Stereo components and wiring - Good how to website or manual????

[fish hook]

I'm looking to upgrade my factory system in my 2004 Q4 Tahoe. Probably a good head unit with pre-outs, amp w/4 speakers, sub (or subs) with a mono amp --- maybe upgrade to additional tower speakers in the future. I won't play CD's so the remote box units like the Kenwood KMR-700U http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113KMR700U/Kenwood-KMR-700U.html?tp=1721 have my interest. I'm a DYI guy and would like to do the hook up and mounting myself but my last go around with car stereos was in the late 80s. Technology has really advanced since then. My question is, where is a good place that a guy can read up on audio systems to understand what to buy, how to properly size the equipment for my application and how the wiring & system functions? I like to understand what I'm doing so I don't f*** it up. I've been to a few local car stereo shops and they all treat you like you're an idiot and just want to sell you an install. Thanks!!!

 

[captain zac]

Re: Stereo components and wiring - Good how to website or manual????

Check the web on the Kenwood
I am getting ready to purchase and have seen them for 219
remotes for 94

Harry

 

[mark1905]

Re: Stereo components and wiring - Good how to website or manual????

Stereo systems are a snap. As long as you know what positive and negative connections are and how to use a screwdriver, you're set. It's really no big deal.

That Kenwood unit is way, way over priced. I'm not a huge fan of Kenwood in general, but if you're dead set on it then check this link: http://www.amazon.com/Kenwood-Kmr-7...LW0O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337283286&sr=8-1 Shop Amazon for all of your electronics as they're prices are the lowest you'll find and the shipping is free and only 2 days with a Prime service trial. Personally, I've been through and installed many different brands in my own and in customers boats and have the best luck with Clarion marine head units of longevity due to them being sealed units and having a conformal coated circuit board. Here is a similar model to that Kenwood: http://www.amazon.com/Clarion-CMD7-...2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1337283430&sr=1-2

All of the equipment in my signature, I highly recommend for being your best bang for your buck. Use marine grade power wire only, use good quality installation accessories, and you're set. Any questions.. just ask here.. as that's what these forums are for.

 

[fish hook]

Re: Stereo components and wiring - Good how to website or manual????

mark,

I've read many of your posts/reponses before and appreciate your knowledge. I'm leaning towards a Quart amp but I want to make sure I don't "over power" myself based on the speakers I buy - this is also an area that I don't want to skimp on. One issue I have on my boat is the cut outs in the back are roughly 7.5" diameter. They had directional collars or bezels surrounding the factory 6.5" speakers. I have found an 8" speaker in Bazooka http://www.crutchfield.com/p_204MAC802W/Bazooka-MAC8002-White.html?tp=3384 and Rockford Fozgate http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_15634_Rockford-Fosgate-M282-White.html each of which would make for a nice fit & finish. The RF's are pretty pricey. Do you know if the Bazookas are any good or should I just stick with the 6.5" and make them fit?? Also, would I use the same model Quart amp to power a sub and can all of this equipment be utilized if I add 2 or 4 tower speakers later? Thanks

 

[mark1905]

Re: Stereo components and wiring - Good how to website or manual????

Hey..

You're not going to overpower anything as long as you select quality equipment. Any reputable brand of speaker will be able to handle all of the power that the MB Quart or any other marine amp puts out. On the flip side, if you don't power the amp correctly and you starve it for power.. that is where you can run into problems. Use the correct gauge of wire and always use marine cable and you'll be fine.

I would stay away from Bazooka speakers, to be honest. From what I've seen with their subwoofers, they have gone the way of cheap, Chinese junk. Their enclosures are a great design and I do recommend them highly for marine use, but the actual driver is junk. The first thing I do on customers boat is rip that out and use a different sub. Rockford Fosgate on the other hand is good stuff. Anything from Infinity, Polk Audio, MB Quart, HiFonics, Alpine, etc.. you can't usually go too wrong with. Those RF speakers that you linked to do look nice and I'm sure would sound great.. but they're a little pricey. If they're within your price range and fit your application, then go for it. Just make sure to look at the dimensions to make sure that they'll fit.

You would use the MB Quart amp for all of your full range speakers, yes. For tower speakers, it would be desireable to add a second amplifier. For powering a subwoofer, it's all in what your desired purpose is. If you want serious BOOM.. they you'll need to use a non-marine amp to really power a sub-woofer and they need good power behind them to really make sound.. especially in a boat environment. If you're just looking for basic fill, then you could get by with the MB Quart.

For now, I would worry about getting a good amp and speakers installed and go from there..

