Stereo/Amp question

[brcewane]

I'm new to wiring sound systems in cars but would like to do the work myself.

I want to keep my stock head unit but I do want to add some punch to my sound system... I am wanting to do a setup for show and for when I don't need my trunk. I will be building my own custom enclosure/fiberglass work in the trunk and want to run 2x10" subs in the back and also put my XBox in there for show with 1 a 7.2" LCD panel for the XBox. This stuff is all going to be removable.

So from my little knowledge of how this stuff works this is what I am wondering if I can do:

1) Keep stock head unit and Amp for existing 6 speakers (rear 6x9's, front 6.5's and dash tweaters)

2) Run a second 2 channel Amp in the trunk for my 2 subs

3) Somehow connect the stock Amp to the second amp in trunk to power subs when unit is connected and turned on

4) Connect XBox into one of these Amps so that the sound goes through all speakers

Am I on the right track with this and will it all work??

Any help is appreciated.

Tim

 

[will4u2k]

1) you can keep the stock head but it will make things harder and its not worth the trouble. just get an after market head a good one i suguest $500+ modles. i have an eclipse 55430 (i think thats the right number) it is the kind of head you need. it looks good has great SQ and it has an optional audia input that lets you run an mp3 player or dvd/xbox sound in to the head without rigging up somthing.

2) thats easy you just need an amp install kit and rember dont run you rcas and power next to each other.

3) no need you have a remote wire that does that just run it from the amp to an ignition actvated power, or on an after market head they give a remote out

4) dont conect the xbox to the amp you run it to your source unit/head conecting to the amp will kill the xbox and the amp.

from what i gather you dont know much adout car audio you need to at least go and talk to a stereo shop in your area (not best buy/circut city) and they can help guid you in the right direction

 

[4g63tc]

1) yes you can just change the speakers, www.crutchfield.com offers w/purchase of speakers, the adapters for the stock system

2)as for a second amplifier most amps come with a high level input ( these are the speaker wires to your rear 6x9's) they can be used in place of running a set of rca cables which would require an adapter. some amplifiers can use a "smart turn on to sense when power is being applied to the high level inputs turning the amp on and off.

3)why would you want to? get an amp dediated to the subs that way you can use the built in crossover to filter out everything but low freq. ( high freq's will damage your subs)

4) your guess is as good as mine? some aftermarket decks have inputs and outputs. I don't know how you would hook up an xbox to a stock head unit.

hope this helps
t.c.

 

[brcewane]

Great responses thanks guys..... Ok so from your response this is what I am thinking

1) Running the stock head and amp for existing speakers

2) Run a 2 channel Amp for the 2 subs that is connected via the high level input

3) I am wondering if I can just splice the Audio Left/Right inputs from the stock head unit with the output of the Xbox... but this would only work if the XBox had a volume control on it right. The right way would be to run it to an auxilary of an aftermarket head unit right

 

[will4u2k]

1) you can again better to buy a good arter market deck

2)you can get an rca converter(turns speker wires in rcas) or get an amp with line level inputs (lets you use speaker wires a your input instead of rcas)

3) you cxan buy a converter to run the sound through an fm station from most sterio shops dont hook the xbox to your sterio directly

 

[DJ_2Soxx]

For the Xbox, some high end aftermarket head units come with an aux pre-outs, which are normally used for external dvd players and such. You should be able to use those, so i agree with e1 else, buy an aftermarket headunit. I t will also allow you to tune your sound quality better with built in eq's, which stock deck doesnt have. Good Luck...

 

[nutshot]

You can do what you are thinking. It will be hard. DO not lose sight of the goal, and keep us updated...

 

[Beef Jerky]

To hook up an xbox/gamecube/ps2/whatever you will need 2 things....an FM modulator and a power converter. The FM modulator allows you to run the audio signal through the antenna on your HU...thus giving you full audio control of your device through your HU. The power converter allows your gaming system to receive the correct amount of power, this is needed because if you even slightly over or underpower a device like that you will fry it. Do a search for these items on ebay...you should be able to find both for about $20-$30 each.

The very FIRST thing you want to upgrade in any sound system is your HU...don't try and use the factory one if you want subs or a video setup....it's crap.

As far as the stock amp goes...just ditch it when you get an aftermarket HU. Any aftermarket HU should put out close to the same watage as the stock amp, so going through the trouble of trying to combine it with your aftermarket system is a waste of time. I've been doing custom systems for a few years now, and it was hard enough just to cut that POS out.

As far as an aftermarket amp for subs, I would recommend a mono class D amp...not a traditional 2 channel A/B class amp. A mono amp is preferred for subwoofers because it has less of a current draw(less strain on your car's electrical system) and also usually gives you more wiring options for your sub(s).

 

[brcewane]

Thanks a lot for all the replies.. I have decided that I will not be putting in the XBox in the back... just too much for right now.. but instead will be putting in 2 AMPs one for each subwoofer...in Mono mode (thanks Beef Jerky)

I will also be creating a raised symbol in the back that will be red when the rest is color matched green... I have started on the frame.. I will keep you all posted on the progress...

Tim

 

[rdogg07]

Originally posted by will4u2k
1) you can keep the stock head but it will make things harder and its not worth the trouble. just get an after market head a good one i suguest $500+ modles. i have an eclipse 55430 (i think thats the right number) it is the kind of head you need. it looks good has great SQ and it has an optional audia input that lets you run an mp3 player or dvd/xbox sound in to the head without rigging up somthing.

2) thats easy you just need an amp install kit and rember dont run you rcas and power next to each other.

3) no need you have a remote wire that does that just run it from the amp to an ignition actvated power, or on an after market head they give a remote out

4) dont conect the xbox to the amp you run it to your source unit/head conecting to the amp will kill the xbox and the amp.

from what i gather you dont know much adout car audio you need to at least go and talk to a stereo shop in your area (not best buy/circut city) and they can help guid you in the right direction

why can't you run the rca next the power??? thats how my system is setup right now.

 

[DJ_2Soxx]

power wires omit signal i believe when live, affects the frequency and sound quality from rca's, if this is not rite plz correct me but i think that is it

 

[rdogg07]

did not know that.. well once it gets warmer i'll have to fix that