a little or alot depending on your budget and your ear.
Some don't care to keep on star, or dash chimes, so they opt for the harness that does not work with them to save a buck.
If you want everything to work as it did before, buy the Correct parts.
My 8" subwoofer works, just not up to My audio standards. Nor the rest of the stock so called "premium" system.
A transister radio with 1 speaker and a 9 volt battery, works. And I guess thats good enough for some people, not I.
A candle gives off light, but a light bulb gives off alot more and better lighting.
I am not looking to play to the neighborhood, that's kid stuff. I do however appreciate a Quality sounding system with enough power to crank it up on the highway and rock a few classics loud and clear. My wife also likes to crank up some good heavy metal tunes.
Vibrating a cars mirror is not a sign of a high quality audio system.
An upgraded system sounds better at low volume as well as at higher volumes. More power gives low levels more Umph, sounding better at the lower levels, not having to turn it up louder to Feel the music, and therefore not turning it up to Distortion levels to get that mirror vibrating.
Of course a kid wants 2 or more 18" subwoofers just to be Annoying as all hell, they have no clue yet about actual sound quality. To them, just loud Noises impresses their buddies.
I think anyone (an Adult) wanting to upgrade their system basic or the oem "pioneer" system would and could do ALOT better going full aftermarket.
And going from the basic system to the "pioneer" would be pita since the wiring is not there for it already. And it would not be all that much in the way of an upgrade, for the work involved.
Aftermarket could be done much better imo. And the cost is totally up to the person, you can spend a little or alot depending on your budget and your ear.
07-13-2011 | 01:14 PM
#7
Senior Member
Joined: 09-20-2008
Posts: 210
From: Iowa
If you install aftermarket with the Correct wiring harnesses you will loose NOTHING at all, if you don't want to loose it.
Some don't care to keep on star, or dash chimes, so they opt for the harness that does not work with them to save a buck.
If you want everything to work as it did before, buy the Correct parts.
My 8" subwoofer works, just not up to My audio standards. Nor the rest of the stock so called "premium" system.
A transister radio with 1 speaker and a 9 volt battery, works. And I guess thats good enough for some people, not I.
A candle gives off light, but a light bulb gives off alot more and better lighting.
I am not looking to play to the neighborhood, that's kid stuff. I do however appreciate a Quality sounding system with enough power to crank it up on the highway and rock a few classics loud and clear. My wife also likes to crank up some good heavy metal tunes.
Vibrating a cars mirror is not a sign of a high quality audio system.
An upgraded system sounds better at low volume as well as at higher volumes. More power gives low levels more Umph, sounding better at the lower levels, not having to turn it up louder to Feel the music, and therefore not turning it up to Distortion levels to get that mirror vibrating.
Of course a kid wants 2 or more 18" subwoofers just to be Annoying as all hell, they have no clue yet about actual sound quality. To them, just loud Noises impresses their buddies.
I think anyone (an Adult) wanting to upgrade their system basic or the oem "pioneer" system would and could do ALOT better going full aftermarket.
And going from the basic system to the "pioneer" would be pita since the wiring is not there for it already. And it would not be all that much in the way of an upgrade, for the work involved.
Aftermarket could be done much better imo. And the cost is totally up to the person, you can spend a little or alot depending on your budget and your ear.
Some don't care to keep on star, or dash chimes, so they opt for the harness that does not work with them to save a buck.
If you want everything to work as it did before, buy the Correct parts.
My 8" subwoofer works, just not up to My audio standards. Nor the rest of the stock so called "premium" system.
A transister radio with 1 speaker and a 9 volt battery, works. And I guess thats good enough for some people, not I.
A candle gives off light, but a light bulb gives off alot more and better lighting.
I am not looking to play to the neighborhood, that's kid stuff. I do however appreciate a Quality sounding system with enough power to crank it up on the highway and rock a few classics loud and clear. My wife also likes to crank up some good heavy metal tunes.
Vibrating a cars mirror is not a sign of a high quality audio system.
An upgraded system sounds better at low volume as well as at higher volumes. More power gives low levels more Umph, sounding better at the lower levels, not having to turn it up louder to Feel the music, and therefore not turning it up to Distortion levels to get that mirror vibrating.
Of course a kid wants 2 or more 18" subwoofers just to be Annoying as all hell, they have no clue yet about actual sound quality. To them, just loud Noises impresses their buddies.
I think anyone (an Adult) wanting to upgrade their system basic or the oem "pioneer" system would and could do ALOT better going full aftermarket.
And going from the basic system to the "pioneer" would be pita since the wiring is not there for it already. And it would not be all that much in the way of an upgrade, for the work involved.
Aftermarket could be done much better imo. And the cost is totally up to the person, you can spend a little or alot depending on your budget and your ear.
I had 2 18s, and I'm heavily into SQ... Now do I like deep ground pounding bass? Sure do! Do I do it to impress my 'buddies" and be annoying as hell? NO! I do it because I am a basshead and enjoy it! nothing like the feeling of 25hz at 150+ dB!!!
But I have to agree the Pioneer System SUCKS!!! The 8's bandwidth and tone, SUCK. The tweeters are HARSH!!! The Mid-Drivers are alright but far from nice!
07-14-2011 | 06:58 PM
#8
Member
Joined: 02-19-2010
Posts: 62
From: fort mill, sc
I agree with the lack of fullness and tight bass response of the Pioneer upgraded system. My understanding is that the upgraded system has amplified tweeters and subwoofer. The tweeters are too bright/harsh and the subwoofer not able to go deep into bass but very boomy. Has anyone just replaced these, tweeters and subwoofer and left the rest OEM? What did you replace them with? Sound better or not worth the effort?
07-14-2011 | 07:24 PM
#9
Member
Joined: 07-01-2011
Posts: 83
From: Alabama
IMHO the "upgraded" Factory Pioneer does a good job. Can you open the doors and lift the gate and have a party with it...no, however for a premium unit is does become the control center for all you BT items, XM and On*. I happen to like all the features in a nice easy to use package, however when I through a party I use Mackie Thump 15-A powered speakers.....not my HHR system.
07-15-2011 | 06:36 PM
#10
Member
Joined: 02-19-2010
Posts: 62
From: fort mill, sc
I agree it is a step up over most systems. I drove a Malibu for about 2 weeks with the standard set up and when I got back into the HHR I was surprised by how much better the system in the HHR sounded. I do like the GM head unit and all its features, subscribe to XM and have all 6 folders programmed. I prefer the stock look. But if a simple tweak such as new speakers will provide a fuller, richer tighter sound, I'm game.