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Kenwood Subwoofer and amplifier install

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by toddhata, May 17, 2006.

  1. toddhata

    toddhata New Member

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    Thanks to all of the excellent information on Priuschat, I replaced all the speakers and installed a Kenwood sub and Pioneer amp in my 05 non JBL Prius.

    I used quick release plugs for all of the wires in case the tray needed to be removed, or it can be propped up enough to pull out the spare. I used higher end Pioneer components and coaxials, a friend works for Pioneer so I got the speakers and amp dirt cheap.

    Here's some pics of the install.


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Thanks again for all the help on this forum.
     
    #1 toddhata, May 17, 2006
  2. YBLee

    YBLee Junior Member

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    Hi Todd,
    How does the new setup compare to the stock? I'm certain the sub made a big difference/improvement but dicounting the sub, do you think replacing the other drivers was a significant an improvement as adding the sub??
    Thx in advance,
     
    #2 YBLee, May 17, 2006
  3. toddhata

    toddhata New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(YBLee @ May 17 2006, 08:01 PM) [snapback]257300[/snapback]</div>

    Replacing the speakers made a little difference, I did those first over 2 evenings. They sounded better, but not great. Adding the amp and the sub made it so much better. The sub really helps since the 6 1/2" speakers don't handle bass well, so crossing them over through the amp and adding the sub does make it sound really good. After replacing just the driver side front speakers I noticed how muddy the stock speakers sounded, no separation at all. I would highly recommend upgrading the speakers and adding a 4 channel amp, even with low end components, it should make a huge difference in sound quality.

    Comparing the overall sound with my other cars, it's better than my corolla that has an alpine head unit, fosgate amp, the same sub, but only coaxials. In my boxster I have mb quart components in the dash and four 3 1/2" in the rear and the same kenwood sub, the highs are so much brighter, but it's lacking midrange, the bass is pretty good. The prius setup is an overall really good clean sounding system now, and at a pricetag of only $500 in parts it's totally worth it.
     
    #3 toddhata, May 18, 2006
  4. YBLee

    YBLee Junior Member

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    Thx for the explanation Todd. I very new to the Prius and althought have the best in the house, have never really did a lot of optimization in my cars. That said could you let me know if you are low-passing the bass of the front and rear speakers or just the rears? Since you recommend a 4-channel amp, it may mean just the rears and the other two channels are tied together for more wattage to the sub.

    I see you mentioned using "coaxial" in the front. Although you indicate they are better than stock, does that mean the OEM's were basic drivers? Would you mind telling me what the Pioneers model numbers were?

    Based on the pictures, it looks like the rewiring through the amp was reasonable straight forward?? How did you actually Low-Pass the bass frequencies to the sub? Does the AMP have a built-in cross-over network?

    Thx again for all the info, Lee
     
    #4 YBLee, May 18, 2006
  5. toddhata

    toddhata New Member

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    Lee,

    The front components are TS-C160R, 6 ½" REV Component Speaker Package, the rears are TS-D601P Premier™ 6-1/2" REV-series 2-Way Speaker, the amp is GM-6200F 4-Channel. The Kenwood sub is KSC-SW1. Looking on ebay you can get all of this for under $600.

    The 4 channel amp powers the front and rear speakers and has a built in crossover 80Hz, -12dB/Oct. I wired the speaker level inputs near each door panel, you can find the wires by removing all the side panels. All 4 speakers are crossed over so the low bass is cut off.

    The Kenwood sub is self powered, so you don't need a seperate amp. This is a very easy install since that Pioneer amp has a RCA passthrough, so you just connect the RCA from the amp to the sub, and of course power, ground, switched power, and the remote.

    I took the switched power from the center console, power from the battery and ground from the very back of the trunk, there's several existing grounding points.

    If you are going to go with these speakers, let me know and I'll give you all the details on how to mount them on the existing speaker brackets, it's quite a bit of work, it's probably much easier to buy the speaker mounts from Circuit City.
     
    #5 toddhata, May 18, 2006
  6. mondelicious

    mondelicious New Member

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    I am attempting this install (just the kenwood ksc-sw1, no amp) and I am having trouble with power.

    I have connected the yellow BATT cable to the red terminal of the battery. I connected the ground wire to the bolt at the center of the rear wall of the trunk.

    I tapped the gray wire of the wiring harness in the center console for the P Cont blue wire.

    BUT, when I turn on the power, I get no light on the remote.

    What could I be doing wrong? The fuse looks fine.

    mondelicious
     
    #6 mondelicious, Jun 3, 2006
  7. Prizzle

    Prizzle New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mondelicious @ Jun 3 2006, 03:08 AM) [snapback]265078[/snapback]</div>

    I noticed 2 grey wires in the center console plug. Maybe the one you hit is not the power? Not being sure about either, instead I tapped the white wire going into the power outlet in the center console. That worked for me. Also, check your connection of the controller back at the sub unit.
     
    #7 Prizzle, Jun 3, 2006
  8. mondelicious

    mondelicious New Member

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    hm, two gray wires?

    I only saw one. As I remember it, there were two harnesses. One had gray and white/blank, the other had red, green, white/black.

    I will double check. Maybe I need to go directly to the power outlet connection to be sure.
     
    #8 mondelicious, Jun 3, 2006
  9. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mondelicious @ Jun 3 2006, 10:14 AM) [snapback]265184[/snapback]</div>
    I am almost positive that the 12V+ to the console outlet is white with black stripe. Did you test it? I can pull off my console cover and look if it'll help. My guess is that you tied into the ground wire for the outlet.
     
    #9 darelldd, Jun 3, 2006
  10. mondelicious

    mondelicious New Member

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    peculiar.

    Somehow, reseating the kenwood harness was successful today when it was not last night.

    Maybe I was too tired.

    Incidentally, I am still tapped into the gray wire, and I have power. (!)
     
    #10 mondelicious, Jun 3, 2006
  11. Prizzle

    Prizzle New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Jun 3 2006, 03:46 PM) [snapback]265225[/snapback]</div>
    I think the white is correct hot wire. It works. I think if this was ground wire, the system would not signal "on". I used the Coastaletech instructions for their continuous powered socket mod, which insists in strong language to tap the jumper into the solid white wire which I have to assume is the hot side.

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mondelicious @ Jun 3 2006, 05:48 PM) [snapback]265247[/snapback]</div>
    Cool and congrats! So the gray is power in multiple places.

    You must be happy with the sound-I sure am.
     
    #11 Prizzle, Jun 3, 2006
  12. Naldo01

    Naldo01 New Member

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    HI im Naldo from Puerto Rico and im installing a sub but i dont know where to connect the RCA cable, do I need an adapter, Where are the imputs?
     
    #12 Naldo01, Apr 9, 2008
  13. prius70

    prius70 Junior Member

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    hello toddhata,

    did your MFD? beeps get louder and how did you solve that problem?
    or. . . are you only using the original rear speaker signals to input into your 4 channel amp hence not having to worry about the beeps anymore for non JBL systems.

    clean looking install BTW, thanx alot. . .
     
    #13 prius70, Apr 28, 2008
  14. HYPERPRIUS888

    HYPERPRIUS888 New Member

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    I ordered the KENWOOD KSC-SW1 DUAL 6.5" POWERED ENCLOSED SUBWOOFER which I plan to put under the front seats. I have NAV so I am not sure it will fit under the Drivers seat. I need detailed photos and exact wire locations and colors to pick up my signal and power for an 'O6 Prius. Thanks for any help.
     
    #14 HYPERPRIUS888, May 29, 2008
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