Expert: Ernesto R - 9/28/2011

Question
QUESTION: I have a 2003 GMC truck. It has the basic am/fm cd player in it. Dont even have power windows or locks. I'm sure the stereo is the standard head unit. I just stuck a pair of Kenwood 6.5 inch 3ways in the doors that didn't help alot. I dont believe factory unit has the wattage to produce a good clean sound. I'm not wanting a awesome system just a solid, crisp Neal Young with a fair bit of bass. I can buy a Alpine for just a little more than a small amp. Is that what I should get,in your opinion? I dont need the thump of a sub.

ANSWER: I can buy a Alpine  ?? alpine  what ?

did you check the specs of the factory speakers ? if they are 2 ohms or 1.5 ohms no aftermarquet speaker is going to sound any better,
fin that information first, if they are 4 ohms add a small 4 channels amplifier 50wats x 4 will be enought

good luck

factory stero is 18 watts per channel



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Wow. Good to know that info about the speakers. So your telling me that factory speakers will sound just as good as a high end speakers such as Polk Audio or JL if the ohms are the same? How do these companys keep such information unknown? I sure have been taken for a ride several times.In my previous question I was referring to a Alpine receiver with 18 watts rms. Sorry,I didn't put that. Thanks for the info. I'll pass it along to my friends.

Answer
no this is how it works the factory stereo produces 18 watts of power with the factory speakers because they are 1.5 to 2 ohms.
If you replace it with 4 ohms speaker, the out from the radio is only going to be half or less under 9 watts per channel  the result is bad sound  
so to get decent sound you need to match the speaker specs and or add a small amplifier

good luck