ok, im completely new to the entire car audio world. I have been browsing posts on installing your own aftermarket speakers into the EX and i think i will attempt this to save a bit of money since it seems not too hard to do or mess up.

The setup i want in my Element 4WD EX is

2 upgraded tweeters
4 upgraded door speakers (possibly 6&1/2s?)
-same 6" factory HONDA sub in front
amp
12" single sub in box in the back or 2 10"s in box.

Since i do not know anything about audio for cars i do not know how the hell to go about doing or configuring this. I'm assuming to do wiring and install for an amp and sub box in the back i might have to pay to have it installed, especially if the amp is also going to power the front sub. I dont even know where to put the amp or box. I'm assuming i need an AMP to even get a SUB right?

my 3 BIGGEST questions are:

1. i love deep but quick punching bass techno, when installing these subs into my E, will the bass from the music still be outputting to my speakers and/or tweeters? if so, could i blow them?

2. Would an amp have a dial on it or would there be any way to differentiate between the power the front and back subs receive at a given time, like if i wanted all bass up front and to cut out the back 2 (for some reason)?

3. I plan on taking a cross country trip next summer and practically living in my E, if i wanted to, could i easily disconnect my sub-box w/ the right setup and just go w/ the front sub and upgraded door speakers and tweeters?


sorry if some of these questions sound rather moronic for you guys who know alot about this stuff. I have always wanted to. Now i plan on making my new E teach me alot of valuable things, hopefully all good. How much do you think this will all cost me?? try not to scare me, Im on a teacher's salary here.

please post a reply w/ any info or e-mail me at:
mooremr6779@yahoo.com

thanks,
-mike-

Here's a cool site to get the basics on car audio in general : http://www.eatel.net/~amptech/elecdisc/caraudio.htm

Read up on the first 3 sticky'd threads. There's more info there to give you more ideas. Shows how to wire up the e. Even how to incorporate the existing sub&amp with aftermarket HU.

Here's a list of speakers that fit in the stock locations. Some mods may be required. http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2692 From previous expereince, I went with Infinity Kappas (60.5cs & 62.5I) The baskets on those necessitated major moding of the stock opening. Basically, I cut everything attached to the rainguard and just left a big hole for the speakers.

Search for "elementj", he's got a site where you can see how he did the tweets in the a-pillar. I deviated form his procedure by pulling the trim right off the frame instead of just prying it off for access.

I ran new wires (12ga) to all the new speakers. It's just more work but worth it IMO. The stock wires were like 22ga. The hardest part of running the wires is the boot that connects the doors. But, a little imagination and ingenuity made it easier.

About the stock sub. It is at the most, passable. Not very clear or satisfying. It does a good job at pulling the midbass image upfront. But, personally, I'm taking mine out and using the space for my amps and power distribution blocks. The amps I have look small enough to fit in that area. Otherwise, it's under the seats they go.

So, for my bass needs, I built a custom box (1ft^3) for a Infinity Kappa Perfect 12.1D which will be powered by a Soundstream Rub500-1 (400w @ 2ohms) If that is not enough I'll just multiply the combo by 2.

Lastly, go to handa-accessories.com (SP?) and download some of the installation manuals (for underseat cd changer, cd player/radio). It will give you an idea of how to take the e apart. Other than that, just use your imagination, carefully.

Your questions are not moronic at all. I think they are pretty much the same questions everyone asks when they first tackle a car audio project. I guess to best answer your question we would need to know how crazy you want to go with the project. Is the amp only for the sub only or for all the speakers plus the sub? Do you want to want to run all new wiring like ubersam? The sky is the limit really.

1. i love deep but quick punching bass techno, when installing these subs into my E, will the bass from the music still be outputting to my speakers and/or tweeters? if so, could i blow them?

Since I don't see a new headunit on your shopping list I am assuming you are only doing the speakers. If that is the case, the bass would go to all the speakers and the sub unless you install some sort of High Pass Filter (aka bass blocker). AFAIK, there are no adjustments on the factory amp.

As for blowing them, I highly doubt it since the factory amp is rather "wimpy" to quote eMass. :) Most, if not all, aftermarket speakers will be able to handle the RMS output.

