Novice Questions about Sound System

[Fannon]

Hello everyone.

First I'd just like to say I hope I joined the right website. I know it says GMC Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade. I'm hoping the 2005 Suburban can fit in this catagory since it's pretty much the same as the Tahoe.

The SUV itself is the 2005 Suburban 1500 LS 4dr 5.3L V8 with Bose system and Navigation system.

I'm hoping to just find out everything I'll need to know (And purchase) to completely install a new system, as well as to information on the system itself.

After reading some posts and googling, this is what I've thought so far.


Stereo: Pioneer DEH-X6600BT
Sub Woofer: Kicker CompVR 07CVR154 15-Inch 4-Ohm DVC Subwoofer (Or should I just go with 1 15"?)
Box: R/T 300 Enclosure Series 328-15 Kicker
Amp: Unsure, still trying to figure it out.

My questions,

I'm not sure if I understand the ohm voice coils. The Kicker has 4 ohm at 500 Watts, so I think that means with two Kicker 15's I want an amp that does 1000 Watts at 1 ohm?

What sort of installation kits/wire harness will I need to get in order to install the stereo?

What sort of wire will need to be used to run from the battery to the Amp?

I'm completely open to suggestions on what you think would be the best route to go, thanks!

---------- Post added at 08:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:15 PM ----------

Also forgot to add, I was rummaging through Amazon at their packages and these two have the subs and amps together, would that be a better route? I'm not really sure what the difference between them is.

2) KICKER C154 Comp 15" 1000 Watt 2 Ohm Car Subwoofers Combo +Amplifier+Amp Kit

2) Kicker C15D4 15" 1200W Subwoofers + Boss AR2500M 2500W Amplifier + Amp Kit

 

[04whitetahoe]

1. I'm not sure if I understand the ohm voice coils.

2. What sort of installation kits/wire harness will I need to get in order to install the stereo?

3. What sort of wire will need to be used to run from the battery to the Amp?

Hey Daniel, I will not profess to be any kind of expert on the subject of audio setups, there are members here that are in audio competitions - with set ups worth more than what you could buy a used Tahoe for, so there's quite a bit of expertise out there on the subject.

That being said, since I have been upgrading my sound system too, so I've been going through the same stuff you are.

1. On the question of voice coils, the sites below have good information on the subject -

I bought a dual voice coil 2 OHM sub, so when I wire it according to the chart, down to 1ohm, my 750 watt amp rated at 1 ohm will be a match.

Check out the site, it's great for understanding sub woofer wiring and matching to your amp.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-S8mrvgLU4cI/learn/learningcenter/car/subwoofers_wiring.html

This one really rocks: http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/rftech/woofer_wizard.asp#


2. That depends if you are Onstar with Bose, Onstar without Bose, etc. If you have steering wheel controls, if you want to use them with your new system?


I have an 04 Tahoe with OnStar, without Bose, so I bought a Crux SOOGM-15 that allows me to retain my steering wheel controls and On Star - but your specific application may take something different.


Again look at the Crutchfield site to see what they recommend, then Google search to find the best price on the specific product you want.


3. Wiring - There's many opinions regarding what is the "best" brand of wire, but there are some general things that are universal.


Oxygen free copper is better (also more expensive) than CCA (copper clad aluminum)

More strands make the wire more flexible and easier to run.

Larger gauge (thicker wire) is better (has less resistance) than smaller wire.

See: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-0Lfzm2vJlPE/learn/learningcenter/home/speakers_wire.html


I read many threads, many reviews and asked the advice of who I could. I personally chose KnuKonceptz premium wiring, but there are other companies that put out excellent products too that are very similar (some would argue better).


You do have to choose something and some won't agree with your choice - oh well!

I'm running a 1/0 gauge wire from my battery to a distribution point where I'll go 4Gauge to power my amps. Some will run 2 separate 4 gauge wires from the battery to power 2 amps. From my readings, there are "experts" that do it both ways, so either way (in my opinion) is fine. You want to fuse it according to what your amp requires.


There's something called the "big 3 upgrade" that I encourage you to do, you will lean about wires, fuses, wiring gauges and more just doing that.


Google big 3 upgrade and search the forums about it. I have done it so look at my threads and you'll find discussion on it.

 

[Fannon]

Thanks for your information, those websites look like they'll help out with my wire questions.

I have Bose with Onstar and steering wheel buttons, so I'll want to be able to continue to use those.

Just out of curiosity, the two links I posted at the bottom of my first post, would you consider those to be decent deals? I'm really not sure, I just know I've heard a few Kicker CVR systems and liked their sounds the most so that's sort of what I'm focusing on.

 

[YukonXL04]

Kicker CVR subs are fine, just overpriced compared to other brands. But for some they are a "tried and true" brand I guess. HOWEVER Those are not CVR's they are just Comps, and they are pretty weak I think. That is a horrible deal considering the subs and amp. Do not buy any thing Boss, Pyle, Lanzar, or Pyramid lol.

 

[Fannon]

Yeah you're right about the COMP not being CVR. I just didn't know if they we're worth anything, what you say makes me think no though. I guess I just thought since they we're Kicker they might be about the same as CVR's, good to know they aren't.

What about the 07CVR154 15". Any advice with it?

 

[HortonHiresAHoe]

Kicker CVR subs are fine, just overpriced compared to other brands. But for some they are a "tried and true" brand I guess. HOWEVER Those are not CVR's they are just Comps, and they are pretty weak I think. That is a horrible deal considering the subs and amp. Do not buy any thing Boss, Pyle, Lanzar, or Pyramid lol.

^^ This is good advice.

 

[ccapehartusarmyINF.(ret)]

okay if your hazy on ohms just remember
wiring in series you add resistance 2 4 ohm subs wired in series gives final load of 8 ohnm wiring in parallel lowers resistance 2 4 ohms subs in parallel gives you a 2 ohm load 2 4ohm dual voice coil subs gives you a 1 ohm load
also if your hazy on dual voice coil and single voice coil
and DVC just offers more wiring options
series and parallel wiring as well as series/parallel