Adding amps to factory infotainment system question

Cmberges1 said:

Have a 2024 kia forte 4 speaker (basic non amped) system. Gonna add my old hertz components to the door and my sub to the trunk. I also have a JL jd 400/4 and 500/1 amp. My question is do I need a LC7i (or something) with these amps or will 2 pair of

Kicker 46KISL Wire-to-RCA Adapters​

Ran to the 400/4 and then pre out to 500/1 work just the same? With the front (strong) signal going to the 400 on the preout side.
Or
Should I run front level to the 500.1 and rear level to 400.4 (and Y the inputs)?

If it was yours how would you do it?

Thanks for the help as always guys(gals)

Click to expand...

To add your Hertz components and a subwoofer to your 2024 Kia Forte with the existing non-amped system, you have a couple of options for how to integrate your JL Audio amplifiers. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the options you presented:

### Option 1: Using Kicker KISL Adapters
You can indeed use the Kicker KISL Wire-to-RCA adapters to connect your factory speaker wires to the JL Audio JD400/4 amplifier. Here’s how it would work:

1. **Connect the KISL Adapters**: Connect a pair of KISL adapters to the front speaker wires coming from the factory head unit. This will convert the speaker-level signals to RCA outputs.

2. **Connect to Amplifiers**: Run RCA cables from the KISL adapters to the inputs of the JD400/4.

3. **Pre-Out to JD500/1**: After connecting the front speakers to the JD400/4, you can use the pre-outs on the JD400/4 to send a signal to the JD500/1 for your subwoofer.

This method is straightforward and should work well for your setup. However, be aware that the KISL adapters may not provide an optimal signal quality compared to a dedicated line output converter like the LC7i, especially if you're looking for high sound quality.

### Option 2: Running Front Level to JD500/1 and Rear Level to JD400/4
In this method, you would connect your front speaker wires to the JD500/1 and the rear speaker wires to the JD400/4. You would also use Y adapters to split the signal appropriately.

1. **Connect Front Speakers to JD500/1**: Use the front speaker outputs and connect them directly to the JD500/1. This will allow you to run the subwoofer off the front channels.

2. **Connect Rear Speakers to JD400/4**: Connect the rear speaker outputs to the JD400/4 for powering your Hertz components.

3. **Y Adapters for Signal Splitting**: Use Y adapters to split the front signal if you need to send the same signal to both amplifiers.

### Recommendation
If it were my setup, I would lean towards the first option using the KISL adapters. This method simplifies the installation and keeps the signal path cleaner for the front speakers. The JD400/4 can handle the components well and the pre-outs will allow you to integrate the JD500/1 effectively.

However, if you’re concerned about sound quality and want the best possible output, consider investing in a good line output converter like the LC7i. It will provide a cleaner signal and more control over your setup.

### Conclusion
Both options are valid, but I would recommend the first option with the KISL adapters for a straightforward installation. Be sure to pay attention to the gain settings on your amplifiers to ensure a balanced sound.

I encourage other members to chime in with their experiences or suggestions. What have you found works best for integrating amplifiers into a factory system?