Aftermarket audio, subs, amps, speakers, w/ factory HU

[sinnerz]

Hey guys! Newish to the forum and hoping I can get some of my questions answered here about an aftermarket stereo I am trying to piece together in my 2014 Sierra Denali 6.2L w/ Factory Blose...

 

Here is what I have so far:

(2) JL Audio 12TW3-D4's

(1) Alpine M110 (1 Ohm stable @ 800 watts)

(1) Audio Controls LC7i LOC

 

Here is what I still need so I am looking from some suggestions on speakers that will play nice with my JL subs I already have.

 

Speakers to replace the front and rear doors..components or no??

Probably just leave the 2.5" drives in the dash alone

4CH Amp for the door speakers (looking to stick w/ Alpine so maybe the MRX-F65)

 

Also, I am a newb when it comes to factory integration with Blose so I am hoping I am on the right track. It is my assumption that with the LC7i I can tap the speaker wires out of the factory bose amp that are distributed to the speakers into the appropriate channels, then from there, RCA's out to the aftermarket amps. Basically getting your self an amplified signal into the LC7i. Any info on this would be greatly appreciated. Also, it seems I will need to disable the ANC mics to eliminate any unwanted noise.

 

I believe it will be easiest for me to obtain the correct amount of volume to mount the subs up-firing. I haven't built the sub box yet, so I would love to hear from people what the pros and cons to down/up firing are in a crew cab pickup.

 

Thanks!!

[hotboxn]

I would go with a component setup (tweets replacing the dash speakers & 6.5 driver replacing the door) with coax in the rear. I'm currently having a 3-way setup installed in my 14 and picking up the truck tomorrow. I removed the rear speakers as they are just there for fill anyway. Depending on how high quality you want to go in terms of mid & highs, I recommend Audison and Hertz. If you're trying to stay on a budget, the Energy line is a good choice. High Energy is great though, but will need an efficient amp to push them. Hertz HDP4 or something of that nature. If you're really looking for quality, you can go the route that I did:

Audison Bit Ten D (similar to your LOC, but with a few more options)
Audison Voce AV51K 5 channel amp
Audison Voce 6.5's (running active off rear channels)
Audison Voce 3's & 1's (running passive with a mid/tweet crossover)
JL Audio 10w6v3 in a custom made armrest between the rear seat area

I'm a big fan of Audison and how the recreate the sound. For your sub, i'd def do downfiring. Firing in to cushion can tone the subs down. Firing off the floor boards seems to do better in terms of audio.

[sinnerz]

I would go with a component setup (tweets replacing the dash speakers & 6.5 driver replacing the door) with coax in the rear. I'm currently having a 3-way setup installed in my 14 and picking up the truck tomorrow. I removed the rear speakers as they are just there for fill anyway. Depending on how high quality you want to go in terms of mid & highs, I recommend Audison and Hertz. If you're trying to stay on a budget, the Energy line is a good choice. High Energy is great though, but will need an efficient amp to push them. Hertz HDP4 or something of that nature. If you're really looking for quality, you can go the route that I did:

 

Audison Bit Ten D (similar to your LOC, but with a few more options)

Audison Voce AV51K 5 channel amp

Audison Voce 6.5's (running active off rear channels)

Audison Voce 3's & 1's (running passive with a mid/tweet crossover)

JL Audio 10w6v3 in a custom made armrest between the rear seat area

 

I'm a big fan of Audison and how the recreate the sound. For your sub, i'd def do downfiring. Firing in to cushion can tone the subs down. Firing off the floor boards seems to do better in terms of audio.

 

Thanks for your input! I have been looking at Audison, Focal, and M/B Quartz. You will have to let me know how yours turns out.

 

I see a lot of 3-way component setups include a 6.5", 4" and a tweet. Do you think the 4" will fit up in the dash location and then I could fab something in the pillar for the tweet?

[hotboxn]

I would stay clear of MB Quart these days. When they were bought out years ago, their quality went down the crapper. I sell both Audison and Focal. Both would be great choices. We also have Hertz and JL Audio and your typical Alpine/Pioneer/etc. brands.

