New Audio Endeavor on 4th Gen.

[swisstype]

Hi all. I try to search and find the pertinent info to help me and have yet to have asked for help on here, but now, I am about to change that.
I have been tossing around the idea of upgrading my streo. I have though about new receivers, etc, maybe adding a sub, and have come up with adding the JL Audio Cleansweep in line with the factory HU. Yes, I understand I can almost buy a nerw HU for this price, but I want to keep factory look, and also removable.
I figure If I add the cleansweep, I can add a 4 channel amp in line with 4 new speakers in the doors with tweeters, and also have the option of adding an amp at some point down the road. I have a factory HU, non jbl no nav.
I guess my questions are:
1) Does this sound right? Like it should work?
2) ANy body else do this?
3) door speakers. Are front and rears both 6 1/2" or is there a 6 1/2 front 5" rear? I have seen a couple other setups that have piqued my interest on this.

Also, I saw Airbur post and how he used the stock JBL sub enclosure and reversed his sub. I am curious as to whether any body else has tried using that box, or am I better off just building my own Stealthbox to go over the wheel well.

I really appreciate any help you all can give. Thanks!!!

 

[swisstype]

OK... I think I answered a couple of these questions. I am going 6 1/2" in the doors with components in the front, and can replace tweeters. I did have another idea, though.

Instead of the Clean sweep, anybody try one of these?

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-RCQXR6a0UQD/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?I=5753SIXTY2

 

[ALt4r]

I have no experience with that signal processor but i can say rockford fosgate makes decent audio equipment (although i would stay away from their newer subwoofers).

One thing i do have to add though. Please don't tell me you buy car audio equipment from Crutchfield.

 

[swisstype]

Thanks for the response. Actually, no, I don't buy from Crutchfield, but it is a great site taht helps me plan out a wishlist, and then I can go from there. Believe it or not, I like Ebay for most thinkgs like this.

The Rockford Fosgate 3 Sixty.2 seems like a good item to link up my factory HU to an amp and 4 new speakers. i am interested to see what that does overall, and then I will plan on adding a sub and additional amp , possibly. Anybody on here do anything like this at all?

 

[tarheeltp17]

Whats wrong with Crutchfield?

And that rockford fosgate thing your are talking about is garbage. Cleansweep knocks its socks off, but still not a huge fan of it when you can easily replace the factory deck and get waaaaay better sound. I know you want to keep that factory look, but thats a good chunk of change to keep it.

 

[swisstype]

Whats wrong with Crutchfield?

And that rockford fosgate thing your are talking about is garbage. Cleansweep knocks its socks off, but still not a huge fan of it when you can easily replace the factory deck and get waaaaay better sound. I know you want to keep that factory look, but thats a good chunk of change to keep it.

No problem with Crutchfield. I just get better deals on EBAY when available through Ebay Stores.

Please explain why Cleansweep is better. I know a new HU is stressed, but if I can keep factory HU, add a Cleansweep or other, and then 4 channel AMP to 4 new speakers, with the option of adding a sub and another amp is what I really want. Does this sound totally hairbrained or impossible?

 

[atomic punk]

I still don't get why folks want to keep the "factory look" or "keep the stock stereo for resale"... if you make a good clean install and hang onto the HU manual, a better audio system helps the resale value, unless you are selling to people too old to program a VCR.. You can get quality aftermarket HUs that look like they belong in there too (I know mine doesn't, but I wasn't going for looks in '05). JL makes great subs, but the rest of their stuff is overpriced - ditto that for the new Cleansweep.

 

[gordy]

swisstype,

Got your PM. I agree with the tarheeltp17. The JL Cleansweep is a killer piece of equipment. What you want to do is not out of reach. But if you decide to keep the factory head unit and use the Cleansweep you will still be limited on overall frequency response. Nothing will sound better than an aftermarket head unit.

I have installed an Alpine IVA-200 in a non JBL 4th gen. A double DIN head unit looks really good in the dash. And for most double DIN head units you use the factory brackets. And you can easily alter the factory brackets to sink head units further back in the dash for a more flush look.

The other issue is room. If you want to keep an OEM look inside, we only have underneath the seats and the rear storage bin. In order to retain room to add components as you go the Cleansweep will take up space. I know you have seen pics of my install and I have been able to retain a lot of room to add more stuff later. If you have to keep OEM head unit this is the way to go

 

[tarheeltp17]

Yea but EBAY = no warranty.

I never have understood dropping loads of money into stuff on ebay....

Don't get me wrong, I'll buy certain things off ebay. But things that can break and could be bad out of the box... I don't. JL will not warranty anything you buy on ebay or any other online dealer except crutchfield. Even if the person you get the product from bought it from an authorized dealer... still won't warranty it. They track serial numbers... and a product thats defect has to be sent back to JL through the company that the product was sent to.

Just my 2 cents... I value my warranty, and for the most part local shops will do their best to meet you in the middle of online prices and their price. Just something to consider. I realize online prices are dirt cheap... but what happens if something goes wrong with that product? At my shop, I charge you more to put it in because I'll test it before hooking it up to make sure everything is fine. Then later down the road I charge you to take it out if something goes wrong, and again charge you to put it back in. Had it been my product I take it in and out for free and can usually swap out for a new unit the same day. Give your local shop a chance... the convienience is well worth the money. Even if you don't have them install it... there are a lot of things that make a local shop better than the internet. The internet has 1 thing on local shops... dirt cheap prices because all they have to pay for is basically web space which is not nearly as much as insurance, building costs, power, etc....

