Hi all, I have a 2005 with Boost (non-HK) basic stereo and I'm replacing with: headunit: Alpine CDE-HD149BT
door speakers: Focal P165v30 components
rears: stock (off headunit) for now
sub: alpine type r 8in (laying around)
sub amp: kicker zx250.2 (had it laying around)
speaker amp: deciding between JBL GTO8045ez (because it's EZ with the gain settings) or Focal Solid4

So here's my questions (I've done a number of installs, don't mind tearing the whole car apart if necessary):

1. Mounting the amps in the trunk above the battery in a custom case, do I have to run speaker wire all the way from basically behind the headunit to the trunk, or is there a place I can tap for the door speakers (preferrably in the trunk......)? Speaker wire isn't cheap. I am. And it's a pain to run it that far.

2. Anyone familiar with the JBL GTO804ez and/or (preferrably and) Focal solid4 amps, so I can make a decision between the 2? The JBL is just so easy. But, I'm intrigued by the boutique nature of the Focal stuff (which is why I spent a ridiculous amount on door speakers even though the Polk db6501 were nothing compared to them).

Thanks guys. Really would appreciate the help, especially with the speaker wiring contact point (if there's possibly one in the trunk). I did a search, couldn't find anything.

 

If you have non-HK the speakers are driven by the HU, and the front connections must be made there.

 

If you are running an amp...
You want/need to run new speaker wire all the way to the speaker......

 

Why?

The factory cable is ample size, twisted pair.

 

yeah, I'm going to use the factory wiring. In my experience BMW twisted pair speaker wire is really nice. Thanks Joylove, was wondering if there was a short cut, but I'll run speaker wire from the back to the front where the factory wiring is.