how can i keep my oem 8 raido and still have a aftermarket amp and sub. is there anything i can buy to that will let me plug the remote and audio wires to the deck somehow?

 

You need a LOC or an amp that accepts a speaker-level input, but you'd be better-off with another HU. With a good HU, everything will sound better, including the stock speakers.

This said, high-quality, low bass in an Evo amounts to an oxymoron. It just won't happen. You can relieve the situation to some degree with extended tuning, but (again) that won't happen without a lot of experience and better equipment. If you're looking to move a lot of air, use a different car for starters. If you want better sound, deaden/seal the doors, buy easy to configure speakers - like the BA Pros - a good amp and HU, and don't even worry about a sub yet. Or, you can even stick with the stock speakers and upgrade/tune as suggested. I'd shoot for a 9887 or an 880, Zapco, BA, ARC, Audison, etc or an older Xtant or Soundstream amplifier. Good luck.

 

damn, i just rally like the clean look of the stock deck in the evo, if i change it i want something flush clean hi-tec deck. mybey gps or something i really like the JVC KD-NX5000 but dont want to spend that much
ya i already have a old half broken soundstream amp on its last leg (end plate missing and have to balance the leads on it) but have brand spanking new soundstream sub and box already, and the prev owner of my car dynomated the trunk and it has a amp wire kit not connected to anything in the car now.

so i guess i shouldnt use the oem deck? i guess all i need is a good deck and a new amp very soon

 

if the harness radio adapter just says for lancer 02-05. it will fit my 03' evo correct?

 

Yes, the last time I checked on Crutchfield and everywhere else, all the measurements and harness for an EVO is the same as the Lancer.

 

I do, too. Nak decks come closest to replicating a factory look. They're also very good sounding products, but lack reliability and extended tuning features. I've had several.

You need to define what it is that you're after. Do you want to listen to music? How refined are your expectations? Is it important to you to showcase how loud the system can play? Why do you feel like you need a sub first? Once you can articulate what it is that you want, the rest is easy.

In terms of Soundstream, I was referring to early Rubi and Ref series.

Car audio can lay claim to some of the absolute worst equipment available. I'm not exaggerating. 95% of car audio gear is garbage. However, there are a handful of firms producing quality products. I referred to some in the previous post.

If the whole trunk is covered in deadening - which Dynamat, BTW - it's safe bet that the car's previous owner knew very little about audio.

If all you want is half-way decent sound that will be heard over road noise and your exhaust, make it easy on yourself. If your budget isn't huge, I'd suggest a lower line Alpine deck and a Zapco Ref200 with stock speakers - just the fronts. A Ref200 can easy be found on Ebay for ~$200 used, and the deck will run you ~$150. If you relocate the radio to the lower cubby hole position and make sure the deck is equipped with red illumination (most Alpines are), it will look close to stock.

You also have to decide how the gear is to be installed. Say, you don't want an amp under the passenger seat, which is where a Ref200 would likely sit. Well, you could get an ARC Mini that fits in the glovebox. It's something you should think about.

 

I understand what you mean about a stock look, but I think our cars have the worst radio in a car I have seen since the turn of the millennium. Your best bet is doing a 2x din screen. I think that it looks sexy, but not aftermarket. If done right it looks like it came from the factory. Then you have sub-outs, nav/xm/bluetooth/ipod capabilites with ease too. I have a kenwood flip out nav and it doesnt look stock, but to me, anything was better than that mitsubishi-fuso box truck radio that was in there.