Do any decks really put out 50 x 4 RMS?

Especially clean power at that rated output.

I imagine most major brands follow whatever standards the industry uses (CEA 2006?).

1% THD at 14.4 volts or something like that - it's been a while since I've had to research for stuff.

Still, I bet there are ways some manufacturers fudge the numbers.

No, not RMS. They have a 'rating' like Max Power Output: 50w x 4, then they substantiate it with something like RMS: 22W x 4. It's a game that everyone plays. So you're right, technically you should look for the highest RMS rating, I've seen the range of 14 to 22.

P.S. They still use CEA-2006 Power Ratings as standard.

Most people that want an "upgrade" are usually just looking for more bass. Your best bet is to start off with a sub. It'll help take a load off the speakers so they can play louder and you'll get way more bass from the sub.

I'd say most people are happy with that. If you're a basshead that's usually when you realize your subs are too loud and drowning out the speakers and thats when the other upgrades come.

Although the other ideas make sense also. It comes down to what you want. A deck will give you things like MP3/ipod capability and more power to the speakers but won't give people the bass they want. Changing the speakers helps improve sound quality but again doesn't usually give people the bass they want unless they get into sound deadening and amplifying them.

Hey Cman333 is Genesis audio still around? I heard they were closing.

Yeah, first big upgrade is the deck. It just makes sense as far as features go.
Still, you can make any factory system sound better by replacing pretty much any component. You just have to make sure the shop knows what they're doing!

To answer your question, they've closed down since August 2010.

Apparently they are. I don't know too much details about. It's still avaliable for me to order.