I wanna intall an amp/sub but keep all the factory stuff. I read on some threads that people are buying LOC's and some are just splicing RCA's on the signal cable before it hitS the amp. What is the best thing to do?



2003 CL-S Nighthawk/Parchment
15% Tint
Radar/Laser Jammer
Factory Spoiler
Bone Stock

321-xlr8

 

Get a step down converter. You can adjust the attenuation on the converter for the line levels for the amp. Especially in our cars with the factory amp, you'll want to get the voltage jsut right.

 

I didn't think it mattered since the splice would be before it hit the amp therefore not altering the signal to the factory speakers.

 

I could be wrong, but I believe most of the people splicing RCA's are only adding a sub/amp. Being one of those who replaced everthing AFTER the factory H/U, I went the LOC route. They stand by their decision - I stand by mine.

 

All I want to do is add an amp/sub. Will I be okay by just splicing the wires before they hit the factory amp? Where is the factory amp on the '03 CL?

 

I sent you a PM pgt89

the factory amp on the CL is in the trunk. Luckily in the CL, there are only 4 Speaker level outputs coming directly out of the amp. One for each corner of the car. The crossover for the front Tweeter's is done outside of the amp. This allows for an upgraded system to be done without the need of changing the factory head unit. So all you guys that want to keep the stock look and upgrade the speaker's can do so very easily by following my information below.

Your safest and easiest bet is to purchase a Fosgate or a Kicker amp, and run any sub you wish depending on how much power you are pulling from the amp. The fosgate and kicker amps for 2003 allow for speaker level inputs directly on the amp. So there is no need to convert to a RCA cable. It's pretty much all just plug and play. You can even purchase a 4 channel amp to run your interior's too. This way you have more power, and can purchase better speaker's for the interior and use the same bose head unit. I figured all of this out by reading my HELM's Electronic manaul for the CL.

And because you are getting a fosgate or kicker amp you know the sound quality is going to be very high quality.

 

As high as the quaility of the stock headunit and speaker level step down.

 

hmmm, this is interesting news. on page 150-2 of the Electrical Troubleshooting manual the diagram indicates that the tweeter/door speakers are wired in parallel. and on page 22-169 of the service manual the circuit diagram also shows the same paraller wiring scheme. nowhere is there any reflection of a crossover.