First off, I'm a big fan of Blaupunkt...it's relatively ienxpensive and it sounds good enough for me.

Secondly, these are the speakers I want to purchase, but I don't know if I need to add an amplifier and even though I read all the posts in this forum a dozen times, I'm not sure if I can even hook it up to my factory HU.

Front:BLAUPUNKT TSC650 6-1/2" COMPONENT SPEAKER SET
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&PartNumber=267-376&DID=7

http://www.partsexpress.com/images/267-376m.jpg

Rear:BLAUPUNKT TSX652 6-1/2" COAXIAL SPEAKER PAIR
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&PartNumber=267-370&DID=7

http://www.partsexpress.com/images/267-370m.jpg


I might also just opt for the CDT coaxials suggested by Emass in his other posts. But I might be doing some interior lighting as well, so that's why I'm opting for the Blaupunkts right now.

Anywayz, any advice regarding whether I need to purchase a 2-channel amplifier would be great. Also how to hook it up to the factory HU. I saw a post on it last night...but I still didn't understand what I was supposed to do. (i.e. do I need to keep the original amp so it can still power the subwoofer? if so how should the wiring be done?)

hi there!!! i would definitely get an amp becasue i change my hu and speakers and believe that everything will sound better with an amp. i think that you should change the hu also since you're halfway there. i installed a pioneer 7500 with infinity components and will be picking up and amp next weekened! good luck to you!

Yeah, I know I might as well replace everything, but I like the look of the factory HU...(heck, i'm 6'5"....i need big knobs, buttons, and displays!)

So i guess I should rephrase my questions a little bit: will it be NECESSARY to purchase an amp in order to use this speaker setup? or does the stock amp/HU provide enough power to adequately use this setup?

Yeah, I think that's the specific question I need answered right now.

[quote:d220973f60=" "]Yeah, I know I might as well replace everything, but I like the look of the factory HU...(heck, i'm 6'5"....i need big knobs, buttons, and displays!)

So i guess I should rephrase my questions a little bit: will it be NECESSARY to purchase an amp in order to use this speaker setup? or does the stock amp/HU provide enough power to adequately use this setup?

Yeah, I think that's the specific question I need answered right now.[/quote:d220973f60]

No - it's not necessary to use an amp.

Cool, thanks for answering Emass.

I know that adding an amp will improve the sound and it might be something I do in the future. So do you have any tips on how I should wire it to the factory HU? Or previous posts with this info that I apparently haven't discovered?

And, out of curiosity, won't adding an amp ruin highly sensitive speakers?

[quote:254a727659=" "]Cool, thanks for answering Emass.

I know that adding an amp will improve the sound and it might be something I do in the future. So do you have any tips on how I should wire it to the factory HU? Or previous posts with this info that I apparently haven't discovered?

And, out of curiosity, won't adding an amp ruin highly sensitive speakers?[/quote:254a727659]

If you add an amp you'll want to either buy an amp that accepts high level inputs (regualr speaker wire) or convert the speaker leads into rca style with a converter like the PAC model I mention in multiple posts. You can wire it up by tapping into the wiring at the head unit (useful if you have an aftermarket head unit) or you can also tap in where the factory amp is in the kick panel on the passenger side. There are wiring guides for both in this subforum if you search.

Will an amp ruin high sensitivity speakers? No - but you'll want to turn the amp gain down to compensate a bit.

EMass,

By "tapping" into the wiring you mean splicing?

To clarify my earlier question, I would like to literally add a second amp. I see my setup as keeping the factory HU and having the factory amp power the sub and the rear speakers, while my SECOND amp powers the new front components.

I hope this is how you understood my earlier question to be. I'm hoping this is possible since my budget right now can only afford a simple 2-channel amp.

BTW, anybody who has insight on this please answer. This isn't necessarily just for EMass to answer (although he's like the resident audio genius)


And FYI, I purchased the CDT HD62EF components instead of the Blaupunkt. Reviews from everywhere just made me change my mind. Looking very forward to installing them...although the wait is killing me!

On "tapping" - I mean cut and re-route. I'll explain further...

If you want to add a second amp and heep the factury HU and Amp you need a 2-channel amp that accepts high level inputs because there's no RCA pre-outs coming from the factory HU or going into the Amp.

I'd reccommend a Thunder 282 amp from MTX - it accepts high level inputs and is priced reasonably if you search around a bit.

http://www.mtxaudio.com/caraudio/images/ampThunder282.jpg

You'll want to cut the wires that represent the front left and right signal sbefore they get to the factory amp and route them to the new amp you'll probably have to extend them to your amp install location under one of your seats - probably the passenger side.

You'll also need to route power wires from a power source such as the car's battery to the amp (don't forget a fuse) and you'll need to route new speaker wire from the new amp to the front speakers.

Hope this helps,
eMass.

YAY! That's exactly what I needed to know! Thanks a billion EMass! :D

Now time to start shopping for an amplifier!