The HU on the JBL systems do not have a built in amp like the standard system. The amp is located in the dash or under one of the seats.

The speakers on JBL system are 2 ohms so you have very limited choices if you choose to replace the speakers since most aftermarket speakers are 4 ohms.

If I had to take a guess, I'd say the power output is around 200-250W RMS @ 2 ohms.

 

6 Speaker non-JBL is 160 watts @ 2 Ohms.
8 Speaker JBL is 440 Watts @ 2 Ohms.
2007 to 2011 systems

 

Is this max or RMS?

 

I dunno...those seem really high for RMS especially if there is no sub involved. Even aftermarket head units typically only produce 15-22W RMS x 4 @ 4Ohms which comes out to about 80W.

For the JBL unit, 55W x 8 is a lot of power! I mean 440W RMS is ridiculous especially if there is no subwoofer involved. Additionally, it would require a circuit around 55A, assuming 60% efficiency and 14V input. That's about half the alternator output.

 

I stand corrected...

440 Watts Peak for JBL (a conservative total of 200+ Watts RMS)
160 Watts for Non-JBL.

 

so 440 watts is pretty decent?

 

Peak wattage ratings are worthless. They are simply designed to look good on paper.

 

RMS is typically about half the peak value. Even if we are talking 220W RMS, that is decent, but that still means you need to find 2 ohm speakers.

Another complication is that you cannot get a full range from the amplifier output because the crossover is in the amp.