I installed a Kenwood WooX sub to my stock stereo. I used the rear speakers and speaker level output. I mounted it in the trunk between the seats. It made a difference but very little. I'm just not pleased with the sound of the stock system. My son's Neon's stock stereo sounds tremendous compared to my 8. Are there any upgrades that I could do to improve the sound (especially bass) without giving up my trunk and adding an amp. Any advice would be appreciated.
P.S. How hard is it to replace the rear speakers ?

Do you have any sort of amplifier to power that speaker? If so what kind? If not... then basically you won't notice much difference because although the speaker can handle the power... it doesn't have the power to give.

It's a powered sub with a dual voice coil. Rated at 30W RMS per channel , 100w peak total.

You will get so much more from a sub with an amp. an you will also find that a meager 100w peak and 30w RMS is way in sufficient to represent the lower frequencies found in most music. try for something on the order of 200w, minimum. There are ways to intergrate a sub without losing trunk space however the more economical route might be to consider an intergrated unit like the one infinity makes. It is not the biggest but it might just fill in whats missing, and you wont have to give much in the trunk. you can find an example HERE (http://www.audio-n-more.com/infinity/infinity_kappa.shtml)
hope this helps you.

Originally posted by Rambot958
How hard is it to replace the rear speakers ?

Overload wrote up a DIY on replacing the rear speakers. It may look like alot, but it's not hard at all. Only tools needed is a socket set (remove 2 bolts per seat) and a T-25 torx bit to remove the 8 screws in the speakers. Everything else are just clips that pop out.

Overloads post on replacing 6x9's here (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9991)

Originally posted by Rambot958
I installed a Kenwood WooX sub to my stock stereo. I used the rear speakers and speaker level output. I mounted it in the trunk between the seats.
What do you mean with 'between the seats'? Did you put it in place of the pass-through box and does it fire forward? I think the WooX is too big to be integrated nicely in place of the pass-though box...
Do you have any pics of the installed sub?

I'm just not pleased with the sound of the stock system.
No kidding... I suppose you have the base stereo... or is your car the touring or GT?
The base stereo is very weak... the first and biggest problem are the speakers. If you would install good speakers, that alone improves the sound a lot. You will find threads in this forum that talk about speaker replacement (both front and rear).

P.S. How hard is it to replace the rear speakers ?
It is not hard at all. The fronts are a bit more tricky, but not much. See the link that was posted about the rear speakers and search for more topics - you'll find all the info you need. Good luck!

Thanks guys for the advice. I think I may try replacing my rear speakers before I try another sub setup. FYI.... I mounted the sub firing front and right behind the passthru in the trunk. The pass thru is still there.

P.S. and suggestions on a set of good sounding 6 x 9's (with good bass) ?

I think that the pass-through box blocks quite a bit of the bass - try to take it out and see if the bass improves. If it does, you'll have to fabricate a nice-looking grille in place of it and you should be set (provided you don't mind to lose that box, but it doesn't add too much value IMO)..

I will try that. thanks.
What's with the Focal speakers ? Are they good ? where do you get them and how much are they ? I see quite a few 8 owners put them in.

Th Focals work out very well for me. Here is a thread that tells about them: http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19899
I'll need to add a subwoofer and then probably an amp (although the Focals sound quite well with even the base head unit, an amp would make these shine for sure).
I purchased them at one of the online car stereo vendors, forgot which. Just do a Google search for the particular models you're interested in and you'll find some decent deal.
I paid about $380 + tax ($%&@#$ California!) plus some $12 or so for shipping for a pair of rear 6x9 and a pair of 6.5" component speaker set.
Regarding the sub, I will see if rotarygod will be done anytime soon with his sub creation that'd replace the pass-through box - if not, I might give a try to one of those Infinity Basslink thingies or go the custom route.

Do you have the GT or the base model?

Originally posted by tripwire
Do you have the GT or the base model?
If this question is for me, the answer is: Neither. :p
I have a sport package-equipped car - which comes with the base stereo (no Bose here).