What else do I need?

[Siliconslick]

I am fairly new to the world of car audio and I was going to try and install a stereo system into my car. I'm fairly competent in soldering and running cable. I'm just not sure what I else I need. I have the following sitting on my kitchen bench:

1 Sony head unit
2 Pioneer 6" speakers (one box)
2 Sony 6x9s (one box)
1 Kenwood 4 channel amplifier

I was thinking along the lines of a basic parcel shelf install of the 6x9s and a boot mount for the amplifier.

Should probably add that it is a 2000 VX Berlina (its a sofa that flies)

[holdenboy]

Sounds like youve got the beginnings of a good system there mate.

You'll be needing the following if you havent already got them:

*Amplifier wiring kit (5m 8awg power, 1m earth), 5m RCA cable, 5m 16-18awg remote cable.
*About 12m of 16awg speaker cable (amp to parcel shelf and amp to front speakers)
*I think a pair of speaker grilles for the parcel shelf (top peice).

Good luck with the install mate, if you have any more questions ask away

[Daniel.B]

What type of pioneer 6 inch and 6x9's are they?? If their just cheap 6 inch coaxials, and entry level 6x9's, i wouldnt imagine this would be a huge improvemt, if you have a VX berlina../ How many speakers came out in the brelina??

[holdenboy]

Even if they are entry level speakers, with the improvement in sound quality from the aftermarket head-unit, along with more tuning options it'll sound alot better just from that alone. Not to mention the amplifier that will produce way more power than the stock head-unit, even if it only produces 50wrms per channel. The 6x9s will produce more bass than the stock 6" speakers which are mounted in the rear doors.

[Daniel.B]

I understand the amplifier, but you can get 6.5 inch pioneer coaxials for about as low as $30-40, i know cause i put a set at one stage into a VW Polo, with an aftermarket deck, and the sound quality was worse than the stock setup, ....

[Siliconslick]

The main reason I'm upgrading is ever since I discovered Beastie Boys' Hello Nasty all the sound started to get fuzzy.

Do i need spacers or anything?

P.S My Berlina came with 4 speakers, but i believe a pair of 8 inch subs were an option.

[holdenboy]

Theres a number of reasons why that could have occured, firstly youre talking about a VW.....totally different car to a VX commodore. I dont wanna hijack someone elses thread to go on about this.

Siliconslick, you might need to "modify" the stock speaker pods behind the door interior, depending on how large the mounting diameter is on the speakers. This involves just cutting out a small amount of plastic allowing the speaker to fit inside the pod properly. The 6x9s wont need any spacers, theres holes in the parcel shelf that are just covered with a peice of metal thats tack welded/glued into place, you'll just need to pry these out and mount the 6x9s in from the top (requires the top of the parcel shelf to be removed). You'll probably need to do this anyway so you can install these:
http://www.aerpro.com.au/list.php?pc...Black&cat_sno=

[Post Vintage]

I had Nokia speakers in my E39 BMW factory fitment... you will find cheap pioneers shouldnt be as good SQ as VW/BMW/Merc factory speakers... however they should handle way more power.

[Daniel.B]

I was only curious as to what type of speakers he has, because with regards to install, he hasn't asked about tweeter, or crossover mounting and locations, so therefore i've assumed the speakers he brought, are 6.5 inch coaxials... Knowing how cheap some pioneer coaxials are, they aren't always an improvemnt..Holden boy i'm wasnt doubting your knowledge or having a go or anything,

[holdenboy]

Thats alright Daniel.B, just thought i'd let you know the euro cars are totally different when it comes to factory speakers. The ones in the VX are basically crap, even the cheap Pioneers will sound better.

[Siliconslick]

just looking at the contents of the wiring kit, do i need to buy that in a kit or can i buy the components separately (im a broke uni student and really cant afford the 135 bux for the wiring kit). i was thinking of going to radio parts, but since they closed the shop near where i live i dont know where to go.

[holdenboy]

Aerpro make a good basic kit to suit your needs. Should retail for around the $60 mark i would think.

APU82 : 8 Gauge 2 Channel. Utility Amplifier Wiring Kit 400W :: Amp Wiring Kits


You could go to a Jaycar store and buy say 6m of 8awg power cable, a fuse holder, all the terminals you'll need, a pair of 5m RCA cables, 10m of speaker cable etc etc. It would probably end up costing the same as the kit above.

[acarmody]

$135 is terribly expensive for a 8gauge wiring kit. About $70-$80 from JB or someone. You don't need Stinger gear or anything, Cadence, Sony, and Aerpro kits are all good quality. Also you can talk the stores down.

Even this: Ryda Car Audio - Aerpro AP955A 400 Watt Amp Wiring Kit 8GA

Just make sure you get a kit with the right number of RCAs. If your H/U has 1 preout than you need 1 RCA, 2 Preouts 2 RCAs. The above kit only has 1 RCA.

Yes you can buy the components seperately but it usually costs more.

[Siliconslick]

thanks for the link to the contents of a wiring kit, i can now get my dad (an architect with an electrical engineering degree) to rustle me up the components from his garage bag-o-tricks.

one more question, can anyone suggest a good way to mount the amplifier preferably with pictures (its this one Kenwood KAC-M645 POWER AMP)