best way to add sub and amp

[man4ou]

Hi i have a 2003 x with the stock cd player. I wont to add a 150 watt amp to the stock speakers and add a 12 and a amp in the back. I have read all the old post dealing with the install and undstand that i most likely dont have rca imputs. My question is what is the best way to add this speaker and amps?? should i use an fm modulater ( have read it dosent have as good of sound) or should i wire to one of the back speakers and if i do this how can i keep from having the amp on all the time? I am very confused as to how you all have done this any help would be great thanks.

[gregory1041]

You will need to get an amplifier that has hi-level inputs. Most amps will turn themselves off when there is no signal coming from your speaker wires to the amp. So basically when you turn your radio off, the amp turns off. You may want to go with a fairly nice amp to prevent the oh-so-wonderful turn on thump you get from using hi-level inputs. I have had good luck with MTX, Rockford, and Alpine (my personal favorite is MTX).
I used a clamp on connector, so I could still use my rear speakers.

[Felipe73]

Hello, I am thinking about doing the same. I already have a Kicker 10" Impulse BassStation w/ Built in Amp and Crossover. Would it be OK to just tie into the rear speakers? How about connecting to the rear 12v power receptical for powering the amp?

Thanks in advance.

Felipe

[gregory1041]

Yes, your amp has High Level Inputs for connecting to the wires that run to your speakers.
As a general rule of thumb, I never recommend running any type of audio amplifier off of a 12V power outlet. In this case where the 10” Kicker bass station requires less than 10 amps of 12V power, you might be able to get by. If you start blowing fuses, then you will need to run a power wire from your battery.
Here is the reason that I wouldn’t use the 12V power outlet. When a subwoofer plays, it draws a spike of power with each bass hit. The wire that is used on those outlets are very small, and would basically choke your amp from getting the power it needs.
50 watts RMS is barely enough to push a sub to begin with, now add the fact that your 12V power wire is small, doesn’t help.

[corbinwaterski]

Why not do it the right way and get a good head unit that has RCA outputs and run a 4 gauge power wire directly from the battery?? You can buy a good head unit for around $200 and a good amp install kit is about $50. Just a thought.

[gregory1041]

I agree, do it up right. I have a felling that once you hook up a 50 watt amp and 10” sub, it won’t be long before you yell “MORE BASS”… That in itself is a motivation enough to invest some $$$ and hours.