Hey guys!


First off, I know there are tons of threads on this but I could not find the specific detail I was looking for after hours and hours of searching and reading .. plus finding and rereading threads.
I've read tons from Shankrabbit's instal, also GBMINI's stuff and others.

Okay first off, my goal is to simply add a AMP plus a sub of some sort.
I guess that is not my concern right now, my concern is getting the RCA line levels to the amp from the H/K amp.

What I Know:

I need some sort of Line level converter.
There are 4 rear speaker outputs from the H/K amp
I need to tap the "rear speaker output(s?)"
The rear speaker outputs are 1, 2, 3, 4, on the H/K amp plug

What I do NOT know:

What type, if there are types, of line level converter do I need? (4 channel? I heard someone say)
Which of the 4 outputs do I tap, I think I know that I need at least two (maybe i need all 4) because of the + and -.



After I get the tap to the Line Level Converter, the RCA's from that can go directly to an Amp powering a sub, am I correct on that?
Or do I need some sort of "cross-over" controlling what frequencies go to the Amp/Sub (I ask this because I am unsure of the 4 rear speaker lines).


So... essentially what I am aiming for are only the details to get a Stock H/K setup to give me (as best as I can get) line level outputs for a subwoofer... like on the back of most aftermarket decks. (which I would connect an amp/sub combo to)


I'm sorry If I am asking such simple questions, but I simply can not comprehend exactly what to do. Step by step would help a lot.


Thanks guys!

You might be able to find an amp that has built-in line level inputs - easier install.
Typically, you'd feed left/right pair to amp, in case any low frequencies are on one channel only - so you'd need two converters, or a stereo module.

Driving a single sub, you need to mix the two channels to one output, the amp should have a setting to do that for you.

Also, the amp should offer a low pass filter setting so that you can control what frequencies are fed to the sub. Look for an amp specifically intended to drive a sub.


Finally, an I don't know!
I don't know if the two separate voice coil feeds to each rear speaker are identical frequencies or not. I'd guess that they are identical - so you can pick one +/- feed from one coil each side to get your L/R. But I don't know for sure, it's possible the two voice coils carry different frequencies.

I thought most amps use line-level inputs (typically RCA style plugs)
am i wrong on that? lol

Okay, I totally forgot about the low-pass filter. That takes care of the higher frequencies.


Something like this Scosche device should work to take the +/- L/R feed of the rear speakers and give me a L/R RCA feed to go to an amp right?

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...42SLC4&tp=2001

The Scosche device would work if you have an amp that only has line-level inputs, but I've never been a big fan of external line-level converters, unless they're high-end units like AudioControl or JL audio.

If you don't have the amp already, I'd just get one that takes speaker-level inputs. It may not be immediately obvious from looking at the amp's connections, because a lot of the amps these days use the same RCA inputs for both line-level and speaker-level inputs, with a switch to configure the amp for which type of input you're using.

To use the RCA inputs, you'd need to tap into the car's speaker wires and then solder male RCA phono plugs onto the wires so you can plug them into the amp.

Crutchfield says they have 89 amps with speaker level inputs!
http://www.crutchfield.com/g_120/Amplifiers.html?tp=115&nvpair=AG_General_Features| YCSpeaker_Level_Inputs

You mean 89 amps with speaker-level inputs, right? (it appears that's what the Crutchfield search you linked to is displaying.)

Gee, so know I see what I need to do.

Seems almost simpler than I thought.

Ok so wires 1, 2, 3, 4 from the H/K amp plug need to all be connected to 2 RCA plugs or just wires depending on what amp i get (most likely with speaker-level inputs)

1&2 connect to one RCA to form (Left or right) and 3&4 connect to another RCA to form the opposite side.


BTW guys,

are there recomended amp's? brands and what not?

Most likely, I will be powering some JL 10in amp. I don't know which model yet for sure but probably a w3?

So simply for my setup I am looking for an amp that has

Speaker-Level inputs.
Low-pass filter (don't most sub amps have this?)
A mono amp?

Whoops!

something like this profile
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...AP1000M&tp=115

or this kicker

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...6ZX7501&tp=115

will work.

But I am confused with how they say speaker level inputs.

The profile appearently comes with an External speaker-level to line-level converter. (I guess like i was originally thinking)

the kicker is capable of handling speaker level inputs at the amp i think. But there are only one set of inputs? so is this amp only have speaker-level inputs? or can you (in the future) put line-level inputs there too or is there some switch?


Also quick quesiton, is line-level input the same as saying preamp lines/input

Yes:
Pin # Type Description Connects to
1 A Rear right woofer - To right rear speaker
2 A Rear right woofer + To right rear speaker
3 A Rear left woofer - To left rear speaker
4 A Rear left woofer + To left rear speaker


You'll get loads of answers here!
GPMINI's subs are powered by JL Audio and it sounds and works fine.

Yes ... most amps will have a low-pass filter, but check the specs to be sure when you've picked what you want. A mono amp is easy to install for you, but many (most?) stereo amps offer a "bridge" mode that straps the two amps together to drive a single subwoofer.

I had some Kicker speakers once, they were rubbish, so I personally wouldn't choose their amp either!

Yes, pre-amp = line level.



Admittedly the JL amps are expensive, but check out the gallery pictures here:
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...36A1200&tp=115
and you'll see a switch on the RCA input connectors to select between low and high - speakers of course are high!

Ahh I see.

I might just have to go with a full JL amp/sub combo.


Hey GB, what subs do you currently have in your car and what amp?

I used the scoshe converter for my MTX 10 inch sub and Kicker 1000.1... sounds very nice.

I have 3 x JL Audio 6" subs, and JL Audio 250/1 amplifier. See:
http://www.gbmini.net/wp/2007/04/gpmini_gets_subs/

I didn't want the thumping that you hear from down the street, I wanted "tight" bass to compliment music, not swamp it! Plus, the smaller subs / amp fit nicely without losing too much of my car to sound ...

Oh right GB (do you prefer Ian?) I saw that on your blog

isnt the 250 rms a little low for the three JL 6"?

And do they still make those? I don't even see them on the site. JLaudio.com

I am actually looking for some thumbing bass for Rap, hip-hop, and techno music. I know that what im looking at isnt going to be crazy loud but should be fine for the MINI and its size.


Hopfully I can create a box as a "false floor" where I will have one 10w3 JL and a JL 500.1 amp in the rear of the cabrio. I don't mind for space in the trunk where If i could fit, I woudl put one of the prebuilt HO JL boxes, but i doubt they will fit.

Hey brutal sun


Thats good that it works!

does your Kicker 1000.1 not have speaker line inputs?

And what box do you have in the end?