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Help out a guy who knows NOTHING about installing subwoofers?
So I have an 08 Acura RDX NON tech. I enjoy the quality of my speakers and built in subwoofer. The door speakers are good in my opinion but I want the subwoofer with more kick. Now I have no knowledge about installing subwoofers. I have installed door speakers and a stereo system in a car before but this car was a 1998. Now this RDX is a lot more advance and I do not know what to do..
i know now this is doable because I have seen other people online do it but I need more details in order to install a system into my RDX. This is very difficult for me because the RDX already has a built in amp and built in subwoofer.
Questions: Do I have to install a new stereo for me to put subs and amp in?
Would it it be easier to upgrade the built in subwoofer and the amp? Or would it be better to get a new set (dual 12 inch subwoofer and amp)
From what I hear from others is not worth it to upgrade the stock system. I have the tech so I not sure which compents the non tech is missing. But I have ten speakers and an amplifier. My stereo is separate from my navigation also...other people have done this but from what I hear it’s a lot of work. Their might even be a video or photos of it. Sorry, I can’t help more 😐...
From what I hear from others is not worth it to upgrade the stock system. I have the tech so I not sure which compents the non tech is missing. But I have ten speakers and an amplifier. My stereo is separate from my navigation also...other people have done this but from what I hear it’s a lot of work. Their might even be a video or photos of it. Sorry, I can’t help more 😐...
Do you mean like it is not worth to upgrade the built in amp and subwoofer? And when you installed yours did you install JUST the aftermarket amp and subwoofer? Or did you have to fiddle around with the stock amp and sub too
it's a standard install...routing power cable from engine bay to hatch area. you can use the amp's high level input, or you can use a LOC (line out converter) to control the subs.
I have the stock tech ten speaker system with all the stock features. I heard changing the speakers isn’t worth it. But, others have done it. I haven’t changed anything in my system.
By that information, If I get any subwoofer and amp combo I want, and a stereo (also a line out converter) I am able to do a “standard Install”. Also did you have to connect any wires to your STOCK amp and subwoofer from the aftermarket items?
Stephen, what you want to do is pretty simple in the non Tech RDX. All you need is a shallow mount 8" woofer and an external amp. Depending on the amp that you choose's inputs, you may need the line converter. That's because you will need to use the factory sub out to power the aftermarket amp, the factory output being HIGH.
IF that's the route you want to take, sure. installing a system is all subjective to you, the installer, and the listener.
IF you want to take that route of the shallow mount route, you can. or you can go a complelety different route and build a box. or you could even do an ifinite baffle set up.
it ALL depends on what YOU want to do and how big your budget is and how far you want to take your project.
will I have to get a new stereo? ( if I do, I know I will have to put it where the DVD player goes and NOT the screen with the ac and heater controls). Apart from the difficult way to take my car apart to wire stuff, will I have to go out of my way from the STANDARD installation? Like since my RDX already has an amp and a sub do I need to wire it differently? (Sorry for bad grammar and English)
I wish the last night I set up a new head unit and sub box wasn’t a decade ago so I could be more of a help. Are you trying to upgrade the stock speakers and keep the normal stock look? Or are you trying to put a power line with a fuse from the battery to the trunk with a box, capacitor, amplifier, and subs?
Why don’t you talk to a car audio shop in your town? Tell them you want a bit more bass without replacing everything else, besides the woofer and adding an amp. Get them to walk you through everything. Get them to tell you what you need.
Then say thanks, I’ll have to think about it, I’ll be back tomorrow. Take that info and go shopping on your own and never return to them
i have a tech 2011 and i have the stock system with my own sub and amp. i have a line out converter going from my back speakers to my amp, power and ground are standard, remote goes to my lighter fuse i believe.
