Want to upgrade my speaker setup..Need some info/help.

[Valth]

So I have been reading on some of these threads about speakers subs and decks. I have some questions about upgrading my setup. I have a 2012 Crew Cab 1500. It has a basic setup(The RES radio I believe), no bass nothing, which is wierd cause it seems like the same basic system my Nitro has but my Nitro seems to actually put out some bass this system in the truck doessss not . I want a setup to put out some bass, I listen to alot of metal and hiphop so I want something that can support both. First off I was wondering about upgrading the sound while keeping the same deck in the truck. Is it a good idea/cheap alternative to installing a new deck? I looked at some of the posts about installing a DD and it seems like you gotta cut up stuff behind the dash and thats something I dont wanna do. is there any SDs that will fit and look good? I also seen those subs that hide under the seats, how do those sound? Last thing I got, I need something that would install easy, im not that well trained in wiring and sure as hell dont wanna spend alot getting someone else to do it. My dad has done it some but I dont know about him lol. If someone could give me some info that would be greeeatly appreciated.

 

[Low2HighRise]

So I have been reading on some of these threads about speakers subs and decks. I have some questions about upgrading my setup. I have a 2012 Crew Cab 1500. It has a basic setup(The RES radio I believe), no bass nothing, which is wierd cause it seems like the same basic system my Nitro has but my Nitro seems to actually put out some bass this system in the truck doessss not . I want a setup to put out some bass, I listen to alot of metal and hiphop so I want something that can support both. First off I was wondering about upgrading the sound while keeping the same deck in the truck. Is it a good idea/cheap alternative to installing a new deck? I looked at some of the posts about installing a DD and it seems like you gotta cut up stuff behind the dash and thats something I dont wanna do. is there any SDs that will fit and look good? I also seen those subs that hide under the seats, how do those sound? Last thing I got, I need something that would install easy, im not that well trained in wiring and sure as hell dont wanna spend alot getting someone else to do it. My dad has done it some but I dont know about him lol. If someone could give me some info that would be greeeatly appreciated.

If your not wanting to change out your factory deck and want subs you will have to get a line out converter. It enables you to run an amp. I installed 2 alpine type r 10's in a foxbox, it hits hard. If your wanting a box that won't cover your rear cup holders then go with an atrend box. Either way, they are both great boxes.

 

[Valth]

Those boxes are pretty sweet that fit under the seat/s. So what exactly does a line out converter do, and is it fairly simple to install?

 

[Low2HighRise]

Those boxes are pretty sweet that fit under the seat/s. So what exactly does a line out converter do, and is it fairly simple to install?

Fairly simple, the left and right speaker wire running from your sub connect it to the left and right on the line out converter. Then just plug in the rcas from the amp to it. You will have to adjust the left and right gain screws on the converter to adjust the base where you want it. That can be done with a screwdriver

 

[that white kid]

another thought in boxes would be sound off audios custom box they sound good and there wooden ( i personally prefer wooden boxes hits harder) I currently am running a kenwood ddx 719 with the pac line out converter to a alpine v9 5 chanel amp bridged to a alpine mono block amp with rockford fosgate components in the front and 6x9s in the back and i have to 10in L7 subs (the square ones) and it all sounds great and it can blow your head off with bass if thats what your looking for

 

[Valth]

sounds like a sick setup, but do those only fit kicker subs? that amp looks pretty sweet, but its pretty expensive. Im looking for a setup thatll hit hard but wont break the bank that bad. i know im looking at some money to spend on this, but taht seems like a pretty expensive setup. I like type R's so I know I wanna run one of those. Im prolly just gonna get a foxbox with the amp rack to hold a 12" and the amp. Any good amps that arent overly expensive that can still give me kinda what im looking for? Also whats a good LOC to look at?

 

[Valth]

so yea i was researching the LOCs and those pac harnesses, and it seems like the pacs are the best route. I know I want to get atleast one type r 12, maybe 2. Is theyre anyway to get a step by step on how to setup the whole thing? Maybe a link preferrably with pictures lol on how to hook up the amp the sub and the PAC harness(I did see one thread about the PAC but only how to hook it up not anything after that though.)

edit. a simple walkthrough lol

 

[MADDOG]

The quickest way to do this without changing the head unit is to get a better main amp, better speakers, a sub amp, a subwoofer and a box for it.

The double DIN upgrade is made primarily to add navigation and some bluetooth or iPod/iPhone functionality.

Don't get me wrong...the stock head units are marginal from a pre-amp performance standard but the real limitations are in the amps and speakers.

So go listen to some speakers. Pick ones that sound good to you. Then pick an amp that meets or exceeds the speaker specifications (watts RMS or watts Peak and ohm rating), a line out converter, a harness adapter to fit the aftermarket amp to the stock harness; then decide what sub and amp you want to use for that bass note. Get some wire, a line out converter (LOC), an amp kit (power wire, terminals, speaker wire for the signal to the sub) and plug it in.

 

[CashDollarJack]

great stuff guys! great info. I want to upgrade the audio also and have the components from my 06 ram. can i be enlightened of the size of speakers in the doors and dash. the reason i ask is that i have Rockford speakers 2-6x9 punchs 3 way 2-5.25 primes 3 ways and 2-3.5 dash primes and a alpine HU... its a simple one but nice enough and brand new still. i only had the speakes installed about 3-4 mos before i bought my new ram. any thoughts are very appreciated.

p.s.

Sound Ordance makes great under seat powered subs. very affordable and very well made.

 

[ram-head]

The speakers in the doors of my 12 QC are all 6x9s. The dash speakers are 3.5s I believe but never looked at them. But from what I've read on the forums that's what they are.

 

[Caldwell]

from my understanding the biggest issue is Mounting depth with the 6x9's.

they need to be under 3" mounting depth to not push out the speaker grills

 

[ram-head]

My front ones push slightly. Not bad. I may trim them and use the grilles that came with the speakers. Rear ones are good. I'm using Alpine Type S.

 

[Valth]

So i got a system finally going into my truck.
amp: phoenix gold sd800.5
sub/ in truck armor box: kenwood excelon oversized shallow mount 10"
deck: alpine CDE-124SXM2 with siriusxm
door speakers: kenwood excelon oversized 7" up front and kenwood excelon 6x9's in back
eventually ill get another 10 to go with it but for now as long as i can get some bass pumping out imma happy camper...

 

[audio1der]

My front ones push slightly. Not bad. I may trim them and use the grilles that came with the speakers. Rear ones are good. I'm using Alpine Type S.

Have you tried rolling down the window(s) with the door skin off to check clearance? If you have any extra you can remove the speaker and holding a ring of wood slightly larger than the mounting hole diameter, give it some 'love whacks" with a BFH which might give you the extra clearance you need.
Ding this helped me get 8" midbass into my subcompact's front door under the stock panel.

 

[ram-head]

Thanks for the tip. I may give that a try when I'm running my speaker wire.