How much power does a factory stereo produce?
It varies from model to model and trim level to trim level. They are normally much less powerful than their aftermarket cousins, however. Recently, more and more car manufacturers are coming out with upgraded stereo options that make high-wattage claims. What is important to remember is that the ratings displayed are usually a bit… optimistic. The 100 watts that the window sticker brags about probably translates into something like 4 channels of power at 25 watts peak power per channel. This means that the factory system is actually supplying about 10 watts per channel of continuous power (a more usable measurement). That’s not bad, but most aftermarket decks provide around 22 watts of continuous power per channel: that’s more than twice as much clean power getting to your speakers — delivering improved sound and increased volume. Even if the power difference doesn’t matter all that much to you, aftermarket stereos offer a wide variety of advantages also. These include compatibility
