Audio add-on to stock system

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Does anyone have info regarding adding power amps or powered sub woofers to the stock DC cassette/CD player. I have the unit with the 11 Infinity speakers.

 

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11 speakers!!! #ad
DC must of screwed me I only got 6 #ad


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01 Ram 2500 QC LWB ETC
Dark Garnet/Driftwood
All options except heated leather seats added Smittybilt SS Side Bars and EGR Bug Guard,ARMA Coating Bedliner
And I Love it!

 

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If you are wanting to get better sound by adding an amp, you should also get rid of that noisy factory stereo too. The amps will just make the noise from the factory unit louder. An aftermarket stereo will work beter and give you more options if you want to further upgrade in the future. When I order my truck this weekend, I am going to ask for the bottom of the line stereo 'cause it's coming out the day I take delivery. As far as subwoofers go, both JL audio and MTX have enclosures that will fit nicely under your back seat.

[This message has been edited by jwgary (edited 08-16-2000). ]

 

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Well, HeaterExpert, you are right. Don't know where I came up with 11. Just checked and could only find 6! Maybe I was just wishing I had 11 (5x5 plus the subwoofer).

Bam! Now I know. My wife's 300M came with 11 speakers. I got the two confused.

I will probably end up replacing the whole unit (Stereo that is), but my question was specifically - does anyone know if there are RCA outputs at the rear of the stock amp? or any other way to power a subwoofer from the stock unit.

Thanks for the input.

 

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dbrimhall -
I have done exacly what you speak of. I have a 140 watt Crossfire amp under the center of my rear seat(perfect fit), running an 8" bazooka tube. The tube is easily removable when I need the space behind my seat and you cant see it from the outside. I had a friend at a stereo shop hook it up, so I'm not sure technically how it was done. But it works very well. Everyone is rather impressed with the sound quality I get considering I am using the factory head unit. Sounds good, and maintains a clean, factory look, no face plate give-away for thieves. Obviously not the same as a high end replacement system, but sounds really good - the woofer perfectly fills in what is missing from the stock system. Also a lot cheaper and good stealth factor. I would recommend it to anyone who just wants a nice little upgrade.

Craig

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2000, 2500,QC,4x4,white,tow,leather,6 spd,4. 10, 4" exhaust - turbo back, K&N, Balls of steel hitch, line-x bedliner, Autometer Ultralite pyro and boost, Mag Hytec on Dana 80... wouldn't dare add anything to void that good ole DC warranty!

 

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I am happy with the Infinity System in my Ram. Sounds great to me

 

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While we are on the radio subject, my CD quit on my 97'Infinity so I want to upgrade to a new radio. Just a simple one disc unit will do. Would a radio putting out 40-50 watts do or should I go for a aux amp? Anyone have a suggestion for a replacement. Is it worth upgrading the stock speakers?

 

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When I upgraded the stereo in my Ram, I called these guys CRUTCHFIELD Definitly the easiest install ever. They sent me all the adapters I needed to integrate an aftermarket stereo without a bunch of ugly splicing and such.

 

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There are not RCA's on the factory head unit. Also, the apms on the Infinity system are on the speakers. They are really a mess to deal with. If you are wanting to get better sound, I would suggest getting a new system, speakers and all. You could probably tap off the factory unit for a sub-amp, but that would not be a reccommended method.

 

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cjohnson -
Thanks for the info, that was just the answer I was looking for - that it had been done. The figuring out how is just a detail. I have done powered subwoofers before, and they, like you said, really add a lot to a stock system, and are usually pretty easy to do.

I, too, have had great success with Crutchfield, although they are a bit higher than the true discount guys, the customer support is fantastic. Sometimes that is worth the extra bucks, especially if your time is worth anything.

I share the other opinion stated, that the stock system is really quite good. However, I know a powered subwoofer will make it an order of magnitude better, especially in my truck with a flow through muffler cruising at 85.

Thanks for all the input, I'm ready to launch now!

 

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I spoke with Crutchfield, and they said the Infinity system in the Ram would be a snap.

