Rockford System Questions

[bestatchess]

Originally Posted by peanutbutter

Yeah, there is always a way to upgrade without changing your head. You can use a LOC to keep everything. If you want to change out heads, you can get something that will have AV input/outputs to keep your DVD. NAV, that is tough. I am sure that is wired to a GPS system. You can simply move it to another location (under dash). It is tough to say, but it is so tough to do anything with that stuff without losing money. I would just put in a LOC, get a 4 channel amp that puts out 100watts RMS x 4 and change out the front and back speakers. Leave the tweets alone, they sound okay and the speakers you add will more than likely come with another tweeter. Make sure the 4 channel amp has preamp outputs, that way you dont have to run seperate RCA's. The whole setup is easier to do than explain if you know what I mean.

I think I get the idea, sort of. What is a "LOC" exactly (I guess something that you splice into the existing wires from head to speakers to feed those signals to the 4 channel amp)? Can you recommend brand & model nos. for LOC, speakers & amp?

[VShortt]

Originally Posted by bestatchess

I think I get the idea, sort of. What is a "LOC" exactly (I guess something that you splice into the existing wires from head to speakers to feed those signals to the 4 channel amp)? Can you recommend brand & model nos. for LOC, speakers & amp?

It is also know as a Line Level Converter, and your description of it was pretty much right on. As far as models, they are all the same. Also, I would be happy to do you one better. It is about a 30 dollar part, but if you give me an address, I will send you one. I have two used ones from previous systems and I will never use them again. There is nothing wrong with them, it is just that all aftermarket head units that I purchase now typically come with several sets are RCA jacks in the rear. How does that sound?

[VShortt]

Originally Posted by bestatchess

I think I get the idea, sort of. What is a "LOC" exactly (I guess something that you splice into the existing wires from head to speakers to feed those signals to the 4 channel amp)? Can you recommend brand & model nos. for LOC, speakers & amp?

Speakers: I would personally recommend MB Quart 6 1/2" speaker separates for front and rear. JL Audio Subwoofer(s). Phoenix Gold Amplifiers. If you are looking to spend a little less, back off on the amps and go with Kenwood. Believe it or not, these amps offer an incredible amount of bang for the buck. Don't scrimp on the speakers.

[Chilicat]

Originally Posted by VShortt

Speakers: I would personally recommend MB Quart 6 1/2" speaker separates for front and rear. JL Audio Subwoofer(s). Phoenix Gold Amplifiers. If you are looking to spend a little less, back off on the amps and go with Kenwood. Believe it or not, these amps offer an incredible amount of bang for the buck. Don't scrimp on the speakers.

So to summarize what you'd suggest when keeping the current head unit: Use a LOC to feed into new amplifiers and put in new speakers. Could you use the Clarion amp with the RF system for either your sub or your four door speakers or just leave that puppy sit there doing nothing? If that's the case I'd just leave it sit there and hook it up again upon trade in time and put in the old speakers too.

[VShortt]

Originally Posted by Chilicat

So to summarize what you'd suggest when keeping the current head unit: Use a LOC to feed into new amplifiers and put in new speakers. Could you use the Clarion amp with the RF system for either your sub or your four door speakers or just leave that puppy sit there doing nothing? If that's the case I'd just leave it sit there and hook it up again upon trade in time and put in the old speakers too.

That would probably be your best bet. I know that if I were putting new speakers in there, I would not run it off of the existing amp.

[joel]

Originally Posted by Chilicat

So to summarize what you'd suggest when keeping the current head unit: Use a LOC to feed into new amplifiers and put in new speakers. Could you use the Clarion amp with the RF system for either your sub or your four door speakers or just leave that puppy sit there doing nothing? If that's the case I'd just leave it sit there and hook it up again upon trade in time and put in the old speakers too.

Originally Posted by VShortt

That would probably be your best bet. I know that if I were putting new speakers in there, I would not run it off of the existing amp.

I'm no pro at car audio.
Why go through the trouble of new fronts with using old HU and LOC to a new amp?

Wouldn't the sound quality be better to just replace the bezel with the 2-DIN base guy, new quality aftermarket HU and drive new fronts off of it?

I ask because this is what I plan on doing in the next couple of weeks.
I unexpectedly fell into the clean stock bezel by factory ordering with no options.

[bestatchess]

Originally Posted by joel

I'm no pro at car audio.
Why go through the trouble of new fronts with using old HU and LOC to a new amp?

Wouldn't the sound quality be better to just replace the bezel with the 2-DIN base guy, new quality aftermarket HU and drive new fronts off of it?

I ask because this is what I plan on doing in the next couple of weeks.
I unexpectedly fell into the clean stock bezel by factory ordering with no options.

He is making suggestions for me who wasn't quite so clever as to just order the base radio, but rather unwisely opted for the whole grand slam CRAPtacular system: Clarion Rockford And Panasonic (a/k/a "faux Rockford"), NAV, DVD. Unfortunately, a new quality head unit won't integrate all this stuff.

[bestatchess]

Originally Posted by VShortt

Speakers: I would personally recommend MB Quart 6 1/2" speaker separates for front and rear. JL Audio Subwoofer(s). Phoenix Gold Amplifiers. If you are looking to spend a little less, back off on the amps and go with Kenwood. Believe it or not, these amps offer an incredible amount of bang for the buck. Don't scrimp on the speakers.

I found alot of this stuff on Ebay (it doesn't seem too $$), but there are alot of different model nos. Can you give me a parts list with the model numbers and quantitities required? (I know I am a PITA).