Rockwood Fosgate Stereo Improvement

[Smyrnagc]

Hello Xterra Nation...New member needing some info. I have an 03 with the factory Rockwood Fosgate stereo in it and would like to boost the power, especially the bass. It is an OK stereo but lacks bass punch. I really don't want to put a non factory stereo in it, although I know I should, but if I could just boost the power of the factory RF I would be happy enough.

Thanks for helping out a newby!

 

[Prime]

Biggest obstacle you have is power. The stock amp just doesn't have enough juice. And you can't really get more out of the sub since it's already a DVC unit running at 1-ohm.

Out of curiosity, what exactly are you against when it comes to an aftermarket system?

Just the head unit? Running wires?

Because it really is an improvement over the stock system.

 

[Prime]

Oh. And welcome to XN!

 

[Smyrnagc]

Well, nothing really (adding new after market system) just thought if I could get more out of the factory system I would. I have put numerous new stereos in vehicles so that is not a problem. Really don't know why Nissan put such a sub par system in their 03 Xterras. I also have a 2010 Titan and that stereo system ROCKS!!!

 

[Smyrnagc]

Thanks for the welcome!

 

[Prime]

All the love I have for Nissan, and one of the biggest constants is that they are always behind when it comes to entertainment. Whenever other manufacturers do something infotainment related, it takes Nissan a few years to catch up. The radio in the 1st Gen X is the same setup that the cars had in the 90s. All the way up to 2012 the X just had a basic radio. It wasn't until 2013 when they got some kind of nav / screen radio. Everybody else was starting to do that in 05-07. So that's why.

I have the Fosgate system in my 07, and while I had to change thebhead unit just to retain my sanity, the rest of the system is just passable. An improvement on the 1st Gen, but still not as good as it could be.

 

[kirk]

I would so love to find the sub/interior panel for that rockford system to put in mine. But they are nearly impossible to find it seems.

You are limited by the power of the stock head unit really. I think by replacing that you might be surprised. I typically replace the head unit and door speakers (crutchfield usually has a decently priced kit) and Im pretty happy with the sound. Over all what are you wanting to achieve? Clarity? Deeper bass? More volume?

Welcome man, hope you stay awhile.

 

[Prime]

I would so love to find the sub/interior panel for that rockford system to put in mine. But they are nearly impossible to find it seems.

You are limited by the power of the stock head unit really. I think by replacing that you might be surprised. I typically replace the head unit and door speakers (crutchfield usually has a decently priced kit) and Im pretty happy with the sound. Over all what are you wanting to achieve? Clarity? Deeper bass? More volume?

Welcome man, hope you stay awhile.

I had one for my 1st Gen. Picked it up on eBay for a song. Ended up never using it as you sacrifice one of the rear 6x9s.

 

[kirk]

I keep finding the sub boxes, never the interior panel that hides it. Its different and bumps out right?

 

[Nd4SpdSe]

The factory amp have it's own automatic equalizer. I've worked with a few variations of the system, but what I found made the best difference was to install a proper aftermarket deck, have the deck run all the highs, which requires you to run 4 wires back to isolate the D.V. sub since the rear speakers are in parallel with the sub (no lie). I don't understand how you can tune a system when you have a 6x9, a ~8.5" sub, and a tweeter on the same line. I then run the pre-amp out on the new deck to feed the OEM RF amp and tuned the sub accordingly from the new head unit. The speakers themselves are already pretty good with use of some Clarions already in the truck for the RF sound system, and I didn't really notice a difference when I changed them out.

 

[Prime]

I keep finding the sub boxes, never the interior panel that hides it. Its different and bumps out right?

Yes .

 

[Prime]

The factory amp have it's own automatic equalizer. I've worked with a few variations of the system, but what I found made the best difference was to install a proper aftermarket deck, have the deck run all the highs, which requires you to run 4 wires back to isolate the D.V. sub since the rear speakers are in parallel with the sub (no lie). I don't understand how you can tune a system when you have a 6x9, a ~8.5" sub, and a tweeter on the same line. I then run the pre-amp out on the new deck to feed the OEM RF amp and tuned the sub accordingly from the new head unit. The speakers themselves are already pretty good with use of some Clarions already in the truck for the RF sound system, and I didn't really notice a difference when I changed them out.

Yeah, I never understood how the sub was simply a replacement for the left rear speaker. In terms of amp power and ohm loads it just doesn't compute.

 

[kirk]

Yes .

shiat Ill never find one of those. And like random dealer options. Maybe ill take a day off and search all the junkyards in DFW with Xterras, and there are plenty. Or Ill just add a small sub on my own.

 

[Nd4SpdSe]

Yeah, I never understood how the sub was simply a replacement for the left rear speaker. In terms of amp power and ohm loads it just doesn't compute.

It's not, it's the small tweeter that replaces the rear left speaker. The whole system is configured as 1ohm, so I think by putting the rear left "speaker" (tweeter) in parallel with one of the sub's VC's, and the rear right 6x9 in parallel with the other VC, you get the 1ohm system that they setup. I don't exactly understand, but having the sub, the 6x9 and the tweeter in the rear would give a fuller range of sound, in theory.

 

[Johan @ Insxterragram]

Got a set for sale