After Market Audio using Factory HU

[Kiwi]

Hi all,

I know this type of thread has been sent around before but I'm not asking how it can be done... I'm more interested in hearing the results of doing it.

So for those people who are using aftermarket amps/EQ's in their Euro (I have an '06) but are still using the factory HU by the use of a LOC (Line Out Converter), can you please reply with details on the results. I'd be keen on hearing what type of LOC you used, how it was configured ie. off the rear speakers... and your thoughts on the SQ ie. any system/alternator noise at all.

I'm about to put a lot of gear in my car, using the factory HU and dont want to spend the time and $$$ on installing it if I'm not going to be happy with the results.

Thanks in advance :)

[tony1234]

[QUOTE=Kiwi]Hi all,

I know this type of thread has been sent around before but I'm not asking how it can be done... I'm more interested in hearing the results of doing it.

So for those people who are using aftermarket amps/EQ's in their Euro (I have an '06) but are still using the factory HU by the use of a LOC (Line Out Converter), can you please reply with details on the results. I'd be keen on hearing what type of LOC you used, how it was configured ie. off the rear speakers... and your thoughts on the SQ ie. any system/alternator noise at all.

I'm about to put a lot of gear in my car, using the factory HU and dont want to spend the time and $$$ on installing it if I'm not going to be happy with the results.
I've done it and i'm happy with the result.I had it done by Precision at Blakehurst in Sydney.Don't know type of LOC.The amp is an Alpine 4 channel 50wRMS.I have a 10'' Kenwood sub powererd by 2 channel(bridged)120wRMS in sealed enclosure in boot.No alt. noise at all!My tip.Leave it to the pros.It wasn't cheap(had my car for 2 days)sealed/insulated doors parcel shelf etc..But result was worth it!If u r in Sydney PM me and u can check it out!aaronng has heard it.Ask him what he thinks.:thumbsup:

[Kiwi]

PM sent, thanks Tony.

Anyone else ? :)

[tony1234]

PM sent, thanks Tony.

Anyone else ? :)
To my knowledge no one else on this forum has modded their sound system.Am i right???

[yfin]

To my knowledge no one else on this forum has modded their sound system.Am i right???

nah, plenty of people have done it - just most people fit a new head unit.

[tony1234]

nah, plenty of people have done it - just most people fit a new head unit.
What i should have said is hardly any people have modded their sound system using the factory head unit!!!

[euro69]

yeah i done mine awhile back.
im running Bostons splits in the front, and pioneer splits in the rear.
a 5 channel sounstream Tarantula amp and 2x 10" JL audio subs. all in a factory headunit.
sounds not to bad

[tony1234]

yeah i done mine awhile back.
im running Bostons splits in the front, and pioneer splits in the rear.
a 5 channel sounstream Tarantula amp and 2x 10" JL audio subs. all in a factory headunit.
sounds not to bad
Great euro69.Is there anyone else???

[euro77]

I've used my stock HU with LOC, connected 2 audison amps, with 1 sub and a pair of focal splits for front (stock rear). Very happy with the result. GL Audio Pro in Essendon did mine.

[BusterSonic12]

so by using LOC. i can keep using my factory HU? do i need to look for amp with LOC or something like that?

[tony1234]

so by using LOC. i can keep using my factory HU? do i need to look for amp with LOC or something like that?
No i don't think.I used amps that were 3yrs.old but check with a car sound guy who knows what he's doing!

[euro77]

No, you don't need to find an amp with LOC. LOC is a separate component, it basically taps into your speaker line coming out of the factory unit, and your amp connects to this LOC using their standard RCA (?) connector.

This is an example of a LOC:
http://www.audiooutfitter.com/images/items/43750-sisloc80.jpg

see those cables, they are used to tap into the stock HU speaker lines, then the other end, the RCA (?) connectors, are for your amp to plug into.

Of course the best quality would be from not using this LOC, meaning an aftermarket HU which has dedicated output for amplifiers.

These days some company has a better hardware for this (not exactly sure what they are called), an example would be the Rockford Fosgate 360 and the Alpine VehicleHub. I like the 360 as the hardware is hidden, and you can adjust it by using a palm pilot connected to the hardware via bluetooth.

[Kiwi]

Thanks for the feedback,

I know how the LOC works and that you can many different types. I was just interested in hearing real experiences rather than 'oh, I've heard this one is the best'. Each car would sound different, so what better way than to ask on here for with people with Euro's :).

