My new subs/amp...

[sharp4runr]

It's not a top of the line system that will have everyone drooling, but it's adequate for my needs. I'm not a huge audiophile, but I do like some bass and the stock JBL 10 Speaker system was definitely lacking in that department. I picked up a cheapo sub/amp combo from Circuit City. It's a 480 dual channel amp powering 2 10" Sony Xplode subs all housed in a Dual 10" enclosure.

Originally my cousin was going to install it for me, but he had problems finding the proper Line Speaker outs to tap into. I don't know much about audio systems, so please don't expect me to answer the very technical questions but feel free to ask. After a couple of days of fiddling with it, I cut my losses and just took it back to CC to have them install it for me. They also had difficulties getting it installed. I dropped it off at 1030am and finally picked it up at 730pm that night. They said they had to call JBL and have them fax over the schematics. Well, enough words here are pics.

Amp mounted under front passenger seat. Once you have the passenger seat back to a comfortable level, you can't see that amp underneath unless your head is next to the carpet.:

 

[sharp4runr]

2 10" Subs in the back

Here are the subs in the enclosure:

 

[linhsy]

Looking excellent. How does it sounds after installing? How much does it cost?:awais:

 

[sharp4runr]

It sounds awesome bro! I love the deep bass and it's very tight. At the same time it isn't earth shattering to the point that it shakes the cars next to you. It does a good job of filling the cabin. The Sub/Amp/Box cost me 159.99 at circuit city (http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.jsp?c=1&b=g&u=c&catoid=-8871&qp=0081408023102&oid=71811&m=0), you have to buy it online to get the enclosure for free. If you try to buy it at the store, it's 169.99 and you have to pay for the box.

Then the Amp wiring kit and speaker cable were another $60 + $65 for the actual iinstallation. All together for about $285, not bad for an entry level system. CC did a good job with the installation as well. You can't see any wires for the amp and the only visible ones are the speaker wire right up to the enclosure. I asked them to keep it long so I can move it around to test where it'll sound best in the trunk. After I pick a spot I'll run the wire and hide it better.

If you want to hear it bro, let me know and we can meet up. I don't think we're that far from each other anyways.

July

 

[linhsy]

Thanks for the offer, July. I definitely like to meet. Maybe sometimes nextweek I get a cold right now. I will let you know the exactly date. My speakers are standard...no JBL like yours... I wonder I can put an Amp & subwoofer with these speakers or I have to get the new ones.

Look like CC only charge you around $60 for the installation. It is a good price.


Again, Thanks!

 

[sharp4runr]

Not a problemo bro. Let me know when you're over your cold. I think it's going around, 'cause I was sick about two weeks ago and I am now just getting over it.

It'll probably be easier for them to install it since you have the standard radio. The standard radio has a built in amplifier as opposed to the JBL system that has the amplifier near the subwoofer in the trunk. Also, if you get an amplifer look for one that has speaker level inputs if you're going to use your stock head unit. That way the installer can easily tap into your existing speaker lines for the amp, otherwise they'd have to use an adapter to get it to work increasing your costs. I'm not a big expert in this department, just what I've read online and at crutchfield.

Shoot me a PM or if you have AIM: Sharpcelica

July

 

[rando]

Nice install. Can you tell me what they did about the A/C vent duct that sits under the seat? I mounted my Amp in the same spot and am unable to bolt it down because of the vent. I assume they probably just removed the final section of the duct which means it now vents under the carpet but perhaps the blocked it off or (better) re-routed it.

 

[sharp4runr]

The amp I'm using is really small so it just sits right in front of the two vents there. The vents were untouched. If it becomes a problem, I'll look into making something to reroute the vents but I don't see why it would. I'll try to take an up close picture down there to give you a better idea and I'll put a Ruler in the picture to give you a point of reference.

