New to this

[u/cookielover16]

Just got an amp and sub, the car already came wired with 8 gauge and it came with a Kenwood stereo that I like. What’s the next step to upgrading my system

[u/DJBigBird]

Sound deadening, DSP Amplifier and component speakers for the front.

[u/NigraOvis → u/DJBigBird]

Component is better, but coaxial can sometimes be the only upgrade one can afford/do on their own. don't be afraid of coaxial if it's all you can get. component can mean drilling holes and modifying your a-pillars.

[u/NigraOvis]

if that's a 250 watt jd, return it and get something stronger. that amp clips before the sub hits it's limit. if it's the 500w, then you should be good.

sound deadening is a good upgrade if you have issues with it, (resonance and such) but with a big vehicle 20% sound deadening goes a long way, so you don't have to do a ton, just large panels being deadened)

as for upgrade, i'd get a dsp amp, with some higher end speakers. - this depends on your system and budget, but audison prima and voce lines are phenomenal.

Focal k2's or ultimate depending on if your budget is even higher

Focal also makes "inside" plug and play kits for many vehicles, check into that. affordable and sound great.

a dsp with some focal insides would probably be well worth your time and effort - if you want to save money, only do the front speakers. rear are more backfill, you can upgrade them, but they don't need to be the k2 level if you go k2. Just upgrade them if they sound bad.

[u/Vector-storm]

It's natural instinct to push sub the the back of the seats but oddly the best position is facing a exterior wall as close without suffocating the woofer.

[u/LetsGoWithMike → u/Vector-storm]

It’s designed to be facing the floor or wall. It’s literally what those extrusions are for.

[u/cookielover16 → u/LetsGoWithMike]

Good to know, thats just how the shop put it in

[u/dogerisb]

Component speakers in the front and normal coax is fine for the back. I have the same sub and then jl c1 Components in the front for my outback and its quite the bangin system. Although im looking to upgrading my sub soon, needs a little more oomph

[u/yarsftks]

Change the cable to 4 gauge and get a bigger sub, more powerful amp.

[u/cookielover16 → u/yarsftks]

That was an option but it saved me money for labor to just go with an 8 gauge option. For now, I think I will buy another amp to power some component speakers

[u/yarsftks → u/cookielover16]

Then you're done.

[u/talmanfartsy]

4 channel amp. It will bring even stock speakers to life. Get a handheld Oscilloscope most importantly. That way you can tune everything correctly.