I'm about ready to begin my install.

I have a 2011 Clubman with the HK upgrade, and to be quite honest, I just don't like not having any control over the tone.

My favorite setup has always included an equalizer...just something that I can tweak on the fly.

The current bits and pieces that I have from various other installs and planned installs are:

Amps:
2 x Avionixx 800.2 (2 x 200 @ 4ohms or 1 x 800 @ 4 ohms)
1 x Avionixx 800.4 (4 x 125 @ 4ohms or 2 x 400 bridged @ 4 ohms)

Subs:
12" Infinity Kappa 12VQ (400w RMS)
12" Pioneer Premier shallow mount (400w RMS)

Speakers:
Infinity Kappa Perfect 6.1 2-way components
Pioneer 6.5" 2 way all-in-ones

Equalizer
Clif Designs CD4Q equalizer


Ideally, what I'd like to do is use the newministuff.com stereo loom with 1 set of RCA preamp outs to the Equalizer, then run front/rear RCA's to the 4 channel amp and the Sub RCA's to one of the two channel amps...which would allow all four speaker points to be used.

But, how much of the rear channel is truly used? Would I get decent sound by using just the 4 channel amp to power the front doors (ch 1 & 2) and bridge channels 3 and 4 for the sub.

I'd like to somehow use the secret compartment to house the equalizer.

I'm also wondering if the newministuff.com stereo loom is the perfect solution or should I look into Line Output Converters?

I'm not a pro, just a do-it-yourselfer with a bit of common sense and stick-to-it-iveness. If I'm way off-base with my thoughts, please get me back on base.

PS - I'm not attached to this gear, other than I currently own it. I'd rather not buy new stuff if I can make do with what I have. I also do not want to try to install a new head unit. I'd like to keep the aesthetics pure.

 

Unless the loom has changed you have to take the dash apart to install it. Perhaps they have one now that connects by the amp.

I used line converters for a while in my 07 until I got a RF 360.2 and they worked fine.

Your front stage should be ok. It's not really worth changing the back speakers if the rest of your system is good.

May not be real easy to use a 12" sub without losing a lot of space. Most people use 10" subs. A 10" fits in a false deck perfectly.

If you haven't done so already then read at least the first several pages of this thread:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...nt-how-to.html

 

Thank you. I'm not too worried about pulling the dash apart. I understand it's tricky, but I've pulled a few dashes apart. What I'd really like to achieve is a clean preamp signal that has no digital signal processing applied. I wasn't sure if LOC's are after the DSP, since they're from the speaker sends.

I don't want to have to compensate for the altered tone from the amp and signal processor.

Also, if I go with the 4 channel amp for the speakers and another amp for the sub, then I'll definitely be changing the rear speakers out as well. But, I don't know if I would even need the rears. In my last car (a two-seat coupe), I only had the door speakers and a sub and it sounded great. I just wasn't sure of the clubman 'soundstage' was too big for just fronts and I'd want rears.

As for the sub, I'm probably going to shanghai the spare tire compartment. I've got a Clubman, which has a large spare tire well between the exhaust pipes, unlike the Coupe. I could fit the sub in there, and two amps in the space below the rear floor. The Infinity sub might be too deep, but the shallow-mount Pioneer would work great.

 

Didn't notice you have a clubby. That'll make sub installation much easier.

I've replaced the back speakers before on a hifi system and used the hifi amp to power them. Wasn't worth the effort. If I had used an aftermarket amp to push the backs they would have sounded better but they would also have messed with the soundstage.

Put your Kappas up front with the amps you have and you will not need the backs.

 

Thanks MotorMouth.

Eliminating the Rear Fill speakers was my original instinct, and I'll probably stick with that plan. I don't have parking assistance alarms (which, I believe, only sound to the rear speakers), so eliminating the rears won't affect me.

What about rear grounding points? I've searched a bit, but NAM search is hit-and-miss for most things.

How about remote turn ons? I think the newministuff loom has RCA and an amp remote turn on lead, or should I just wire into the rear cigarette lighter outlet?

 

I don't remember exactly where I had my grounds but that one should be fairly easy.

for remote turn on i just used the cig lighter in the back. if you get the loom you might as well use that remote turn on.