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STEREO Install - Sub/Amp

6K views 26 replies 4 participants last post by  08Hemi 
#1 ·
So I have some $$$ and want to get a stereo. I will retain the BA speakers and amp, along with the head-unit/Nav. I need some help with the exact parts to buy...I am in Santa Barbara and the shops around here are not very willing to help me out and are SUPER expensive to cover their overhead.

I know I need an amp kit; what gauge should I get? I want to get a mono-amp for a 10" sub, and have anywhere from 600-1000 watts. 4 gauge is what i am thinking as I did a 2 gauge for my old system (1200 watts) in my Dakota. I will also need an LOC - Please help me with this as my only familiarity is with aftermarket products. I want the best quality sound, $$$ is not an issue as I want quality bass. Please provide the best direct LOC for my application. I have a lot of RCA's, speaker wire, elec tape and wire-strippers. Please provide any little "hints/tips" re: install as my main expertise is in Home theater.

Now as for the sub/amp/box set-up; I want a 10" sub and I am up in the air on the box. I listen to a wide variety of music. I had a 15" with a 1200 watt amp and while it straight up bumped, its versatility was not there! Please give exact model#'s for your set-ups and tell me a little why you selected what you did...I want something with great versatility and the ability to hit when I want it to. I love Matt's custom box and that is the way I am leaning, but Kyle's set-up is simple and clean too!! There is a custom fiberglass set-up I just saw too...very nice

So please, help me out and help me spend my $$$ !!! I want to do this is 3 weeks, so my plan is to order everything by the end of next week!!!

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
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#3 · (Edited)
I had a feeling you would chime in Matt...thank you! The pics from your build are the sole reason I am doing this!!! What does a guy have to do to join your JG 5.7L 2wd Squad???

Love those products you sent me...you do a lot of research don't you?? I do have a couple questions; will a 4-gauge kit be enough for that sundown amp mono @ 1000rms? Do I need to get a cap? I dont want my headlights to dim :) Also for that amp is there the ability to get a bass-knob? I am worried about the EQ for the stock stereo...I know it will take some time but will I be able to tweak the EQ properly with the LOC??? And again I am a little slow with this, does the LOC go behind my dash to the Head Unit of off of the amp in the rear? Thanks Matt, I am going to order the sundown amp and I am leaning towards the ICON sub...I think that is a very nice combo! So it looks like I am going to spend around $800 for the sundown, ICON sub, LOC, Amp kit (again, 4-gauge enough? Need cap?), Box...sound about right?

I am like a kid in a candy store looking at this stuff!!!
 
#4 ·
I had a feeling you would chime in Matt...thank you! The pics from your build are the sole reason I am doing this!!! What does a guy have to do to join your JG 5.7L 2wd Squad???
:eek: WAIT! You have a 2wd 5.7...? You'd be the first one I have ever come across!!

Love those products you sent me...you do a lot of research don't you??
I did for almost two years. Did a shit load of reading, lol.

I do have a couple questions; will a 4-gauge kit be enough for that sundown amp mono @ 1000rms?
It would be fine, but it can never hurt to go bigger. If you have the extra cash I say go 0 gauge. You never know if you'll want to add a second amp later down the road.

Do I need to get a cap? I dont want my headlights to dim :)
Nope, caps are pretty much worthless (another thing I did some reading on). It's just another device that taxes your electrical system. If you experience problems I'd upgrade the "Big 3" - but I have 1,000 RMS on my stock electrical system and I have zero issues.

Also for that amp is there the ability to get a bass-knob? I am worried about the EQ for the stock stereo
Yeah, I just looked and it says it comes with a bass knob.

I know it will take some time but will I be able to tweak the EQ properly with the LOC???
You'll lose the fade/balance feature, but everything else should still be properly functional (i.e. "bass", "mid", "treb")

And again I am a little slow with this, does the LOC go behind my dash to the Head Unit of off of the amp in the rear?
The LOC will tap into your rear speaker wire, it would be easiest to access this at the output terminal of the factory amp (behind the driver side rear quarter panel).

Thanks Matt, I am going to order the sundown amp and I am leaning towards the ICON sub...I think that is a very nice combo!
That combo gets such high praise!!! From what I've read that sub is damn near the perfect sub woofer.

So it looks like I am going to spend around $800 for the sundown, ICON sub, LOC, Amp kit (again, 4-gauge enough? Need cap?), Box...sound about right?
Yup, that sounds about right... shit gets expensive doesn't it, lol.

As for the enclosure... I think it was preferred by most in a sealed alignment, but I'll do some reading and see what some have experienced.

I am like a kid in a candy store looking at this stuff!!!
You and me both my friend. It can get very frustrating when selecting equipment because it's such a heavily (over) saturated market.

---------- Post added at 01:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:29 PM ----------

Whew, that was a lot of work, lol.
 
#5 ·
WAIT we are the only two on JG with a 2wd Hemi??? So can I be member 2 of 2???