RINJA did a sub install back in 2015 and I used the same amp and speaker, but added an audio processor that made a huge difference to the sub sound. Without the processor, it just did not sound right. The processor analyses the sound signals and adds bass where it is too low. For example without the processor, FM and XM did not have a punch like CDs. With processor, I can listen to these sources and they sound great. I tapped into the left and right rear speakers of my 2007 Tech for the sound source to the audio processor.
My install - amp + audio processor
I just finished installing the 8” Sub Replacement on my 2011 RDX. $350 in parts and it sounds incredible. I doubt the 2008 would be much different. I’ll get some pictures together and post. I can help coach you through it if you like.
I just finished installing the 8” Sub Replacement on my 2011 RDX. $350 in parts and it sounds incredible. I doubt the 2008 would be much different. I’ll get some pictures together and post. I can help coach you through it if you like.
I now need your help please. It is getting close to Christmas and I think more bass is what I want. Can you post pictures.
So I finally decided to buy all the stuff I need to install subwoofers. This is what I’m getting so far. This has the subwoofer, amp, bass knob, and wired.
Now my question is, do I need anything else?
I am planning to do this in my 2008 NON TECH RDX.
This unit greatly enhances the bass from all sources. For example XM and FM sound so much better with this unit compared to just an amp and subwoofer. The processor increases the bass from these sources.
I changed my mind and I got a powered subwoofer instead. I couldn’t quite fit the LCi converter for $75 into my budget. So I got the PAC LoC for a lot cheaper.
Think I can go for my very first sub install with these?
Last edited by Stephenjp13; 12-18-2018 at 02:21 PM.
I went to an audio shop and told them what i wanted for my RDX. This was about 3 years ago. I picked up all the stuff to do the job, scheduled an appt & agreed upon price with them. Showed up half hour before opening. I told them i was waiting. They did not like that. I waited 2 hours while they did not even touch my car (they told me 6 hour job, by delaying they weren’t going to be done by closing and i told them I was not leaving my car here. They did not like that.). Then when they started, they googled what to do. When they didn’t find how-to install (after 5 seconds of searching), I got on here and found the wiring for the stereo. They didn’t like that either. Finally I said don’t bother, just install the sub & i will rethink this whole project. After taking 2 hours to swap out the subwoofer (no mods, just remove and replace), they got mad at me, and kicked me out because i was complaining. And charged me $90 for installing the sub, then tried to charge me for an hour of “researching time”. During which that hour (the 5 minutes), the installer spent the time installing one of those breathalyzer things on someone else’s car.
This was a legitimate stereo store. I think when they did the original estimate, they lowballed the price just to get me to agree to do the work. Then I would drop off the car, they would take 2-3 days to do it, then say that it was much more costlier to do, and they would work on it when they didn’t have anything else to do. I wanted them to install the sub, then install an Audiologic signal line converter, from there run the signal to a 5 channel amp. I would run the 4 door speakers & sub signals to the converter, then to the amp then out to the speakers. Lots of wire/signal running. They quoted $400 for this.
I think businesses don’t want to do the hard work jobs, where they have to think. (Maybe it’s just my area of the country, not the rest of the country). They want to charge the premium rates, but want it to be like making McDonald’s hamburgers (brain dead work). I had pretty much done all the research for them. They originally had told me “we recommend you gut the whole system, if you want to do it right”. But then it was there direction to do it as presented above. They said “get the converter, get the amp & sub and we can install”.
RINJA did a sub install back in 2015 and I used the same amp and speaker, but added an audio processor that made a huge difference to the sub sound. Without the processor, it just did not sound right. The processor analyses the sound signals and adds bass where it is too low. For example without the processor, FM and XM did not have a punch like CDs. With processor, I can listen to these sources and they sound great. I tapped into the left and right rear speakers of my 2007 Tech for the sound source to the audio processor.
My install - amp + audio processor
Forgot to mention, they had no ideas about where to install the controller and amp. I wanted the controller/EQ installed somewhere reasonably accessible, obviously so I could adjust the EQ. They were going to hide it under the seat or something weird.
10-03-2018, 04:27 PM