ANYWAY....

Read some reviews on the Rockford... its basically mediocre. It claims to clean up the signal, which it does, but not very well. Cleansweep adjusts to each individual radio, while the Rockford is seriously just a high dollar decent line output converter. Whoop de do.

You can add a sub, amps, etc to any factory setup without the need of a new deck or cleansweep. Cleansweep makes it sound awesome by all means... just for your application there are better solutions you just don't want to get a deck. Not a big deal, I'm just suggesting what I would do for that kind of money. But hey, whatever makes you happy.

 

[swisstype]

Everybody... Thanks for the great info. You all have excellent points, so much that I am really rethinking a new HU. I don't think I really want a DVD one, but the Kenwood DDX6019 would be a choice, but I am really leaning towrds the Kenwood DPX-502.

I will miss steering wheel controls, but It does make sense to go to a new HU, or at least beginning to.

So basically, If I go to a new HU, I can just go directly to 4 channel amp and then to speakers, right? Anything else I should Know?

 

[atomic punk]

New HU... excellent choice for the money spent.

Yes, you can wire the new aftermarket HU to a 4 channel amp, then to the speakers. But then you'll have no sub.

OR, you can get a 5 channel amp, repeat the (above) and run a sub off of the 5th channel.

OOORRR you can run the speakers directly off of the HU (which will be more powerful than the stock HU anyway) and get a 1 channel mono amp for a sub.

OOOORRRRRRRRR buy an "all in one" sub unit like the Infinity Basslink, which has the amp and sub in one neat package. You can wire that up directly to the aftermarket HU whether or not you have a 4 channel amp, it doesn't matter.

Confused yet?

 

[swisstype]

New HU... excellent choice for the money spent.

Yes, you can wire the new aftermarket HU to a 4 channel amp, then to the speakers. But then you'll have no sub.

OR, you can get a 5 channel amp, repeat the (above) and run a sub off of the 5th channel.

OOORRR you can run the speakers directly off of the HU (which will be more powerful than the stock HU anyway) and get a 1 channel mono amp for a sub.

OOOORRRRRRRRR buy an "all in one" sub unit like the Infinity Basslink, which has the amp and sub in one neat package. You can wire that up directly to the aftermarket HU whether or not you have a 4 channel amp, it doesn't matter.

Confused yet?

Nope!
I AM getting a new HU.... Ordered it all today... from C-field. I think the extra money is worth the support I may need. My sub and amp upgrade down the line can still be done. I still will have the option of adding another channel, or at least I think I will. Can't I make the door speakers the front output and then put another amp and sub in the rear using the rear outputs?

 

[atomic punk]

What HU model did you buy? Post the link.

Most likely it will have a dedicated sub-out channel so you won't have to sacrifice your HU's rear channel.

 

[swisstype]

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=300&i=113DPX502&tp=5684

 

[swisstype]

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=300&i=113DPX502&tp=5684

 

[swisstype]

OK.. Now that I see that I now have no sub-preamp outputs, I will have to use my rear channel from my HU, or can't I go from my 4 channel amp, use its preamp out put and go to another amp and sub?

 

[atomic punk]

Correct on both.

But, I think you can go for a 5 channel amp though - it might save space and be more cost effective than having both a 4 channel and a mono amp. You would split the rear channel preamp outputs from your HU with a Y-cable/adapter for the sub inputs into the amp. Then just make sure the 5 channel amp has a remote level control for the sub and you'll be all set.

Anyone second that or can offer another suggestion?

 

[swisstype]

Well, I figured I would let everybody in on what my "endeavor" is.

HU= Kenwood DPX-502 CD Receiver

Front Speakers= Polk Audio MMC6500 6-1/2" Component System

Rear Speakers = Polk Audio MMC6500 6-1/2" Component System

Amp= Alpine MRP-F550 90W x 4 Car Amplifier

Plus all the goodies like wiring , dynamat, etc.
I went with the same for front and rear, and it seems like no one else did the same. First, Polk MOMO's are great speakers. I love them. Second, I was going to go with Infinity Kappa 60.7 in front and these in the rear, but these handle more power, and I get the second pair half off. I figure I can play with teh crossovers to get the sounds absolutely right! Also, these should provide a great sound front and back, and If and when I add a sub, it shouldn't have to be a massive project, nor a huge sub. Someting with some kick, and easy add.

I should have all the stuff tomorrw, and we will beging to put it together. I am planning on some pics step by step, and hopefully I can return some input to this forum that you have all given.

 

[swisstype]

Oh well..... I spent a couple hours removing rear trim and the passenger door. My amp is too big to put under the seat, and I want to save the rear position where the JBL sub would have gone to replicate what others have done - putting my sub there as well. I think I may take a cue from here again and simply mount my amp to the back of the back seat on the driver side. I can still make a cover for it. Anybody have any ideas for other paces. I am about spent.

 

[atomic punk]

I know you're not going to like reading this, but my recommendation is to get a smaller amp. There are alot of reputable brands that make a comparable amp in a smaller package. IE: my Soundstream Tarantula puts out 100x4 and it's a few inches smaller L & W than that Alpine. I also have a mono SS Tarantula amp for my subs (1000x1). They both fit under my seats in my SE. I think that's the best place to mount the amps - out of the way, almost impossible to see and/or steal, and relatively easy to install with minimal destruction to your truck.

If you don't care about mounting location, then do it on the back of the rear seat. Alot of people have done it successfully and like it there. I personally don't, because I fold down the seats alot and need the use of the whole flat bed.