HAHA yeah seriously...thanks for the detail. +rep for you sir! Yeah I thought the market seemed like there was SO MUCH out there to choose from. So is there any sound quality issues with the LOC off the rear speaker output? I think I remember you telling me about one that connects to the back of the head unit that is a plug/play?? I remember it being over $100 if my memory serves me correctly...
 
#6 ·
WAIT we are the only two on JG with a 2wd Hemi??? So can I be member 2 of 2???
hell yeah, sig already changed! It's hard to believe right.

HAHA yeah seriously...thanks for the detail. +rep for you sir! Yeah I thought the market seemed like there was SO MUCH out there to choose from.
No problem at all! Yeah, there is sooo much too choose from.

So is there any sound quality issues with the LOC off the rear speaker output? I think I remember you telling me about one that connects to the back of the head unit that is a plug/play?? I remember it being over $100 if my memory serves me correctly...
Nope, no sound quality issues if it's all connected correctly. Yeah, there is a plug-n-play harness, but as you said, it's over 100 bucks! It would make the install a lot easier, smoother though.
 
#8 ·
#9 · (Edited)
Thanks Matt...AGAIN!!! You da man

So I see that it provides a 4-channel (two sets, front and rear) of RCA's; do I need two sets or will I use a y-adapter and funnel the two pairs into one pair and into the amp??

AND what size fuse will I need? 125A will be fine since it has 3X25 built-in??

This is a good deal for the combo, right?
Click to enlarge

SSA Icon 10D2 + Sundown SAZ-1000D Combo

RRP: Price: $539.00 SKU: Icon10D2 + SAZ-1000D combo Brand: SoundSolutionsAudio Weight: 37.00 LBS Rating:
(http://www.soundsolutionsaudio.com/...D2-%2b-Sundown-SAZ%2d1000D-Combo.html#reviews) Availability: Allow one week build time for the sub woofer Shipping: Calculated at checkout Current Stock:
 
#10 ·
Thanks Matt...AGAIN!!! You da man

So I see that it provides a 4-channel (two sets, front and rear) of RCA's; do I need two sets or will I use a y-adapter and funnel the two pairs into one pair and into the amp??

AND what size fuse will I need? 125A will be fine since it has 3X25 built-in??

This is a good deal for the combo, right?
Click to enlarge

SSA Icon 10D2 + Sundown SAZ-1000D Combo

RRP: Price: $539.00 SKU: Icon10D2 + SAZ-1000D combo Brand: SoundSolutionsAudio Weight: 37.00 LBS Rating:
() Availability: Allow one week build time for the sub woofer Shipping: Calculated at checkout Current Stock:
You will use just the rear set of RCA's to connect to your SAZ-1000D.

125A is perfect for 4 gauge.

Yes, the combo price (IIRC) saves you 15 bucks compared to if you bought them separately.
 
#12 ·
ARE YOU BACK YET???? MATT, paging MATT!!!!

OK so I have the C2A-CHY3 and Amp kit...I need to know which one to buy...1 ohm DVC or 2ohm DVC??? What will work best with the Sundown? Based on my research I am leaning towards the 2 ohm DVC...please tell me so I can order this damn thang
 
#14 · (Edited)
HAHA thanks you were missed! Hope you had fun wherever you went...

2 ohm DVC is exactly what I was thinking...I dont want to run @.5 ohms!!! I am going to order right now!!! Thanks for your help, you are the only reason for me getting a system!!

Also, where can I find a good sealed box? I decided I am going to hold off on building a custom one like yours; do a plug and play system and then build your box if i want the extra cargo space. I do not really care what color carpet, as I am sure whatever grey I get will not match, so I will prolly go black.

---------- Post added at 04:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:38 PM ----------

DONE...man am I excited

Order Status


The status of your recent orders is shown below. Click 'View Order' to see complete details.
  • Order #***

    Order Date: 4th Aug 2009
    Recipient: Brad *****
    This order is marked as Awaiting Fulfillment
    You chose to ship this order with UPS (Ground)
    The tracking number for this order is
    Track the status of your order
    Click the 'View Order' button to download the items you ordered.

    The outstanding balance of your order is $552.77 USD
    Here's how to pay for your order:Your Order Contains the Following Items:

    • 1 x SSA Icon 10D2 + Sundown SAZ-1000D Combo
OUCH!!!!
 
#15 ·
HAHA thanks you were missed! Hope you had fun wherever you went...

2 ohm DVC is exactly what I was thinking...I dont want to run @.5 ohms!!! I am going to order right now!!! Thanks for your help, you are the only reason for me getting a system!!

Also, where can I find a good sealed box? I decided I am going to hold off on building a custom one like yours; do a plug and play system and then build your box if i want the extra cargo space. I do not really care what color carpet, as I am sure whatever grey I get will not match, so I will prolly go black.

---------- Post added at 04:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:38 PM ----------

DONE...man am I excited

Order Status



The status of your recent orders is shown below. Click 'View Order' to see complete details.
  • Order #***

    Order Date: 4th Aug 2009
    Recipient: Brad *****
    This order is marked as Awaiting Fulfillment
    You chose to ship this order with UPS (Ground)
    The tracking number for this order is
    Track the status of your order
    Click the 'View Order' button to download the items you ordered.

