Need new HU w/POWER!

[spiderman]

Well I guess this will be my 1st question. I am planing on upgrading my stock system. I will be upgrading the Sub to one of the 8" JL subs as suggested in the upgrades thread(like that drop-in factor). For speakers I will be using Infinity Kappa Series (680.7cs in front and 63.7i in the rear). My problem is what HU to get? I'm looking for the most power I can get as I do not want to add another amp to power the Infinity's. I know I won't come close to an external amps power howerver I would like to get the most "Real" power I can. I've read some of the info on here about how some companies inflate there power numbers both RMS and Peak. So just want to get some ideas and see what other folks have had success with. Txs for your time.

[Run for Cover]

pioneer decks probrably puts out the most and they are only in the high teens.. You need to get an amp for those speakers or its a waste of money...

[blthlt]

I think about 22 Watts RMS is about the normal now a days.

[ChopstickHero]

I think about 22 Watts RMS is about the normal now a days.

yeah, if you are serious about sound, then you will go with an external amp and some a good set of components.

i used to have an Alpine MRV-T420 pumping 110watts RMS to JL Audio XR-CSi650 components. sounded awesome!

[chuyler1]

Stick with the popular brands if you are looking to get the most out of the on-board amp. Brands like Pioneer, Alpine, Clarion, and Eclipse are going to put out decent power. If you try to save a few bucks and go with a less popular brand, chances are the specifications on the amp chip are exaggerated.

I don't know which brand is claiming to have the most powerful amplifer chip these days...but the difference is usually pretty small. Go to a stereo shop and pick a set of speakers on the board that most resembles what you have or plan to buy. Tell the sales person you want to hear the speakers powered off the head units. They should be able to let you switch between the different units so you can here for yourself which ones sound better.

[spiderman]

Looked at some of the Pioneer and Panasonic's you guy's suggested. Some have MOSFET 22watts RMS/50 peak. Do you think thats the most I can expect? and do you think that will be enough? Txs for the suggestions:)

[MrDiggler]

I know I'll get flamed for it, but once again I have to recommend the Sonys. I always bought them for their stellar tuner and the wired remote (not power), but the one I bought two years ago for the MSP still amazes me. This thing has balls much bigger than the factory Kenwood did. Enough power and clarity that I've still not gotten around to installing my 4-channel amp for the mids/highs, and I may not.

I've got the head unit's high-pass xover set at 78 Hz, and my mids play loud and clear enough to make it uncomfortable, and that's with a little dip in the EQ from 2-8k Hz to lessen the upper mid attack. Everyone that rides in it thinks my amp is installed.

The built-in adjustable EQ and crossovers are nice extras to have. Some of the other brands may be doing this as well, but I love this Sony. Just don't turn on the DSO (yuck).

[Breeegz]

Looked at some of the Pioneer and Panasonic's you guy's suggested. Some have MOSFET 22watts RMS/50 peak. Do you think thats the most I can expect? and do you think that will be enough? Txs for the suggestions:)

I don't think you'll get much more than that without going external...

think about it;
cd mechanism, display, sound processor and amplifer need to fit in the size of the radio.

how big does external amps run now-a-days? about the size of your HU or bigger, right?

Don't get me wrong, if you are willing to live with sub-par sound, then using you HU to power you speakers is fine (I do it), however you gotta pay to play... in space and money.

Xtant makes a 100 watt RMS(?) amp about the size of 2-3 CD's stacked on each other... possible option, if you value your SQ