First Install, what do I need (details provided)

[cknox2]

Hey all,

I am going to be installing a set of 6.5" components in the front and an additionalt set in the rear, plus one amp in my 2005 accord coupe. I will be keeping the stock head unit.

The speakers will probably be phoenix gold x6.5's or Diamond s600s for the fronts, and JL audio VR6.5's in the rear. The amp will be a phoenix Gold MS2125.

So... my plan is to install the amp in the trunk; I will mount it vertically against the back seats.. but how do I attach it.. I mean, I cant just screw in to the seats. Anyhow, I am planning on running 2 guage power wire since the amp will be running in 2 ohm... PG recommended that I do this. Then I will run the RCA's back to the amp, and run the right fronts and rears in parallel off the right channel, and the lefts the same way. I am thinking about adding a 2 or 3 ohm resistor on to each rear to turn them down slightly compared to the fronts, especially since I lose my fade capability.

So, here are my specific questions:

1) How do I get from the stock head unit to the amp, since I assume the stock HU has no RCA outs. Will a line level converter do it? Second... How do I install a line level converter if that is what I need? Is there some sort of wiring kit I need that is specific to my car? OK, now that I have to RCA outs comming from the back of my HU..

2) WHat brand of RCA's do I need.. how much should I expect to pay?

3) I am planning to run the RCAs back the the amp, then mount the component crossovers right next to the amp, then run separate sets of wires for the tweeters and mids in each front door. But... How do I get the speaker wire through the gromet and into the door pannel? Can I just wire my new 6.5 into the existing wiring, then find it under the dash, then connect that to the speaker wire I run up from the amp? Is the stock wiring good enough SQ wise to bridge the gap so I don't have to try and wire through the door hinge?

4) How should I run the wiring under the right and left side pannels in terms of what goes on what side. I will have a 2 gauge power wire, 1 RCA cable, then 2 sets of speake wire on each side, one for the tweaters and one for the mids.

5) Is any old speaker wire OK to use?

6) WHat is the cheapest way to effectively deaden the inside of my door pannels?

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for the help. I'll take some pics when its done and post them for all you pic junkies.

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[Decipha 10+ year member]

first of all stock HU's won't give you the quality sound an aftermarket will so that would be the first thing i would upgrade...

you don't need rear fill but if you desire it then go ahead and for the resistors thats pointless just turn down the gains

2 gauge wire is stupid... you would be better off going with 4 or 0 since they are more common and you can easily find the accesories you need for them at a cheaper price most of the time... and also for just a comp amp you can get by using an 8 gauge wire since your not pulling that much juice... i would recommend go with a 4 gauge wire (only a jackass would say 2 gauge for 2 ohms)

mount the amp on a board then mount the board to the seat after you carpet it

a line out converter just connects to the existing speaker wire its simple to install (+ to +, - to -)

RCA's are overrated IMO just make sure you get some that won't puncture (i give them a durability test by slightly bending them, if its stiff and hard to bend it should be ok, if it bends easily you may want something more thicker)

you should mount the crossover close to the speakers so its more easily to adjust it and you can hear it while you adjust it also you can save yourself a lot of time not running all that wire, its better to run fresh wire IMO, just take off the door paneling and you should be able to run all the wire you need, on the other end where the wires enter the cabin remove the molding around the door frame and you should be able to pass the wire thru

it doesn't matter what goes on which side just as long as the power wire is seperated from the audio cables... i would recommend running the audio cables on the opposite side of the car's computer since it is possible to recieve some type of interference

you can use old speaker wire as long as its not damaged but why not just get yourself a spool of 14 gauge wire from walmart ? it shouldn't be any more than $10 tops

as for the deadner it all depends on how much you want to spend?

 

[cknox2]

First of all, thanks for the quick response.

...So you're saying that I shouldn't even bother putting 6.5's or 6x9's in the rear? Someone else said the same thing. Maybe I'll hold of on those. AFter all, with the amp right there it would be a cinch to wire them in later.

As for the power wire, I guess I'll just use 4 gauge. The guy at PG i talked to recommended 2, as does their website, but I guess with components it will be ok. I hope the speakers can handle the power.

Here is a link to the amp for peoples reference:

http://www.phoenixgold.com/webfaq/MS_MPS.htm

3rd one down