It's all a cost/benefit really. I mean I'm sure the Rockford and Audiocontol units are good, but are they really better as a LOC. I mean they are used for eq'ing as well and I dont need that because i already have an eq. :

Im weighing up the ones from Navone ($40), Peripheral ($90)or Alpine ($50)which apparently might all work OK. Only problem is I'm used to running my gear in comps, so have high expectations on sq. I'm not going to change the HU though, so am just checking out whether its worth installing all the gear if I'm not going to be happy with the results :). So long as it doesnt introduce a noticeable noise then I'd be pretty happy.

Thanks again for all the replies :)

[tony1234]

Thanks for the feedback,

I know how the LOC works and that you can many different types. I was just interested in hearing real experiences rather than 'oh, I've heard this one is the best'. Each car would sound different, so what better way than to ask on here for with people with Euro's :).

It's all a cost/benefit really. I mean I'm sure the Rockford and Audiocontol units are good, but are they really better as a LOC. I mean they are used for eq'ing as well and I dont need that because i already have an eq. :

Im weighing up the ones from Navone ($40), Peripheral ($90)or Alpine ($50)which apparently might all work OK. Only problem is I'm used to running my gear in comps, so have high expectations on sq. I'm not going to change the HU though, so am just checking out whether its worth installing all the gear if I'm not going to be happy with the results :). So long as it doesnt introduce a noticeable noise then I'd be pretty happy.

Thanks again for all the replies :)
You've seen the gear i've got in mine in a previous post and all i can say is that i have NO alt. noise at all.Even when vol is on 0 with A/C on.

[Kiwi]

Yeah thanks Tony,

I called Precision yesterday and they said that they use the Peripheral SVEN ones, so I assume thats what you had installed by them. Thats the same one that my Audio shop recommends so I'll probably go with that one I think.. is about $90 for the 2 channel or $150 for the 4 channel.

Any chance of some pics of your install?

PS. I'll be making a fibreglass sub box for a single 10. It will be in the right hand rear corner of the boot. I'll probably take a mould of it in case anyone else is keen for one? I'll take some pics once its completed... will be 2-pac'ing it in the same colour as the car (graphite) with Chrome bars for a grill... should look sweet :) My dad's a boat builder so will do a top job with the glass and painting.

[euro77]

yeah, using LOC you need to have a good install to prevent any engine noise (is this what it's called?) coming into the system.

What about the stinger one? I used the stinger in my euro. At least that's what my installer said, I never actually see it LOL

[xiang]

I've modified mine too.. using the OEM HU.
I just went for a simple install, just running a 300w pioneer amp and a 12 inch Sony Xplod.

I purchased my LOC from Jay Car for $30.

Quality seems perfectly fine too me, but im not running any splits or anything, so I probably wouldn't be able to tell you too much.

But I get no static when volume is at 0, no static once car is tuned off.. i forget to turn the amp off sometimes.

Hope that helps a little.

[Kiwi]

Hi Xiang,

Yeah I dont think you could tell much by just amping a sub and not the fronts. I'm not sure how good the Jaycar one is but I'd be reluctant to use it compared to some of the better known brands. That being said, if it works then heck, it saves a bit of $$.

I have to congratulate you Xiang, the way you have the remote wire setup is very unique lol. I've never heard of anyone acutally using a stand alone switch to turn the amps on and off.

[ZEi20T]

the quality and performance of jaycar car audio would probably surprise you!

most people dont look at them because they arent a 'name' brand because people like want their shopping lists displayed :P

[Kiwi]

Yeah I'm sure its pretty good, but I've found that spending that little bit more at the start saves a whole lot of hassle down the track most times. It would be so much easier to just install a single DIN HU below the factory one.. but theres no way I want to lose the steering wheel controls and besides i'm yet to see a HU install that integrates perfectly into the Euro..

The gear I'm going to put in the Euro is > 10 years old :) But I'm willing to put it up against another Euro out there with newer stuff... lol

Thanks again for the feedback guys.

[BusterSonic12]

sorry... noob here ^^

so the factory HU uses LOC to connect to amp? and then connect back to speakers?

so if i m looking for a amp, but do i need? LOC connection thingy?? and amp with LOC or any?

[Kiwi]

Hey Buster,

There are other threads that talk about the ' LOC how to's '. This thread is more about the experiences people have had with using LOC's in Euro's.

LOC and amp are seperate. Either buy an amp with speaker level inputs (mind you, only cheap amps have this feature) or buy a good amp and a seperate LOC, like what I want to do.

Question remains, what is the best (cheap but good) LOC to suit the Euro. a Peripheral Sven2 or 4 is the one being used with most success it seems.

