Any good guides to sound system planning/installation?

ColoradoKid · **Joined:** Tue Oct 25, 2011 2:19 pm **Posts:** 13

I'm shoppin' for my KJ, and the very first thing I plan to do when I find the right one is install the best darn sound system I can afford. The issue is that I know nothing about sound system installation and everything I read sounds intimidating. I used to think it was simple, just buy some nice speakers and a nice HU and you're set. But now reading about electrical, amps, sound dampening and speaker types, I'm lost. Is there a good step by step, descriptive guide on doing the sound system yourself? Or should I just let the pros do it for me? I know I could get more for my money if I do it myself, but it looks pretty involved...

Thanks guys,
your help's appreciated.

KittenMittens · **Posted:** Fri Nov 04, 2011 8:43 am

it depends on what you want and what sound system the kj has. if it has premium sound there are amps in the front doors that attach to the speakers. but if you want to keep those you can pull them off and mount them to the door right below the speaker mount and just run speaker wire from the new speaker to the amp. thats really the only confusing part about the kj sound system. but if you want to replace the whole system and pull the stock amps out and get a new head unit and amp and all new speakers and a sub it would be the same as any other car. im sure replacing the whole system would be time consuming but if you have done any car audio work before you shouldn't need professional installation.

My kj came stock with the premium sound and i just replaced the front door speakers because they were blown and added a sub and it sounds really good. if you want pictures of how i did everything let me know.

also let me know what you want out of your system like full replacement or just upgraded speakers and ill give you a better guide.

ColoradoKid · **Joined:** Tue Oct 25, 2011 2:19 pm **Posts:** 13

Thanks man.
I'm most likely looking to replace the whole system but I guess I won't know until I have it in my possession. I'd probably put a new head unit in, then a sub and amp, then replace the stock speakers. Who knows, a sub could do it for me. I like the bass and I like to play my music loud, so I guess whatever will get me the most range at the loudest possible without losing quality. I'm just researching to see how much I should expect to spend on parts, and if I can actually do it myself.

On the premium system, do the amps connect to all of the speakers or just the ones in the front doors? I guess the main thing I don't understand is amp wiring. I've never been good with electricity. I can run speaker wire and hook up a head unit (I think) but I don;t know about the power side of things.

irollgen4s · **Posted:** Mon Nov 07, 2011 3:19 pm

I have a kenwood head unit powering the four door speakers with i replaced with marine grade pioneer 6.5 speakers, and a JL audio sub in their stealthbox powered by an alpine amp. overall the quality is amazing, except on certain songs, if i raise the volume too much, the stock tweeters start to crackle and sound like theyre about to explode. though thats at an extreme volume where the bass is already moving my rear view mirror around.

if you'd like specifics i can try and scrounge them up.

Edit: i'm also trying to figure out a way to replace the tweeters without hacking apart my entire dash. I'll get around to it eventually. I'd also reccomend a very good battery, mainly for the sub. I have my amp wired directly to the battery(with a fuse between of course) and when i'm blasting music it takes a lot of power. I think this is what may have lead to the quick dying of my red top. that and my lack of consistent long drives.

KittenMittens · **Posted:** Tue Nov 08, 2011 4:13 pm

if you can find a premium system in good condition it will probably hold you over for a while if you replace the head unit and add a sub. but more than likely the front door speakers will be blown. but those are easy to replace. the stock amps are directly connected to the front door speakers and i believe they power all 6 speakers. i know when i had my driver amp disconnected none of the speakers on the driver side worked. i got a full amp wiring kit for about 20 dollars from walmart and it has everything you need. and as far as running the wires to the amp its pretty simple. especially if you get a new head unit. all you would have to do is run the rca from the back of the head unit to the amp and for power just go directly from the battery drill a small hole through the firewall and come out right above the peddles. then run the power down the left side of the kj. and all the kick panels and everything like that snap off very easily. and as far as the battery. i just have an energizer and a 1000w pioneer amp with a Memphis m class 12 inch and i have never had any problems with it (and i run it LOUD) also for a ground the bottom rear seat belt mount is very easy place to get to. that's all i did for my system and just replaced the other speakers as they went out. but surprisingly the rear speakers still sound crisp. i also left the stock head unit bc i like the stock look but that adds for more work you then have to splice an rca converter into the rear speakers. but still not that complicated.

im also looking at replacing everything and starting from scratch bc my amp is 4 channel but you basically have to run speaker wire from the amp to every speaker and from what i have read getting the new speaker wire in the doors is not a fun task. and i was looking at 1200 dollars and that's keeping my pioneer amp.

and as far as replacing the tweeters without hacking up the dash... good luck. i put 4in tweeter in my dash and i had to hack the top right bold and that part of the bracket off of the passenger air bag and a little bit off of the instrument cluster. but 3.5s don't look like they would be that difficult but i don't think there is a way to make them fit without hacking other than some 1in tweeters like the ones that come with component speakers.

Any good guides to sound system planning/installation?

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