 

[Good Times]

you can remove the vents completely if you want to add a larger amp under there. all you have to do make sure you take all the plastic off from under the carpet as well.

i did this exactly to my truck so now both the rear seating people nolonger have vents at their feet (don't want to smell their nasty toes anyway!)

 

[sharp4runr]

Good Times - That's good info to know. In the future I'm sure I'd want a more powerful amp and I've seen a lot of them to be bigger than my current one. Either that or I'll buy another similar amp and bridge the channels to power one Sub. That'll really be bumping. An amp to power each sub would be devastating

 

[rando]

you can remove the vents completely if you want to add a larger amp under there. all you have to do make sure you take all the plastic off from under the carpet as well.

i did this exactly to my truck so now both the rear seating people nolonger have vents at their feet (don't want to smell their nasty toes anyway!)

Yah, it's no problem to yank out the duct but what did you do about the opening? Did you tape it off or just leave it exposed? Also, is it possible those ducts are used for return air instead of venting? (I never checked myself).

 

[Good Times]

from what it looks like, it's vents for the rear footrest. the plastic runs to the center of the console or something like that.

i used a piece of wood to mount my amp and other electrical crap so that's how I covered up that place

 

[sharp4runr]

Good Times - Just curious, what kind of setup are you running?

 

[Good Times]

passenger side has:
phoenix gold m44 amp (old old old... but works like a champ). this amp used to run my dual enclosed JL box (2 x 10") but the box got in the way of stuff I had in the back so that went out the door (now just sits in my room on the floor and prob will until i either sell it or use it on another vehicle. now my amp runs all the speakers in the truck (stock speakers sux btw.... gotta find a way to change em out when i have the funds)

driver side has:
secondary electrical circuit. controls and drives all my accessories I have currently running (amp,cb,aux lights... etc etc) - i set this up this way so if i have a problem, it's only related to one spot and easier to work around rather than running around the engine bay tracing each line.

 

[4playin]

I don't know about your, but in my 85, the best (hardest hitting,deepest bass, and fairly quick reflexes) is right up against the tail-gate/trunk -- Should try it, it was night and day difference in mine. and you can put it off to one side which makes hiding wires easy, and still leaves the trunk space accessable...

 

[Vortec4800]

That's really cool, the only 2 places I would ever trust my car/truck to would be Circuit City or Best Buy, but I would rather do it myself anyway.

I'm really surprised that Circuit City could not figure out how to wire into the factory subwoofer. I did it myself without any real problems and it sounds great. I have a feeling they were trying to tap into the output behind the head unit instead of at the amp in the rear, which will not work on the JBL system as the line to the amp is a bus signal.

Anyway glad you like your new stereo!

 

[DawgRunner]

If you have a Hi-Fi Buys in your area, you may want to talk with them... they are a bit more $$$ than the other two, but do an incredible job. For what it's worth, Best Buy will never touch my Runner. They did a pretty thorough job butchering my Maxima. I've had pretty good luck with Circuit City in the past, though.

 

[kmmsmok33]

has anybody try running a four channel amp for their stock speakers and another amp for a sub with the stock HU???that's what i want to do because i don't want to take out the stock HU and stock speakers out, yet...do you think this will help the sound quality at all or do you think i would have to replace both the HU and stock speakers???i don't know much about car audio either...thanks for the help...

 

[sharp4runr]

has anybody try running a four channel amp for their stock speakers and another amp for a sub with the stock HU???that's what i want to do because i don't want to take out the stock HU and stock speakers out, yet...do you think this will help the sound quality at all or do you think i would have to replace both the HU and stock speakers???i don't know much about car audio either...thanks for the help...

I'm not sure replacing the stock amp powering the stock speakers is possible without a lot of work. From what I've read on here, you'll have to rewire all the speakers when you install the new amp.

 

[koolmannn]

Vortec4800

I have the Jbl 6 disc with 10 speaker. Is it possible to add an amp and two 12 and still keep the factory amp and sub. Does anyone know the wire diagram to hook up the new amp?