Hooking up a Sub to a Head unit

[kmaximus_77]

I am new to car audio, but recently I installed a Pioneer DEH7400MP which has a built in amp and crossover. My question is: can I connect the sub straight to the head unit and if so, is there a cable that goes from the RCA connectors to the connectors on the sub?

Also, Hi, I really like this site. All of you gave me lots of good info to read. Thanks

 

[justin's_94]

Hi, welcome to the board. Nice to see some more people from Columbia representing. You say that you have a built in amplifier in your head unit? I am pretty sure that the power from the head unit goes to the component door speakers. What you will have to do is splice into the door speaker wiring to connect the speakers. What I would do though is buy an external amp and wire it to the subwoofer. Then get some RCA cables and connect your sub outputs on the head unit to the in signal on the amplifier. You CAN wire the sub through the speaker wire, but I have never wired subwoofers liker that. I am sure that somebody on the board like Leenjen will probably know.

 

[kmaximus_77]

Thanks for the welcome!

Here is the info on the head unit, it has sub pre-outs:

http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/...a=1&s=0&g=62700&id=detailed_info&i=130DEHP740

I figured since it had the pre-outs I could run it striaght to the sub. If not no big deal. I'm not looking for a thunder system, just something to get those lows.

 

[justin's_94]

Sorry but you will not be able to connect the subs with the sub preouts. Those are just signal cables. You connect the signal cables to the amplifier and then run speaker wire from the amplifier to the subwoofers. If you do decide to purchase an amp, it is very easy to install. If you get the right kind of amp/sub combination you will have some kick ass lows. You could have some nice lows for less than $400. If you check crutchfield, they sell some subs that fit in the floppy net pocket in the back of your explorer. I am not sure if they sell them for 2002s yet but a lot of guys add those for some more base. They come amplified to so all you have to do is get a power source and run signal cables and you have instant bass.

 

[kmaximus_77]

Yeah, I kinda decided on a soundsteam amp in the range of 300 watts, and a q-form with a JBL sub. I wonder what a 8inch W3 would do? Compared to a 10inch W1 or W0.

 

[justin's_94]

The 8 inch W3 could possibly have some better SQ, but the 10 inch W1 will hit like hell. If you have 300 watts going to it, I would reccomend the 10 incher. Just my $0.02 though.

 

[kmaximus_77]

How do you like your Infinity's. I was thinking about getting some of them? All the reviews I read, made em sound pretty good.

 

[justin's_94]

I love them. The new ones are suppose to be even better. I like them so much that when I get my new Bronco, I am going to put 6 1/2 components in both the doors and install some kick panels with infinty tweeters and mids. They sound really awesome. The only speakers I have heard that sound better are Bose speakers.

 

[kmaximus_77]

Sweet, yeah, I am gonna have to hook that up. I want to put some boston components in the front and the kappas in the back, then add a solid sub. Nothing to out of the world. Just good clean sound

Good luck with the Bronco!

 

[justin's_94]

Sounds nice to me. Those Boston components will kick ass. I have heard them at the audio shop and they are nice, you will not be dissapointed. I have 2 12" Boston subs and they are real nice. I would highly reccomend them if you are into sound quality. They do not hit as hard as JLs but they sound twice as better.