Help a *car audio noob*

[alfa147x]

My friend's car has 2 aftermarket subs on his factory system

He didn't install it him self he got it installed, but he has a factory head unit which I think is powering the speakers then he has an amp that is powering 2x 10 inch subs

I always thought that the head unit needs to give out a line level out put to an amp which then drives the subs

so if you want a stereo system you would use 2 amps then one more for a sub, right?

all in his Infiniti J30

Thanks for clarifying

JSK i have never installed a car audio, but plan on after I get a new car (Looking at this FiT)

Alfa





Edit:

So now lets put together a parts list for my car:

line-level converter : Soundgate LOCX
Amp: infinity 1600a
Sub: MTX RT12X2A
Adapters:
wires:
Speaker Cable
Audio Connection cable

In line fuse
4 gauge power line (How many feet?)

 

[Dman877]

It is possible to pass a signal to a sub amp without a line level output. If the amp is set up for it, you can run speaker wires to it, the amp cuts off the low end and then passes the rest of the signal on to your normal speakers. Of course, his infiniti may just have a line level output which some factory units do have.

 

[alfa147x]

Originally posted by: Dman877
It is possible to pass a signal to a sub amp without a line level output. If the amp is set up for it, you can run speaker wires to it, the amp cuts off the low end and then passes the rest of the signal on to your normal speakers. Of course, his infiniti may just have a line level output which some factory units do have.

say I wanted to add the same type of system to my car (2 Subs in the back ) I would get an amp run the line to back speakers into it then back out to the speakers

and have both subs hooked into the amp? How do you choose an amp and sub combo ? thanks for the help

 

[Nutdotnet]

Originally posted by: Dman877
It is possible to pass a signal to a sub amp without a line level output. If the amp is set up for it, you can run speaker wires to it, the amp cuts off the low end and then passes the rest of the signal on to your normal speakers. Of course, his infiniti may just have a line level output which some factory units do have.

I haven't heard of an amp that's set-up for this...

What I am 99% certain is the installer used a line-level converter from the stock head-unit to the amp. Very common to do so.

 

[minendo]

JL Audio Cleansweep

 

[alfa147x]

Lets build a parts list, im going to start big (amp sub then wires needed)
line-level converter :CL441dsp or MTX re-Q5
Amp: 2x Profile AP700M
Sub: 2x Infinity Reference 1050w
Adapters:
wires:
Speaker Cable
Audio Connection cable

Sub enclosures I will be making; thats for another day

How would I decide on the thickness of the power cable?

 

[alfa147x]

Oh and I don't want to buy one of those powered subs, want to use my car for a learning experience

 

[alfa147x]

ok so another question, is their some sort of device that will allow me place it between my factory head unit and my rear speakers and get a line level out for my amp? Really don't want to take apart the front

 

[Riverhound777]

Yes you need a LOC (Line output converter). But you will most likely need another wire to tell your amp when to turn on and off. I forget what it is called.

 

[alfa147x]

Originally posted by: Riverhound777
Yes you need a LOC (Line output converter). But you will most likely need another wire to tell your amp when to turn on and off. I forget what it is called.

all of the LOCs i have found require all 4 speakers, if its stereo why do i need all 4 is 2 not enough ?

can I some how splice the 2 back speakers and hook it into the front speaker and the back speaker on the LOC ?

 

[alfa147x]

Originally posted by: alfa147x

Originally posted by: Riverhound777
Yes you need a LOC (Line output converter). But you will most likely need another wire to tell your amp when to turn on and off. I forget what it is called.

all of the LOCs i have found require all 4 speakers, if its stereo why do i need all 4 is 2 not enough ?

can I some how splice the 2 back speakers and hook it into the front speaker and the back speaker on the LOC ?

found it
Soundgate LOCX

 

[Doodoo]

Instead of getting an amp for each sub, just get one big one. It'll make the wiring much cleaner. Just make sure it supports the correct impedance of your subs when you wire them together. I would go with a minimum of 4 gauge wire.

 

[Nutdotnet]

Originally posted by: alfa147x

Originally posted by: Riverhound777
Yes you need a LOC (Line output converter). But you will most likely need another wire to tell your amp when to turn on and off. I forget what it is called.

all of the LOCs i have found require all 4 speakers, if its stereo why do i need all 4 is 2 not enough ?

can I some how splice the 2 back speakers and hook it into the front speaker and the back speaker on the LOC ?

Here's the scoop..any LOC can use the front-two speakers or the rear-two speakers. However, you'll end up only converting either the front channels or only the rear channels.

So...if you only want to run an amp to your fronts and leave your rears powered by your HU then convert only the front speaker wires.

And I would agree with Doodoo- for a first-time setup, I would encourage you to go with the a 4-channel + Monoblock amp or a 5-channel amp (has the mono amp built in).

 

[alfa147x]

Originally posted by: Nutdotnet

Originally posted by: alfa147x

Originally posted by: Riverhound777
Yes you need a LOC (Line output converter). But you will most likely need another wire to tell your amp when to turn on and off. I forget what it is called.

all of the LOCs i have found require all 4 speakers, if its stereo why do i need all 4 is 2 not enough ?

can I some how splice the 2 back speakers and hook it into the front speaker and the back speaker on the LOC ?

Here's the scoop..any LOC can use the front-two speakers or the rear-two speakers. However, you'll end up only converting either the front channels or only the rear channels.

So...if you only want to run an amp to your fronts and leave your rears powered by your HU then convert only the front speaker wires.

And I would agree with Doodoo- for a first-time setup, I would encourage you to go with the a 4-channel + Monoblock amp or a 5-channel amp (has the mono amp built in).

But the plan was to leave the HU powering the speakers and have the amp power the woofers