Installing Alpine amp with stock head unit

[acprkit]

Hi

I have a 2007 Camry with the stock 6 speaker audio setup. I am in the process of replacing the speakers with Alpine type S, which could use more power to drive them than the head unit provides.

Here's my question: Is it possible to install an aftermarket Alpine MRP-F300 amp to power the current 6 speaker setup, while keeping the original head unit? Or would I have to install an aftermarket headunit designed to output to an amp?

Thanks!

[aznlunatic206]

You will need a nice converter to convert the stock headunit speaker output into rca's. I would suggest a MTX reQ5 sound processor which will take your factory radio signal, clean it up and convert it to rca's for your 4 channel amp im assuming your getting.

mtx reQ5, you can find better deals if you look around this is just for reference:

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...3C-sup%3E.html

also to make your wiring easy i would suggest getting this speed wire that has all 4 channel of speaker wire in one run of wire to amp in back. while other end will go to the factory headunit area where you would terminate the speaker connection to the factory headunit and connect them to the new speed wire which runs to the amp in the rear or where ever you placed your amp. Or you can just run all new wiring.

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...DWM9-20FT.html

[acprkit]

Thanks for your reply

So if I'm following you correctly, I would run rca's from the HU to the amp, then the amp would output to the speakers?

WOuld it be better to put the amp in the trunk or under the front passenger seat?

[aznlunatic206]

yup, putting the amp in the trunk will be less work or under the seat if you wanna take out your seat and run wires under it. its your choice.

[CamrySExxx]

Originally Posted by acprkit

Hi

I have a 2007 Camry with the stock 6 speaker audio setup. I am in the process of replacing the speakers with Alpine type S, which could use more power to drive them than the head unit provides.

Here's my question: Is it possible to install an aftermarket Alpine MRP-F300 amp to power the current 6 speaker setup, while keeping the original head unit? Or would I have to install an aftermarket headunit designed to output to an amp?

Thanks!

I see your using a 4ch amp, so which alpine type s speakers are you looking at ? Coaxials or components? size? and for the front or rear.

If your looking at 6x9 type-s for the rear I would honestly recommend you to forget about it and put your money into a nice set of components for your front stage speakers. You will mainly hear the front speakers and the rears are usually for filling the emptyness in the rear or for passengers but you mainly hear the front, hearing the rear will result in poor imaging. The human ear isnt designed to hear music from behind that well, hence why front speakers will be a better option for better quality.

I recently upgraded the front speakers to 6.5" alpine type-r components feeding them 125+wrms and I couldnt be happier with the results, I was always afraid of popping the door panel off and installing front speakers due to the difficulty compared to the rear speakers. Ive been debating it over 2 years and I cant believe i didnt do it sooner. Front components will always be my first upgrade when I get a new car.

Also powering your stock speakers with the amp is not a good idea, the stock speakers require very little power to drive them, and the headunit supplies just enough for them, so more power would probably blow them, if not the speakers are pretty low quality, i wouldnt expect that great of sound from them.

Originally Posted by aznlunatic206

You will need a nice converter to convert the stock headunit speaker output into rca's. I would suggest a MTX reQ5 sound processor which will take your factory radio signal, clean it up and convert it to rca's for your 4 channel amp im assuming your getting.

mtx reQ5, you can find better deals if you look around this is just for reference:

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...3C-sup%3E.html


also to make your wiring easy i would suggest getting this speed wire that has all 4 channel of speaker wire in one run of wire to amp in back. while other end will go to the factory headunit area where you would terminate the speaker connection to the factory headunit and connect them to the new speed wire which runs to the amp in the rear or where ever you placed your amp. Or you can just run all new wiring.

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...DWM9-20FT.html

Something like this would work or a JL clean sweep, but if you dont want to spend this much you can get a very basic line out converter for under $20, or use the level inputs on your amp if it has it.

There are a few problems I see with the wire you recommended. Its 22awg which is fairly small. And connecting 22awg wire from the trunk to the headunit to the stock wiring which is already fairly small isnt the best idea for getting better sound quality. Think about this, running 22awg from the trunk to the headunit, and from there connecting it to something similar to 22awg(stock wire) which runs the distance back to the amp. If your upgrading your speakers you might as well run new wire. Just my opinion. I recently ran new 12ga speaker wire all around, didnt take much longer. I had the extra cross overs and tweeters to wire but it took maybe an extra hour to do the whole car.

Originally Posted by acprkit

Thanks for your reply

So if I'm following you correctly, I would run rca's from the HU to the amp, then the amp would output to the speakers?

WOuld it be better to put the amp in the trunk or under the front passenger seat?

Or you can run the rca's from your sound processor where ever you decide to mount it , or use a basic line out converter, or the line input and use the speaker wires from the rear speakers.
As for location , its up to you. running it under the seat might take more work to make it a clean install. I recently mounted two behind the fold down seats in the rear and one amp under the driver seat and 2 crossover under the passenger seat. Definately more work under the seat but its a bit more hidden I guess.

anyways good luck with your install