I am also installing an amp and sub today to give me some more punch in the bass. I went with a Pioneer DEH-P9800BT HU (which I will also install today). Now, I'm wondering if this will give me the great sound I'm looking for or should I go with a seperate amp for the speakers?

I installed 6.5" Infinity Reference speakers in the doors, would an amp help power these speakers or should the Pioneer be adequate? I am really disappointed with the sound of these speakers with the stock HU.

Using an outboard amplifier over head unit power will give you better sound all the time. You will have to wait to see if after doing this, and tweaking the HU if the speakers still leave you wanting more. If the answer is yes, you are very lucky to be on this forum .

You're gonna want to get a 4 channel amp to run the speakers, or the sub will probably drown out your speakers.

definately get a dedicated amp to power your speakers. that pioneer probably gives out around 18 watts per channel...IF that.

Yeah, I noticed that already. I think I'll be okay once I tweak the settings a bit. Man, the trunk rattles like freaking crazy with a sub back there though. I'm going to have to do something about that soon.

I like the sound of the system, much better than the stock HU anyway, but I need to figure out how to change all the settings on this unit.

Time to read the manual!!!

That is always a good idea...

where did you get the 9800bt and for how much>

I bought it new from etronics.com for $380.

Edit-Last night I spent about 30 minutes trying to figure out how to turn on the aux jack so I could use my iPod. Finally figured it out...I'm not impressed with the manual that's for sure. The thing is like 100 pages!!!

Anyone have any recommendations on an amp to drive the main speakers?

how much are you willing to spend?

A few hundred dollars wouldn't be out of my budget. Maybe $300-400 max?

BTW-I love this HU! I have the iPod hookup working so I can just plug my Nano into it and I have access to 4GB of music right there. Also, my cell phone is Bluetooth so I can take and send calls and use the hands free capability of the receiver and the caller's voice comes over the speakers. I mounted the mic at the top of the A pillar by the driver's door. When a call comes in the unit will go right to telephone so the music stops playing and all I have to do is answer the phone and start talking.

300-400 can get you a nice amp. Pearl96Max here can hook ya up

Who's that guy......