System Upgrade

Currently have a Kenwood DDX 672BH Head Unit, a 10 inch JL Audio Sub 10TW3 D-4 behind the rear Driver's Side seat. And front and rear Alpine's with the fronts being SPR 60C and in the rear I have the SPR 60 Coaxials. The amp is an Alpine PDR V75. Want to add 1 more JL Audio Sub, a JL Audio 5 Channel Amp, and either JL Audio front and rear speakers. Or maybe Morel, Hertz, or Focal. Thoughts?????

 

I like to recommend against 5 channel amps because they lock you into a system. If you upgrade subs and need more power then you have to replace a 5 channel amp, but if you use a 4 channel and a mono amp then you can just replace the mono amp. You can find mono amps in much higher outputs if they are not part of a 5 channel amp.

As it sits right now, because you want to add another sub, you have to replace your current 5 channel amp. The 4 other channels on the amp are just fine in output, but the sub part doesnt have enough.

 

Same, I currently have an lc7i and a kenwood xr901-5 under the driver seat. I want to run a separate amp for my sub. Now I will need to move both the 5channel amp and the lc7 over to the passenger side under seat. Will be adding a mono amp under driver seat since the current box I have have the terminal on the driver side. Wish I should’ve thought about that when I did the install.

 

Careful putting the amp under the passenger seat, there is a random bar in the seat frame that prevents things from being put under there... I found out the hard way after running all my wires and putting the carpet back in

I tied to put 3 audio control acm amps under there, they are only 1.75 inches tall and they stopped the seat from moving.

 

Hey friend get any hook ups in audio yet?

 

I was looking at this one, and I have always done 5 channel amps for 20 years without any issue or regrets.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_136HD9005/JL-Audio-HD-Series-HD900-5.html

 

So whats wrong with your current 5 channel amp? the sub output does not have enough power to run your sub right? So now you get to buy a new 5 channel amp... seems like you just ran into a problem.


EDIT: the subs your looking at running a pair of recommend 200-400 watts. with that JL amp your pushing 250 to each, but thats 250 at peak volume. If you move that number up higher in their recommended to say 350-400, then they will be more controlled, louder, and give you more headroom.

 

Nope been in the vehicle since 2015, but I want better not saying anything is wrong with anything I have as I will probably just give it all away after the upgrade like I normally do.

 

Okay recommend a 4 channel and mono amp for me

 

Get a 600/4 and a 750/1, You will have the headroom you need for any future systems and be able to push your subs how they should be pushed.

 

Thank you I will put a lot of research into this. I want better front and rear speakers as well. I like JL Audio Morel and Focal. Thoughts???

 

this is basically what i have. but it's setup different.

HD600/4 bridged two ch for the fronts, 300w per side.
500/1 for the sub. i have a 13TW-5.

re: bass, that is a ton of bass for the truck and will require addressing resonance & noise, or turn it down. but it's awesome. yeah i have plenty of room to turn it up. that kind of power per ch really wakes up the clarity if the drivers can handle it.

btw i run Focal K2P"s on the HDamp and like my setup. not a huge fan of the 8100NEX but i don't use any of the sound settings or EQ so it's not killing the sound too bad.

 

I did focal about 20 years ago and they sounded great, ran the old poly kevlar series. Morel runs a good system too. Generally I think JL is overpriced, they made a great speaker when they started then their heads got too big and started demanding huge money for them.

If you want to get real crazy, check parts express and build your own component system.

 

Shiet, I knew about the bar but didn’t know it was that tight. I’ve heard about flipping it but not sure. Idk if I want to do it now haha.

 

Yeah, I try to warn as many people planning to put things under that seat as I can.... I wasted a entire day making a harness, running them through the whole truck only to have to remove them all and make a new harness.

 

Yes, the bar will make that area completely unusable. But all you have to do is take the seat out and turn it upside down. Then you remove the bar, flip it upside down, and bolt it right back in. I think it's only two bolts but don't quote me on that. It was literally 10.5 years ago when I did mine last.

I have that exact amp. And when I say exact, I mean I've had it for 10 years and JL hasn't updated the design. That's the same one they sell today. Two years ago mine lost one of the output channels but hey, 8 years of constant abuse and Texas heat is stellar. Not only that, but mine also survived the time I flooded my truck....so there's that. Mine lives under the driver's seat and my Audison BitTEN D lives under the passenger seat. Been that way for the last 10 years and I've not really touched it. What's nice about the JL amp is it will make 500W from 1.5 to 4ohms. Meaning, you can wire your subs down to 2 or wire them to 4ohms and get the same power output. This really helps when you're making sub selections so you're not trying to hit a specific impedance to avoid being down on power by 50%.

What are your goals for the upgrade? What is the current setup not doing for you?

 

More power, better speakers etc. It has served me well, but it's time to up my game a little. Same goes for any upgrade though is it needed? Nope but I have gone through a few suspension upgrades, UCA upgrades and wheels and tires several times.