!System check!

[Axela3z]

is it possible to hook up 1 12 inch sub and 500W amp to my stock indash deck??? if so how? and how big of a bucher job is it going to be?? will i be able to put in back to normal again??

[S.F.W.]

it's pretty simple, no hack job required. Get yourself a good line out converter, and the required wiring. Should be pretty simple.

[3GFX]

I'm running it right here! It works, but don't expect to be ultra satisfied. Keep in mind your stock deck doesn't put out a lot of juice. You could even save money and use a lower powered amp. It will work though, and it will kick just not as good as with an aftermarket deck.

[TheProfessor]

If you get a good quality LOC there shouldn't be any noticable difference between it and an aftermarket deck in sub sonic frequencies.

[b]

+1 I used to have a setup that way and I was pleased with the output.

[Broli]

i had it set up like that once, it was pretty good

[TheProfessor]

I just want to be clear on my comment above.....a good LOC will not sound different than an aftermarket deck when comparing subsonic frequencies. If you were to compare them based on full range, the aftermarket deck will sound better. The only way to retain the factory head unit and have aftermarket like sound quality is to add a device like JL Audio's cleansweep.

[cereal83]

Well what kind of LOC do you guys suggest, I will be adding a subwoofer and amp into my car as soon as I get it so I guess I should start buying some stuff.

Also, can I just wire the LOC into the back speakers or is it rear door speakers or do I just wire it in from behind the stock head unit?

[3GFX]

There are different types. There are pne's for 50$ that simply just are a line out. Then there are options up to 400$ that actually act like a seperate amp and boost the signal, so in fact you're getting more power to the speakers much like an aftermarket deck. Its up to you.

[TheProfessor]

Many Mazda3 owners, myself included, use the Navone Engineering units. I have a four channel unit in each of our cars and so far they have worked perfectly. Customer service and technical support is also amazing. Price is very competitive too.

[Broli]

+1 for Navone, thats what i used!

[aznkid.com]

That's how I have mine setup.. I ended up using a crappy Stinger LOC but it works fine for what I need

[swales]

Many Mazda3 owners, myself included, use the Navone Engineering units. I have a four channel unit in each of our cars and so far they have worked perfectly. Customer service and technical support is also amazing. Price is very competitive too.

+1 for Navone. Great product and doesn't cost much

[Hives]

I used to run one 12 with a 800 watt (340 rms) amp to my factory deck. I hated it! Sounded like I threw in a pair of 6x9s. There wasen't that much bass at all. I changed my factory deck about after a month, and there was a HUGE difference. I guess it depends on what kind of bass you want, whether its just a lil boom, or some earth shaking bass.

[Gizzmo_jr]

Where could I get a Navone LOC? Link?

[TheProfessor]

Where could I get a Navone LOC? Link?

I purchased mine from: http://www.davidnavone.com/

[Gizzmo_jr]

NE-774V and just use the rears to my amp?

[TheProfessor]

That's the one I have, though I'm using all four channels. I would suggest picking up the four channel regardless as you may find down the road you want the extra two channels and it's not a big difference in terms of price.

[Gizzmo_jr]

Thank you very much, $41US shipped and ordered.

[cereal83]

I used to run one 12 with a 800 watt (340 rms) amp to my factory deck. I hated it!

Thats because a amp that says 800 watt and like 200 watt rms is usually a very cheap amp like Legacy/Pyle/Sony/Pioneer

Get something like JBL,JL,Kicker,Xtant, Zapco and I am sure it will sound good, even through a LOC

[cereal83]

I purchased mine from: http://www.davidnavone.com/

They are in the US are they not?? Anywhere in Canada?

[TheProfessor]

You can sometimes find them used on sites like eBay or www.canadiancaraudio.com, but for the most part you're stuck buying from the US. Due to the low value though it shouldn't be too much of a headache.

[baymoe]

For someone like myself who knows next to nothing in car audio, how would one hook up a unit like the NE-774V and what is the main purpose of this unit? On top of that, if for example, I already have an aftermarket deck, would this unit still benefit me or would the rca outputs on the aftermarket deck already ready to hook up to an amplifier?

[b]

I had a different one... but you would use it to wire into your factory deck wire harness and this would allow you to run rca's back to an amp, & then connect your sub.

If you have an aftermarket deck with rca's, you do not need this.

[cereal83]

So you have to wire it up at the back of the deck and run the cables back to the trunk?

In my fist car (Neon) I just ran it from the back speakers into the trunk.

edit:

Also, would the 2 channel one be good enough for just 1 amp or do I just go with the 4 channel?

[Gizzmo_jr]

4 channel would just prep you for if you wanna go powered speakers all around in the doors. That's why I got it.

[TheProfessor]

For someone like myself who knows next to nothing in car audio, how would one hook up a unit like the NE-774V and what is the main purpose of this unit? On top of that, if for example, I already have an aftermarket deck, would this unit still benefit me or would the rca outputs on the aftermarket deck already ready to hook up to an amplifier?

If your aftermarket deck is not super old (i.e. newer than 10 years) you probably don't need a LOC as your deck should have at least one pair of RCA pre-outs. As for needing to run a seperate amp, it's not necessary, but it will sound better than simply using the power off the deck. Typically head units only put out 50-60watts MAX (rms is closer to 20-25). With an external amp you can run much more power to each speaker.

[-RJ3-]

is it possible to hook up 1 12 inch sub and 500W amp to my stock indash deck??? if so how? and how big of a bucher job is it going to be?? will i be able to put in back to normal again??

I was in the same situation as you where last summer... Seriously save the bucks and buy a head unit.... You'll be glad you did (I sound like an infomerical)... It will open the power of the Amp and Speakers/Sub...

[Axela3z]

geez

i like the factory deck in the 3! i want to leave it the way it is and do it. I have an alpine type s sub its a 12..what amp should i used with the factory deck? or do u say that i shoud really go with a an aftermarket deck if i want better quality, harder punch.

[CoolColombian]

You can hook up any amp you want, mono, 2 Ch, 4 Ch, 5 Ch, all you need is a LOC, (Line Out Converter) to bring the audio signal from the factory deck to the amp.
If you want a harder punch you must upgrade you sub or the amp. Other than that, the factory unit will do the job.

[BLKOUT]

I have the factory deck with an amp, sub, and also replaced stock speakers. My question is, will an aftermarket deck make a noticable difference?

[TheProfessor]

Realistically an aftermarket deck should sound better. Whether or not that improvement is worth messing with the ergonomics and losing certain features is up to you. My suggestion would be to go to a meet and listen to a few members cars who have each style and see if that helps.

[Axela3z]

great thread