Further upgrading question

[blakedanatural]

Hello All,
After listening to the experts on this forum for my sub and amp install. I am returning for more upgrade advice.
I installed the JL Audio sub with the JL Audio monoblock jx500 to push it. I changed the stock front and rear speakers with some JBls and the center speaker with a Polk 3.5.
It definitely sounds pretty good with the JL Sub Install but I want to change the front speakers, mids and tweeter with a aftermarket amp to push them.
Ok I would love your opinions on amp location (under seat or replace factory amp etc..) whats preferences on better speakers than the JBLs and what wiring kits will be needed to remove factory amp and use a new amp.
Thank you in advance to anyone who finds time to reply. I have the 9 speaker non shaker system.
Blake

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[mumbles]

Hello All,
After listening to the experts on this forum for my sub and amp install. I am returning for more upgrade advice.
I installed the JL Audio sub with the JL Audio monoblock jx500 to push it. I changed the stock front and rear speakers with some JBls and the center speaker with a Polk 3.5.
It definitely sounds pretty good with the JL Sub Install but I want to change the front speakers, mids and tweeter with a aftermarket amp to push them.
Ok I would love your opinions on amp location (under seat or replace factory amp etc..) whats preferences on better speakers than the JBLs and what wiring kits will be needed to remove factory amp and use a new amp.
Thank you in advance to anyone who finds time to reply. I have the 9 speaker non shaker system.
Blake

Hi Blake, I'll try to answer some of your questions...
If your plan is to replace the six front speakers (not counting center channel) and the factory amp, there are a couple of methods you can follow;

1) You can use a two channel amp combined with a 3-way speaker set which would use passive crossovers.
Pros - You can get away with a smaller aftermarket amp which might fit in the location of the factory amp or under the front seat. It would be the simplest to tune in that the factory head unit would provide the tonal control and the passive crossovers would handle dividing up the frequencies. You can tap the full range signal going into the factory amp to provide RCA level inputs to the aftermarket amp.
Cons - Decent 3-way speaker sets are relatively expensive, and using the passive crossovers means you have to run speaker wire into the doors which is never fun.

2) Use a six channel amp to drive each of the speakers directly (or multiple amps if you want to have rear speakers).
Pros - This method can give you total control over your sound if done correctly. It also allows you to either re-use the factory speaker wiring in the doors, or you can still run larger speaker wire if you so choose. Allows you to mix and match different brands of raw speakers since you will use a DSP or active crossovers built into the amplifier(s).
Cons - Significantly more complex and probably more expensive depending on your choice of equipment. Requires a fair amount of custom wiring and location of equipment.

I put together a couple of diagrams that attempt to show how the factory wiring is laid out (https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1757154&postcount=310), and how you would integrate aftermarket components into the factory wiring (https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1759812&postcount=315). The latter link has part numbers for the plugs you will need for the integration. [MENTION=24433]Racemaster[/MENTION] also has a post where he built a module to plug the factory wiring into (https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77679).

The basic concept is;
- The factory amp is removed
- Custom cables are made to take the signals from the factory plugs to aftermarket components and then back to the factory plugs which drive the speakers.

Hopefully this sheds some light on the possibilities and if you have questions, feel free to ask.

 

[blakedanatural]

Thank you Mumbles for your help as usual. I don't know how much I want to invest in this upgrade. I will review the links you presented and go from there. I like how it sounds now because the JL sounds good but just want to tweak it

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