Crutchfield has this Sony marked down from $249 to $50. Seems like a great deal. I actually bought one for our 2006 Prius (but have yet to install it).

Quick specs:

iPod dock
4x17 (RMS) amp
DSP sound processing
Sub output
Crossover, etc.

Anyway, I won't be using the iPod dock...I will really just be using the amp portion. I know 4x17 (@4 ohms with 45w peak) ain't a whole lot, but for $50 it's hard to pass up.

I have a 2009 R56, stock stereo. I see in the forums that the stock stereo's amp is 4x15 (not sure if that's RMS or peak).

So what I am wondering is...

Would this Sony amp be a noticeable increase in power/clarity over the stock system?

Thanks...

 

I got the version that includes the 300w sub. I'll let you know after I finish the install if the dsp alone seems worth $50. Probably an improvement on stock signal processing but you can only do do much with these crappy speakers. :(

 

Hi, had the system installed for a few weeks now so here are my thoughts if you are still interested.

The sound from the stock mini speakers is noticeably improved. As the specs suggest there isn't that much power increase but whatever DSP the black box is doing does help. From what I've read it does time alignment but exactly what is a mystery. The settings on the DSP make a significant difference so try all setting combinations and settle on the one that sounds best to you. Mine is set to 'S'mall car, trunk 'N'o, Sub 'N'ear. Only the first setting would apply without the subwoofer I'm assuming. I also have the treble setting up one press on the DSP and the boost head unit set to flat all around. The center frequency on the DSP seems higher than the deck so it adds a nicer tone.

I tucked the cradle under the driver's seat so I can use the remote by pointing it under there. I have an ipod going through the factory stereo integration.

I like the pre-outs on the DSP so if you want more power you can buy amp(s) and splice back into the speaker wiring that you already tapped.

The hardest part for me was constructing the X9331 splice harness, hope my crimps are good enough to last a while. Make sure you put fat wires in there. 10 gauge for the ground/power pins and 14 for the speakers is what I used. You could positap all the speaker wires but that would be really clunky in the end if you don't space them out smartly so it all tucks back neatly behind the kick panel. Plus the harness makes it completely removable so I can revert back to stock at any time.

The rest of my review would be for the subwoofer which isn't relevant here so I'll just sum it up with: bass helps a lot but I had to eq out a little midbass and increase low bass a little more to get a flatter response.