What is a good cheap HU for this setup, and how many RCA Outs do I need?

[zorphon 10+ year member]

Title^.

700w 2-channel Amp (MA Audio M600XE)

two 12" subs (Dual SD12)

This is my first sub system in a car, and I went slightly cheap because I just want something better than nothing, but didn't want to spend a ton of money. Will I need a new HU for these, or will my 2002 Ford Escort ZX2 "Premium Audio" HU be fine? If I need a new HU, how many RCA Pre-amp outs do I need and what's a decent cheap HU that would work?

Thanks in advance.

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[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

This is a standard "add a sub" system that doesn't require a new head unit. Your amp has high level inputs, which means you tap into the wires off one of the rear speakers and use that for the input signal. To turn on the amp you might want to wire it to a switch and turn it on after the radio comes on. This lets you leave the factory radio alone entirely.

If you do want to upgrade the radio, I like the Kenwood KDC-148. It's cheap, it sounds good, and it's got a remote and front AUX in.

 

[accuab 10+ year member]

If you got your amp new, it should have the high level input plug. It's a connector with 4 wires coming off it that you splice into your rear speakers. I can't find much on the amp but it make have a signal sensing turn on which would keep you from having to run a remote wire from your fuse box to tell it to turn on.

 

[zorphon 10+ year member]

Cool thanks for the info guys.

As a side note, would I need a new alternator/capacitor/battery to power this? Or since it'll be using =

 

[TheUnderFighter 10+ year member]

You should almost certainly be fine without buying anything else. The capacitor doesn't do anything to begin with. You certainly won't need another alternator. And it'd be extremely unlikely you need a new battery. You usually don't need to worry about that stuff until you're over 1.5kW

 

[zorphon 10+ year member]

You should almost certainly be fine without buying anything else. The capacitor doesn't do anything to begin with. You certainly won't need another alternator. And it'd be extremely unlikely you need a new battery. You usually don't need to worry about that stuff until you're over 1.5kW

Good to know. And my last concern I would like addressed, is that amp plenty to power two 12" subs that only have 175 RMS a piece? Should it be at least okay?

 

[TheUnderFighter 10+ year member]

Eh, I decided not comment on the gear... I'm sure it will make adequate noise. You shouldn't have any problems with it.

 

[accuab 10+ year member]

Eh, I decided not comment on the gear... I'm sure it will make adequate noise. You shouldn't have any problems with it.

To the OP, no comment came because the gear is really low end but you knew that already so you can't expect great results from low end stuff. The setup will be fine because if you look at your specs for the sub and amp, the amp puts out 175W rms and the sub's rms rating is 175W as well. You will probably get your moneys worth of output.

 

[zorphon 10+ year member]

To the OP, no comment came because the gear is really low end but you knew that already so you can't expect great results from low end stuff. The setup will be fine because if you look at your specs for the sub and amp, the amp puts out 175W rms and the sub's rms rating is 175W as well. You will probably get your moneys worth of output.

Thanks for the reply. Yea I understand the gear is lower-end, but lower-end is better than nothing! Spending $200 on the whole system is a steal to at least get some bass.

That being said, is this a decent inline converter? I like the fact that it turns the amp on/off automatically and has excellent build quality (PAC SOEM-T). Sorry, can't link yet. :/

 

[TheUnderFighter 10+ year member]

Eh, haha, that's where we agree to disagree. I would spent $250 on used stuff to stay away from the lower end.

that sounds like the same lower-end but still entirely functional line-drive always on Soniceelectronix. It'll work for what you need. Again, I'd save up a little for something different, but that'll get the job done.

 

[zorphon 10+ year member]

Eh, haha, that's where we agree to disagree. I would spent $250 on used stuff to stay away from the lower end. that sounds like the same lower-end but still entirely functional line-drive always on Soniceelectronix. It'll work for what you need. Again, I'd save up a little for something different, but that'll get the job done.

It's actually one of the most expensive linedrive converters on SonicElectronix. Also, I came across a website like this after I ordered my stuff, if I did more research beforehand I would have got something like used stuff, but too late //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif. I'm only 16 years old and saving my money that I get from working for a 60k a year college, so this system will definitely be enough for me for now.

 

[TheUnderFighter 10+ year member]

Ahhh that's right, the converters don't get too fancy, I was just thinking of a regular line-driver. Well as long as you're happy with the sounds, that's all that matters. 60k a year... I hate how ridiculous college is. I'm doing a couple years at a community college to save money first before I transfer.