Yes, Google is my friend, and my enemy - too many results that just aren't what I'm looking for. What I'd like to do is leave a stock AM radio in place and run hidden components off a single wire from the trunk to the front seat with a mini-stereo jack that plugs directly into an iPod. For the system components, I want something like this... - L/R 6x9 speakers under the rear deck - 10" or 12" sub mounted on a board behind the rear seats in the trunk -Single audio amplifier with... -> Left / Right stereo output (for the 6x9s) -> Sub-woofer output with variable output level and crossover (for the sub) -> Direct input for the iPod (or RCA inputs w/ variable gain) I can't help but think this is a common idea and solution for older cars but I'm just not finding anything that has all the pieces. Some DIY's have the amp + sub, others just have amp + deck speakers, others have amp + ipod input. Surely someone has put this combo together...haven't they?!?!?!?
You're complicating things. High end amps will have all the ports you need to run all that. also you can always run two cheap amps like I do. Or are you looking for like a "how to"? Stereo wiring is really simple that you dont need one.
I can wire it up - no problem there. The key piece here is the amp and I'm simply baffled that no one has a basic amplifier that offers amplified output for L / R / Sub (basically a 2.1 channel amp) with a variable crossover and output level for the sub, and axillary input for a MP3 player. I'm even chatting online with Crutchfield and they can't even find something like this...LOL Actually it seems Blaupunkt made some amps that were almost exactly like this, but they're now discontinued with no replacements. Figures...
I've seen amps that have all the outputs you want, but not a second variable for the sub. I've only seen the ones that control all the levels the same. Now I understand your conundrum!
This is a 3 channel amp, but I do not know if it does the crossover stuff you want: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_136XD5003/JL-Audio-XD500-3.html?search=3+channel+amplifier Then you just need a mini-jack to RCA cable.
After quite a bit of time chatting with Crutchfield, I think we have a pretty nice combo of 75Wx4 amp (bridgeable to a single "3rd" channel), 12" kicker sub, and 6x9 Kenwoods, all for under $220 and shipped free. I'll grab wires from a local Radio Shack. If it works out, I'll pass along all the details...
Trying to decide if I should use a dedicated switch to power on the amp...??? Does the stock fuse block have an ACCESSORY switched fuse that i can use to automatically turn the amp on and off when the ignition is turned on? And if yes, which one is it? (Photos would be great - lol)
I would suggest you use a relay. Run 12V to the relay and back to the amp. Use the existing radio fuse to switch the relay on and off. That is my plan, along with an additional fuse box off the battery for other things like the headlight and such.
If you have a newer stereo you can just connect the blue wire which is the remote to the amp and it will come on when the ignition is on. If not you can loop it on the amp. get a small wire and connect the +12v to the remote connection on the amp and then use a toggle switch of some sort to manually shut off the amp. I've done this before, just dont forget to turn it off like I have or have fun with a dead battery.
Stealth iPod Stereo System for $350 After looking around a loooonnnggg time, and asking a lot of questions, and purchasing various components over the past couple of months (and on sale) we finally completed the "Stealth iPod Stereo System" last night. The total investment was right at $350 and it's a thumpin' rocking setup!!! Thought you (someone) might like to see how it all went down... Crutchfield.com Ampliflier = $105 (bought on sale) Subwoofer = $69 (bought on sale) Amazon.com Front Kick Panel Speakers $28 on Amazon (no mods required except new screw holes) Walmart.com iPod Gooseneck Floor Mount = $20 12' iPod Audio Cable = $6 RCA Splitters = $5 x 2 Walmart in-store purchases Scosche 6x9 Speakers = $25 Scosche 50' 8ga Speaker Wire = $15 Radio Shack in-store purchases Dual Toggle Switch = $8 50' 10ga Power Wire = $20 Inline 30amp Fuse Holder = $8 Misc Items Black Kick Panels w/ old Kraco Speakers $20 (bought from RWBrooks here on the forum - they were cut for speakers and had cheapo Kraco's installed - we tossed the speakers and kept the Kraco grills for "low key" appearance) 3/4" particle board = $15 Black Carpet = $15 Spray Paint = $10 Installation I cut a 3/4" particle board floor for the trunk area, covered that with black carpet from autozone, and bolted it to the trunk floor (filled the recessed cavity in the trunk with left over house insulation I found in the attic) Painted the rest of the trunk interior with flat black spray paint Bolted the amp directly to the sub enclosure, then screwed that entirely assembly to the new trunk floor (amp/sub is on driver side, spare tire assembly is on passenger side) 6x9's were a direct bolt in and are hidden under the stock package tray (just cut away the insulation underneath - speaker holes were already drilled in the rigid backer board - we did not use the grills so everything is 'hidden') All wiring was run through the rear fender wells and side panels, then under the carpet or in the lower door channels Using the toggle switch to turn the amp on/off (but you could tap off the accessory in the fuse block) Ran a dedicated power line w/ inline fuse directly from the battery to the amp in the trunk Appearance The only visible items in the car are the iPod mount (which can be folded down and hidden with a jacket or towel easily enough) and the kick panel speakers (which being black and hidden behind old Kraco grills don't attract much attention.) Sound I'm no audiophile, but this combination sounds really, really good - especially considering the total price and the type of music my son listens to. After finally getting the kick-panel speakers last night, we sat in the car for an hour just chilling and rocking out in the garage. Rock on!!!