All you do is come off any pair of speaker leads, and pipe that to the powered subwoofer LINE IN terminals, supply 12v and go. You can do this because, as mentioned in a post above, the speakers are all with amplifiers, so the output from the receiver is low power, like a pre-amp signal. The suggestion was to tie a right and left side together to feed the subwoofer, because some music either has more bass in one channel, or sometimes moves the bass around between channels. We should be able to access those speaker feeds to the rear speakers maybe under the panels holding the carpet down at the door openings. If not, then surely removing the molding running up the rear door opening.

 

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Let me know if you decide to replace your factory CD player. I want to swap the factory cassette for the CD.

 

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Thanks Bryan Brenneman,

That setup sounds and looks good. Do you find the 45W to be adequate? Did you retain the stock speakers?

 

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I did the same thing as dbrimhall on my 96. I tied into the right side rear stock speaker for high level inputs to the amp. I mounted a 200x1 amp under the drivers seat to power 2 8" bazookas. What a great sounding system.

I am looking to do the same thing to the '00 since I have rasio controls on the steering wheel and like the stock system.

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2000 3500QC 4x4, 6-speed, 3. 54, Patriot Blue, SLT+, Hot PE, 275's, walker 21468, Mag-Hytec

 

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I have the infinity system, easily add a 300w amp and boom box under the back seat. 2 10" woofers, w/ tweeters and mids, along with an EQ.

Easily added to the stoack system, not sure what the make is, but can find out. They make an adapter/harness that connects to the indash infinity and the rest is history. Easy! and no strange noise or buzzing. Just kick ass sound. Highly recommend the EQ for the boom box, was just too much w/o it.

I'll look into who makes the adapter and post it.

The speaker box can be custom ordered to fit perfectly under the seat.

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99' Quad Cab, 4x4, Auto, 3. 55, All options except fog lights and leather, Glasstite topper, Chrome Nerf Bars, VA CPC, Boost Mod & elbow, DiPricol EGT & Boost Gauges Pillar Mount, K&N Air Filter**, Turbo Silencer Ring Removed, Infinity sound w/pillar tweeters, 300w speaker system under rear seat, Metalic Red. Hum, transmission mods and injectors next? ** Removed K&N Replaced w/ paper filter - problems w/ K&N

 

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Is it just me/my truck or do the rear speakers seem muted or low range?

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99 2500 QC, LWB, 5spd, 3. 54 limited slip, Intense Blue, 275HP Injectors
Tow Lite trailer
96 KTM 360 EXC
99 Durango 4x4 360cid

 

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Jetson, that's just factory speakers in general. They are more interested in getting your truck to run than sound nice. They use cheap paper cone speakers that are noisy and have limited range. They will distort if you turn the stereo up too loud. In contrast, the three JL 10W6 woofers in my brother's truck will develop in excess of 154dB without distortion. Just remember, you paid more for your kick butt engine. You will pay more for a kick butt sound system.

 

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Running a Alpine CDA-D855 stereo/CD/mCD and very happy with it. Haven't replaced the infinity speakers yet. Planning on adding 4 8" woofers and 300A amplifier under the back seat -- not planning on replacing the stock infinitys. Audio people are telling me the stock speakers sound great for the high end after they route around the stock amp. Apparently pushing the low end through the same (iffy quality) speakers causes distortion then once the woofers/amp are on a different line it'll be clear. We'll see. Haven't decided if I'm going to gonzo the stereo or put in an HX40 turbo.

MAK

 

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Jetson, the rear speaker sound muffled because they have no tweeter like the front.

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2001 2500 ETH/DEE Blk/Agate 4x4 QC LWB SLT+ 3. 54 LSD, Every option except Snow Plow and Cab Lights. ARE Z-Series Cap(lined) w/ intregrated electric lock. Bedrug Mopar Blk Aluminum Tube Steps 12000 lb Warn Winch/Transformer Mount- Brush Guard Factory Tow Hooks and all the right gear.