Radio Connection Question

maverick17 · 04-24-2004, 02:50 AM

I am curious if there are any Titan Gurus here that have information concerning how the Rockford Fosgate stereo is connected together? Basically, if the head unit is plugged into an amp somewhere using Line Level cords or a wiring harness etc.

I was wondering if one could get a decent quality EQ that you could patch inline which would allow a little more sound control other than the three-band Bass, Mid, and Treble adjustments.

I don't want to destroy or alter any wiring... so I'm just exploring what would be needed to incorporate an EQ etc.

Thanks,

Titanic_04 · 04-25-2004, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maverick17

I am curious if there are any Titan Gurus here that have information concerning how the Rockford Fosgate stereo is connected together? Basically, if the head unit is plugged into an amp somewhere using Line Level cords or a wiring harness etc.

I was wondering if one could get a decent quality EQ that you could patch inline which would allow a little more sound control other than the three-band Bass, Mid, and Treble adjustments.

I don't want to destroy or alter any wiring... so I'm just exploring what would be needed to incorporate an EQ etc.

Thanks,

I am a 16 year veteran of the car audio industry (currently working for a manufacturer).
You are not going to find standard RCA connections anywhere between the headunit and amp to allow you to "patch inline" and EQ. OEM systems are nothing like aftermarket systems. You would definately have to alter the wiring to add an EQ.

While the the system does have its' shortcomings, adding an EQ in my opinion will not solve them.

Top ways (in order) to improve the RF system IMO.
1. Clarion needs to figure out the problem they are having with the tuner. No matter what anybody says on this forum, the only thing that is going to solve this is a re-design from Clarion on the tuner section. It is not a problem with the antenna, cables, or BCM as many have suggested. Plain and simple, the tuner section has major problems. The only fix will eventually be replacment of the headunit (with one that has the revised tuner section). One saving grace, the CD player works great.

2. More power. Sorry Rockford but I would be embarassed to put my name on this syetm. You once had a name that was synonomous (sp) with power. But this system lacks any real power.

3. Bigger sub. Once the power is increased, a subwoofer with some size is next. I realize that the space under the driver's seat does not provide much room. Maybe sacrficing some space under one of the rear seats would be better.

4. Replacing the mids/highs. Once again, once the power is "upped" I would replace all the midbass drivers and possibly the tweeters. There is no real "snap" to the midbass in this truck. There is a huge "hole" in the frequency response in the midbass section. Overall I think the tweets are OK, their placement IMO is great.

xetitan · 04-25-2004, 07:55 PM

Quick question for you. I also am a 2yr ex audio installer, so I have some experience. Can you tell me if there going to make, or ever going to make a mounting kit for a aftermarket head unit for this truck. I can imagine it will be a beast of a piece of plastic. Sorta like the ford tuarus. Also does anyone make a good high level converter, that will not make engine noise to were a person could keep the factory head unit, but replace the factory speakers with an amp pushing the highs and a seperate amp for an after market sub and box?

Titanic_04 · 04-25-2004, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xetitan

Quick question for you. I also am a 2yr ex audio installer, so I have some experience. Can you tell me if there going to make, or ever going to make a mounting kit for a aftermarket head unit for this truck. I can imagine it will be a beast of a piece of plastic. Sorta like the ford tuarus. Also does anyone make a good high level converter, that will not make engine noise to were a person could keep the factory head unit, but replace the factory speakers with an amp pushing the highs and a seperate amp for an after market sub and box?

Q1. Yes, a kit is in the works. It is still probably 8 weeks from production. It will not be nearly as dificult (or pricey) as the Taurus, but it will be a pretty big piece of plastic.

Q2. Use the SVEN2 from Peripheral Electronics for a very good quality LOC.

http://peripheralelectronics.com/2002/loc.asp

Sammy Sandbag · 04-25-2004, 08:12 PM

Okay, stupid question. Is the in-dash CD changer and head unit all one system, or are they seperate. I ask because it would be nice to keep the changer but get a new head unit, if an install kit were made. I don't think it would be possible since the volume and tune knobs are down on the CD changer.

Titanic_04 · 04-26-2004, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammy sandbag

Okay, stupid question. Is the in-dash CD changer and head unit all one system, or are they seperate. I ask because it would be nice to keep the changer but get a new head unit, if an install kit were made. I don't think it would be possible since the volume and tune knobs are down on the CD changer.

They are all one unit. A kit will work, it will not be your "garden variety" installation kit however.

Sammy Sandbag · 04-26-2004, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titanic_04

They are all one unit. A kit will work, it will not be your "garden variety" installation kit however.

Ah, that's what I figured. Well there goes my plan to use the factory changer.

smoketitan · 04-26-2004, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titanic_04

Q1. Yes, a kit is in the works. It is still probably 8 weeks from production. It will not be nearly as dificult (or pricey) as the Taurus, but it will be a pretty big piece of plastic.

Q2. Use the SVEN2 from Peripheral Electronics for a very good quality LOC.

http://peripheralelectronics.com/2002/loc.asp

Does this mean that the head unit has no rca outputs?? If not how is the stock amp connected to the deck, and if one wanted to add a more powerful amp couldnt they just "hijack" this output.

I ask as I am considering this--you wouldnt happent o knwo how big the woofer is. I have the RF systme, but dont yet have the tools to remove the seats so I was just wondering

Sammy Sandbag · 04-26-2004, 06:06 PM

The vast majority of factory systems don't have RCA output, they use some sorta proprietary lines, that's why you'd need those convertors.

smoketitan · 04-26-2004, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammy sandbag

The vast majority of factory systems don't have RCA output, they use some sorta proprietary lines, that's why you'd need those convertors.

so what is the quality of the sound output through the converter how much clarity is lost

Sammy Sandbag · 04-26-2004, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoketitan

so what is the quality of the sound output through the converter how much clarity is lost

I've never delt with the convertors personally, but it won't be as good of quality as a plain RCA. How much worse, or if it is even noticible, I can't tell you.