 

[fish hook]

Re: Stereo components and wiring - Good how to website or manual????

mark,

i'm taking your advise and staying away from the Kenwood unit. I have also had other people tell me the Clarions are the way to go for marine head units. I'm looking at the Clarion M309 http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_19025_Clarion-M309.html and the clarion CMD7 http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_36915_Clarion-CMD7.html . The CMD7 only has 2 Sets of 2V preamp outputs (front, switchable rear/subwoofer) but the M309 has 3 Sets of 2V preamp outputs (front, rear and subwoofer). If I go with the CMD7, what are the limitations vs. the M309 because of the extra output? Does it matter? Thanks - By the way i found the RF's 8" speakers for 199/pair. I'm gonna go with them for the rear and eventually grab a set of the RF's 6.5" for the front!!!

 

[mark1905]

Re: Stereo components and wiring - Good how to website or manual????

I love my M309! I can't kill it no matter what I do. I've had it for 4 years now, and literally have left it out in the rain getting dumped on with the stereo cover up on accident.. and as soon as it dries out.. it turns right back on. It's even the previous generation M309 that doesn't have the front USB connector and I want that bad since I use my iPhone as my music source and I'd love to charge it while it plays.. so secretly I'm hoping that it will finally die so I can get a new deck!

The extra set of RCA outs is only so that you can have a dedicated subwoofer out which honestly is not really necessary. If you're going to run a subwoofer, I would suggest a dedicated 1 channel amp for it and pretty much all mono amps these days come with a remote level dial so you can turn up the volume for just the sub as you want. I have mine mounted under the dash so I can quickly adjust how much bass I want.

Note that the face size of the M7 vs the M309 is different. The M309 is the traditional "Singe DIN" rectangle that fits most cars and stereo cut outs. The M7 style has a single DIN chassis, but the face plate is huge. Depending on what your dash looks like, it may not work for you. If you can fit it, the M7 is superior especially since you aren't worried about playing CDs. Those faces are very watertight/resistant.

Good call on the RF speakers.. those things will sound great when paired with a good amp..

Again.. use Amazon for all of your shopping. If you sign up for the free "Prime" trial with no money down, you get free two day shipping on almost everything. Just turn off the auto-renew function and you won't get charged. What I really like about Amazon is literally no questions asked returns. If anything breaks within 30 days, they'll pick it up from your door for free and ship it back for a full refund and overnight you a new unit without even picking up the old one. If you don't like something, you can send it back for a full refund too.. no questions asked. I even installed an entire system.. customer didn't like the way the speakers looked AFTER it was installed.. I took it all back out and sent it right back for a full refund. Stellar customer service..

 

[Piece715]

Re: Stereo components and wiring - Good how to website or manual????

Note that the face size of the M7 vs the M309 is different. The M309 is the traditional "Singe DIN" rectangle that fits most cars and stereo cut outs. The M7 style has a single DIN chassis, but the face plate is huge. Depending on what your dash looks like, it may not work for you. If you can fit it, the M7 is superior especially since you aren't worried about playing CDs. Those faces are very watertight/resistant.

Just wanted to chime in to give ya a relative size of the M7. I have the CDM6 installed in my boat. From what I can remember the difference in the M7 vs the M6 is the watts per channel the head unit pushes out. May be some other small things but the M6 is 60 dollars more then the M7. Here are some pics. I went with the M6 and don't even have anything running through the Head unit its all through my amp :facepalm: I am quite happy with it. The only thing I was sort of disappointed in was when you hook your iphone to the unit u can no longer use ur iphone to navigate ur library. All has to be done through the head unit, but it is very simple to navigate, but on the plus side it does charge the phone All in all its a GREAT unit!

 

[mark1905]

Re: Stereo components and wiring - Good how to website or manual????

The only thing I was sort of disappointed in was when you hook your iphone to the unit u can no longer use ur iphone to navigate ur library. All has to be done through the head unit, but it is very simple to navigate, but on the plus side it does charge the phone

WAIT WAIT! Not true! You need to set it to "simple" mode! Check out page 27 at the top right.. http://www.clarion.com/us/en/MungoBlobs/292/620/CMD6_ENG.pdf

Beautiful work, by the way!

 

[Piece715]

Re: Stereo components and wiring - Good how to website or manual????

WAIT WAIT! Not true! You need to set it to "simple" mode! Check out page 27 at the top right.. http://www.clarion.com/us/en/MungoBlobs/292/620/CMD6_ENG.pdf

Beautiful work, by the way!

HOLY POOPSICLE BATMAN!!! Thanks Mark! I know I read all the manuals cover to cover but gotta remember most work is performed post midnight :facepalm: but knew that couldn't have been the case!

