Just replaced stock speakers - how bad is the stock deck?
 

These standard speakers were killing me! I'm a mild audiophile and couldn't deal with the crappy audio on my 45 min daily commute.

I didn't spluge on expensive speakers as I had no plans to replace the stock deck. I bought some Pioneer 6x9's for the rear and 6x8's up front. My first impressions aren't good - everything sounds very mediocre and there is no range to my music. Is this a limitation of the stock (6CD) deck? Should I be looking to get a new unit in order to achieve what I'm wanting?

i would say search lol
but

guessing from speaker sizes you have you dont have the bose system , i would try an amp because it would be alot cheaper to do the amp than to change the deck ,

but on the other hand replacing the deck to something higher quality would blow your mind at how good the speakers sound ,,

imo i would try get a nice clean amp dont be stingy get a nice rockford fosgate amp or an alpine amp tune them properly that might give you what you would like

Thanks!!

So, I went into an audio shop and the guy is telling me to stay away from an amp. He claims that it will only make the speakers louder, but will not clean-up the audio in any way. Is this true?

Also - if I go with an aftermarket deck, is there any way to get the outside temperature gauge working?

Don't know how much did the audio quality change since the series I cars, but when I replaced the speakers with good quality ones (Focal), the sound became much better. Especially by using component speakers in the front. So the problem may be partially due to the speakers you used. You can try to go the component route and see if that helps. They are not necessarily too expensive either. Choose speakers with high sensitivity.
Later I did add a 5-channel amp and sub and things got better of course, but my main reason for the amp was rather to drive the sub, in addition to have a bit more power.

So I'm basically saying that the stock non-Bose deck's sound quality is not that bad...

for a 'so-called' premium audio system, the bose in the 8 really blows chunks... then again, i didn't buy this car for it's awesome stereo... easily fixed with some $ and time, i suppose...

Amp will not help quality.

Only how loud it is.

its an amp as in amplifier.
shit goes in SHIT comes out

I have stock speakers and a 800wat sony explode amp with a jbl 12" in the trunk all hooked up to the stock system sounds great just a bit of trunk rattle but I also have the amp turned down to less than half. When I turn it up I can't hear the music in between base notes and also the base on the HU is 0 so its all amp pushing the bass.

man this thread is full of win

im impressed with the rx8 system if i may add

I ripped mine out, put a Alpine W200 with Ipod attachment, dvd bypass, alpine blackbird (GPS) with a wireless remote and the steering wheel control is on the way. I'll probably upgrade the speakers and add amp/sub. Why drive a nice ride with just an ok sound system. Yea the metra kit was a pain to install but I think it's worth it. I did all the work myself and if I can do it, anyone can. It is a bit of a head ache though...

I had the premium Bose system in my RX-8 and didn't think it was that great either. Why Bose is the product of choice for luxury brands or high end models is beyond me.

I have a Saturn Aura with the basic sound and it destroys the premium Bose in all aspects. Damn you car manufacturers, find another brand!

i agree bose used to mean quality and i guess it does , they just need to stay out of the car stereo realm they are way to integrated that make it a pain in th a$$ to up grade right now i'm having trouble gettin ma AC to come back and i welcome any suggestions on gettin my air back on the metra kit is not that great plug and play my a$$