Getting more out of stock system

[Atrus]

So, I currently have a 10" kappa perfect with a crappy Lanzar amp added to the stock base system. The sub is suddenly not working properly (haven't looked into why yet), but I have really been considering ditching the sub anyway. It and the amp take up room, and I guess I am getting old - most of the time it's too loud anyway.

I really don't mind the stock system too much other than I'd like a little more volume out of it, and I'd really like it to have some more bass when loud. I'll have it set to +3 or +4 on the bass, and I have to watch the volume because it really starts getting fuzzy. Lower volumes I really think it sounds just fine. My biggest goal is to be able to do 80 on the freeway with the windows down and still hear the full range of music.

So, long story short, what are my options? How do the stock speakers do with just a new HU? Is the limiting factor the OEM HU? Years ago I bought a JVC headunit for a different vehicle and infinity reference speakers and was extremely disappointed with the performance - I think I really needed to run them off an amp. I am 100% against running my door speakers off an amp as it'll cost too much to do it and I have to locate an amp somewhere. If I ditch the sub, it's to open up interior room.

 

[kj924]

Well without amping any 6.5" speaker, it will sound like crap at higher volumes. I have a Panasonic HU and run a Kenwood 200 watt amp to the front doors to Infinity Reference speakers, The amp is tucked under the passengers seat, so it doesn't take up any room inside the KJ. Now, having said that, I have my 12" MTX sub in the rear cargo area and the amp for that is under the rear seat drivers side. So the only room I loose is back in the cargo area, and if I need the room that badly, then I just unplug my sub and remove it.

I was going to install the amps on the backside of the rear seats, but that would be impractical when flipping the seats down to haul anything in back.

Next on the list of stereo upgrades is a set of Infinity components up front and move the existing Infinity speakers to the rear doors, and top it off with an Alpine 4 channel amp say in the range of 100 watts /channel....more if I can swing it.

 

[Atrus]

I have my sub setup similar - it's behind the driver's rear, and I have the amp under the rear seat. The seat will almost lay flat, but the amp does stop it a bit. I have the box set up to be easily removable.