Queries on new sound system

[VYnickhall]

Hi all,
recently purchased a 2002 VY S ute all stock

whent out and bought some KENWOOD 3 way speakers (under the impression i could easily install), any way took the door trim off blah blah blah...
got to the wiring of the speakers and all the plugs where different, so eventually i just stripped the wires ( ones already in car, and ones new for speakers) and bound them together. Tested them out and they work fine...
any 1 think i will have any problems with that?

Also, ive seen some interesting threads on amp/sub setups but i do NOT want to replace my standard HU because it just looks so 'proper'. ha...

so without replacing my HU will i be able to install Amp and a sub
if so
any suggestions on where to put and some prices for a decent mid to low range setup??

thanks guys!!

[holdenboy]

The way youve "bound" the new speaker wires to the old ones should work out OK, although i would strongly advise to solder the wires together, then either tape them up or use some heatshrink. This just minimises the event of wires soming off, touching metal or each other.

You can easily add an amp/sub to your system withoout changing the stock head-unit, youve got three options:

1) Buy an amplifier that has "high level" inputs, or speaker level inputs. What you'll have to do is tap into the speaker wires either behind the head-unit or in the kick panels just before they run into the doors and run them to the amp.

2) Buy a line out converter (LOC) which converts speaker outputs into RCA outputs. You'll have to the the same as above to tap into the speaker wires and run them to the LOC then run RCAs out to the amp.

3) Get Phreddy (a guy on here) to mod your head-unit so it has RCA outputs.

Theres a few different types of slimline subwoofer boxes out at the moment that suit your car. As for an amp look for one with around 200-500wrms. Heres a couple of suggestions:

Subs/Enclosures:

Sony:
Ryda Car Audio - Sony BOX12SLIM 12" Subwoofer w/Enclosure($224.95)

Blaupunkt:
Ryda Car Audio - Blaupunkt THB250 10" Subwoofer in a Box


Amplifiers to suit above:

Kenwood:
Ryda Car Audio - Kenwood Car Audio KAC-6203 Car Amplifier($168.95)

Pioneer:
Ryda Car Audio - Pioneer Car Audio GM-5300T Car Amplifier($194.75)

So your looking at around $550-$600 including wiring.

Clarion also have a powered subwoofer in a very slim box:

Ryda Car Audio - Clarion Car Audio SRV313 Active Subwoofer

[Philthy]

As Holdenboy said, you should always solder your wiring, then use heatshrink or just tape to insulate it.

Once you have found a way to connect an amp (one of Holdenboy's methods above), just go into a shop and have a listen to a few subs in your price range to see what sounds good

[VYnickhall]

Thanks for the tips guys

Holden boy with option 1, do u just strip the wires again (somewhere along the wire) and run them to the amp?

i have next to 0 knowledge on how the dash comes apart and how to access the wiring... except the door ha

am i better to get it installed from a audio store, like autobarn?

thankyou

[Timmos]

do u just strip the wires again (somewhere along the wire) and run them to the amp?

I beleive you would have to send the speaker wire from the HU to the amp and from the amp to the speaker (if that makes sense to you)

autobarn will cost you a fortune for something simple like speaker replacement.. i think about $40 per door? that's crazy.
Give it a go yourself.
It's really simple to get behind the dash. Just take your time and find all the screws or clips. Everything should just pop off or fall off. Don't force anything.

[VYnickhall]

sorry about my lack of audio intellegence timmos but...
what your saying is

instead of the hu wire going straight to the speaker, i have to rewire it to go to the amp, and then to the speaker??
how the F**@ do u do that!! ha
im tempted to fork out $100 to get it installed properly...

[trentvy]

if your confident in installing an amp you run 2 pairs of rca's to the amp (on for front one for rear channels) and then run your speaker wire from the amp. Im sorry I dont 100% get what your saying. If your really not confident just get in installed, for the sake of your money itll save you alot of headaches.

[holdenboy]

Firstly, you'll only need to "tap" into the speaker cables for inputs the the amp. You wont need to run speaker cables back to the speakers themselves unless you would like to purchase a 4ch. amplifier and run the speakers off the amp too.

As far as your question goes about tapping into the speaker wiring for either high level inputs or a LOC for the amp, you just need to find a suitable place where you can get access to each speaker wire (i.e. the kick panels) and strip back the insulation on the spk. wires, solder your new speaker cables and run them to the amp/LOC.

I'd say have a go at it yourself, i mean youve installed your front speakers OK so its not too much harder than that. Just remember to take your time removing interior panels etc.

[VYnickhall]

any links on removing front Kick panels ??
thanks