I'm getting a new in-dash unit so I can plug my ipod into it.
My car already had a infinity sound system installed when I bought it, I was wondering if I add 2 subs to it, will I need a more powerful in-dash unit or can I add an amp and then it doesn't matter how powerful the indash is?

The ones I'm looking at are 200 and 320 watts. Is that enough for a sound system without subs?

thanks

you must have a dedicated amp if you add subs. no stereo in the world will supply the needed power. most are only 18-22w per channel and barely enough to drive regular speakers.

you can adjust the output of your subs to be level with the sound from your regular speakers. all amps have a gain on them.

buy an amp. Without one, your speakers will distort when you turn them up. Adding an amp gives you much more clarity.
subs will require a different amp altogether

yeah just pick up a Mono block or a 2 channel amp with say 300 - 600 watts of RMS power and your set. Alpine made a 50W RMS x 4 head unit back in 2004 but it required you to still run a 4awg wire to the battery.. waste of time.

How many watts are in a stock setup? Mine is stock and sounds terrible. I am looking to replace it very soon.

prob 10-15 watts RMS, most aftermarket radio's will give you 20-25watts RMS. but more importantly you will have a more adjustable EQ curve so you can "tune" your sound

Thanks for the reply.

I am looking at an inexpensive bluetooth solution at bestbuy here

... and one at frys here

pioneer is usually pretty good. although i now have a DEH-X8500BH and it seems to skip a lot with the bluetooth. But I have an old iphone 4 so I think that's to blame. Whenever the phone makes noise (i.e. text message, lock button noise, etc) the BT drops for a few seconds. Other then that it's a great radio.

I would also be cautious of the cheaper flip-out dash units. I used to work in a car audio a best buy many years ago and the cheaper ones always seemed to break after 2-3 years. Only ones that seemed to last were the nicer pioneer or alpine units.

Many thanks for the advice, I went ahead and pulled the trigger on a Pioneer DEH-X3500UI for $59.99... reason being that I had a bunch of gift cards from Christmas and this seemed like a decent deck. Originally $99.99, after a price drop of 40 bucks, I got out the door for 13 dollars and some change. No Bluetooth, but the AUX and USB port should suffice for now until I can afford a nice flipscreen. I think for the money it is a good starting point, next up: some speakers and amp!