I'm having them put the AV30 (3") and AV11 (1") in the factory dash location under the grill. It'd be tough to fit a 4" and tweet up there, but prob doable with some slight modification of the plastic under the grill.

I was sent a few messages through text about an hour ago, but want to see & hear it in person before posting. I also ended up pulling the radio since mine is a base model Sierra w/ the crappy small screen and having a double din Kenwood Excelon touch screen installed. It's nice that it has 4 volt preouts, so i'll be getting nice clean signal to the Bit Ten processor.

[sinnerz]

Right on, thanks again for your input. My search tonight has landed me with Focal at the moment, but as you know that can change 10 times over. You should PM a price of that Audison component setup you're rocking, that would be awesome.

 

One thing I am really hung up on is the way I wire in the LOC, in my case the LC7i. If anyone has a wiring diagram for the stock bose amp, that would be helpful. I just don't understand all the ins and outs between the LOC, stock amp, replacement speakers, and aftermarket amps...starting to wish I had all this stuff in front of me. I just want to make sure I have everything on hand when it comes time to install.

[austingta]

Right on, thanks again for your input. My search tonight has landed me with Focal at the moment, but as you know that can change 10 times over. You should PM a price of that Audison component setup you're rocking, that would be awesome.

 

One thing I am really hung up on is the way I wire in the LOC, in my case the LC7i. If anyone has a wiring diagram for the stock bose amp, that would be helpful. I just don't understand all the ins and outs between the LOC, stock amp, replacement speakers, and aftermarket amps...starting to wish I had all this stuff in front of me. I just want to make sure I have everything on hand when it comes time to install.

It is very different to upgrade these Bose systems...it sounds like you are just going to remove the 2000.00 factory audio system except the head unit/modules, whatever it is now. Is that your plan?

 

I'm thinking a hybrid upgrade may be the way I'll go. I have done a total rework of the last two trucks I've had, but this thing just sounds too good to ditch. I do have the 6 inch console sub.

[hotboxn]

I heard the Bose and to many I'm sure it's fine, but to someone that comes from the audio world, it has some major downfalls. I PM'd you Sinnerz. I believe the following wiring to be correct for bose:

1st plug far right side:

Red +

Black -

Blue/grey sub

Yellows left front

Blue/brown right front


2nd plug from the right

White/ blue right rear

Brown/purple right tweeter

yellows left tweeter

greens left rear

[sinnerz]

Yeah, augstingta - the Bose just doesn't do it for me. This highs are pretty flat for my taste and the mids just aren't there either. Being into higher end audio my entire life, it's just not cutting the mustard... If their amps weren't so weak and their speakers weren't running those goofy ohms (impedance), I would love to just replace the speakers but we all know that's not possible.

[sinnerz]

Well guys, with the help of hotboxn I believe we have put together a pretty nice setup. I'll post pics of the sub enclosure if any of you guys care to see how its coming as I get going on it. Need to give the back seat a lift kit for some added space, but overall dimensions so far are 54" wide and 16 1/2" deep. But here is the list I already have and will be ordering:

 

Audison Bit Ten w/ DRC

Hertz HSK 163 3-way components

Hertz HCK 165 coaxials

Alpine PDX-F6 150x4 @ 4 ohms

Alpine MRX-M110 800x1 @ 1 ohm

2 JL 12TW3-D4's

Custom sealed enclosure under the rear seat

[sinnerz]

Got going on the box tonight, playing with some kerfing to get the right profile to match the rear seat.

 

 

[sinnerz]

Got the sides trimmed, back built, and the keft joints fiberglassed, then a coat of durglas over the top.

 

Here are some pics to show the profile, these trucks are by far the most tricky.

 

[Gatorboy112]

You have the subs installed yet? Very curious to see how you do this!

[sinnerz]

You have the subs installed yet? Very curious to see how you do this!

Finished up the box this weekend, sub's are in! Just need to throw in a terminal cup and wrap in carpet or leather..haven't decided yet.

[Gatorboy112]

Awesome. Looks good! So the subs, are they going to be facing straight down or up?

[sinnerz]

Thanks gator. Yeah, they will be firing down into the floor.