I stand corrected sir

Beautiful work, by the way!

Thanks!

 

[fish hook]

Re: Stereo components and wiring - Good how to website or manual????

thanks for all the input guys - hey piece, would it be possible to get your overall measurements of the actual face plate? I'm liking the unit and I think I can remove the factory protective box/splash guard from my dash. I want to see what the remaining "hole" in the dash looks like, but I'm thinkin the M7 might end up fitting pretty nice. Thanks again!!

 

[Piece715]

Re: Stereo components and wiring - Good how to website or manual????

thanks for all the input guys - hey piece, would it be possible to get your overall measurements of the actual face plate? I'm liking the unit and I think I can remove the factory protective box/splash guard from my dash. I want to see what the remaining "hole" in the dash looks like, but I'm thinkin the M7 might end up fitting pretty nice. Thanks again!!

Here is what I found online... Sitting at work at the moment soooo yep

Dimensions: The receiver has the following dimensions:

• Chassis Width: 7.125"
• Chassis Height: 2.025"
• Chassis Depth: 7.875"
• Nose Width: 7.765"
• Nose Height: 3.515"
• Nose Depth: 1.9375"

 

[mark1905]

Re: Stereo components and wiring - Good how to website or manual????

I'm liking the unit and I think I can remove the factory protective box/splash guard from my dash.

This could work. When you get the unit, it will have a separate mounting sleeve/chassis that you can rig to be supported by angle brackets or otherwise. You may have to get a little creative if there's no support at all for it once you take out the splash box, but it can be done. Just support the weight of the unit well from all angles behind the dash. We know what a beating hulls take out there sometimes.. and the last thing you want is your brand new stereo falling on the floor..

 

[fish hook]

Re: Stereo components and wiring - Good how to website or manual????

good advise!! Just got back from the first outing of the year. Boat fired right up - first time since October. Water at 69 degrees. BBBBRRRRR

 

[fish hook]

Re: Stereo components and wiring - Good how to website or manual????

Clarion CMD7 and 8" RF's gift wrapped from my wife for our 19th anniversary yesterday. She overheard my conversation with the guy from sonicelectronix.com and ordered them for me. I'm pretty lucky to have her. Looks like I'm doing some wiring tonight!!!

Mark - you talked about good prices thru Amazon, check out this link http://www.sonicelectronix.com/?aff...n&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=SonicElectronix Great prices, free delivery to the lower 48 - came within 2 days of ordering and their sales rep was awesome. He took the time to talk to me for 30 minutes.

 

[mark1905]

Re: Stereo components and wiring - Good how to website or manual????

Yeah, I know about Sonic Electronix. Rarely if ever are they cheaper.. though sometimes they are close. Even if they are neck and neck, I'll take Amazon every day of the week because of their customer service. If something breaks (by any means.. yours or theirs) within 30 days, I have a new one on my door step overnighted for free and a UPS man to take the old one away.. for free.. no questions asked.

The Clarion that you just purchased:

$239 at Sonic - http://www.sonicelectronix.com/search_new.php?action=search&keyword=Clarion+CMD7

vs

$209 at Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Clarion-CMD7-...NLLC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337873356&sr=8-1


Those Rockford Fosgate speakers that you just bought:

$219 at Sonic - http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_15634_Rockford-Fosgate-M282-White.html

vs.

$199 at Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Rockford-Fosg...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1337873521&sr=1-1


You could have just wrote me a $40 check for the advice and ordered it all from Amazon. I want my money.

 

[fish hook]

Re: Stereo components and wiring - Good how to website or manual????

Remember, my wife pulled the trigger on the deal behind my back (somehow I'm not mad at her over this purchase) but wait ---- Fosgates were 199 (looks like their price just jumped) and CDM7 was 239 but he gave my wife $25 off the entire order. With free shipping, $415ish out the door for all. I'll give her a break for the 8 bucks!!

 

[delirious]

Re: Stereo components and wiring - Good how to website or manual????