    The outstanding balance of your order is $552.77 USD
    Here's how to pay for your order:Your Order Contains the Following Items:

    • 1 x SSA Icon 10D2 + Sundown SAZ-1000D Combo
OUCH!!!!
Ouch indeed, haha!

As for an enclosure... you can get a plain old sealed/carpeted one from partsexpress.com. Check out eBay too - just make sure whatever you get is using 3/4" or greater MDF.
 
#16 ·
K now I need to order a box. I have cut and pasted the ICON's specs. I cannot find a ported or sealed enclosure that matches up with optimal #'s. Anybody know where I can find a sealed .95-1.05 OR 1.35-1.5 ported/slotted tuned @ 30HZ??? Any help is appreciated. I have looked on crutchfield, onlinecarstereo.com, beach audio, knukonceptz, partsexpress, digitalaudio, amazon, buy.com, overstock.com............HELP I dont really care about the color...prefer dark khaki, but black will def work with the right specs.

Also, with a .12 displacement, do i need to gross the volume of the box up to accommodate? ie .9 box is actually a net .78 interior volume?


Fs 30.7
Qms 5.60
Qes .41
Qts .38
Mms 190 g
Sd 310 cm^2
Vas 19.1 l
Bl 16.4
Spl 83.1 1W/1m
Xmax 20.5mm
Wattage: 1000wRMS
Displacement: 0.12cuft


Enclosure Recommendations:

Sealed: .70 cu.ft.
Sealed: .90 cu.ft. optimal
Ported: 1.00 cu.ft. @ 27-33 hz
Ported: 1.35 cu.ft. @ 27-33hz opt.
Sub Outside Dia.: 11.000”
Cut Inside Dia.: 9.250”
Mounting depth: 6.000”
Displacement: 0.12cuft
 
#18 ·
K now I need to order a box. I have cut and pasted the ICON's specs. I cannot find a ported or sealed enclosure that matches up with optimal #'s. Anybody know where I can find a sealed .95-1.05 OR 1.35-1.5 ported/slotted tuned @ 30HZ??? Any help is appreciated. I have looked on crutchfield, onlinecarstereo.com, beach audio, knukonceptz, partsexpress, digitalaudio, amazon, buy.com, overstock.com............HELP I dont really care about the color...prefer dark khaki, but black will def work with the right specs.

Also, with a .12 displacement, do i need to gross the volume of the box up to accommodate? ie .9 box is actually a net .78 interior volume?
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_8388_Sonic+Sub+Box-+1SL10-1.0+-BLACK+CARPET-.html

The #'s that SSA gives you are net numbers, so you want to go a little bigger that those to accomodate for displacement. That one above should be perfect.
 
#19 ·
Thanks Matt...I never checked out Sonic...+rep for you sir!!! Just ordered it

I have a couple more questions (what a surprise)...talk to me about where I will hook up the power wire to the car's power source. I know I can do directly to the battery, but I do not like the look with the red rubber cover not sitting flush on the battery...can I hook it up to one of the two fuse boxes? There are what appear to be power screws/nuts in each fuse bank...is there any benefit/downside to hooking it up that way? I can take pics if my description isnt clear :)

I spent 20 mins last night searching for the firewall entrance for the pwoer wire and could not find it. I found the main one where the majority of the cables/wires go into the cabin, but they are all sealed/taped up nicely. Can I just undo the tape and piggy-back the main entrance and re-tape/seal?
 
#20 ·
You probably could, but see if you can find the grommet that matt and I used. Check my build thread for pictures. If you follow the power wire, you shuold be able to see it. they might have removed this grommet on the '08s though. As for the power source, I'm not sure if you could hook it up in the fuse box. If you don't want the battery cover flopping around, go to your local hardware store and buy a longer ring terminal.
 
#21 ·
I started the build...I have a log going now. I piggy-backed a rubber grommet underneath the main taped-up firewall entrance. Do I need to worry about chaffing of the wire? I can take a pic if necessary but the 2 gauge wire and that existing wire/grommet are a tight fit...doesnt seem like it will move at all as I have taped up both interior and engine side. I went direct on the battery and just trimmed the red casing for the + cable. Thanks for your direction with this...
 
#25 ·
I think from your description I ran my 4 gauge wire through the same location in the firewall as you did, I sliced through the big rubber cover right in back of the brake master cylinder. I zip tied the power wire right inside the car, and its not moving at all.

 
#26 ·
Nice...I actually piggy-backed one of the two smaller rubber grommets under the main one you tapped into. I like the way you did it...it is cleaner IMO. I will post a pic tomorrow and show you what mine looks like, though I would recommend what you did. nice call!
 
#27 ·
FWIW...sub and amp are still chugging along. I had my first issue yesterday...think it was a clipped signal or something intermittent/electrical as a neg terminal reset took care of it! would highly recommend this amp and the SSA is the best 10" I have ever owned (JBL, audiobahn, JLw3 and CV)...I have since added a 15" audiobahn I have had for 5+ years :)
 
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