Kicker Soundgate Upgrade

DCazares · April 22, 2016

So no one gets confused, if purchased new, the plug is not attached to the power cable that is fed through the firewall. It is also noted in the instructions to be attached after the cable has been passed through the firewall grommet. Other than that, it would of helped if they would of added at least 6" of extra wiring in the harness.

RhinoGuy · April 22, 2016

Can someone email me or post a picture of how the crew cab model bolts down? The instructions I have are for a extended cab (probably added to my install difficulties) .

Rawyzf · April 22, 2016

Attached pdf.

Sent from Tapatalk App - Samsung S6

uploadfromtaptalk1461354366962.pdf

Edited April 22, 2016 by Rawyzf

RhinoGuy · April 22, 2016

Thanks bud! You guys are awesome!

RhinoGuy · April 22, 2016

Do you guys know what the hole in the top is for?

Scott Sroufe · April 23, 2016

Does anyone know if you can up the front amp separately? I bought a used kit from a guy on the forum that was supposed to be the kit with the sub and amp for the speakers (19303117), but I received it and it is the kit with just the sub (19303118). I'll probably send it back if I can't get the front amp separately.

Thanks

Scott

Rawyzf · April 23, 2016

Does anyone know if you can up the front amp separately? I bought a used kit from a guy on the forum that was supposed to be the kit with the sub and amp for the speakers (19303117), but I received it and it is the kit with just the sub (19303118). I'll probably send it back if I can't get the front amp separately.

Thanks

Scott

I knew that was going to bed the case with that post.

I don't know if you can get it seperate, but if you can your price from kicker is pretty high.

Probably better off buying one as a complete kit.

Sent from Tapatalk App - Samsung S6

cato · April 24, 2016

Are folks still having poor sound issues when playing music via bluetooth? Like from an iPhone with iTunes music downloads or Pandora streaming from their phone app rather than the radio app?

I recall reading some saying the sound quality was pretty bad when streaming from their phones.

Edited April 24, 2016 by Black Hole

mtbadbob · April 24, 2016

Does anyone know if you can up the front amp separately? I bought a used kit from a guy on the forum that was supposed to be the kit with the sub and amp for the speakers (19303117), but I received it and it is the kit with just the sub (19303118). I'll probably send it back if I can't get the front amp separately.

Thanks

Scott

Hey Scott, I'd be interested in buying sub only from you. How much shipped to MT??

RhinoGuy · April 24, 2016

Are folks still having poor sound issues when playing music via bluetooth? Like from an iPhone with iTunes music downloads or Pandora streaming from their phone app rather than the radio app?

I recall reading some saying the sound quality was pretty bad when streaming from their phones.

I have not experienced any poor sound issues playing through Bluetooth with a android. I don't know about iPhones though.

A.J. Curtis · April 24, 2016

Are folks still having poor sound issues when playing music via bluetooth? Like from an iPhone with iTunes music downloads or Pandora streaming from their phone app rather than the radio app?

I recall reading some saying the sound quality was pretty bad when streaming from their phones.

This is a head unit and Bluetooth issue with the factory GM stereo and has nothing to do with the Kicker Soundgate sub. I have not personally heard a difference from streaming Pandora using or iTunes via Bluetooth. There is however a huge difference between streaming Bluetooth and play music via USB or a CD.

With your stereo stock do a little test for yourself.

Play a song via CD Or USB at the loudest volume you think it sounds good. Write down what level the head unit is at. If you have a decible tester go ahead and test how many db's it is at as well & write that down.

Then stream the same exact same song via Bluetooth & the loudest volume it sounds good on the head unit. *make sure you turn up your volume from Bluetooth piece Aka phone.* Write down what level the head unit is at. If you have a decible tester go ahead and test how many db's it is at as well & write that down.

You will notice very quickly that streaming Bluetooth requires the head unit master volume to be 20% to 30% high compared to CD or USB and it will not get as loud!

So if your driving down the road playing a song on Bluetooth you may have your volume on the head unit at 17 and still fill it is not loud enough.

Playing the same song via CD or USB with the volume on the head unit at 10 & it's already loud!

The sound quality and volume is much higher playing music via CD or USB. That's just common sense though. Of course there will be a loss of audio quality. The songs from a iPhone if from iTunes will always be less quality because they compress the files so you can fit more music on it. Then you factor in the audio quality loss from streaming.

This loss in volume streaming Bluetooth is much more obvious when doing this test driving down the road with some windows down. Doing the test this way you will quickly see the difference in volume and and audio quality. You almost can not hear the stereo at full volume with the windows down streaming Bluetooth.

Hope that helps!

Edited April 24, 2016 by Alexantics

cato · April 24, 2016

This is a head unit and Bluetooth issue with the factory GM stereo and has nothing to do with the Kicker Soundgate sub. I have not personally heard a difference from streaming Pandora using or iTunes via Bluetooth. There is however a huge difference between streaming Bluetooth and play music via USB or a CD.

With your stereo stock do a little test for yourself.

Play a song via CD Or USB at the loudest volume you think it sounds good. Write down what level the head unit is at. If you have a decible tester go ahead and test how many db's it is at as well & write that down.

Then stream the same exact same song via Bluetooth & the loudest volume it sounds good on the head unit. *make sure you turn up your volume from Bluetooth piece Aka phone.* Write down what level the head unit is at. If you have a decible tester go ahead and test how many db's it is at as well & write that down.

You will notice very quickly that streaming Bluetooth requires the head unit master volume to be 20% to 30% high compared to CD or USB and it will not get as loud!

So if your driving down the road playing a song on Bluetooth you may have your volume on the head unit at 17 and still fill it is not loud enough.

Playing the same song via CD or USB with the volume on the head unit at 10 & it's already loud!

The sound quality and volume is much higher playing music via CD or USB. That's just common sense though. Of course there will be a loss of audio quality. The songs from a iPhone if from iTunes will always be less quality because they compress the files so you can fit more music on it. Then you factor in the audio quality loss from streaming.

This loss in volume streaming Bluetooth is much more obvious when doing this test driving down the road with some windows down. Doing the test this way you will quickly see the difference in volume and and audio quality. You almost can not hear the stereo at full volume with the windows down streaming Bluetooth.

Hope that helps!

I understand completely. Thanks very much. Appreciate it!

Rawyzf · April 26, 2016

Set the Fade to +1 to the rear speakers. It helps balance them out.

This is exactly where I have found the sweet spot too.

I am still playing with the Bass (+1), Treble (+3), Mid settings (+2), to find a good setting.

Donolie · April 27, 2016

Has anyone with a regular cab tried this? I contacted Kicker about getting everything except the harness but they don't offer anything for the regular cab

GS340 · May 18, 2016

Anyone done the upgrade with the 2016 I0B radio? Kicker lists the sub and amp kit as not compatible with I0B / IOB.... I guess I0B has an amp with the new 7 inch screen.

Edited May 18, 2016 by GS340