factory stereo - aftermarket sub

jay czura · Nov 16, 2005

Which factory stereo do you guys have? I have an 03 ST w/the Pioneer in-dash 6 disc changer and factory sub (not the Adrenaline modle). I am having an Eclipse AVN5435 HU with a Kenwood sub installed on Friday to replace the POS factory sub I have now.

The Eclipse puts out 15W RMS/50W max and the sub is a 6.5" (vs the 5" factory job) and produces 150W max and I think 75W RMS. I am almost happy with the factory highs - just the sub has no bottom end. I want to keep the truck functional so the Kenwood KSC-SW1 was the only thing I found that would fit in the factory location (behind the rear driver side seat).

How many watts does the factory system have?

Do you guys think the Kenwood sub will be better than the factory set up?

Michael Waite · Nov 16, 2005

Any aftermarket sub is better than the factory. I just installed a MTX 200W amp and 10" sub and it sounds so much better. BTY, are you selling the factry HU?? I'm interested if you are.

Michael Waite · Nov 16, 2005

scott r · Nov 16, 2005

The Amp you buy WILL make a difference in sound. I bought some mega high wattage amp from a friend really cheaply (it was a semi-well known brand, but pretty much junk). The guys at the stereo shop told me that if I didn't think the "new" amp that they were trying to sell me sounded better than the old one, they'd do ALL of my work for free that day, so I had 'em put it in and the difference was very noticeable. So don't skimp on your choice of amplifier. The factory amps are rarely worth a crap.

Also, michael is right, virtually any aftermarket sub from a well-known manufacturer will sound a LOT better than the factory sub.

jay czura · Nov 16, 2005

Sorry Mike - no plans to sell the factory HU since I will most likely be taking the Eclipse with me when I sell the truck. Here is the link for the Kenwood sub I bought. Anyone out there using it? I didn't go w/an aftermarket amp since the sub has one built in. I'm not looking for serious bass - just a slightly better thump than the factory job.