Has anyone added an amplifier w/ speaker level inputs to the stock head unit? I just purchased an 09 sport w/o navigation and plan on upgrading front and back speakers and I recognize that I will most likely need an amp. I know sometimes factory set ups are optimized to work together (crap head unit --> crap speakers) but was wondering if that bloated mid bass is going to transfer to my aftermarket amp/speakers set up. If possible, I don't want to give up the factory HU but would rather do it all at once if enough of you tell that it will still have the factory sound characteristics. I am no longer a bass head so I will not be adding a sub. I just want it to sound neutral which it is anything but right now. Also, does anyone know why Crutchfield's web site matching system is recommending that I do NOT use their Infinity shallow-mount 6.5 coaxials in the rear doors?

Thanks for reading my ridiculously long post!

 

ok buddy if i read your post right than this well help i replaced all the crap in my fit with 5 1/4 BOSTON PROs they work but the head unit cant handle anything more than stock so your be clipping till you get an amp and yes my amp (BOSTON GT-50) is spliced with the speaker wires and rest is cake the 6.5 in the rear is... well... pointless you dont sit back there. your get the same thing out of 5 1/4 (and same money) hoped this helped and i dont know about the non NAV HU but the factory AMP is bult in the NAV unit so mabe they keeped it the same with the nonNAV cars good luck DONT BYPASS THE FACTORY AMP YOUR KILL YOUR HU (atlest you well with the NAV)

 

Thanks for the advice! I won't be bypassing the factor HU amplifer. It will be feeding an old RF amp that has speaker level inputs. I was just wondering if anyone here has done that in addition to upgrading the speakers. If the factory HU is specifically EQ'd to work w/ those factory paper cones, this might not work out so well.

Again, I appreciate your input Blackout.