Stereo upgrade options??

[balboky01]

Lately I have been thinking about upgrading the speakers for the factory sony system and maybe adding a sub but havent been able to locate and good write-ups or opinions from anyone. I guess my question is whether upgrading the speakers with some quality ones is worth it or not? I would like to keep the factory amps in along with the other hardware. Any opinions would be appreciate it.

 

[TDS-MN]

I am interested to see what some others may have done based on the stock Sony system. It could use some more 'punch', IMO. But with the 'head unit' so integrated into the other systems within the car, I have to imagine that things are much more limited as far as upgrade options.

 

[balboky01]

I am interested to see what some others may have done based on the stock Sony system. It could use some more 'punch', IMO. But with the 'head unit' so integrated into the other systems within the car, I have to imagine that things are much more limited as far as upgrade options.

Thats my thought on it too thats why im wondering if a speaker upgrade will make a difference

 

[mval]

my stereo guy built a box w/2 10" alpine subs running off a 500watt alpine amp that sits on top the box. it goes on the shelf area of the trunk leaving rest of trunk useful.

 

[balboky01]

Any pics or info on how he connected everything and what sources he used for signals and what not? Thanks

 

[Orguss]

The amp for the Sony system actually has outputs built into it for connecting an aftermarket subwoofer. The Sony amp resides inside the drivers side rear fender and is easily accessed by pulling back the trunk trim. I installed a single 12-inch sub and a 250W amp, then removed the stock 4-inch "subwoofer" to allow sound to pass through the rear deck lid into the cabin. The system does a terrific job of processing the signals to direct sound to the doors and the rear sub appropriately. I haven't considered upgrading any of the interior speakers.

The only gripe I have is that the box for the sub is huge and takes up about a quarter of the trunk space. Getting a custom built sub housing is too expensive for me to deal with at the moment.

 

[balboky01]

So...would I just run cables from the pre-outs to the sub amp that I will be using? What did you use for an on/off signal for your amp? Thanks for all the info

 

[TDS-MN]

The amp for the Sony system actually has outputs built into it for connecting an aftermarket subwoofer. The Sony amp resides inside the drivers side rear fender and is easily accessed by pulling back the trunk trim. I installed a single 12-inch sub and a 250W amp, then removed the stock 4-inch "subwoofer" to allow sound to pass through the rear deck lid into the cabin. The system does a terrific job of processing the signals to direct sound to the doors and the rear sub appropriately. I haven't considered upgrading any of the interior speakers.

The only gripe I have is that the box for the sub is huge and takes up about a quarter of the trunk space. Getting a custom built sub housing is too expensive for me to deal with at the moment.

That is great info to share, thank you. I will need to dig for that factory amp and check it out. I have not really put any systems together for a few years now, but would really like to find a way to get some more out of this system without going too crazy with it.

Now I can add this on my to-do list once the weather warms up and I can spend a day in the garage playing around. Thanks again for sharing your experience.

 

[Orguss]

Just so you guys know, I paid to have the sub and amp installed. The job was completed in about half an hour. Power to the amp was run through the cabin and firewall to the battery. I don't know how to it's turned on and off.

 

[nghavami]

there is most likely a remote wire that triggers the factory amp to turn on and off. look for the wiring diagram of the amp and tap into it.

 

[danny mage]

I will put up pics of my setup after work tonight, with a 500w memphis amp mounted on the top of the trunk and a 12 alpine type r sub

 

[balboky01]

I will put up pics of my setup after work tonight, with a 500w memphis amp mounted on the top of the trunk and a 12 alpine type r sub

Thanks! I was looking to go with a Type R so i appreciate it

 

[SHOrod]

I have the wiring diagrams for the 2011 model year. I'm what sure what year the original poster is referring to, or how much difference there would be from the 2011 to the current model year.

From what I can tell looking over the wiring diagrams, I don't see any preamp outputs. There are preamp inputs labeled on the diagram, but no unused outputs from the amplifiers. Of course if they are not used, they may not be labeled on the wiring diagrams either.

What I've read of other folks who have added aftermarket subs, they used a line output converter to step down the high level outputs to preamp levels. It seems that if there were preamp outputs readily available, someone would have found them by now.

Also, the 4 inch speaker on the rear deck (at least for the 2011) is an image speaker for the surround sound, not a sub woofer. The subs are 6x8 or 6x9 in the left and right rear deck locations.

It appears the only "enable" line is the clipping detection signal. I don't think that would work very well to work as a remote turn on signal. Also, back when I installed a pair of subs in my old 2000 Mountaineer, the turn on signal to the factory amplifier was a 5V signal. I used on optical relay to turn on the aftermarket amp. I wouldn't be surprised if the current factory systems use a logic level of some sort for enable signals rather than a standard 12V signal.

If anyone wants the 2011 audio system wiring diagrams, send me a Private Message with the request. Include an e-mail address that I can mail several JPEG and PDF attachments to.

-Rod

 

[SHOrod]

There is a "switched 12V" signal for powering the powered antenna. Unless someone wants to drop the headliner, that signals probably only accessible at the Audio Control Module up front. Even then, I don't know if this signal would be active in modes other than AM/FM. If you're running a wire all the way up front, you may as well just grab a more accessible switched 12V signal.

-Rod

 

[balboky01]

Thanks for the info. I guess my only concern for everything would be where to tap into for the output converter signal. I was planning on using a relay setup for the amp signal

 

[SHOrod]

If you're looking to add a subwoofer and that's it, then tapping in to the line level for the rear subs would be a good place to tap, assuming there are no preamp outputs. It's been awhile since I had the trim panel out to look at the amp in my car.

BTW, what year is your SHO?

-Rod

 

[TDS-MN]

I can verify that there are no provisions for preamp output at the factory Sony amp in the trunk, in my 2014. I had a brief opportunity to dig around in there some over the weekend. I located some wiring diagrams online earlier this week (but they may very well have been for a slightly earlier model year), and was planning on taking them with me next time I am in the trunk, to try and decipher a bit more of what I can get to.

I do believe that I would concur with the comment on the 4" in the middle, based on what I was seeing on the wiring diagram, I don't believe that was any type of 'sub' as mentioned above. I'm still not sure if I am a fan of the 'surround sound' in the car though.

 

[balboky01]

If you're looking to add a subwoofer and that's it, then tapping in to the line level for the rear subs would be a good place to tap, assuming there are no preamp outputs. It's been awhile since I had the trim panel out to look at the amp in my car.

BTW, what year is your SHO?

-Rod

Its a '14