1996 Ex, After market Stereo Question

[1996BLKBauer]

OK. I am doing some pre online shopping for my Ex today. It is a 996 Eddie Bauer V8 4 door AWD. I am almost certain that I am going to purchase the Alpine CDE-123 for my Deck. But I am running into a rather serious question.

My Ex has the JBL luxury stereo. so I have 2 problems right now. First is that I have the 6 disc changer in the center console. I would like to keep it. But doesn't it need some sort of controller??? Has anybody found a way to hook it up?

Second, and most likely the top on my list is, I have the amp for the 4 door speakers in the back. So all of the wires are running to that, and well, it sucks, if I can be blunt about it. Would I have to buy another, better 4 way amp, or can i power the 4 door speakers with the head unit? I would just run wires I guess from the spot in back upfront to the head unit.


Any suggestions would be great. I am very confused with this, usually on all other stereos i have messed with, the head unit does it all, and I just use a pre made harness, but this seems more complex.


Stuff I plan to be running in my Explorer:

Headunit: Alpine CDE-123
Door Speaker Amp(If I need to buy one):Soundstream RUB4.600
Door Speakers: Infinity 6829CF
Subwoofer: 2 10" MTX Thunder 6500 Series in a sealed box
Subwoofer amp: Undecided, Suggestions would be nice.

 

[therover1991]

OK. I am doing some pre online shopping for my Ex today. It is a 996 Eddie Bauer V8 4 door AWD. I am almost certain that I am going to purchase the Alpine CDE-123 for my Deck. But I am running into a rather serious question.

My Ex has the JBL luxury stereo. so I have 2 problems right now. First is that I have the 6 disc changer in the center console. I would like to keep it. But doesn't it need some sort of controller??? Has anybody found a way to hook it up?

Second, and most likely the top on my list is, I have the amp for the 4 door speakers in the back. So all of the wires are running to that, and well, it sucks, if I can be blunt about it. Would I have to buy another, better 4 way amp, or can i power the 4 door speakers with the head unit? I would just run wires I guess from the spot in back upfront to the head unit.


Any suggestions would be great. I am very confused with this, usually on all other stereos i have messed with, the head unit does it all, and I just use a pre made harness, but this seems more complex.


Stuff I plan to be running in my Explorer:

Headunit: Alpine CDE-123
Door Speaker Amp(If I need to buy one):Soundstream RUB4.600
Door Speakers: Infinity 6829CF
Subwoofer: 2 10" MTX Thunder 6500 Series in a sealed box
Subwoofer amp: Undecided, Suggestions would be nice.

well first off I have the cda117 and its a great deck, and I have only heard great things about the 123. I know you want to keep your cd changer but the 123 has built in ipod control so maybe if you have an ipod this will render the cd changer obsolete.

secondly you may be able to buy a amp bypass harness to bypass the factory amp and run the speakers off the decks power. However I really am not 100% on this. I would just ditch that all to be honest and run your own speaker wire to the speakers from the amp so you know its quality wiring and not some 22 gauge wire.


http://www.crutchfield.com/p_120705008/Receiver-Wire-Harness.html#details-tab

bypass the factory amps and you should get power from the deck.

however like I said id just buy a 4 channel and run my own wiring.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I agree with rover. You won't be keeping your factory CD changer, so I would just eliminate the wiring mess that is the JBL stereo, and run your own wires through a 4-channel amp and call it good. Some things aren't worth messing with- using parts of a JBL system is one of them...

 

[therover1991]

not to mention the jbl is going to be sub par compared to what you will buy, not to mention it will be more of a nightmare trying to make it work with your aftermarket equipment.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

OK. That is what I figured anyway, just wanted a few second opinions. It looks like I will be learning the interior of my Ex a lot more when I install this setup. The reason I want to keep the CD changer is because I only really listen to 6 CD's because they are my favorites. But I suppose the IPOD will do for me. Plus the Infinity speakers, I think larger gauge would really help them perform a lot better... Anybody have a suggestion on a good 2 channel amp for my subs? I am thinking about just keeping with Soundstream, but I hear Rockford Fostgate amps are very good, at a decent price as well.

 

[therover1991]

OK. That is what I figured anyway, just wanted a few second opinions. It looks like I will be learning the interior of my Ex a lot more when I install this setup. The reason I want to keep the CD changer is because I only really listen to 6 CD's because they are my favorites. But I suppose the IPOD will do for me. Plus the Infinity speakers, I think larger gauge would really help them perform a lot better... Anybody have a suggestion on a good 2 channel amp for my subs? I am thinking about just keeping with Soundstream, but I hear Rockford Fostgate amps are very good, at a decent price as well.

what is your budget?

 

[1996BLKBauer]

what is your budget?

Under $200, but around $150 would be nice, if at all possible. that price in only for the amp.

My Subwoofer specs are as follows.

power range 50-250 watts RMS

peak power handling 500 watts

they are also single voice coil.

 

[therover1991]

Under $200, but around $150 would be nice, if at all possible. that price in only for the amp.

My Subwoofer specs are as follows.

power range 50-250 watts RMS

peak power handling 500 watts

they are also single voice coil.

So you have 2 subs right? Would you wanna push them to their limits with 500 watts? Bc I would suggest this alpine amp http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500MRPM500/Alpine-MRP-M500.html?tp=35834

You don't need to order from critchfield but thy are authorized dealers and you know you're getting a warranty. I'd stop into a local shop and see if you can get a slightly better price.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

So you have 2 subs right? Would you wanna push them to their limits with 500 watts? Bc I would suggest this alpine amp http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500MRPM500/Alpine-MRP-M500.html?tp=35834

You don't need to order from critchfield but thy are authorized dealers and you know you're getting a warranty. I'd stop into a local shop and see if you can get a slightly better price.

