Skirmich

IM COMPLETELY NEWB ON AUDIO INSTALLATION PLEASE BE NICE


Background:
So I Ordered this new Kickers "KS" Series to replace the OEMs and installing a New Speaker AMP all by Myself yup my first timer Into Audio Hardware Installation!.
The speaker amp in question is a SONY "XM-554ZR" 600W/4 Channel Amp it was a Gift from my Buddy soo, Its Old have Scratches but it Works! It will be Punching the Kickers till I get my hands on something better. So I need help Installing it!

Specs:
-Its a TL-S "02.
-Big4 (Starter Cable is the 4th) < Did it Myself.
-My headunit is a Kenwood DDX514 < Shop Installed
-Steering wheel controls (SWI-JACK) < Did it Myself.
-Have a Single "12 Pioneer Subwoofer
with a MTX Sub Amp < Shop Installed
-Stock Speakers till Friday. < Came with Car!

The HU have 3 Sets of RCA "Pre-Outs".
1 for Front L/R Speakers
2 for Rear L/R Speakers // Subwoofer
3 for External Output (DVD External Audio I Guess).

Ill be obviously Using the same route the shop used for the Sub AMP to put the Speaker AMP power cables (+) and use my Trunk frame for the Ground soo thats covered!! Same
8 AWG Cables I think will be fine?

So Basically my NEWB Questions are:
1.- I need to Hook Up the new Speaker AMP rear RCAs from the OUTPUT from the Subwoofer amp??? so it Would be:
HU > Subwoofer Amp > Speaker Amp? Right??.
(See Figure A.)

2.- I need to put the RCAs connected to the Speaker amp in my Trunk and then RE-Route the speaker connection to the OEM cables in the back of the HU? (See Figure B.)
or
I need to get to the speaker directly by-passing the OEM Cables? (See Figure C.)

3.- For the REMOTE I just need to make a Split from the Cable in the Sub Amp into the Speaker Amp right? Its that easy?. (See Figure A.)

4.- Well this last thing is to Setup the AMP itself; Hz/HPF/Gain and those kinda things since I dunno anything about it...




Figure A.



Figure B.

Figure C.



That mostly covered most of my Doubts!! Thank You guys for Any Replys on this Thread!

Skirmich

No one? I was just wondering if the guy that installed the Kenwood HU disconnected the OEM Amp? how would I know if he did? Or I can Suppose it HAD to be Disconected for the Aftermarket Stereo to work?.

If it hasnt I would be in A lot of trouble Here lol.

Skirmich

Digging Around the DIY section for Hours I found something that could Help in My endeavour.
http://web.archive.org/web/200307131...net/sound.html

Is The guide for the CL group for By-Passing the Stock BOSE EQ soo I just need to do what he did And Im Set? Since he sayed that the High Level output from the Stock HU was Kinda weak Im alright with my Kenwood HU since its supposed to give (50w x 4) I could Use the High Level Inputs coming from the Kenwood HU directly into the Aftermarket AMP and then running the cables back into the same socket to the Speakers! saving me a Few bucks on Wiring and RCAs (Except from the Power to the AMP).

What do you guys say??? Im just quick guessing here.

fourthmeal

You are going the right way so I'm just going to pass on this site so you can master your basics www.bcae1.com

Looking good!

2nd Gen 02 Type S

how do u get the door off

Skirmich

@fourthmeal
DUDE That page is AWESOME!!!! Im actually learning stuff here Feel like im In School again lol... THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

@"2nd Geb 02 Type S"
There are 2 Screws, One in the Handle Bar and another under the arm rest. Then just about 8-10 push clips and its out.

Skirmich

Im Still concerned about the Factory AMP? How do I know if my Speakers are currently connected to them? If I only knew what the heck the shop actually did when they installed the Kenwood HU....

Skirmich

YAY! Nevermind that I actually found my Answer in the Service Manual diagrams! (Pages 1711-1712).
Soo Ill go with Figure B. type of Conections....

fourthmeal

factory amp only applies to sub, there is a bose eq that should be bypassed when using aftermarket goodies.

Skirmich

OEMs OUT! Kickers KS 6-1/2 In!!! and what a GOD DAMN DIFFERENCE....
What a PITA to Install them BTW, Stupid plastic cutting took forever......




Since my Gifted Speaker Amplifier was heavily Scratched I had to sand it and Polish it. I did some touch up painting to make it look a Little newer lol.

Reference Pic (BEFORE):


After (POLISHED & PAINTED):



Hope I Can Install everything today its crazy raining....

Skirmich

Everything is Hooked Up and WOW!! I Just tought it couldnt get better but it did! The kickers sound even better now and i can turn up volume really high without distortion! But now im fighting with stupid engine noise!!!! At first was Very loud but that was becouse I ran the Power Cables and RCAs on the same side but then I put it on different sides and turn it down a Little but it isnt gone I can still hear it if i turn down all volume it gets muffled around half HU volume.

What I have done about it:
1.- Better ground AMPs
2.- RUN power cables in Left / RCAs on Right of the TL.
3.- RUN ground from HU to AMP grounds

Any suggestions???
Ill try to ground better HU to chasis.
Do I have to buy Noise Filters for RCAs?


Well ill wait for Replys.

fourthmeal

Try another set of RCA's, run them out in the open instead of installed for testing. Make sure your ground is very stout, and in a place that conducts electricity perfectly. The HU can ground better, that will help too.