Best re-wiring plan for HU->amp, amp->speakers in US '05 MCS?

[testanley3]

Hi. With apologies for possibly reposting this question (I did search and found nothing), I would REALLY appreciate ideas on the best line cable / trigger wire routing between a new HU to power amp (in the right boot cubby), and then speaker wire runs from the amp to all four speaker positions. I am scared to death that I am going to tear out my entire interior just to find that I can't figure out a workable topology for the connections. Photos of installs would be GREAT. The amp is an Alpine PDX-4.150

Thanks SO much!

[GBMINI]

If you're not sure at all, I suggest you not start!

This fabulous write-up is little different because it starts with a car equipped with the H/K amp (I presume you don't have that) but it's wonderful to give you an idea of what's involved in a stereo install:
Home

In particular, click on "system configuration" which shows how Paul put everything together.

[GBMINI]

BTW:
Here's a nice wiring trick I found done in GBMINI ...
run wires from amp to drive rear speakers
run wires from amp to drive front speakers, but connect them to the now unused original rear speaker wiring
behind HU don't connect speaker wires to HU but instead link rear to front for each of the four (+/-/L/R) wires
this gets you wires from amp to front speakers without needing to run new speaker wires through the front of the car!

Of course, you still need to run RCAs from HU to amp, and a turnon signal.

[testanley3]

Quote: Originally Posted by GBMINI (original)

If you're not sure at all, I suggest you not start!

This fabulous write-up is little different because it starts with a car equipped with the H/K amp (I presume you don't have that) but it's wonderful to give you an idea of what's involved in a stereo install:
Home

In particular, click on "system configuration" which shows how Paul put everything together.

Actually, I do have the H/K System, and my reasons for the wholesale exchange plan are similar to yours: slightly higher max volume with as clean a sound as possible. Additionally, I find that my H/K HU and iPod interface are woefully inadequate, and I would also like to have XM radio. Therefore, I have spec'd a Pioneer Premier DEH-P980BT HU. I thought about using an H/K Enabler, but again, the proprietary nature of the H/K amp/speaker setup really precludes using all the wonderful EQ features of the Pioneer (which are REALLY slick). I have chosen MB Quart QSC 216s for the front. Great reviews on these, and I am confident that the 6.5" mid will sound way better than the fairly lame looking 5.25" HK. I picked Pioneer Premier TS-D901P 6x9's for the rear (low freq response to 22 Hz. I am not using a sub). With 150w RMS into each channel from the Alpine amp (which does fit in the right boot cubby), this should sound crisp and plenty loud. I have 36 sq ft of Dynamat Extreme on the way to sound deaden the whole car. I have done a partial "practice" panel removal successfully, but have also ordered spare trim clips from newministuff . So, I feel like the plan is good, but I just wanted to tap into anyone's experience in laying down new wires to connect it all. I have read and bookmarked your Adding Amplification pages and really appreciate the great photos. Thanks for taking the time to reply!

[GBMINI]

Actually, I'd suggest considering the HKenabler as a first step (unless you've already ordered speakers etc).
I know I might be biased, since I created it, but you will find that the aftermarket HU audio features do translate quite nicely through the H/K amp with the HKenabler. And you will be able to push the system a little harder by careful adjustment of the volume levels.
Plus, if you then decide it's not good enough, you can re-use the harness adaptor part and just ignore the HKenabler module itself.

Starting from the H/K actually makes your life MUCH easier since (a) the speaker wiring is upgraded from stock and (b) it's all starting from the H/K amp position which is easy to wire aftermarket to.
The only challenges are running the RCAs from front to rear, and eliminating engine whine!


My GBMINI has Boston Pro speakers in the front, and JL audio 6" subs in the back, all driven from a Rockford Fosgate Punch amp (the H/K link I posted above is someone elses car) - when I switch off the subs, the Boston Pros are no match at all for getting the low frequencies ... I hope you find the TS-D901Ps better able to substitute for a sub