Cheers
Mark

[Peekay34]

Depends how many amps you want to run to how many convertors you require. I used the standard head unit with MB Quart speakers running off the head unit. Runs very well no issues at all. I also use a Aura line level convertor at the dash which has a gain controller built in it so I can adjust the amount of bass level. Works great. I would sugest you look at that as well. Though the Aura is no longer available you should be able to buy something simular. Stinger LOC's are cheaper than Peripheral units. Some amps also (Jaycar also sells them) have a dash remote controller sold with them as well. Here is a link to a LOC that has a gain control http://www.installer.com/item/display_item.php?it=locsuba

[euro77]

sorry... noob here ^^

so the factory HU uses LOC to connect to amp? and then connect back to speakers?

so if i m looking for a amp, but do i need? LOC connection thingy?? and amp with LOC or any?
if you want to connect an amp to your stock HU (most amp don't come with LOC), then you do need to use LOC as the "bridge" between your stock HU and the amp. The speakers would then be connected to the amp (otherwise what's the point having an amp if it's not going to power up the speakers?). These speakers could be a sub (i.e., stock HU -> LOC -> amp -> sub), or could be an aftermarket splits (i.e., stockHU -> LOC -> amp -> splits). Hope my illustration above is clear.

Of course if you use the amp to power the sub, you might decide to tap the rear speakers and leave the rear speakers still working, in this case, the rear speakers will still be attached to the stock HU, the LOC simply just "branch" out of the rear speakers cable into your amp.

[BusterSonic12]

THANKS heaps for the info.
i kinda getting an idea.
speakers, amp, sub, what's the first thing i should be looking at changing?


if you want to connect an amp to your stock HU (most amp don't come with LOC), then you do need to use LOC as the "bridge" between your stock HU and the amp. The speakers would then be connected to the amp (otherwise what's the point having an amp if it's not going to power up the speakers?). These speakers could be a sub (i.e., stock HU -> LOC -> amp -> sub), or could be an aftermarket splits (i.e., stockHU -> LOC -> amp -> splits). Hope my illustration above is clear.

Of course if you use the amp to power the sub, you might decide to tap the rear speakers and leave the rear speakers still working, in this case, the rear speakers will still be attached to the stock HU, the LOC simply just "branch" out of the rear speakers cable into your amp.

[euro69]

Yeah thanks Tony,

PS. I'll be making a fibreglass sub box for a single 10. It will be in the right hand rear corner of the boot. I'll probably take a mould of it in case anyone else is keen for one? I'll take some pics once its completed... will be 2-pac'ing it in the same colour as the car (graphite) with Chrome bars for a grill... should look sweet :) My dad's a boat builder so will do a top job with the glass and painting.


i've already done this aswell but havent completed the left side due me being lazy. actually i have even fully complete my right side., its just sitting in there. need to be sanded and painted when i get around to it.

[tony1234]

Yeah thanks Tony,

I called Precision yesterday and they said that they use the Peripheral SVEN ones, so I assume thats what you had installed by them. Thats the same one that my Audio shop recommends so I'll probably go with that one I think.. is about $90 for the 2 channel or $150 for the 4 channel.

Any chance of some pics of your install?

PS. I'll be making a fibreglass sub box for a single 10. It will be in the right hand rear corner of the boot. I'll probably take a mould of it in case anyone else is keen for one? I'll take some pics once its completed... will be 2-pac'ing it in the same colour as the car (graphite) with Chrome bars for a grill... should look sweet :) My dad's a boat builder so will do a top job with the glass and painting.
Yeah.That's the one(theLOC)i couldn't remember the name.I'll take some pics when i get a chance but you won't see much.I've got the amps mounted under the rear parcel shelf in an enclosure covered in the same colour material as the boot.I then have the sub mounted on the RHS upside down.the 2 rear speakers are enclosed in a "cup" for insulating the rears from the sub.I have Boston 6" splits in the front and Alpine 6x9 DDdrives in the rear.That'd be great if you take a mould for a 10" sub.I could be int.down the track.How much??PM me if you like......Thanks.
'

[Kiwi]

Hey Tony,

Yeah pics of the install would be great... i'll be starting mine in 2 weeks so I'm keen for ideas before I get started.

So you have the sub mounted under the parcel shelf as well as the amp? I'll be using the area under the parcel shelf for my EQ, and the amps will be mounted on the rear seat... probably in a fibreglass enclosure as well. So with the sub on the right hand side moulded into the side wall, I should have pretty much all the boot space left over for the pram ;) LOL

Cheers
Kiwi

[xiang]

Hi Xiang,

Yeah I dont think you could tell much by just amping a sub and not the fronts. I'm not sure how good the Jaycar one is but I'd be reluctant to use it compared to some of the better known brands. That being said, if it works then heck, it saves a bit of $$.