2. Would an amp have a dial on it or would there be any way to differentiate between the power the front and back subs receive at a given time, like if i wanted all bass up front and to cut out the back 2 (for some reason)?

Since you are adding an amp for an additional sub, you can adjust that amp/sub to blend in with the system up front. If you want to cut it out completely, then just unhook the sub. I guess this kind of answer your 3rd question too.

Finally, here is the link to Element-J's website. http://www.govst.edu/users/gallery/element-j/ He has done a great job documenting his installs and you can see where everything goes. Good luck and have fun.

i would like to be able to disconnect the sub-box from the amp and be able to have the xtra space. i plan on putting alot in the cargo area at times and am planning a xcountry trip for next summer. I dont know w/ given cargo space if i'll be able to take the sub-box then, i might if its just for one 10". But if i want it out for any reason i want to know the system will sound alright w/ the 6 speakers and factory sub up front.

-mike-

[quote:017f1f9bed="3hitsaday"]i would like to be able to disconnect the sub-box from the amp and be able to have the xtra space.[/quote:017f1f9bed]If this is the case, you might want to check out the following post - it covers how i wired my removable sub box into the cargo area http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2529

It sounds like your concern is primarily the sound quality with your add-on sub taken out. If this is the case then just wire your new speakers minus the sub. This is how your system will sound like on your trip without the sub. You really can't compare a good sub/amp to the factory sub. I would suspect once you have had your amp/sub for a while you would not like the sound without the sub.

Sounds to me like you just want a whole new system. Many amps today have a remote bass control which puts a knob on or under the dash someplace which allows you to trim the sub output to your liking. Some of the better head units out there will have front, rear, and bass output level controls built in. I also wouldn't bother with the factory sub if you plan to get a box anyway. Someone here has run the factory sub off of an aftermarket amp and got decent results. You might want to check out your local JL Audio dealer, they make a custom sub to replace the factory unit up front. That will allow you to keep the E's utility. Also do a search here for Outpost. He owns a shop and has done a phenominal install on his own E, and he's got a webpage you can see how he did the install. You'll see how every corner of the E comes apart. Definately check it out.

Check the date of the original post.
I'm guessing he either got his audio system or he's not on here anymore.
The original post was made Oct. of 03 and his last posting was 2 years ago.

Your questions are not moronic at all. I think they are pretty much the same questions everyone asks when they first tackle a car audio project. I guess to best answer your question we would need to know how crazy you want to go with the project. Is the amp only for the sub only or for all the speakers plus the sub? Do you want to want to run all new wiring like ubersam? The sky is the limit really.



Since I don't see a new headunit on your shopping list I am assuming you are only doing the speakers. If that is the case, the bass would go to all the speakers and the sub unless you install some sort of High Pass Filter (aka bass blocker). AFAIK, there are no adjustments on the factory amp.

As for blowing them, I highly doubt it since the factory amp is rather "wimpy" to quote eMass. :) Most, if not all, aftermarket speakers will be able to handle the RMS output.



Since you are adding an amp for an additional sub, you can adjust that amp/sub to blend in with the system up front. If you want to cut it out completely, then just unhook the sub. I guess this kind of answer your 3rd question too.

Finally, here is the link to Element-J's website. http://www.govst.edu/users/gallery/element-j/ He has done a great job documenting his installs and you can see where everything goes. Good luck and have fun.

Most aftermarket amps have the filters built in.

My two cents?
DO the 2 10's. They have more surface area than teh 12". I love my 10s, most people think theyre 12s anyway.

Good luck!

j

Folks, this thread it two and a half years old. Nobody cares any more. Please read Empire's post. I have no problem in resurrecting an old thread if it addresses a current issue; in fact, that's a good idea. But nobody is asking these questions now. These folks aren't even part of the board anymore. This is a dead thread.

Mr. Praline: 'E's not pining'! 'E's passed on! This parrot is no more! He has ceased to be! 'E's expired and gone to meet 'is maker! 'E's a stiff! Bereft of life, 'e rests in peace! If you hadn't nailed 'im to the perch 'e'd be pushing up the daisies! 'Is metabolic processes are now 'istory! 'E's off the twig! 'E's kicked the bucket, 'e's shuffled off 'is mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin' choir invisibile!! THIS IS AN EX-PARROT!!