RHelton10
Well-Known Member
Hey guys, I have a 2013 4-door Si and I'm tired of the weak OEM sound system. I've "been there and done that" with full-blown competition systems in the past and have since outgrown the 170db wipers jumping off the windshield type of systems. But having said that, I still need a little more than the stock system. Sad thing is I also have a 2013 Ford Explorer w/ the premium sound and OEM 10" woofer and it's amazing; I wish Honda would invest a little more in their "premium" systems, but I digress.
Anyway, I'm actually happy with the mids and highs for what I typically listen to and don't want to dump that much money and effort into upgrading the entire system. What I'm looking to do is just add an amp and a single woofer in a smaller box against the back of one of the seats and I could use a little help and advice. I've been out of the game for awhile and the factory wiring has gotten more complicated since I was doing this in the past.
The amp I currently have is a Kicker ZX750.1. I have a Kicker L7 factory box and sub, but somehow I think I blew the sub in my last car. I could replace the sub, but my other options is just to go with a 10" sub in a smaller box for more trunk space. I'll run a 4 gauge amp kit for the setup. I've read that the Si model headunit has preamp outputs since the Si has a separate amp. I'm probably going to pay a stereo shop to run the amp kit since I don't have the time to do it myself, but I want to know this car's setup so I can give them clear direction on how I want it done.
Here's my questions:
1. What current 10" subs are you guys happy with? I'd like to stick to around a .75-1.25 sealed cubic inch sized box for trunk space.
2. (This is where I need the most help) Which wires are the positive and negative for the sub preamp output on the headunit side and on the OEM amp side? Are the preamp wires stereo (2 sets) or just 1 mono set? I'd like leave the factory sub hooked up and be able to use the OEM headunit's sublevel gains to control the aftermarket amp. Is it really as easy as I've read where you take the wires going into the OEM amp, attach a set of RCA connections, and then run it to the aftermarket amp? My amp has stereo RCA inputs, so if the OEM setup is mono, can I just attach a Y-connection to my amp and double the mono signal to the stereo inputs on my amp?
3. Have you guys found it easier to access and run the wires to the back of the car from the headunit or from the amp (oem) itself?
Thanks in advance for the help and advice!
Anyway, I'm actually happy with the mids and highs for what I typically listen to and don't want to dump that much money and effort into upgrading the entire system. What I'm looking to do is just add an amp and a single woofer in a smaller box against the back of one of the seats and I could use a little help and advice. I've been out of the game for awhile and the factory wiring has gotten more complicated since I was doing this in the past.
The amp I currently have is a Kicker ZX750.1. I have a Kicker L7 factory box and sub, but somehow I think I blew the sub in my last car. I could replace the sub, but my other options is just to go with a 10" sub in a smaller box for more trunk space. I'll run a 4 gauge amp kit for the setup. I've read that the Si model headunit has preamp outputs since the Si has a separate amp. I'm probably going to pay a stereo shop to run the amp kit since I don't have the time to do it myself, but I want to know this car's setup so I can give them clear direction on how I want it done.
Here's my questions:
1. What current 10" subs are you guys happy with? I'd like to stick to around a .75-1.25 sealed cubic inch sized box for trunk space.
2. (This is where I need the most help) Which wires are the positive and negative for the sub preamp output on the headunit side and on the OEM amp side? Are the preamp wires stereo (2 sets) or just 1 mono set? I'd like leave the factory sub hooked up and be able to use the OEM headunit's sublevel gains to control the aftermarket amp. Is it really as easy as I've read where you take the wires going into the OEM amp, attach a set of RCA connections, and then run it to the aftermarket amp? My amp has stereo RCA inputs, so if the OEM setup is mono, can I just attach a Y-connection to my amp and double the mono signal to the stereo inputs on my amp?
3. Have you guys found it easier to access and run the wires to the back of the car from the headunit or from the amp (oem) itself?
Thanks in advance for the help and advice!