Amp instalation questions. (supplies needed, etc...) help needed along

[swagger_wagon468 53]

let me start off by saying that this is my first install of any kind. so please bare with me if i seem like a complete . haha.

ok...so, in the mail on the way to me i have:

- a set of Bravox carbon fiber components (6.5")

- Boss Audio Zed Made Havoc REV-665

- a set of Alpine 5x7 type R's (might use for rear fill. not sure yet. got them cheap so...)

i have a Kenwood kdc-HD545U (still new and not installed).

my electrical, audio, etc is completely stock.

i have a 1994 Toyota Camry wagon V6.

i know some of my questions could be "answered" by google. but i prefer to get all my info from the knowldgeable people here at SSA

some of my questions:

1. what do i need in order to install my amp and speakers? i was told by Denim that 8ga would be good for the amp. should i just buy a cheap amp kit with everything in it? or buy it in pieces? if recomended to buy in pieces; then maybe a complete list of things needed for the install...that would be great.

2.also, i was told by ///M5 to use baffles for the speakers. i dont even kno what those are. lol.

3. im not quite sure on how i will setup my speakers yet. ive heard of both active and passive for comps, though im not sure what they mean. im guessing my options are running the alpines and Bravox's off the amp, or alpines off the HU and comps off the amp?...

im sure i will have more questions later on such as help installing. i guess the first order of buisness is to get everything ordered that i need to install. so thanks in advance!

-jonathan

[bassahaulic 155]

1. what do i need in order to install my amp and speakers? i was told by Denim that 8ga would be good for the amp. should i just buy a cheap amp kit with everything in it? or buy it in pieces? if recomended to buy in pieces; then maybe a complete list of things needed for the install...that would be great.

2.also, i was told by ///M5 to use baffles for the speakers. i dont even kno what those are. lol.

3. im not quite sure on how i will setup my speakers yet. ive heard of both active and passive for comps, though im not sure what they mean. im guessing my options are running the alpines and Bravox's off the amp, or alpines off the HU and comps off the amp?...

1. You need Power Wire with fuse, Ground wire, RCA's, Remote wire, and speaker wire. I would buy an amp kit personally. Look into Kicker or Memphis they usually have EVERYTHING you need all in one package.

Here is everything you need.

Link to Kicker 4awg Kit.

2. I don't know what he means either, he's getting senile in his old age.

3. You can only run active if you have an active capable radio or amp. With this being your first install I would just go for a passive system, to the average ear it won't be a bit of difference. And I would just run the Bravox in the front and call it a day.

[emh9009 199]

For simplicity i would get this kit http://www.knukonceptz.com/productDetail.cfm?prodID=KFX-AK8

Again for simplicity as a first install, you will be running passive with your speakers, if you're planning on using the Xover that the comps. come with. Dont run any speakers off the HU power, just use the amp and your bravox comps.

You want to mount the speakers to something solid. Like the metal part of your door, if needed a plastic/wood baffle to hold the speaker there. You can use the stock one if the speaker fits. I think what M5 was getting at was NOT attaching the speaker to the door card or something flimsy like that. you need a solid base.

[bassahaulic 155]

I'd dare say one day you will want a subwoofer of some sort, so why not spend the little extra for the thicker wire now so you won't have to later.

[swagger_wagon468 53]

1. You need Power Wire with fuse, Ground wire, RCA's, Remote wire, and speaker wire. I would buy an amp kit personally. Look into Kicker or Memphis they usually have EVERYTHING you need all in one package.

Here is everything you need.

Link to Kicker 4awg Kit.

2. I don't know what he means either, he's getting senile in his old age.

3. You can only run active if you have an active capable radio or amp. With this being your first install I would just go for a passive system, to the average ear it won't be a bit of difference. And I would just run the Bravox in the front and call it a day.

ouch on the price of the amp kit.

1. Denim said 8ga would be good... dont think so?

2. is there that big of a difference btwn say...kicker amp kits and some non-brand name amp kit?

3. passive is when u go from amp, to crossover, and then to tweet and woofer. right?

4. so no rear sound in your opinion? this means i would have to run the Bravox's bridged right(that would be about double RMS)? or can i leave 2 channels not used?

For simplicity i would get this kit http://www.knukonceptz.com/productDetail.cfm?prodID=KFX-AK8

Again for simplicity as a first install, you will be running passive with your speakers, if you're planning on using the Xover that the comps. come with. Dont run any speakers off the HU power, just use the amp and your bravox comps.

You want to mount the speakers to something solid. Like the metal part of your door, if needed a plastic/wood baffle to hold the speaker there. You can use the stock one if the speaker fits. I think what M5 was getting at was NOT attaching the speaker to the door card or something flimsy like that. you need a solid base.

1. i heard Knu has some kind of wire that isnt full copper?...

2. so you also recomend no rear sound?

3. my stock spekers are 6.5". and the comps are as well. so they should be fine in the stock location right?

[emh9009 199]

Yes, knu offers wire kits that aren't full copper. that kit i sent you is. There are different kinds of kits.

I also say no rear fill, but if you really want to, go ahead. It's your car.

I would assume they will fit, yes do you have stock tweeter locations?

[swagger_wagon468 53]

I'd dare say one day you will want a subwoofer of some sort, so why not spend the little extra for the thicker wire now so you won't have to later.

of course. i have 2 Kicker L7 12" (2009 model) i gotta really good deal. i just need a box and amp(sundown 2500.1). and the BIG 3.

i will have to have wires coming from both amps right?

