subs+amp w/ stock headset??

[Silverblade]

can i run my amp and subs off of the stock headset radio or do i need an aftermarket cd deck?

 

[99explorer5.0]

if you get a converter you can use the stock radio.

 

[Silverblade]

im too dumb to know what you mean

 

[hrbib21]

He means a line out converter. It converts the speaker line level inputs to rca inputs so you can plug the rca cables into your amp. I'm doing the same thing today, actually, with a Bazooka 12" EL1204 and a cheap Power Acoustic 300 watt amp (temporarily till I get a new amp). Check this lamp for an example, though, you can find them cheaper: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-sCklXw4JCu5/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=101PL2

 

[cantspell]

I don't really mind the stock head unit, easy to use with gloves, etc. But does using a line converter really degrade the signal much? I've heard it does, as the speaker wire signal isn't as good as a the pre-outs.???

 

[Mike]

if you want ti to sound good.. buy a radio.. stock will work.. but it will not sound great

 

[cantspell]

How will it sound 'less good', will it generally have lower quality, ie, less clear sound, or only when it's turned up????

And do any of the stock head units have pre-amp outs? I have the AM/FM casette with 6 disk changer? No sub, is there anyway to know what deck i have?

 

[99explorer5.0]

I was originally running my setup with the stock radio because i wanted to keep my explorer as close to stock as possible and i thought it sounded good. Then my friend gave me the head unit that i am using now for free so i installed it. The difference in sound was like night and day. Sounded cleaner and more balanced at all volumes and the bass was hitting better than ever with the aftermarket radio.

I know it sounds better because i had something to compare it to. I was happy with my factory unit and if my friend didnt give me the one that i am using now i probably would still be using my factory radio. Now that i know how good it sounds with an aftermarket if this one ever ***** the bed i will probably buy another aftermarket instead of putting my stock one back in.

It all depends on how much you want to spend too. If you spend alot on a head unit most likely it will have some type of crossovers and filters and you will have more control over the sound than a radio with only bass and treble controls.

 

[hrbib21]

If you're only adding a sub, it doesn't matter. You're only giving the sub the lower frequencies so sound quality isn't as big an issue as if you were adding full range speakers. Besides, most people runs subs mono anyway.

 

[hrbib21]

BTW, my reasoning for keeping my stock head unit is simple: I still want to be able to use the steering wheel mounted controls and I won't be able to use them if I get an aftermarket unit.

 

[muzikluvir]

fac steering control

You do realize that you can make any steering wheel controls work with any h/u that support a separate remote control, right? There are many adapters out that work quite well from my experience. That is, if you want an aftermarket and contrtols are all that is holding you back.

 

[chevyh8r]

Yes that will be fine you can do that just you will have to have high inputs from the speakers we did it with 4 15s for a long time

 

[Silver X]

You can run your amp and sub with no other modifications (head unit, line out convertors, etc.) if your amp has speaker level inputs. Just tap into your rear speaker wires. Alot of amps have both RCA and speaker level type inputs. If you decide to get a new head unit later, you can run the RCAs back at that time.

One thing you will notice if you keep the stock H/U is the frequency range is usually not as good as with aftermarket. The bass doesn't go as low, and the highs aren't as crisp. And the equalization isn't very precise either.

I am running my stock H/U with my amp/subs this way right now. I just got a Pioneer H/U for it yesterday, so hopefully soon I will have time to install it. I need to get some new front/rear speakers too, because the stockers suck.

later,
Mike