I'm looking to upgrade my factory system in my 2004 Q4 Tahoe. Probably a good head unit with pre-outs, amp w/4 speakers, sub (or subs) with a mono amp --- maybe upgrade to additional tower speakers in the future. I won't play CD's so the remote box units like the Kenwood KMR-700U http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113KMR700U/Kenwood-KMR-700U.html?tp=1721 have my interest. I'm a DYI guy and would like to do the hook up and mounting myself but my last go around with car stereos was in the late 80s. Technology has really advanced since then. My question is, where is a good place that a guy can read up on audio systems to understand what to buy, how to properly size the equipment for my application and how the wiring & system functions? I like to understand what I'm doing so I don't f*** it up. I've been to a few local car stereo shops and they all treat you like you're an idiot and just want to sell you an install. Thanks!!!

unfortunately we ( yes i am a custom car audio installer) HAVE to assume most are idiots, but I generally "quallify" ppls abilities so i dont sound like im talking down to them....usually spew off the technical jibberish to see if they look like a deer caught in headlights...but seriously speaking......would you pay big $$$$$ for your grandmothers artificial heart n think..."heyyyy....i can save a few buck n try this myself" all the money n best gear can still suck if its not installed propperly, and will save you hours of reading these threads frm self proclaimed "experts" trying to troubleshoot why sound cuts out, weird noised, and other popular 12volt gremlims caused by inexperience.

again...i refer to my fav quote when i have to fix the stereo that a customer has stated " ill just do it myself n save the $$$"

" PAY me NOW...or PAY me MORE later" lol

 

[fish hook]

Re: Stereo components and wiring - Good how to website or manual????

unfortunately we ( yes i am a custom car audio installer) HAVE to assume most are idiots, but I generally "quallify" ppls abilities so i dont sound like im talking down to them....usually spew off the technical jibberish to see if they look like a deer caught in headlights...but seriously speaking......would you pay big $$$$$ for your grandmothers artificial heart n think..."heyyyy....i can save a few buck n try this myself" all the money n best gear can still suck if its not installed propperly, and will save you hours of reading these threads frm self proclaimed "experts" trying to troubleshoot why sound cuts out, weird noised, and other popular 12volt gremlims caused by inexperience.

again...i refer to my fav quote when i have to fix the stereo that a customer has stated " ill just do it myself n save the $$$"

" PAY me NOW...or PAY me MORE later" lol

No offense - this is not directed to you in any way but I have seen what "professionals" get you and this is a sore subject for me. Maybe I just have shiiit luck but:
*new stereo install in my 84 Vette 25 years ago the "professionals" butchered the dash TOOK AN ACT OF GOD TO GET THEM TO FIX IT
*water softener in my old house - the "professionals" said they would also install a gas water heater (salesman talking and written into the contract) if I hired them. They unhooked the old heater and left me with no hot water because all of a sudden they were not "qualified" to mess with gas lines I FIXED IT AT MIDNIGHT AFTER WORK - SEVERAL LEGAL LETTERS LATER THEY CAME AND REMOVED THE SYSTEM (AFTER I USED IT FOR A YEAR AND NEVER PAID A DIME)
*water softener in my new house the "professionals" reversed the supply lines and spread the crystals thru the entire house plugging all of my sinks and toilet valves THEY FIXED THE LINES BUT GUESS WHO HAD TO TAKE ALL THE OTHER CRAP APART TO CLEAN
*landscapers - the "professionals" burned my grass twice and striped the yard FIRED! I NOW DO MY OWN

I could go on for a while. I know I'm a little more picky than most, but hey, it's my hard earned money. I'm tired of giving $$ to "professionals" to do a half-assed job when, with a little research, I can do it just as good or better. I've found that when you hire things done, it is all about them performing a service and making money. Unfortunately, I think there are way more businesses out there that cut corners or have underqualified workers than the good ones. Sorry for sounding like such an ahole and I'm sure there are plenty of decent people out there that do perform qualilty work. Remember, for me it's not really the $$ but the QUALITY. I did finish my install in my boat and I can tell you there is no way I could have taken it to an installer and had them spend the time and care that i did to get the unit and speakers to fit the existing holes - that's the OCD in me I guess. Like I said, please take no offense, I'm just venting a little!!

 

[delirious]

Re: Stereo components and wiring - Good how to website or manual????

well sadly i would have to admit that my trade has a bad rep...mostly due to low paid young ppl that are willing to do the job, mostlt because its "kewl" I am 48 years old and take gread pride in my work, and after 20+ years doing this for the same company I am well paid. I work for a small independant and am well paid and taken care of. I soend many hours at the local marina installing audio. @ 70/hr a lot are a little shocked when they get my bill, but ALWAYS call me back do add onto, or they bought a new boat. like i said early that I "qualify" a customer and their understanding of 12v installs, a coustomer has to "quallify" their "professional" If it not a $$ thing and just your experience with installer, meet with an installer and your vehicle (car, boat, bike), a good installer will offer options, inform you that "this" may need to be CUT, that need to be changed etc. A lot of good shops will have install pics of past jobs etc. I am willing to steer DIY`rs in the right dirrection too, and offer tech assist frequently for them. good luck with your install n system and feel free to PM with questions and concerns as i am here FOR help with my boat and to OFFER my help to fellow boaters.