hi everyone, i need help with a radio, i bought some fancy rear speakers a few months ago thinking i would put in an amp, but now i've decided i don't want that and just want a really good hu that can play mp3 cd's, after looking at a few websites i see that the most powerful ones i've seen say 4X22 w rms and 50 max, so my question is, if those put out 22 and the stock one puts out like 10 or so would a better hu make that much of a difference? i was thinking of the mazdaspeed hu cause i like the fact that the faceplate turns over so you can't see it when the car is off. so can anyone throw out some suggestions

 

yes...an aftermarket headunit with an internal amp WILL make that much of a difference in your listening pleasure....IF you are not going to add an external amp.

 

It will make a diffrerence, but not nearly as much as an outboard amplifier.

~HH

 

Think of it like this- if they could stick the same quality of amp into a headunit and the same for outboard amps, then why is an outboard amp so much bigger?
The circuitry of outboard amps enjoy more descrete input and output sections, and have larger capacitors for reserves on output.
Most head units use some IC output devices, and no capactors. They are the most straight through designs, with little headroom and just about no slew rate.
Note that most of the companies who sell nice "high power" headunits also equip the unit with RCA and/or fiber outs, and also sell amps!!
Focus on features in headunits, and then power in an amp. You can do it in stages, getting a headunit, and trying the power output first- see if you like it. If you decide you want more power, then go shop for an amp!!
Good Luck, and let us all know what direction you go please!