help! Bazooka Installation

They should contact the Circuit City in West Covina, CA who did the install for this review:
http://www.laaudiofile.com/bta6100.html

 

I'm pretty sure you won't need a line-level converter for $25. The Bazooka looks like it accepts line-level (or high level) inputs right out of the box.

 

You're probably correct, since Bazooka made a harness for prior model year Priuses that tapped the JBL amp's speaker outputs, and fed the signal directly into the subwoofer.

For whatever reason, my MTX amps did not like the speaker level signal from the JBL amp. I had to use a LOC before I installed my CleanSweep. The CleanSweep works just fine with the JBL speaker signals though.

 

I'd say if the Bazooka has high-level inputs (that means speaker wire directly tapped off the rear speakers that exit at the rear door sills), then just some speaker wire is all you need for the sound portion).

Line-level is what aftermarket amps/head units use. They are RCA cables that pass low power sound signals, then the amp bumps it up to speaker level. I'd say if the Bazooka does not have the high-level, speaker inputs (as above described) then a converter (line output converter or LOC) will be required to take the speaker level from the rear speakers and output a low level RCA signal that goes into the Bazooka.

Hope this helps.

Power and ground can be had in the right rear of the car, where the little 12 volt battery sits under the lift out cover . Kinda hard to explain in words, I need a picture!

If the Bazooka needs a trigger wire to turn on/off, use the striped wire at the 12 V outlet at the bottom of the passenger dash. It's ACC, and comes on with the car, turning off when the car is off. Maybe the Bazooka has a auto on/off with the sound signal? If so, no need for a trigger wire to turn it on/off. It'll turn on/off when an audio signal is present...or not present.

Cheers,

Curt

 

I had a Bazooka in my last car. I still have it sitting in my closet. In fact, it is *exactly* the same one you posted a link to. It has line-level inputs that work just great. It also has the ability to sense no sound output and shut itself off, and seeing how the battery is in the rear of the Prius, it should be an easy electrical hookup, without needing a sense wire.

It was easily the best and most simple upgrade I added to my last car, but that was easy because the speakers were on the rear deck by the trunk, so I could easily tap into them.

The trick is getting sound from the speakers in the Prius to the Bazooka. That's what is keeping me from re-installing the Bazooka into my Prius. I would sure love to do it, eventually.

 

I was thinking that you were equipping your car for freeway traffic snarls...

 

I'd like to have one installed myself, since I'm not a DIY kind of guy when it comes to car audio.
Problem is, the choices in my part of the world (metro Detroit, MI) seem to be Circuit City and a place called Radios, Knobs, Speakers and Things, at least according to the Bazooka Web site.
I don't want to do business with Circuit City because I want to do business with a company I think will be in business next year.
They guy I spoke with at RKS&T said they hadn't been a Bazooka dealer in years and had never done an installation on a Prius.
Does anybody know someone in the Detroit area who (a) isn't Circuit City and (b) is an authorized Bazooka dealer who has worked on a Prius that isn't mine?

 

Damn. Such troubles for installing a simple sub. The only technical part that may pose a challenge for installers is figuring out which 4 wires, coming out of the stock JBL amp, are the rear speakers, for the high-level connections. After that, it's just hooking up the wires to the high-level input on the sub, hooking up ground and power, and securing the whole bunch. I'd print out that Bazooka install review posted earlier in this thread, and bring it to the next shop you visit. It may give the installers a better idea of what to do.

 

I had mine put in at CC. They used a LOC, and it was fine. They initially wired it to come on automatically, but it wasn't reliable, so I had them hook up a remote wire.

This was the first car that I didn't do wiring myself. For $50, it was worth it to have somone else do it. =)

 

I saw the mounting the LA shop did in their article and figured out a removable option. Although I wound up with a Basslink II, the install would be the same, i.e. mounting to a laminated base and then using the industrial type velcro to set it on the carpet. There's a picture of my install on another thread, just search my name.

In any case, if I need the room I simply unplug my quick disconnects and lift the unit out. I don't get any funny noise or movement from the unit.

Warm regards, CAPT Seabee

 

Well, I went ahead and let the CC boys install a Bazooka BTA8100. They took a slightly different tack than the other installations mentioned here -- they attached the mounting straps to the rear of the rigfht-side back seat.

Much of what has been mentioned in other posts about the Bazooka I can echo here. The midrange has been cleaned up considerably, the bass level does vary -- sometimes quite a bit -- from one song to another, and I am mainly pleased with the results.

 

That's a little odd. I made sure when I had mine installed to walk the installer to my car and show him how I wanted it mounted... Either way, it sounds like you are happy w/the bazooka. Congrats.

 

As did I. We discussed exactly where to put it, and I decided that on the right side of the rear seat was best, since it would allow me to fold down the left side of the rear seat to let me take some advantage of the extra cargo room afforded when you fold one side down. Putting it in the center of the rear area wouldn't have allowed me to do that.

 

Oh - my bad. When you said "they took a different approach" I thought they did it w/o checking with you. Good thinkin' though. I may move mine over a little bit....