I have to congratulate you Xiang, the way you have the remote wire setup is very unique lol. I've never heard of anyone acutally using a stand alone switch to turn the amps on and off.

hahaha thanks! yeah.. we got lazy.. and it looks cool.

Update us with some pics when you get your stuff in!

[king9]

How would you control the Sub volume.. anyone mount a sub control?

[tony1234]

Hey Tony,

Yeah pics of the install would be great... i'll be starting mine in 2 weeks so I'm keen for ideas before I get started.

So you have the sub mounted under the parcel shelf as well as the amp? I'll be using the area under the parcel shelf for my EQ, and the amps will be mounted on the rear seat... probably in a fibreglass enclosure as well. So with the sub on the right hand side moulded into the side wall, I should have pretty much all the boot space left over for the pram ;) LOL

Cheers
Kiwi
Yeah.It's in a sealed enclosure with grille and mounted upside down if you know what i mean!My 2 amps are mounted under the parcel shelf which is then covered in an enclosure and covered in similar material as the boot lining.amps with enclosure only hang down approx.50mm from top of parcel shelf in boot.The sub is the only thing that takes up some boot space and can't lay down flat RHS rear seat.I'd be int. in the mould for sub in RHS of boot and how much $$$ you would want for one......Thanks.

[tony1234]

How would you control the Sub volume.. anyone mount a sub control?
Yep.I've got a fader mounted in the CD holder thing that you press to open in ctr.console above lighter and ashtray.Basic but works well.:thumbsup:

[Kiwi]

Re. Sub controls - well apart from using the gain controls on my eq and sub amp, I can control the sub output using a controller from my EQ. My EQ (Phoenix Gold eq215x) has an ouput that uses an RJ12 phone line with a bass dial on the end. I'll mount this on a spare switch somewhere on the dash. It's a dial that can give +/1 12db at 45hz :). Its very handy.

Tony not sure on how much the sub box will cost to make, like I said my dad's a boat builder so I wont have to pay for the resin or glass. Will just be a sheet of MDF and the paint :) Will send some pics through when its done.

Cheers

[tony1234]

Re. Sub controls - well apart from using the gain controls on my eq and sub amp, I can control the sub output using a controller from my EQ. My EQ (Phoenix Gold eq215x) has an ouput that uses an RJ12 phone line with a bass dial on the end. I'll mount this on a spare switch somewhere on the dash. It's a dial that can give +/1 12db at 45hz :). Its very handy.

Tony not sure on how much the sub box will cost to make, like I said my dad's a boat builder so I wont have to pay for the resin or glass. Will just be a sheet of MDF and the paint :) Will send some pics through when its done.

Cheers
Thanks.:)

[Razer]

just a question.... how can you use the steering controls with an aftermarket HU???

[curik]

I have replaced all my speakers with Focal 165A 2 way component speakers at the front and Focal 6x9 coaxial at the rears. Sound quality is much much better than stock, however I am having static noises when the audio is turned on, and increasing as the volume goes up. Went to audiofx to have it checked, it wasnt the speakers fault. So booked for an inspection to Astoria Honda on monday.

Im not using any amps, subs, or aftermarket cables. Installation was done by AudioFX, so I doubt that its the speakers fault. Anyone else running stock HU with aftermarket speakers?

[aznsiko]

i never knew you could change the HU on the accord euro..

[euro77]

just a question.... how can you use the steering controls with an aftermarket HU???
some company have steering wheel audio control adapter, one of them is stinger. I was told this by my installer when I queried about possibility of aftermarket HU (which I never end up getting).
There are a few others available for euro. Have a look at this link: http://www.crutchfield.com/ISEO-rgbtcspd/cgi-bin/ProdGroup.asp?g=118900 then select 2004 - acura - tsx - without satnav. You'll see that you have a few options there.

[tony1234]

just a question.... how can you use the steering controls with an aftermarket HU???
No,i don't think you can.:(

[euro77]

No,i don't think you can.:( You can, see my previous post :D

[tony1234]

You can, see my previous post :D
So you can!!!!I was too lazy to read!!!

[ZEi20T]

thanks for the link Euro77!!

[micknews]

Hi Fellers, Just wondering if anyone on here has purchased one of the steering wheel audio control adaptors to use with an after market HU and had success with it??
Thanks,
Mick.

[tony1234]

Hi Fellers, Just wondering if anyone on here has purchased one of the steering wheel audio control adaptors to use with an after market HU and had success with it??
Thanks,
Mick.
I haven't but talk to a good audio fitter and they should be able to help you.