9 Speaker Upgrade - Will This Work? Anything Else Needed?

[Mengels7]

After having my old mono amp, subwoofer, and an LC2i installed into my Ecoboost Premium w/ 9 speaker sound, it's just not quite right. Timing is off and the bass doesn't seem...consistent? Anyways I'm buying my lease and decided we're going to just upgrade everything except the stereo itself.

I've got these parts on the way:
Front Lower + Pillar Tweeters: Alpine S-S65C - 6-1/2" 2-Way Car Speaker with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic Cones
Midrange: (Suggestions that won't break the bank welcome!!!)
Rears: Alpine S-S65 - 6-1/2" 2-Way Car Speakers with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic Cones
DSP/Amp: Alpine PXE-0850S (Can act as amp in addition to DSP, 8 channels at 25W ea.)
Metra - 1/2" Vehicle Speaker Spacers for the four Alpine speakers.
KICKER - C-Series 8AWG 2-Channel Amplifier Power Kit
iDatalink HRN-AR-FO3 Harness

I already have:
4ch Amp: Polk Audio - 600W Class AB Bridgeable 4-Channel MOSFET Amplifier with Switchable Bass Boost
Various parts from a previous Kicker amp power kit
Kicker mono amp and sub already connected to an Audioconnect LC2i

Planning on using two channels from the Alpine DSP/Amp to power the rear speakers. I assume the Alpine woofer+tweeter combo has its own crossover and can be addressed as one channel. Those and the midrange speakers I haven't grabbed yet will run off of the Polk amp. Is there anything else I need parts-wise? Is there anything here I don't need, or that won't work? Pricing played heavily into most of these products, plus I wanted to stick with one brand where I could. The JL Twk and Fix DSP units would have cost me more than the Alpine, and I liked the connectivity options of the Alpine. I assume I won't need the LC2i any longer as well.

Any insight is really really appreciated! I plan to have Best Buy install all of this using their support plan I already have, otherwise I'd probably do all of this through a more specialized dealer.

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[thill444]

I would buy a T-harness so Best Buy does not splice into your factory wiring. There are a few vendors that offer a harness you can use that allows you tap into the factory harness on the factory amp. Direct plug and play and no splicing.

iDatalink/Maestro makes one for S550 Mustangs.

 

[Mengels7]

I would buy a T-harness so Best Buy does not splice into your factory wiring. There are a few vendors that offer a harness you can use that allows you tap into the factory harness on the factory amp. Direct plug and play and no splicing.

iDatalink/Maestro makes one for S550 Mustangs.

Was planning on grabbing that (Best Buy doesn't carry it for some reason). Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Psyliptic]

I would buy a T-harness so Best Buy does not splice into your factory wiring. There are a few vendors that offer a harness you can use that allows you tap into the factory harness on the factory amp. Direct plug and play and no splicing.

iDatalink/Maestro makes one for S550 Mustangs.

Hey thill444,

I got the 9 speaker shaker too, were can you find a t harness to add an amp and sub without cutitng my factory wires? The idatalink doesnt seem to be what I need. Would i be able to use something like this that would create a RCA split off the rear speakers? Would this one plug into my current stock amp and allow me to hook up a aftermarket amp and sub?

https://www.amazon.com/Amplifier-Ad...dp/B07SSDK8WQ/ref=psdc_10304191_t1_B00D9W3CHY

Thanks!

 

[thill444]

Hey thill444,

I got the 9 speaker shaker too, were can you find a t harness to add an amp and sub without cutitng my factory wires? The idatalink doesnt seem to be what I need. Would i be able to use something like this that would create a RCA split off the rear speakers? Would this one plug into my current stock amp and allow me to hook up a aftermarket amp and sub?

https://www.amazon.com/Amplifier-Ad...dp/B07SSDK8WQ/ref=psdc_10304191_t1_B00D9W3CHY

Thanks!

That says not compatible with factory amplified systems. Are you just adding an amp and subwoofer or are you replacing all your speakers too? If your just adding an amp it’s pretty easy you just get a line out converter and tap into the the rear speakers.

 

[Psyliptic]

That says not compatible with factory amplified systems. Are you just adding an amp and subwoofer or are you replacing all your speakers too? If your just adding an amp it’s pretty easy you just get a line out converter and tap into the the rear speakers.

Yep just an amp and sub. Is there a built in line out converter that I could buy somewhere that taps into the rear speaker so I do not need to tap in?