Yea I have 2 subs. I have them both in a single sealed box, but within the box they are seperated, to perform at their best. They are also are hgooked up sepratly, not together.

 

[therover1991]

Yea I have 2 subs. I have them both in a single sealed box, but within the box they are seperated, to perform at their best. They are also are hgooked up sepratly, not together.

You can wire em up to a mono amp in parallel. Just wire each sub up to the amp.

http://a248.e.akamai.net/pix.crutch...nter/car/subwoofer_wiring/2SVC_4-ohm_mono.jpg

Youll squeeze a bit of extra power out of the amp at 2 ohms too.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

You can wire em up to a mono amp in parallel. Just wire each sub up to the amp.

http://a248.e.akamai.net/pix.crutch...nter/car/subwoofer_wiring/2SVC_4-ohm_mono.jpg

Youll squeeze a bit of extra power out of the amp at 2 ohms too.

I am not a big fan of running subs in parallel, but if it is cheaper, and works better, I may have it give it a try.

 

[therover1991]

I am not a big fan of running subs in parallel, but if it is cheaper, and works better, I may have it give it a try.

I think thats the way to go honestly. Most of the 2 channel amps are more expensive for the same wattage as the mono amp would be. At the end of the day totally your call though.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

I think thats the way to go honestly. Most of the 2 channel amps are more expensive for the same wattage as the mono amp would be. At the end of the day totally your call though.

After thinking about it for a little bit, I think I am going to go the mono route... We'll see what happens. So... Any suggestions on Amps? I would like to keep with Soundstream if at all possible.

Now for a stupid question...

I am just learning circuit calculation in my automotive class. so with the speakers in parallel, do I need/want a higher, or lower wattage amp?

 

[therover1991]

After thinking about it for a little bit, I think I am going to go the mono route... We'll see what happens. So... Any suggestions on Amps? I would like to keep with Soundstream if at all possible.

Now for a stupid question...

I am just learning circuit calculation in my automotive class. so with the speakers in parallel, do I need/want a higher, or lower wattage amp?

Doesnt really matter, I would just make sure any amp you are looking at is capable of running the ohm load you are planning to run. Some amps are stable down to 1 ohm. Most are good at either 2 or 4 ohms. Most times the 2 ohm load will get you some extra power.

http://www.soundstream.com/AudioProducts/Amplifiers/rubicon.htm

maybe one of these. the mono amps are in the bottom chart. Id say either of the first two.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

I may be getting this one.. http://www.amazon.com/Soundstream-R..._5?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1329150074&sr=1-5

It says it is stable down to 1 ohm. plus it has way more power then I actually need for my setup. but that is ok, incase i ever want to upgrade.

 

[therover1991]

I may be getting this one.. http://www.amazon.com/Soundstream-R..._5?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1329150074&sr=1-5

It says it is stable down to 1 ohm. plus it has way more power then I actually need for my setup. but that is ok, incase i ever want to upgrade.

Looks good. Better off having the extra power now than having to buy another amp if you ever get new subs.

Just keep the gains down a bit so you dont fry the subs with that much power.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

Looks good. Better off having the extra power now than having to buy another amp if you ever get new subs.

Just keep the gains down a bit so you dont fry the subs with that much power.

I actually plan on tuning the amp. Either with my Oscilloscope, or with one of my friends DD-1... Not usre if you know what the DD-1 is, but there is a guy in Califonia called Steve Mead, he has produced this Distortion Detector... Says it sets up the gains perfectly. Kinda road tripto get to my friends house, but it is alot easier then dragging out my heavy O-scope.

On the other hand a kid in my autos class thought it was a really good idea to turn the gains all the way up. it was real good for 2 days until he blew up his subs... LOL.

 

[therover1991]

I actually plan on tuning the amp. Either with my Oscilloscope, or with one of my friends DD-1... Not usre if you know what the DD-1 is, but there is a guy in Califonia called Steve Mead, he has produced this Distortion Detector... Says it sets up the gains perfectly. Kinda road tripto get to my friends house, but it is alot easier then dragging out my heavy O-scope.

On the other hand a kid in my autos class thought it was a really good idea to turn the gains all the way up. it was real good for 2 days until he blew up his subs... LOL.

I have heard of both Steve Meade and the dd-1. He has some crazy installs goin on in some of his cars. That dd-1 sounds like the real deal though.

Hahahahaha guess his speakers couldn't go to 11. Seems like common sense not to max out gains lol.

I'm patiently waiting for my amp to get back from alpine. Really miss my bass!

 

[1996BLKBauer]

I have heard of both Steve Meade and the dd-1. He has some crazy installs goin on in some of his cars. That dd-1 sounds like the real deal though.

Hahahahaha guess his speakers couldn't go to 11. Seems like common sense not to max out gains lol.

I'm patiently waiting for my amp to get back from alpine. Really miss my bass!

I miss having any bass. the stock unit right now in mine has absolutly nothing, if I get any, it distorts. No wonder the stock sub, and sub amp died, it was doing all of the work. Thanks for your help.

I will most likely be doing a build thread on this, considering that I have the most complex stereo to deal with, and that after market stereos are getting more and more common.

Just waiting for my tax check, then I am getting everything.

 

[therover1991]

I miss having any bass. the stock unit right now in mine has absolutly nothing, if I get any, it distorts. No wonder the stock sub, and sub amp died, it was doing all of the work. Thanks for your help.

I will most likely be doing a build thread on this, considering that I have the most complex stereo to deal with, and that after market stereos are getting more and more common.

Just waiting for my tax check, then I am getting everything.

Looking forward to the build thread. Good luck with it all.

Need my tax check as well. Need some tweeters and a new double din.