Hey, I got my 9-3 about a year ago and was also unsatisfied with the stereo. However, there are some differences between our cars. Fortunately for you, you have the extra amp already installed into your car because it is the SE version. This amp puts out 40 amps per channel to both speakers in the door, so you have an extra 2 speakers to work with.

Before you can start upgrading your system, you need to decide what you don't like. Is the sound too muddy? Is there not enough bass, too much? Not enough treble, too much? Before you do anything you need to decide this. Also, you have the convertible, which inherently is horrible acoustically. There isn't a hardtop shell for the sound to resonante off as much.

One way you can go is upgrade the stock speakers. The stock head unit is enough to power decent new speakers in your car, unless you really crank up your music. The louder you listen to music, the more power you need.

Furthermore, before you do anything, it would be best to just sit in your garage, wherever, and put in a good quality CD and change all your balances, treble, and bass adjustments to neutral when the car is not running. From there, you can play around with balance of the speakers. I like turning the balance towards the rear a little to make the rear speakers work a little harder. I also turn up the treble a bunch. The bass i turn down, but that's only because i installed an aftermarket subwoofer. I wouldn't turn up the gain or the loudness until you try all this. The more you jack up the gain and loudness, the more you loose not clarity and accuracy. Great if u want louder music, but not if your a true audiophile.

Most audio store will try to sell you anything they can. You don't need a 2 foot long amp or anything. Just let me know if u have any other questions.
- Randy

posted by 24.218.216...

• Stereo Upgrade on '02 9-3 SE convert - Questions, Heygfy, Tue, 11 Oct 2005 09:23:47
  • Re: Stereo Upgrade on '02 9-3 SE convert - Questions, Mark from Mass, Thu, 13 Oct 2005 16:06:47
  • Re: Stereo Upgrade on '02 9-3 SE convert - Questions, Randy, Wed, 12 Oct 2005 09:25:23 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Re: Stereo Upgrade on '02 9-3 SE convert - Questions, Brooks G, Tue, 11 Oct 2005 22:11:49
  • Stock ain't too bad....., Mike Lynch , Tue, 11 Oct 2005 16:33:39
  • Re: Stereo Upgrade on '02 9-3 SE convert - Questions, lms, Tue, 11 Oct 2005 10:51:54
  • Re: Stereo Upgrade on '02 9-3 SE convert - Questions, Jeremy R., Tue, 11 Oct 2005 10:44:23

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