05 Stock/Base Audio Upgrade advice wanted

[CharlesHoward]

I'm getting ready to "sound deaden" all four doors of my quad cab.

In conjunction with that:
I've ordered Kenwood KFC-6993 Performance Series 6x9" 5-Way speakers to replace the front door speakers. RMS 120 Watts each, peak 500 Watt at 4 Ohms.

For now I plan to keep the Stock Chrysler RBK 66 Watt Radio as I park on the street and don't want to solicit theft, nor am I a serious audiophile or wannabe sound competitor.

I wonder if the new Kenwood speakers will likely sound like "crap" with the Stock Radio?

I eventually plan to add a 4 Channel AMP, probably 600AMP - sooner if these speakers don't sound good with the Stock Radio.

Should I go with a Speaker Line Out CONVERTER (Like Pac-OEM, Scosche, and Navone sell) to RCA plugs, or tap the speaker wires at the Radio (head unit) for "high level" input to the AMP (as many will accept in lieu of RCA low level input)?

Similarly, would I want to connect the AMP Speaker outputs to the stock speaker wires near the Radio (head unit) or run directly through the truck and door(s) to the speakers themselves?

Would replacing the rear 5. 25 speakers with available 5. 25 subwoofer(s) be "soundworthy", or should I use 2 or 3 way rear speaker replacements?

Only the dog usually rides in the backseat.
I don't plan to give up the backseat storage for any speaker enclosures.

If the AMP amperage/Fuse is less than 50AMPs, would tapping the Power Seat wires be reasonable versus running separate AMP wiring?

I previously installed an ATP Blanket on top of the Valve Cover which reduced valve clatter a lot (ATP Oil Pan Blanket planned for next year in conjunction with annual Synthetic Oil Change). Maybe someday the floor, rear wall and roof will get sound-deadened.

Any experience or advice you can share is greatly appreciated!

Have a great Thanksgiving!

 

[retirednak]

I talked with the only 2 stereo shops in my area about upgrading the speakers in my truck with the stock head unit,or was it a waste of time. Both told me I would notice a pretty good difference since the OEM speakers are low bid cheap POS. If I remember right, the Infinity systems have a cheap amp to begin with. I wouldn't bother with a Speaker Line Out CONVERTER or anything else until you decide if you want to upgrade the deck itself. The decks are even low bid stuff,a $85 Walmart deck will sound better with good speaker then the OEM deck. The new decks allow one to remove the face unit and take with when you park. Even if a scum bag steals the deck with the removed face plate,it will never work again without the original face plate.

I saw a Cummins pickup in a magazine that was customized tastefully,but had the stock work truck OEM radio. The guy installed a custom deck,equalizer and other high end stuff under his arm rest in a lock box and used a remote to run it. I guess he had his last go round ripped off. It was pretty cool how he designed the system around that small of an area.

 

[R.Taylor]

The RBK radio's speaker output is 8 ohms, The 4 ohm Kenwood speakers may cause the RBK's amplifier to run hotter, Cut out (Thermal protection) or just crap out. You always want to match the impedance of your amplifier to your speakers. At any given voltage drive level, a 4 ohm speaker will draw twice as much current as will an 8 ohm speaker. I'm not sure as to your budget as I see the speakers you ordered are about $60 a pair. The 5-Way system is more of a gimmick if anything, A 3-way speaker will outperform a 5-way. You mention perhaps putting 5 1/4" woofers in place on the rear doors... . If you don't have an amp you will need a crossover of sorts so you only send the rear "subs" the 20hz to 100hz frequency range... If not the "subs" will also be doing mids and highs. If you do the subs with an amp... Make sure the amp has a built in hi-pass / lo-pass crossover so you can dial out the unwanted frequencies. A sub is only a sub once it's signal has been processed otherwise it is running full range. As for the line level or high level inputs... Go with a line out, Speaker level input to the amp is terrible... Plus you have to run 4 separate 2 conductor +- speaker lines from deck to amp.

 

[CharlesHoward]

Thanks for the advice so far!
I'm spending a LOT more on Sound Deadening at this point as I don't even indulge in audio stimulation all the time.
A Crutchfield catalog and good reviews 'seduced' me into the 5 ways, even though I knew good 3-Ways should be better.
Oops, I assumed the stock speakers would be 4 Ohm as most are...
I assume I could disconnect the stock rear door speakers to ease the RBK amplifier load (pending an amp) to satisfy the Kenwoods?

 

[seafish]

Check out htis link... it is what I am going to use when I have the time to upgrade my stereo--

Sound Deadener Showdown - Your Source for Sound Deadening Products and Information

 

[CharlesHoward]

Thanks!
I already have a qoute from Sound Deadener Showdown and plan to order this week or next.

 

[TGVET]

Glad I orderd mine with the 7. 1 and Hamon Kardon. It works and sounds great. So far... .

 

[CharlesHoward]

Material to sound deaden all 4 doors shipped today by Don from Sounddeadershowdown.
Looking forward to install next week.

Anyone agree I should disconnect the rear speakers to just power the front Kenwoods or just use the RBK fader?

 

[MAshley]

I don't know how the amp is built but cutting 2 of the 4 channels wont really change what the front load will be on the amp. Also just because the speakers are 8 doesn't mean the amp wont do 4. The amp maybe good for 2-8 or 4-8 or maybe just 8. Honeslty I wouldn't worry about it just this min. I would install them and give it a try.



Hearing that the speakers is 8 is kind of shocking really, 4 is more the norm.