Thinking of replacing stereo - '99 Boxster

[Cunningr]

Pioneer DEH 80 has blues tooth, CD, usb inputs hands free, single din, can becset up in active mode to control seperate drivers or as a standard. Very verstile has on board amp great eq. Audiophile quality. Cost around $300

[Starter986]

I've got this sitting around... Kenwood KDC-448U. With remote.

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/257840/Kenwood-Kdc-448u.html?page=2#manual

It was in the car when I purchased, but installed another HU I took from my Bim. You can find reviews all over the web. I'm asking $80, shipped. PM me if interested.

[shacky]

Originally Posted by Cunningr

Pioneer DEH 80 has blues tooth, CD, usb inputs hands free, single din, can becset up in active mode to control seperate drivers or as a standard. Very verstile has on board amp great eq. Audiophile quality. Cost around $300

I was looking at that. Sounds like external amp brings out the best in it. Internal amp looks same as lower models.

[shacky]

I noticed difference in preamp voltage on these two. Is that real and does it make a difference?

[shacky]

I just asked Crutchfield and they said my car without nav and with door speakers already has factory separate amp. I did not know that?

Is that true and where is the amp located?

[Deserion]

Originally Posted by shacky

I just asked Crutchfield and they said my car without nav and with door speakers already has factory separate amp. I did not know that?

Is that true and where is the amp located?

In the frunk, just behind and above the spare tire towards the battery.

[shacky]

Originally Posted by Deserion

In the frunk, just behind and above the spare tire towards the battery.

Is factory amp good or should I consider upgrade?

[MWS]

Originally Posted by shacky

Is factory amp good or should I consider upgrade?

That's a bit of a loaded question...."good" is subjective and relative to what you hope for as an end result. If it works, keeping it is the most cost effective (and easiest) option. If it doesn't work, or doesn't work as well as you would like it to (ie power output), then the obvious answer is to replace it.

Personally, I'd start by replacing the head unit and speakers and see how you feel about results...if good enough, then keep it. Another alternative is to design your entire system from scratch...matching speakers to amp (and/or crossovers)...this is going to be the most expensive (but best) option...just remember this IS a convertible and isn't the best car for sound staging.

[Cunningr]

Originally Posted by shacky

I was looking at that. Sounds like external amp brings out the best in it. Internal amp looks same as lower models.

Yes but i use the internal amp to run my tweeters so you can use it along with an external amp.

I i have a 6.5 driver in doors 3” mid and 1.2” tweeters in dash, and bought an old bose passenger sub from a cabriolet that i modified installed a 8” shallow mount pioneer sub in. Head unit handles crossover duties in active mode. Have a alpine amp runing 3” and 6.5” and sub channels. Adjusted the amp crossovers between 3” and 6.5” drivers head unit handles hi, mid, and lows.

Head unit thought is really nice for the money.