Need Wiring Help

ncsurr · Newbie Joined: 10 Feb 2009 Posts: 10

Hey guys, I am a newb when it comes to stereo wiring and I want to add a Kicker KMT6 to my existing stock stereo setup on my 2002 vlx in the center of my tower. My existing setup is:

Head unit: JVC KD-SX870
http://support.jvc.com/consumer/product.jsp?modelId=MODL026420&pathId=54&page=2&archive=true

Amp: JVC KS-AX6350
http://support.jvc.com/consumer/product.jsp?modelId=MODL026854&pathId=64&page=2&archive=true

Interior Speakers: 4-Infinity 62m 70w RMS (two in dash, two in rear)

Existing Tower Speakers: 2 JL Audio TR series 6.5's in Cans 50w RMS

Sub: 10" Infinity Basslink (built in 240w amp)

Ideally I would like to just add the KMT6 tower speakers to the existing setup but I don't see how I can do that and power them enough. Is there a way I can add these speakers and possibly another amp to power them with my existing head unit. If so, how would I wire it all. I want to keep it as budget concious as possible. Thanks guys.

jonyb · Addict Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 844 City: Paducah

Unless you power 2 of the boat speakers by the head unit, you can't power everything from the amp. You could use 2 channels of the amp to power the tower's, then the other 2 channels to power the boat speakers, but you'll need another amp for the subs. Speakers powered by the head unit, mixed with amplified speakers sounds horrible.

ncsurr · Newbie Joined: 10 Feb 2009 Posts: 10

The sub has an internal amp so it wouldn't need an additional amp I don't think.

jonyb · Addict Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 844 City: Paducah

Sorry, I missed that. You'll be fine with the 4-channel

Brit Rider · Posted: Mar 25, 2009 8:50 am Post subject:

ncsurr, You could just chuck the KMT6 speakers right on, but they won't be getting much power.

What I'd do is bridge the JVC amp, this will mean unscrewing the speaker wire that comes out of the channels right now and putting 2 channels to each tower speaker.

You'll then want to find a new 4 channel amp for the in boat speakers, either another JVC unit or similar.

Alot comes down to budget - the above suggests the cheapest route, there are far superior methods but they'll cost more $$$

brotherbrown831 · Outlaw Joined: 26 May 2008 Posts: 154 City: Oklahoma City

I had a similar setup, I used two 600W 4-channel amps. I bridged one amp down to two channels that pushed 150w RMS, which is perfect for the KMT6 speakers. Then I wired the other AMP to each of the four cabin speakers, one speaker per channel. I ran RCA from the deck to each amp. The Tower amp is using the rear RCA outputs and the boat speakers use the front RCA's. That way I can control how much sound goes to the tower and the boat individually. Having two amps really made this a lot easier.

ncsurr · Newbie Joined: 10 Feb 2009 Posts: 10

Okay so I think I understand. I can run my interior speakers off the amp I have, then pick up another 4 channel amp. On the new amp I can bridge 2 channels to push 150W RMS to the Kicker KMT6 and use the other two channels to run the JL's. Is there a decent 4 channel amp for under $100 that can do this?

brotherbrown831 · Outlaw Joined: 26 May 2008 Posts: 154 City: Oklahoma City

I used a Sony ZR604. its under a hundred bucks right now. But on my set up it takes all four channels to run the KMT6's. What bridge channels 1 and 2 into one channel and wire that to one speaker pod. Then bridge channels 3 and 4 to the other speaker pod. This does not leave you any more channels to run your JL's off of that amp.

Since your JL's only need 50w RMS I would steal a channel from your other amp. Maybe run your front speakers in series off of one channel instead of each speaker getting its own channel. That would free up a channel and you could run your JL's in series off of that.

AMP 1 (front pre-amp output)
ch1&2 -> KMT6#1
ch3&4 -> KMT6#2

AMP2 (rear pre-amp output)
ch1 -> back left
ch2 -> back right
ch3 -> front left and right (series)
ch4 -> tower JL cans (series)

ncsurr · Newbie Joined: 10 Feb 2009 Posts: 10

I am only getting one KMT6 pod, but I get the idea. Thanks.

brotherbrown831 · Outlaw Joined: 26 May 2008 Posts: 154 City: Oklahoma City

Oh then yeah even easier, substitue the KMT6#2 for the JL's

Brit Rider · Posted: Mar 25, 2009 11:04 am Post subject:

ncsurr, Why only 1? You know they come in pairs right?

ncsurr · Newbie Joined: 10 Feb 2009 Posts: 10

brotherbrown831 · Outlaw Joined: 26 May 2008 Posts: 154 City: Oklahoma City

even better, i bought two pods, (i.e 4 speakers) for $198 from tektronics.com

ncsurr · Newbie Joined: 10 Feb 2009 Posts: 10

awesome, I will look into that.

Brit Rider · Posted: Mar 25, 2009 2:53 pm Post subject:

ncsurr, Yup, the come as a pair (2 pods)... it's actually 6 speakers in total - 4 mid-bass drivers and 2 horn tweeters.

They are a steal for the money.