Re: sound systems?

[Stefan Hudson <hudson@mbay.net>]

I can't comment on the JL Audio, but I can say that getting a new amp made
ALL the difference with the factory speakers.  There are very few amps that
can drive a 1-ohm system, but the Sony ES XM-1805GX will.  It's a 5-channel
amp (60W x 4 + 180W x 1 with crossover - higher at 1 ohm, actually), and it
will drive the factory speakers loud enough to make my ears ring with no
distortion.  I'm not using the sub channel, but it should drive the stealth
box nicely.

My head unit is an Aiwa CD-MP3... not all that great in terms of features or
usability, but it was one of the first units that could play MP3s, and still
the only reasonably affordable one.  Sound quality is fairly good.

I think the factory speaker system has gotten a bad rap because of the
impedance matching problems you get by trying to use the factory amp, or other
amp not designed to drive 1-ohm systems.  With a good amp and decent head unit
with line-level outputs, they sound very good.

Installing a new amp is a hell of a lot easier than installing new speakers,
too.  I just needed to build an adapter for the factory amp harness to bring
out the signals I needed, modify the mounting bracket, and I was set.  I didn't
even bother to run new power lines - the 20 amp supply for the factory amp
works fine, although if I was running a sub, I'd probably need to upgrade that.

Stefan

On Wed, Sep 19, 2001 at 07:53:10PM -0400, VR6vEEEdUB@aol.com wrote:
> im curious about what type of sound systems people on the list have installed 
> in their jettas.  the reason im asking is because im planning on upgrading.  
> i was wondering what type of head units,amps,subs, separate components you 
> all have and how the system came out.  i esp want to hear from anyone who has 
> heard or installed a JL Audio stealth box.  thanks for your replies
> 
> 
> marc 
> 97 blk/blk