upgrading sound with amp - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

nonuro · 10-26-2008, 04:11 PM

Who has installed their own under dash sub( smartmadness) with an amp? I am thinking of going with a 200 watt amp,the JBL woofer and at a later date a Pioneer FH800BT headunit.I did the door speakers with 651's already.I have to do it in stages and thought the sub/amp first then the radio. How hard was the wiring? Did you use the factory wire harness? Can I get some pointers on wiring? Should I have it done by a pro? Should I do the headunit first?I haven't changed out a radio since 1989 and boy have things changed!
At some point I would like to install speakers in the rear pillars so should I use a 2 or 4 channel amp?

Turbo42 · 10-26-2008, 04:55 PM

I would do the head unit first bc you will add more amps to your exsiting speakers with the new unit.

cubefx · 10-26-2008, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babybenz

I would do the head unit first bc you will add more amps to your exsiting speakers with the new unit.

Yep, agree 100%.
You will need to upgrade you headunit first.

CUBE

nonuro · 10-26-2008, 06:07 PM

That's what I was thinking just wasn't sure. Thanks for the advice! Cubefx, what do you think of the pioneer p800 headunit?

cubefx · 10-26-2008, 06:08 PM

I will recommend ALPINE PDX 4.100 amp. you can use two front channels to power your POLKs (100W RMS each) and bridge two rears for the subwoofer (200W RMS). If you will add rear speakers, you can power them from rear channel of your headunit. I might do DIY in the couple of month for the AMP install.

CUBE

cubefx · 10-26-2008, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonuro

That's what I was thinking just wasn't sure. Thanks for the advice! Cubefx, what do you think of the pioneer p800 headunit?

I got FH-P8000BT and loving it. Only difference is that FH-P800 have PREMIER emblem instead PIONEER and have two years warranty instead standard one year.

CUBE

SunDiego · 10-26-2008, 06:46 PM

The Alpine amp that Cube mentioned is a pretty good amp. I went with the 4-channel MTX Audio 420w amp. If I remember correctly someone installed the P800BT head unit... Definitely get the head unit done first. Good luck!

nonuro · 10-28-2008, 08:47 AM

OK, I bought the Pioneer unit and a "kit" from autoware302 on E-Bay. I am watching a polk 8" sub but will get the box from 4smartcar. I would like to install the sub and amp myself(in the spring)so can anyone point me to a very detailed install either basic or,much prefered,smart car specific?