Audio Upgrade - What Amp Do I Need?

[T6180]

Ok, so I'll start off by saying I know very little about car audio but can't stand the lack of no rear speakers in my kombi any more!
I've just ordered a pair of Kenwood 6x9 Regular Speakers • KFC-PS6995 Specifications • Kenwood UK
I'm going to order the rear speaker loom with the RCA cable included as I'm planning to order an amp to power the 6x9's and the option to add an 8" under seat subwoofer at a later date.

The question is -

• What amp do I buy to suit the speakers? I've read loads of articles saying the RMS of the amp needs to be the same as the speakers...this confused me.....I won't be driving round with it full blast I'm more looking for sound quality with the added bass.
• I've also seen that some amps do not need RCA's and can be powered from the speaker cables, which is the best option?

I'd like to keep the brand all the same so if anyone can advise on a model of Kenwood amp and sub I'd much appreciate it

 

[DaveBos]

Standard head unit has no RCA preouts, so look for an amp with high level input so you can wire the speaker cable directly to it.

Personally I wouldn't bother amplifying the rear speakers, unless you sit in the back seats, a set of decent front component speakers would be a better starting point and then add a sub if required.

I'd buy a 4 channel amp to run a front components and bridge the other two channels to run a sub.

 

[T6180]

The plan is to upgrade the rear so me and the Mrs can have a conversation in the front instead of the kids saying "turn it up"...i also prefer to be able to fade the music so it's not all front loaded to get a more balanced sound if that makes sense

 

[Absolut5]

Hi

It’s not what we advise on a audio set up... amping the rear is a big no from us, as mentioned by Davebos...

We can supply our signature audio setup which will allow you to fade to the rear speakers, when headunit is coded, and you also have full control over the sub, and when you are on your own you can appreciate the setup how you would normally listen to live music, which is all in front with a little rear ambience,

Have the sound sound balance as you mentioned destroys the front stereo separation/stage etc

There is also no needed for a RCA adapter when using the correct amp, one which accepts dual-range differential-balanced input section able to handle a wide range of input voltage levels. Now not all amps can do this regardless if they have speaker level input, that’s why we use JL Audio

The setup comprises of a the following
JL XD amp to drive sub and front components
JL 10w1 sub in our own design and manufactured underseat enclosure
JL XD sub control
Hertz Mille pro front components

Plus cnc wooden collars, Dynamat for doors and all cables,

Then add your own rear speakers, to the headunit..

Hope this helps

 

[T6180]

Morning @Absolut5 thank you for the advice, what's the total price for the above please and how long would fitting take? (Your a bit of a distance from me as I'm in the midlands) or is this something I can do myself if I buy a VCD coder?

 

[Deaky]

@T6180 I've just purchased this set up from Absolute to fit myself. I did the same in my T5. Absolute make up all the looms etc to make fitting easy and they're always on hand with any support. It sounds awesome. I'm in the Midlands myself and have VCDS if you need any coding

 

[gmaster]

Sorry to jump on this thread, but I have an Audison SR5 amp (never used) and was wondering if that would do the job?

 

[Absolut5]

Morning @Absolut5 thank you for the advice, what's the total price for the above please and how long would fitting take? (Your a bit of a distance from me as I'm in the midlands) or is this something I can do myself if I buy a VCD coder?

Hi

It takes a day to install, so you be back home around 8ish

Our signature setup cost £1399.00 inc vat installed

Add rear speakers is extra though

We can also send it as a complete package, with every terminals, cable etc all cables are marked etc

And Deaky has mentioned he can do your coding for fader control..

Jason

 

[DavRob]

Hi

I was massively into my ICE years ago has a boy racer and dug out some of my old Hifonics gear thinking about installing something in my new T6 Highline. I have the Discover Media unit. The sound quality in my views is fantastic and only really requires abit of rear fill and a sub for extra punch. Question is then is there an extra wiring loom available for the RCA preouts to drive a sub amp?

Regards

 

[Absolut5]

Hi

I was massively into my ICE years ago has a boy racer and dug out some of my old Hifonics gear thinking about installing something in my new T6 Highline. I have the Discover Media unit. The sound quality in my views is fantastic and only really requires abit of rear fill and a sub for extra punch. Question is then is there an extra wiring loom available for the RCA preouts to drive a sub amp?

Regards

I can supply a loom for sub connection, and rear speakers

What amp are you using ?

 

[DavRob]

I will be using a Hifonics Falcon Amplifier. Made in the 90s but decent quality gear. It all still works perfect I had it installed in my T5.1. Thinking of making a sub box for under the rear (2) seat in my kombi. Whats involved with the loom and VCDS coding? Thanks alot

 

[PukkaT6]

Im tempted to put a sub and two 6x9's in an all in one box behind the rear seats, just need something I can removed easily without screw driver.

@Absolut5 any advice of how to bring the cables out of the rubber floor?

 

[Absolut5]

I will be using a Hifonics Falcon Amplifier. Made in the 90s but decent quality gear. It all still works perfect I had it installed in my T5.1. Thinking of making a sub box for under the rear (2) seat in my kombi. Whats involved with the loom and VCDS coding? Thanks alot

I can supply a plug and play harness which fits behind the headunit, which will have a rca output, switch on feed for the amp and rear speaker wires ready

Coding for the rear speakers is done by VCDS, I’m sure there is someone near you which would do it for a drink

 

[Absolut5]

Im tempted to put a sub and two 6x9's in an all in one box behind the rear seats, just need something I can removed easily without screw driver.

@Absolut5 any advice of how to bring the cables out of the rubber floor?

6*9s in a box behind the rear seats is not a good idea, would produce very poor results, yes to a sub, I would rather you amp the standard front speakers, and sub and install a set of reasonable coax high up in the rear quarter panels..

Amp can go under front seat, removable enclosure with wires coming out of seat fixing area

Why not drop is a call, and we can go through some ideas

 

[Mooncat]

I'm surprised Skipton Car Radio never gets mentioned in these threads. When I wanted to sot out a speaker upgrade, I was all set for RCA output, amp, sub under the front seat, new woofers, tweeters in the front...... and they saved me a shed load of money by selling me what I needed rather than what I thought I needed. They also do everything for rear speaker upgrades too.

Noting that Abolut5 is a trade member and a valuable contributor to this forum, I'm happy to be told off if my post is out of order!

 

[Pauly]

Skipton do get mentioned from time to time and i know several members have bought from them but they are not active on forums and Jason (absolute) is a transporter specialist so offers other things apart from just audio so tends to get a lot more mentions as he provides a lot more help (not just on the kit he sells but in general )

 

[Cham13]

Just wanted to say, a lot of great info about this subject. I'm just starting on my van and before I do the interior trim, I want to get speakers installed and a split charger system. Has anybody just fitted 2 extra speakers in the rear, via the standard head unit, if so was the sound ok and di you do it with or without the fader re-code?

 

[Pauly]

I did it to add a bit of fill for rear passengers
The speakers will work when connected then you have the option of enabling the fader function if you desire but its not mandatory

 

[Alan Croft]

Can you add the rear speakers forst then the amp and sub etc? Would love the absolute5 system but the budget won’t run to that yet. Would the rears add anything to the overall sound or is it the fronts which would need upgrading first?

 

[Pauly]

If you are wiring rears to headunit then they can be added at any time, cant see they are going to improve the sound in the front, i did it for rear seat passengers