Sub and amp changeover

[fredluke]

Have an 09 Adrenaline with Nav and factory sub. My question is...can I simply buy a better sub and sub amp and use the existing wire feed?

Are sub amps dedicated for subs only? The existing sub is lacking in pow!

Thanks
Fred

 

[stryfe]

Hi fredluke,

I can't help you, but you may be better off asking this question in the audio/navigation forum.

 

[Infinity08]

You can use the signal wire and the remote lead. The power wires are simply too small to carry the current of a real amp.

 

[fredluke]

Thx for that. I figured I have to run a new power source, but since i haven't taken it appart i wasn't sure if the factory sub amp was located near the sub or at the nav head. All I want to do is upgrade the sub and sub amp. I was told that I can only install a new sub amp on an unamplified signal. Amp on amp is not possible. So if the factory sub amp is located at the sub i can capture the signal and upgrade everything easy. Am I wrong?

Thx

 

[stryfe]

Is the signal @ the back of the truck full range? Or has it passed through a low pass filter?

 

[fredluke]

Good question! I'm going to hunt down the electronics and see what is actually at the back sub area. The problem is....if the amp is at the rear near the sub, I still won't know I what type of line in signal is going to the amp. I won't know if all frequencies, or only low only are filtered to the sub amp. Wish I was a stereo guy....better still I wish the sub was a little better. I'm not looking to blow my windows out.... just a little more feel to the sub, similar to my stock 06 F150.

 

[stryfe]

I'm looking for the same type of thing...plan on upgrading the 4 doors and replacing the factory sub but keeping the same enclosure.

It would be great if the signal @ the back was full range...then I could just use the input for an aftermarket amp....and not have to worry about a high to low level converter.

 

[fredluke]

Subwoofer changeover

I'm going to find out on Monday exactly what's the deal on my factory system so I can plan my system. I'm 10 minutes away from Ford Oakville assembly plant. They build Edge and Flex. I have friends that work in engineering there. They'll find out for me. I'll let you know a.s.a.p.

 

[Infinity08]

IDK if the signal is full range or low pass- I have an aftermarket deck. The amp itself is mounted ON the factory enclosure. You can see it all by removing that big panel across the rear (just yank it off). It will all make perfect sense at that point.

 

[stryfe]

@fredluke that would be some handy info



@infinity thanks...still wasn't sure where the amp was located

 

[Hockeyride]

Hey guys, I have an 08 Adrenalin and about to install my pioneer amp and sub. I went to Best Buy, and their tech guy said I needed an RCA line converter. It was around $40. You'll also need to run a new power wire, and ground (from the amp).

 

[fredluke]

Great info...so all we need is the line converter. Actually what does the line converter do?

 

[Infinity08]

You don't need a line converter IF you have the factory sub- the pre-amp signal is already there. You will need to run power wires, though.

fredluke, a line converter reduces the amplified speaker outputs from the head unit to a voltage that can be used at the inputs of an amplifier. Many amps have them built-in.

 

[ThePhoenix]

when I added subs to my 96 before I totaled it, I ran a converter off one side of the back speaks. like it was in a chain (parallel I think) and the sound was just fine

I had an aftermarket sub amp (MTX) and the RCA's input after the convert. really dropped. I wish I still had it for my new truck. someday

 

[RiccoFX]

Is the signal @ the back of the truck full range? Or has it passed through a low pass filter?

The signal at the back of the truck at the subwoofer is a low pass filtered output - actually it has its own connector seperately at the rear of the head unit - and also if you upgraded your head unit to an aftermarket one, there is an adapter plug that converts that subwoofer plug into an RCA jack level output from an aftermarket HU subwoofer output

I know this because I am the Master Installer at Visions Electronics!
I'll take some pics of the setup I have in my truck!

 

[stryfe]

Thank you for the information. Would love to see the pics of your set up.

 

[Hockeyride]

Good info RiccoFX ! Can you fill us in on which wire carries the signal ? Also, how do you switch it to RCA inputs for the Amp ? If this saves me $40, great !
Thanx. Hockeyride