Hello all,

I want to upgrade my sound on my truck because the stock system ... well its stock, need I say more. I am looking at infinity speakers that I saw on crutchfield. My question is...

Since I never play CD, just my iPod, i don't really need a new deck. Plus I have the stearing wheel mounted controls and I don't want to mess with all that. I know I can get the adaptor to fix that but is it even worth it. I just listen to metal and rock music really loud, do you think new speakers are sufficient? What do you recommend?

Does anyone have an amplified sub? Kenwood makes one and I looks pretty nice but do you need a new deck for the RCA inputs?

Thanks..

 

I have a duel sub box that fits under the back seat of my ex-cab. I have JL Audios. They are great speakers, essentially the best speaker on the market. Make sure that if you get some direct repacement speakers that they are the ones that you think will hold up to the sound output that you looking for. I think unless your factory speakers are krackling or blown, then you should keep them and turn down the bass to them and amplify the bass in a subwoofer config that will give you a good stock look (which I think is what you are looking for) and sounds great. That's what I did, I have also tried another head unit in my truck and it did really crappy. What can I say it was a Sony! To answer your question about the RCA inputs, NO you do not need a new deck just for the inputs you are looking for, all you need is a line output converter. That will allow you to tap into the rear speaker output and filter the signal and make it a suitable output for your amp. Most stereo shops will have these on hand for about 15-30 bucks. Good luck and happy jamming!

 

If you wish to keep the same head unit but want more kick you can "get away" with usin some amps and eq's... IF YOU ARE ELECTRICALLY INCLINED.... you can do it. It sounds like alot but it is really easy. If you just want more sound you can pair up the outputs on the back of the radio (usually the same colors but one will have a grey/white/or black strip down it.) There should be 4 pair (Driver front, Driver rear, Pass front, pass rear depending on your trucks config.) You can pick up some AV ends to splice to the outputs so now you have 4 outputs. (One for each speaker) follow? Once you have put in your infinitiys, or jbl's, or kickers, or whatever, buy 2 amps that apply the correct power to the speakers and hook up the outs from your stock radio to the amps respectfully. (Such as that one amp controls rear speakers and one controls front speakers) You find out which output goes to which amp by moving fader and balance controls so one speaker works and apply it accordingly. If you wish to add subs later most amps have straight in/outs so you daisychain the sub off of one of the main amps. Now most amps have eq's that you can adjust on them but if not (or its not enough) you can find 4 channel equalizers that would go between the head unit and the amps. I know it sounds farfetched and jerry rigged but it actuailly works quite well and if you hide the amps and wires well no one is the wiser till their eardrums start to bleed. Just one side note. (2 actuailly) When you put the rca jacks on the head unit, make sure you keep the poles doing the same thing. (it doesnt matter the way you hook them up but keep them uniform.) IE. Solid color to the ground and stripe to the hot (pin on inside) and second, dont be afraid to use thick speaker wire between the amp and speaker but try to keep the leads the same length. Even a foot difference in length can make a speaker fire a millisecond off and you may hear slightly muddy sound.. I know its a lot but I hope it helps. You can run the signal wires between the head unit and amp as long as you want but solder them cause the twist and tape method can come apart and theres nothing worse than having to tear the dash out again. Best of luck to you.

 

2 more cents... In a small truck cab subs arent entirely necessary. Especially with metal. Rock and metal need a real fast kick as apposed to rap which uses a deep long rumble. I am a major arch enemy fan and had started with 12in kickers. 1000 watts total. It was ok but they would start to get into one another and you would eventuailly hear one long rumble. I actuailly traded them out for 6 6x9 sony xplode 4ways (cheap crappy speaker) but in that config the hits were really strong and clear. Almost rivaled the kickers. Made plenty of noise having all those movers and they were really easy to place without losing space. (I had 2 in the door and one behind the seat in the corner of the body.. Just remember how sound works. The more you can move the louder it is. But lotsa little movers can move as much as a big mover, and usually cost less...