 

[Ron_5.0]

Yep just an amp and sub. Is there a built in line out converter that I could buy somewhere that taps into the rear speaker so I do not need to tap in?

Personally, I just used a LC2I and that worked great and helped with bass roll off

 

[thill444]

Personally, I just used a LC2I and that worked great and helped with bass roll off

Yes, use this one. It has remote turn on for your amp once the back speakers get a signal too and it works well. Otherwise you have to tap in somewhere. Ebay is a good place to find a good deal on an LC2I.

 

[Cathul]

Get a CARAV 12-240 or Similar (Metra also makes a T-harness for their DSP that can be adjusted). Plugs between the SCM and stock wiring. You break out the line levels Front/rear and the amp remote with such a T-harness. In addition you need something like a PAC TR-4 to convert the 6V amp turn on into a 12V amp turn on.

 

[Mengels7]

The iDatalink HRN-AR-FO3 Harness isn't going to cover that for me? If that's the case I'll order one. I didn't need one for my current mono amp, will I need just the one additional or two now?

Also with the 200+ views and extremely minimal comments I'm going to assume the rest of my setup is feasible. Guess I'll have to look into mids on my own though.

 

[Cathul]

Yes, it is...
It's even better as you have all the needed wiring at one place and the appropriate connectors for the plugs that go into the stock amplifier.
Even easier this way.

 

[thill444]

The iDatalink HRN-AR-FO3 Harness isn't going to cover that for me? If that's the case I'll order one. I didn't need one for my current mono amp, will I need just the one additional or two now?

Also with the 200+ views and extremely minimal comments I'm going to assume the rest of my setup is feasible. Guess I'll have to look into mids on my own though.

What is your budget for midrange? I bought some very inexpensive ones to start but found a great deal on some Morels and they are shipping this week. I did some research and can at least give you some options based on your price range. But mids can get expensive quickly.

Parts Express has some solid 2.5-3.5” offerings. Brands like Peerless Tang Band, etc all make great options. On a higher budget Madisound has some Scan Speaks that are really nice.

 

[Mengels7]

What is your budget for midrange? I bought some very inexpensive ones to start but found a great deal on some Morels and they are shipping this week. I did some research and can at least give you some options based on your price range. But mids can get expensive quickly.

Parts Express has some solid 2.5-3.5” offerings. Brands like Peerless Tang Band, etc all make great options. On a higher budget Madisound has some Scan Speaks that are really nice.

Well I suppose the easiest thing, I thought, would be getting the ones that match the woofers and tweeters I just got: https://www.alpine-usa.com/product/30mc-midrange-component-speakers

Crutchfield suggests they're "surface mount only" though. Will those really not fit? I suppose that $200/pair is the upper limit of my price range as well.

 

[thill444]

Well I suppose the easiest thing, I thought, would be getting the ones that match the woofers and tweeters I just got: https://www.alpine-usa.com/product/30mc-midrange-component-speakers

Crutchfield suggests they're "surface mount only" though. Will those really not fit? I suppose that $200/pair is the upper limit of my price range as well.

It looks like that Alpine will fit to me. If you don't want to spend as much look at mid range options at Parts Express. Peerless makes good stuff, Tang Band, etc.
https://www.parts-express.com/cat/m...eca:matches(.,"P_Searchable","1")]&PortalID=1

I think for less than $100 you can find a nice set of drivers for sure. Many of the DIY car audio guys use these brands.

 

[Mengels7]

It looks like that Alpine will fit to me. If you don't want to spend as much look at mid range options at Parts Express. Peerless makes good stuff, Tang Band, etc.
https://www.parts-express.com/cat/midrange-midbass-drivers-full-range-speakers/16?N=21631+4294967118+4294964608+4294964799+4294965095+4294964274&Ne=10166&No=16&Nrpp=16&Nrs=collection()/record[endeca:matches(.,"P_PortalID","1")+and+endeca:matches(.,"P_Searchable","1")]&PortalID=1

I think for less than $100 you can find a nice set of drivers for sure. Many of the DIY car audio guys use these brands.

I was checking that site out when you mentioned it before. It certainly piqued my interest, but are these truly comparable to the higher priced popular brand name speakers? While I think I'm settling on Alpine since I've already purchased so much of it, I may consider some of these brands for friends and family looking to do the same.

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