Hey Sammy,
kudos for a magnificent job putting this post together as well as the install you performed. I too have the RF system, and since installing my portable dvd player and sending the audio to the aux. port (instead of using headphone out, I first used the optical digital audio out from the dvd player) I have definitely damaged something in the HU, or have damaged the additional sub system I recently installed. The highs still sound clear, though the output is less, but the bass sounds absolutely terrible (excessive output and real muddy with way less crispness & punch) I have to attenuate to -2 if I'm playing at volumes above 15. I think this spring I'm going to upgrade to a new mp3 HU, 4 channel amp (100w x 4) & new speakers. I will try to re-use my JL sub system as well. I need to see an audio expert to determine that sub system is not damaged before considering re-using it. Hopefully its just the HU circuitry (which endorses my decision to ditch it.) I'm also considering MB Quart components up front (60 to 130 watt rms) and 2 ways in the back (100 watts rms).
I like the exad HU you have. It has all the features I'm looking for (especially the color matched display) and I like the touch screen feature, but I also like the panasonic CQ-C9801 as it also has 3 sets of 5 volt pre-outs, and a great interface for the mp3 files. It also has 2 aux. imputs, and is HD & SAT radio ready. The only thing is it doesn't offer cusomization of the dot matrix display like the 8901, but it does have the spectrum analyzer which I like alot. I think I'm leaning toward the 8901 because it has an SQ rating of 9, and a s/n ratio of 106db (impressive) Also, the power is 50w peak per channel for the 9801, where the 8901 is 70w peak (really doesn't matter as I'm running amps anyway, but question? could I use the front speaker leads from the HU to power the center speaker in the dash, regardless of running the front pre-outs for front components? If so, can you concievably bridge the left & right leads to one speaker?
I intend on doing just about everything you did, except my sub amp is already mounted as part of the sub box, and with the KC lacking in space behind rear seats I'll just mount the 4 channel amp under the passenger seat. I'm still debating on getting the optional SAT tuner. I also like the knuconcepts wires, blocks & battery terminals. I have a couple more questions, and would appreciate your advice and guidance:
1. with 5 volt pre-outs, is it neccessary to use a line driver?
2. I'll have a total of approx. 650 watts. would a 4 ga. power wire to dist. block and 8 ga. power wires from there to amps suffice, and will the stock battery handle that? Of course if I upgrade the subs later I might be over 1400 watts at that point, so the 0 ga. to 4 ga. might be needed then.
3. I'm still unclear as to how the pac swi-x works. Is the wiring from the steering wheel controls tied into the swix as well as the plug leading into the HU? How does it actually transmit the commands?
4. When matting the doors, how do you do the inside wall, as it is almost impossible to get to? I can also see a problem with the KC in running speaker wires to the rear doors, as there is no rubber boot, just a vinyl sleeve, and its packed tight with wires.
3. I will probably have more questions as I start planning this thing concretely. Thanks for any advice you can provide, and I can see you're quite experienced here.
Thanks, BWR
