Replacing factory subwoofer/Installing new Subwoofer & adding XM

[djnas]

Hi Guys,

I am new to this forum and have a question, I own an 03' CTS with Non-XM Bose system.
I was thinking of purchasing a JL audio 10w6 subwoofer and a JL audio 500/1 amplifier and hence have a few questions:

1. what would be the best way to power the new AMP? Is it possible to use the exisiting wiring from the factory amp to power and run the new amp?

2. Would it be better to use a line level converter and if so, which kind or what kind and should it be connected to the head unit or connected from the exisiting factory amp.

3. Can the 03 Bose radio be taken to a GM delearship and be reflashed to include XM satellite radio on the factory headunit?

Any sugesstions/ideas and/or stories on the best way to install an aftermarket sub and amp would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[FlyFlip420]

Go to cadillacfaq.com and search for a thread called Installing a JL Audio Cleansweep....I have the same system you bought in my car and this shows how to hook it up....also, there is a thread on this forum called "nerd needs help from geeks" or something like that....this explains your line convertor questions.....PM me if you have more questions after you look at those

Welcome to the fun

[djnas]

Thanks flip for the link, i read that forum in detail, most of it is trying to figure out exactly what the clean sweep does. Interesting product but im not looking to replay all the factory speakers as has been suggested in that forum. That being said, is it still necessary to use a product such as the clean sweep just to convert speaker level inputs into RCA inputs for an aftermarket amp, or do you think any simple line level converter such as the pac-10 will do? All i simply want to do is add more bass to the current system by adding an aftermarket sub.

I was hoping to disconnect the factory sub and add a JL 10w6. I dont know if this would sound good out of a box and used as a free to air in the location of the current bose sub. I'll probably just opt for a box, sealed or ported im not sure yet.

What i need to know is the best way possible to hook up the aftermarket amp, either by using the existing output of the factory amp, or using a seperate connection with a Line output converter.

Aslo does the factory amp power the component and tweeter speaers or does it just power the factory sub?

Sorry i couldnt PM you as im new to this forum and i guess u need a certain amount of posts before you can start to PM.

Thanks in advance again..

[nickc50310]

Flip is the man for your answers. I will tell you this though- DONT GET XM. XM is junk.

[djnas]

I dont want XM just for XM, i want it enabled on my stereo tho, because u can use the XM for an auxilary input and connect an ipod and control the ipod using ur stereo controls, thats why i wanted to enable the XM..

anyway, waiting for the man flip to reply as i cant PM yet..

[kfx]

i just had alpine speakers & amps installed in my car last week. Alpine has a brand new unit coming out (hopefully next month), the pxe-h650, that is an advanced version of the jl cleansweep. it takes the factory outputs and uses 512 band equalizer to get back to a flat preamp signal that can then be sent to a high quality amplifier. Since I don't have the alpine pxe unit yet, what they had to do for now is install a summing unit and line conditioner to get a preamp level signal to the alpine amps. this is sort of a "crippled" setup. it sounds great, but the volume level isn't as high as i would like, i'm told that it's because the summing unit/line conditioner are robbing some of the voltage of the signal that is sent to the amps and that once the new pxe unit is installed it will deliver a much higher quality signal to the amps and hopefully yield a higher sound pressure level. i've got a 300w sub amp driving an alpine type R 10" sub mounted in the factory rear deck opening (with some modification). this sub is specifically designed to work in an open air setup and has dual spiders to limit excess driver excursion and cancellation. it sounds really good, but would probably benefit by being box mounted. also, if the pxe unit doesn't improve the sound pressure levels like i want, i can get my hands on a 500w amp to replace the current 300w. i also have a 125w x 4 to drive all the door speakers, i've got type R's all the way around, components in the front and coaxes in the rear doors.

my advice to you if you want this to sound good is to spend the money on something like the cleansweep or alpine pxe, otherwise with a line conditioner you are just re-amplifying the crappy signal from your factory head unit. also, you mentioned you weren't thinking of replacing all the speakers, but installing amps. if you are on a budget, i think you would get the best bang for your buck if you do it the other way around and replace the speakers first. i think using the factory amp with upgraded speakers would yield better results than installing an aftermarket amp to drive the factory speakers.

i'm by no means an audio expert, just an enthusiast, and this is just my 2 cents, i'm sure someone will jump in if they think what i'm stating is wrong.

[djnas]

thanks for the input KFX, so then its obviously advantagous and better sounding to install a unit like the cleansweep or the apline pxe.
However to clarify, i wasnt looking to add an amp to power the current speakers. The aftermarket amp i would install would be to drive the new subwoofer i would be adding.

I was going to leave the current bose setup intact, All i am looking to do is add a much better subwoofer to derive a more louder, deep bass sound which seems to be missing from the factory sub.

That being said, i now assume its best to add the cleansweep or alpine pxe to provide a clean rca type signal to the new amp.

I guess ill wait and see what other have to say. Remember my only goal for the moment is to add more clean deep bass.

[djnas]

any1 else with any ideas on this?

[djnas]

guess not....

[FlyFlip420]

Just more bass...I PMed you back...sorry been really busy.....PM me back with more questions or anything else........I just woke up and think I missed some things you asked in your PM

[KB24]

i have the bose surround system too, so if i wanted to add say 2 10's or 12's to the factory amp, it will sound good?
or is that too much for the factory amp?
What can i add to my system now as far as extra bass?

[FlyFlip420]

Originally Posted by KB24

i have the bose surround system too, so if i wanted to add say 2 10's or 12's to the factory amp, it will sound good?
or is that too much for the factory amp?
What can i add to my system now as far as extra bass?

You cannot add anything to the factory amp and have it sound even close to how its sounds now. The sub in there is matched to that power rating, anything aftermarket requires too much power and will sound like garbage, unless you get an aftermarket amp to go with it....

How much do you want to spend? How much bass? What type of music?

[KB24]

Originally Posted by FlyFlip420

You cannot add anything to the factory amp and have it sound even close to how its sounds now. The sub in there is matched to that power rating, anything aftermarket requires too much power and will sound like garbage, unless you get an aftermarket amp to go with it....

How much do you want to spend? How much bass? What type of music?

well i have 2 twelves at home in a box, so i was just wondering.
i want some bass but not king kong in my trunk lol.
i listen to hiphop/rap

so what ur saying is i need an after market amp if i wanna add subs?
if so, do i keep my factory amp and add another one or do i use the after market for my factory sub and new subs?

[FlyFlip420]

IF you dont buy something like a JL cleansweap or similar, you will need to tap off of the existing amp for the signal, take that signal into your new amp, then from your new amp to the subs......

The best is to spend about $1000 and buy a cleansweep, 2 new amps(one for subs and one for interiors), and some new interior speakers....you already have the subs.....then pull out all the old stuff, add your ipod thru the cleansweep, and you have a stellar system

[kcammie]

So what is the main reason for the Clean sweep? I see you mentioned adding the iPod to the cleansweap. Can I hook up a cleansweep to my Bose system just so I can have the ipod capability?

03' No XM here before you asked