09 VE SS Sportwagon Audio Upgrade. Still need some advice after searching!

[shaunve]

I wasn't sure what section to post this in, as its VE specific, but also audio related. Anyway,

Ive been browsing through these forums for a few weeks and still cant make sense of what i need to do to make this happen. Ive just bought an 09 VE SS Sportwagon and, like many, want to upgrade the shitty stock system. I want to replace the front splits, rear 6's, add an amp under the seat and a small low profile sub (maybe under the seat or in a shallow box in the boot, as it'll have to be removed sometimes). Im seriously leaning towards Jaycar stuff, as it appears to be good value for money.

Anyway, i need to know what i have to do to the stock head unit to make this happen. Apparently i need to convert something in the H/U to run RCA's???? What does this mean and is it the same as the Phreddy mod ive read about (but dont understand)!
Also, what are Hi-Lo level converters and what do they do? And the same goes for LOC's; what are they? Im getting confused with all the jargon. Clearly i know very little about car audio, but i want to learn so i can make an informed decision about how to go about this install. I can install the hardware no worries, im good mechanically, but the wiring confuses me. After searching heaps, it seems there is very little on what needs to be done to the stock H/U or added (such as Hi-Lo level converters) to a non premium sound system (ie SS) to make this sort of install possible.
Some advice on what sort of amp i need would also be appreciated!

Thanks for any help,

Shaun.

[BlueSteele]

Have you had a look in the "Upgrading VE Stock Speakers - How To" in the sticky thread at the top of the VE thread??
I know nothing on audio, but fairly sure that could answer alot of your questions

[shaunve]

Yeah, ive had a look at all of them. That was an SSV upgrade which already has and amp and subs. It just doesnt mention what has to be done to the H/U in order to run an amp or subs in the normal SS and also i was hoping to find out what Hi-Lo converters etc are.

Thanks,

Shaun.

[VTSS350]

The standard head unit has no RCA outs for an amp. The RCA outs are a low level out that most amps require.

There are units call line level converters that take the speaker outs (high level) from your head unit and convert them into low level outs that you then run to the amp.

There is one other way of doing it which I did and that is to use an amp that has the converter built it! I used a Focal amp that did the lot. No need for a headuint mod or to run a seperate converter

[shaunve]

Yep, i just discovered that they exist! Either Kicker or JL Audio do them (are there any others?). I was thinking that id go the JL Audio 5 channel amp (XD 700/5) which would run the JL 6 or 6.5" splits in the front, 6" in the rear and then maybe a Kicker slimline 12" sub. I didnt really want to have a sub in a box in the back of the car, but i dont know where ill get my bass from otherwise?
Alternatively, i could go the 4 channel amp to run the speakers and maybe id just be happy with that. If not, i could get another amp to run the sub later.
So, do you just run the speaker wires from the H/U and into the amp with the converters built in (DC offset)? And then from the amp to the speakers and thats it?

Shaun.

[VTSS350]

Yes as I said Focal do them aswell. Focal is top quality stuff!

Focal Power Series Amplifiers

[VTSS350]

These are the splits I am running

Focal K2 Power speakers and subwoofers