[emh9009 199]

"Kolossus Fleks Kable 8 Gauge Blue (Smoke) Power Wire features 805 Tinned Strands of Pure Oxygen Free Copper and a new UltraFleks Matte PVC Jacket. Our new jacket allows for improved flexibility and maintains exceptional resistance to abrasion, oil, and extreme temperatures (-40 to 105 C). Capable of loads up to 50A @ 20'."

[emh9009 199]

I'd dare say one day you will want a subwoofer of some sort, so why not spend the little extra for the thicker wire now so you won't have to later.

of course. i have 2 Kicker L7 12" (2009 model) i gotta really good deal. i just need a box and amp(sundown 2500.1). and the BIG 3.

i will have to have wires coming from both amps right?

For that power, yes. He was thinking that you could run 4 gauge from the front of the car to the rear at a distribution block which then would split to two different amps; the sub amp and the comp. amp. But that was assuming much less power goals

[swagger_wagon468 53]

Yes, knu offers wire kits that aren't full copper. that kit i sent you is. There are different kinds of kits.

I also say no rear fill, but if you really want to, go ahead. It's your car.

I would assume they will fit, yes do you have stock tweeter locations?

o ok. so the kit is full copper... kool.

i mean, can u really hear rear fill once the subs are in?

i have a stock tweeter location... is there a way to put the tweets there? didnt think they would fit...

[emh9009 199]

o ok. so the kit is full copper... kool.

i mean, can u really hear rear fill once the subs are in?

i have a stock tweeter location... is there a way to put the tweets there? didnt think they would fit...

You tell me if you can hear them. I dont know what your car sounds like.

They could fit, just have to check and see. No harm in trying.

[swagger_wagon468 53]

For that power, yes. He was thinking that you could run 4 gauge from the front of the car to the rear at a distribution block which then would split to two different amps; the sub amp and the comp. amp. But that was assuming much less power goals

ahh, gotchya.

i want hella bass. haha. but im thinkin i might wanna sell the L7s and get a Xcon...? but thats for another thread. gotta keep this one on topic. lol

[swagger_wagon468 53]

You tell me if you can hear them. I dont know what your car sounds like.

They could fit, just have to check and see. No harm in trying.

guess thats true. u have no idea what my car sounds like. haha.

and i guess i could try. if they dont fit, i should mount them closest to the woofer as possible for optimal sound right?

also, if i dont do rear fill, (probly wont) would i just cap off the wires/connections?

[emh9009 199]

If the tweeters don't fit try placing them in different locations that are available to you in regards to how deeply you want to customize their new home. See what sounds the best to you and put them there.

And yea, just cap the wires off, or electrical tape them or something. Just dont let them touch metal.

[swagger_wagon468 53]

If the tweeters don't fit try placing them in different locations that are available to you in regards to how deeply you want to customize their new home. See what sounds the best to you and put them there.

And yea, just cap the wires off, or electrical tape them or something. Just dont let them touch metal.

as little fabrication/custom work as possible = best for me. haha

also, since i probobly wont be doing rear sound, do i run the bravox comps bridged? (double the RMS) or can i just run the 2 channels and leave the other two alone.?

[emh9009 199]

Either or. If you dont want to use the extra 2 channels, i THINK you can just run one channel of RCAs to the amp and it shouldn't tell the other channels to do any work? Again, im not too sure on this. But if you do bridge them, then just be cautious with the gain/volume knob so you dont blow nice and shiny new stuff up

[swagger_wagon468 53]

Either or. If you dont want to use the extra 2 channels, i THINK you can just run one channel of RCAs to the amp and it shouldn't tell the other channels to do any work? Again, im not too sure on this. But if you do bridge them, then just be cautious with the gain/volume knob so you dont blow nice and shiny new stuff up

so if i were to do rear fill (im not) then i would have 2 sets of RCAs? or do they have splitters? idk how that would work considering i think theres only 2 sets on the HU. (one for sub...) check out my HU...

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113HD545U/Kenwood-KDC-HD545U.html?tp=5684

[Kanaworm$ 292]

Baffle is a piece of wood (MDF) that is attatched to the door and creates a firm mounting location for your mid. Better than mounting to the thin plastic or metal itself.

[swagger_wagon468 53]

Baffle is a piece of wood (MDF) that is attatched to the door and creates a firm mounting location for your mid. Better than mounting to the thin plastic or metal itself.

O ok.but mounting it in the stock location would sufice right? I mean, it wouldn't sound bad right?

[Kanaworm$ 292]

Nope!

[swagger_wagon468 53]

Ok. Kool. Thanks.

So any other thoughts on leavin the 2 channels of the amp unused?...is that doable?

[Kanaworm$ 292]

Not sure but can that 4 channel amp be run bridged meaning two channels combined with the other two to create a powerful 2 channel amplifier?

[swagger_wagon468 53]

Not sure but can that 4 channel amp be run bridged meaning two channels combined with the other two to create a powerful 2 channel amplifier?

Yea. But it would e 190x2... over double th Rms. Way to much righ?

[Kanaworm$ 292]

Not sure but can that 4 channel amp be run bridged meaning two channels combined with the other two to create a powerful 2 channel amplifier?

Yea. But it would e 190x2... over double th Rms. Way to much righ?

Yes basically, but the headroom would be nice.

[Duran 387]

It's RATED to be double RMS if you bridge, you have a lot of control over how much power the speakers actually see.