Upgrading from stock

[Theessence]

yeah that's what I was seeing too. It'll be better than the 2-4 watts I was getting before though. Then once I hook up an amp I'll really be rockin .

[vanilla gorilla]

Originally Posted by PaulD

all of the aftermarket "high power" head units put out about 18 watts RMS per channel of real power (and that's at like 1% THD or better).

I was mostly talking about the ratings on speakers. For instance door speakers with a "160watt peak", just for example. I'm just saying ratings don't mean anything. Like 160 peak ?...that can mean anything. Maybe it means 160watt playing ONLY the tweeter? Maybe it means 160watts at a frequency so low its not usable? I'm just saying all the ratings can be misleading.

Especially with amps...god...95% of manufacturers pull numbers out of their ass. For instance a 1000watt MAX amp. I mean what is MAX? What does max mean?...nothing. Its just made up. Max is the guy next door...he doesnt exist.

[PaulD]

there is NO FTC standard for rating anything car stereo like there is for home stereo ...... so you're exactly right, an unscrupulous manufacturer can pull whatever numbers they want out of their ass, and you have no one you can complain to. That's why we posted a rating scheme, I thnk it's in the newbie thread, keep away from the ones in worst group and you should be ok.

As far as amps go, without a true DC - DC power converter it's VERY difficult to get more than 12.2 watts/ch RMS. Head units fall into this category.

[Theessence]

That list I think is where I got pioneer premier from. It's in my price range and its not sold at wal-mart so it seems reasonable that it should be good (or at least not crap)

[sickcallawayc12]

Originally Posted by Theessence

That list I think is where I got pioneer premier from. It's in my price range and its not sold at wal-mart so it seems reasonable that it should be good (or at least not crap)

The majority of Wal-Marts do in fact carry a few Pioneer products by way of speakers, HUs, subs, and amps. Don't feed bad buying their products here. I got my Pioneer amp there over 5 years ago and still produces amplified power to this day. They aren't top of the line models, but should suffice to your needs.

[alphalanos]

If you're short on cash I would skip the rear speakers altogether. Just get a decent front set of either 2 ways(good) or components(better) and a 2 ch. amp. This will save some money and give you better results.

[PaulD]

Originally Posted by alphalanos

If you're short on cash I would skip the rear speakers altogether. Just get a decent front set of either 2 ways(good) or components(better) and a 2 ch. amp. This will save some money and give you better results.

shhhh .... don't give away ALL of our secrets