Hey guys, I've searched for and read through many posts about installing an aftermarket sub in these forums but to be honest with you I couldn't understand the majority of the technical information that was being said in the posts so I was pretty confused

I have a 2009 TL with the tech package and I'm ultimately I'm just looking for a little more bass, nothing that'll rattle the entire car. So what would be the best/easiest/cheapest way to go about doing this? Is replacing the stock sub with an upgraded sub while leaving everything else in place an option? Would I need to install a sub and amp? Is a powered sub possible?

I'm not not an audiophile and so I'm basically looking for the cheapest/easiest way to add more bass. I'm going to have someone else install it (I obviously don't know what to do) but I want to know exactly what to ask for and/or what parts I would need to buy beforehand. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

After market amp. Amp wiring kit. Line out converter. Subwoofer and subwoofer enclosure.

 

Would a powered sub that has everything in one so to speak be an easier install versus a separate amp and sub or would they essentially be installed in the same manner?

 

Install will pretty much still be the same. You'll still need the line out convertor and amp wiring kit.

 

Ok, thanks. That pretty much answers my questions.

 

Exactly why is a line level converter necessary with the factory HU? Seems like you could just disconnect the subwoofer pre-amp inputs from the factory amp and reroute them to the aftermarket amp low level inputs using RCA connectors. I don't see the purpose of a line converter. It's going to attenuate the input signal unnecessarily. Maybe not noticeable though.

 

^^ speaker output from factory Amps are high level, the line level converter will convert that to RCA (low level). This is only necessary if the aftetmarket Amp being used has only RCA input / output.

There are Amps that have both RCA and high / speaker level terminals. Using such an amp will eliminate the need for the line level converter and the wires from your existing sub can be connected directly.

 

Yes, the speaker outputs are high level because they power the speakers. Think maybe you misspoke?

My understanding: The audio signals from the factory head unit are low level / pre-amp signals that feed the input of the factory amp, so one could simply harvest the low level signal directly from the factory amp's input and connect it to the low level inputs on their aftermarket amp. A line level converter would only be needed if using an interally-amplified after market head unit without low-level RCA outputs or if feeding your aftermarket amp off the OUTPUT of the factory amplifer, which is not something I would think you would want to do if you had a choice.

Where is the factory amp anyway? Passenger's side kick panel? Trunk?

 

Couldn't edit my previous post, so I had to create another...

The location of the factory amp would dictate which method would be more appropriate. If the factory amp is in the passenger's kick panel, then the OP should disconnect the factory sub wires and use a line-level converter to feed the aftermarket amp. If the factory amp is located in the trunk, then the OP should disconnect the low level subwoofer inputs from the factory amp and feed the signal directly to the low-level inputs on the aftermarket amp.

 

In my little experience I have not come across a factory system with RCA outputs, those are usually in aftetmarket systems. Perhaps you are correct though.

In my case I did not use a LOC , I just took the wires from the factory sub and connected it to the high level on an aftermarket amp.

IIRC. , the Amp is on the right side of the car in the trunk.

 

This is the powered sub I plan on having installed:

Rockford Fosgate Punch P300-10 Single 10" subwoofer enclosure with 300-watt amp at Crutchfield.com

So if I'm understanding correctly, I wouldn't need the line out converter? And would I be able to install this without affecting the stock sub or any of the other audio components?

 

If your powered sub has high-level inputs, then you simply need to disconnect the wires from the factory sub and connect them to the powered speaker high level inputs. If your powered speaker does not have high level inputs, then using a LOC is the second easiest.

I wasn't implying that factory amps have RCA connectors on their inputs. I was suggesting cutting the subwoofer signal wires to the factory amp, then soldering RCA connectors to the wires and then attaching them to the low level inputs. For a low frequency sub signal, a LOC or high level input connection should be just fine and I doubt you could tell the difference. OP, whatever you decide to do, the factory subwoofer should be disconnected. You do not want it interfering with the fidelity of the new sub.

OP, I just looked at your sub and it can handle both. So the easiest thing to do is disconnect the wires from the factory sub, splice them with the audio cable provided with the Fosgate sub (cut off RCA plugs) and that takes care of the audio signal. Next, you'll need to provide power, ground, and remote signal and that will be it.