JBL system questions

[Bizzy]

Does anyone know what the ohm load to the speakers is from the SHO JBL system? I have a Kenwood Z828 in my SLO that I want to move over and integrate in for the time being. I'm seriously considering bypassing the stock amp and sub and just powering the speakers from my Kenwood, which is doing 22w per chan with a peak of 47w. I also have an Infinity Basslink that I am gonna move over at the same time.

A knowledgeable car audio friend of mine said to check specs on the system to make sure I won't fry my headunit. He said that many "premium" systems use custom 1-2 ohm load speakers in conjunction with the factor amps. I'd rather not **** my headunit. Or have ppl just plugged into the factory stuff and gone alone thier merry way? I'm thinking I could bypass the amps in the trunk by making some kind of connector that just loops past the amps.

So is there anyone out there that knows the specs on the audio system or can tell me where I can find them. I searched but didn't find what I need.

Anyidea on what a complete JBL system would go for? I plan to pull the whole system out over the winter and sell it.

Thanks

Bruce
1994 Opal Frost MTX 66k

<small>[ October 28, 2002, 12:22 PM: Message edited by: netviper ]</small>

 

[jelloslug]

For some reason I am thinking they are 6 ohm.

 

[yamahaSHO]

They are indeed 6 ohms. You will be okay.

 

[Bizzy]

woohoo now, I have a different question, but it is one that still relates to this integration of my Kenwood into the JBL setup.

On ebay there is a wiring harness adapter that plugs into the premium plug, and then gives you the 8 individual leads for the speakers. They confirm this will work and I can send the signal from my kenwood, thru my factory amp, and still retain the subwoofer for the time being.

Does anyone run an aftermarket stereo into the factory amp and then on to the JBL's? If so have there been any problems?

heres that ebay link for the harness
FORD PREMIUM SOUND WIRE HARNESS 1995&UP N.R

 

[93redATX]

I have a Pioneer HU that runs with the factory amps. No troubles yet, although I have a crackling speaker, so I have to take the radio out and check the connections.

 

[Chrisssssssss]

OK, I know that the JBL amps have a built in equilizer and crossover that is designed specifically for those speakers. If I were you, I would leave the stock amps alone for the time being and just add a sub to either the stock amp, or by using the leads that go to the stock sub amp and possibly splicing them to an RCA end and using your own amp for the subs. It is actually an already crossed over signal, so all you would need is a different amp. The stock sub amp isn't too shabby either for a stock amp. If you replace the sub with another one, it will make a world of difference.

IMHO, I would leave the stock amp for the front and rear speakers alone because the power output of the stock amp would be either at par with deck power or even better. That's just my opinion though. I have not tried to hook up the speakers directly to a source unit so I don't know exactly how they would sound without the JBL amp's eq. Good luck.

 

[yamahaSHO]

Chrisssssssss:
OK, I know that the JBL amps have a built in equilizer and crossover that is designed specifically for those speakers. If I were you, I would leave the stock amps alone for the time being and just add a sub to either the stock amp, or by using the leads that go to the stock sub amp and possibly splicing them to an RCA end and using your own amp for the subs. It is actually an already crossed over signal, so all you would need is a different amp. The stock sub amp isn't too shabby either for a stock amp. If you replace the sub with another one, it will make a world of difference.

IMHO, I would leave the stock amp for the front and rear speakers alone because the power output of the stock amp would be either at par with deck power or even better. That's just my opinion though. I have not tried to hook up the speakers directly to a source unit so I don't know exactly how they would sound without the JBL amp's eq. Good luck.

A head unit has more power and a much cleaner signal than if you were to go through the amps. At high volumes the amps won't last long because you would be sending high level(voltage) signal in to a low level input. My friend fried his amp. The speakers will sound better if you bypass the amps, you wont be able to use your sub though. I plan on hooking up my own amp and putting in an 8" sub in stock location.

 

[Bizzy]

Well here's what I'm thinking I'm gonna end up doing. I'm gonna run thru the stock wiring and amps till the spring. I'm gonna try running thru the amps and have my headunit not use its built in amp, just so I can see how it sounds. I will also be putting my basslink in but that will be run off the RCA non-fading pre-outs and will give me an additional 200watt nice tight bass.

If it sounds like *****, I'll just go to radioshack and get a few connectors to bybass the stock amps, and I'll pull them out till I get ready to rewire the car for the new speakers and such in the spring.

 

[yamahaSHO]

No matter what you do, you will be using your internal amps off the HU. The internal amps will be pushing more power to the amp than is needed. It wont take much to turn the volume high and you will run the risk of damaging something and most likely have distortion. I tried using my factory amps so I bought the attenuator so I can adjust the power sent to the amps and I still got ALOT of distortion at higher volumes.

 

[FordLover]

uhh, have you taken a look at the stock JBL speakers? none of them are built for low frequency sound at all(except for the woofer). If you bypass the crossover you will ruin the JBL speakers in no time flat. If you don't believe me, lay down in your trunk and look at the magnent size on the rear speakers.
-Martin

 

[yamahaSHO]

FordLover:
uhh, have you taken a look at the stock JBL speakers? none of them are built for low frequency sound at all(except for the woofer). If you bypass the crossover you will ruin the JBL speakers in no time flat. If you don't believe me, lay down in your trunk and look at the magnent size on the rear speakers.
-Martin

I have already seen the magnet, I have been running my speaker of the HU and sounds fine to me. I did not say they could handle lows, thats why I said I was putting in my own amp and sub. Also it really is not the size of the magnet it is the strength, not saying these are strong, just dont go looking for the speaker with the biggest magnet.

 

[FordLover]

yamahaSHO:
I have already seen the magnet, I have been running my speaker of the HU and sounds fine to me. I did not say they could handle lows, thats why I said I was putting in my own amp and sub. Also it really is not the size of the magnet it is the strength, not saying these are strong, just dont go looking for the speaker with the biggest magnet.

Naww, I don't believe in upgrading the JBL system, I'm more than happy with it's sound, and without flashy aftermarket equipment, I feel my vehicle is less likely to be broken into and having all my high dollar stereo equipment stolen and my interior destroyed in the mean time, competition sound quality just isn't worth the risk to me.
Shit, the JBL system out performs a couple of my friends sound systems that have been 'upgraded' from stock.
-Martin