I thought most aftermarket head units would rate at more than 30 watts per channel (the rating of the MY 2002 stock deck). So far I've only checked Crutchfield but everything there shows less than 30.

Can someone explain? Do the aftermarket units handle low ohm loads better? Are there better sources than Crutchfield?

I'm concluding that more watts is not a reason to buy an aftermarket HU.

Thanks.

 

aftermarket units can get up to fifty watts per channel, although it's more like thirty true watts. but to put that in perspective, you're only getting 17-20 stock. aftermarket will have better quality and marginally more power.

I've got two boston acoustics 65 pro speakers in the doors with 120 watts to each of them, that's 120 true watts, trust me, you can hear it with the top down.

 

I was looking around for high-powered HU's too but in the end, you'll just end up having to buy an amp to run the good speakers you want...

 

yep, even the high power alpines only do about 25RMS/60MAX.

And they only do 4Ohm, you need an external amp if you want to run more then 30RMS or want to mess around with different ohms

i think the stock only does 10-15rms, it's really low...