Hi I own a Subaru impreza WRX 2002 and want to change the audio system but not the radio I want a power amplifier at least 40wx 4 and a subwoofer output somebody recommend me Sony XM-1805gx power amp...what do you think? I also want to change the speakers and add a parametric EQ crossover but want recommendation about how to hook the radio with the EQ crossover I mean using a BTL or other type of connection.
Thanx....................

Sony makes decent amps, but very over-rated power ratings.

Alpine has some decent quality amps, that are not terribly over-rated....

That all sounds allright but if you want a a quality system you HAVE to replace the head unit. You are never going to get the quality of sound or clarity by tieing your amps into the factory head unit. There are a number of double din units out there that will maintain the "factory" look. Also Sony subs suck. I would recommend JL. They have a variety of subs ranging from the afordable to the outrageous. if you are going to do it...do it once...and do it right.

everyone is entitled to an opinion, and since you asked, here goes.

you DO NOT have to change out the stock head unit for good quality. granted changing the head unit out for an aftermarket, even on the stock speakers will provide a very noticable difference.

i have changed every component except my head unit.
why?
i have yet to find a double or single din that i like and/or is in my budget. also you can still have a quality stereo w/o changing the head unit.

now i know you don't stand a chance winning a sound quality competition with a stock head unit, but then again how many people with aftermarket stereo systems actually compete? if you are planning on competing your stereo, do go with an aftermarket head unit and strike all my above statements

DF

I GET A SONY AMPLIFIER :
http://images.cardomain.com/products/son/SONXM604EQX_1.jpg
http://images.cardomain.com/products/son/SONXM604EQX_2.jpg
AT GOOD PRICE THIS AMP IS 60WX4CHANNELS FOR THE PRICE OF $200.00 BRAND NEW AND ALSO GET THOSE SPEAKERS:

http://store4.yimg.com/I/igotahotdeal_1714_31835367
FOR $49.95 (THESE ARE THE FRONT SPEAKERS)
I'M FINDING RIGHT NOW THE REAR SPEAKERS
...AND REALLY i NOT PRETEND TO CHANGE MY FACTORY RADIO IS DOUBLE DIN WITH CASSETTE AND 6 CD CHANGER AND SOUNDS GOOD.
NOW WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS AMPLIFIER........

the reason you WANT to change out your stock headunit....it's only 7watts rms.....if you get good quality speakers you're going to need 30+ watts rms...plus improving the cd player w/ it helps...i would do that before changing speakers or adding an amp...just my $.02

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the reason you WANT to change out your stock headunit....it's only 7watts rms.....
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UHM...Are you shure suppose to be a total of 80Watts.
Right now I begin Installation "oh my god is tough" I recently removed the front speakers and is a single speaker (no tweeter added), The radio have many many wires need to find the correct speaker configuration.

the specs they show u...aka the "80 watts" is peak power not continues power w/ all channels driven...it might not be exactly 7 but between 7-10 either way stock headunits suck unless you get the legacy w/ the mcintosh or the lexus w/ the mark levinosn

Yes the stock HU does not have that much power. The "80 watts" is just marketing hype, 8-10 per channel is more like reality.
If you decide to add an amp to the stock unit there are no preamp outs so you either need to use an amp that accepts speaker level inputs or get line-level converters.

...........I get line level converter too but right now I'm configurating the output wires of the radio.,and if the factory radio is just 7 or 8 watts x channel "I wonder" it sounds loud.
but let me tell you that I remove the radio and see in the back and it carry a big HeatSink and four power output adhered to the heat sink.,there are many radio that carry power output IC that are connected as a bridge and you know what this means .,mine is ,probably, identical and is probably floating ground so it can handle more power than 8watts.


ps :I forget to tell you that the radio said:Manufactured by MATSU****A so this probably means that this radio is PANASONIC.

i don't care how big the heat sink is...believe all you want that it's 80 watts..i'm sure it might be able to do that at almost full volume and 20% distortion....u people need to stop w/ the mind set the wattage is everything you look at....u want something w/ a good power output 50-100watts w/ LOW distortion like 0.5% (mcintosh) to 2-3% (ppi, jl, diamond audio)..also look for good frequency response 20hz-20khz or better...some go from 2hz-200khz

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i don't care how big the heat sink is...believe all you want that it's 80 watts..i'm sure it might be able to do that at almost full volume and 20% distortion....u people need to stop w/ the mind set the wattage is everything you look at....u want something w/ a good power output 50-100watts w/ LOW distortion like 0.5% (mcintosh) to 2-3% (ppi, jl, diamond audio)..also look for good frequency response 20hz-20khz or better...some go from 2hz-200khz
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Let me tell you something first of all I have no interest if my factory radio., if handle 80W total power or 8watts total power .just in case is better that my factory radio handle 8w instead of 80w cuz a lot of power create distortion in the line level converter.
.Wassup man I'm technician and I can open my radio and modify it to hook up a pair of RCA plug before the amp. stage putting a preAmp circuit that I myself create..ok., and also I will check the IC pieces to show you the characteristics in my ECG book to clear the doubt you have.
About the spec. of your amp. ..thanx but is to late
I hook up my amp. and is getting very good sound.and loud...
http://images.cardomain.com/products/son/SONXM604EQX_1.jpg

http://store4.yimg.com/I/igotahotdeal_1714_31835367
ps the spec of the WRX are in some subaru site but don't remember where.
thanx and MERRY CHRISTMAS.

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I'm technician and I can open my radio and modify it to hook up a pair of RCA plug before the amp. stage putting a preAmp circuit that I myself create..ok.
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I also want to change the speakers and add a parametric EQ crossover but want recommendation about how to hook the radio with the EQ crossover I mean using a BTL or other type of connection.
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Your a TECHNICIAN but you can't hook up a simple EQ/Crossover, and a 5 channel Amp to your factory deck?????

Even if you do break open the stock deck and mod it to have preamp outputs it will still have distortion due to this deck being a P.O.S..
Yeah I am a technician also.....A Network Technician : )

P.S. I don't mean to slam you like this but would you really think a real technician.
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The radio have many many wires need to find the correct speaker configuration.
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distortion don't worry for the distortion the preAmp we design in the university is almost free of distortion.
and as I said is too late my car is handling right now with a high quality sound crisp crystal clear and voices in the front speakers and mid low in the in the rear plus a subwoofer in the back with another Xtra amp. for deep bass so I get 60wx 4 +150w.

output power of the headunit doesn't matter if you aren't using it to run any speakers.;)

output power if is more than 30watts will cause distortion to the speaker line converter.

Yeah... sure my car audio sounds crystal clear right now and I not using the total power of the Amp.cuz I reduce the levels of the speaker line converter and is free of distortion and no noise of the car.,and really I'm not looking for power I want definition and that's what I get anyway I highly recommend this amp.
http://images.cardomain.com/products/son/SONXM604EQX_1.jpg

if you can get one.

ps ;I have the wires configuration of the factory radio of my WRX 2002 just in case you want it.

The Only Problem I see with all the b**c*ing going on is none of you are seeing the exact point!!!!Run it that way if you like but you will have to replace you head unit eventually due to the fact that you underpowering everything in your car. So whether you want to do it now or later you are going to have to replace it period. Now you may want to think yea right being an Installer with a few years experience you may want to think about cost effectiveness $300.00 now or replace with factorry at a cost of $600.00 to $800.00 you make the choice