Jbs350
New Member
I just installed the AR-FO3 harness two weeks ago. I originally ordered the DSR1, but after realizing that the AR-F03 hardness doesn't allow you to keep the factory amp (I was only interested in adding a sub/amp in the back with clean line level inputs), I went with a Kenwood XR600-6DSP instead of the DSR1. It's a 75w x 6 channel amp & DSP combo that works with the Maestro AR. I ordered a refurbished model for $500 (cheaper than a DSR1 & amp). The only downside here is the Meastro AR is not built into the Kenwood, you have to purchase it separately.
When I installed the harness, the videos that I watched led me to think that the tweeter and mid-range speakers were Y'd to the same LF/RF TWEETER outputs of the harness and were split somewhere behind the door inside the factory wire loom (possibly with a bass blocker on the tweeter). And the 'woofers' in the door were actually the wires labeled LF/RF SPEAKER on the harness.
Back to your question: since the Kenwood has 6 channels, I'm able to use all of my front speakers except the center channel. For you, since you may only have a 4 channel amp, you could wire all of the front speakers, minus center, to just two channels like you're thinking and run the rears on the other two channels. The only issue here is you won't have individual control over the tweeter/mid & woofer front speakers. I had to reduce the volume on the tweeters/mids by 1DB, they were way too hot compared to the front woofers. Snares and midrange sounds were very sharp and annoying before doing that.
Regarding the center channel: missing it hasn't made that much of a difference. You can bring back most of the center sound stage via the DSP timing settings. I think it simulates a type of surround and brings the sound back into the cabin as opposed to hearing the sound coming from the speakers. That's exactly what it sounded like before I fixed all of the timing. I could hear
I just installed the AR-FO3 harness two weeks ago. I originally ordered the DSR1, but after realizing that the AR-F03 hardness doesn't allow you to keep the factory amp (I was only interested in adding a sub/amp in the back with clean line level inputs), I went with a Kenwood XR600-6DSP instead of the DSR1. It's a 75w x 6 channel amp & DSP combo that works with the Maestro AR. I ordered a refurbished model for $500 (cheaper than a DSR1 & amp). The only downside here is the Meastro AR is not built into the Kenwood, you have to purchase it separately.
When I installed the harness, the videos that I watched led me to think that the tweeter and mid-range speakers were Y'd to the same LF/RF TWEETER outputs of the harness and were split somewhere behind the door inside the factory wire loom (possibly with a bass blocker on the tweeter). And the 'woofers' in the door were actually the wires labeled LF/RF SPEAKER on the harness.
Back to your question: since the Kenwood has 6 channels, I'm able to use all of my front speakers except the center channel. For you, since you may only have a 4 channel amp, you could wire all of the front speakers, minus center, to just two channels like you're thinking and run the rears on the other two channels. The only issue here is you won't have individual control over the tweeter/mid & woofer front speakers. I had to reduce the volume on the tweeters/mids by 1DB, they were way too hot compared to the front woofers. Snares and midrange sounds were very sharp and annoying before doing that.
Regarding the center channel: missing it hasn't made that much of a difference. You can bring back most of the center sound stage via the DSP timing settings. I think it simulates a type of surround and brings the sound back into the cabin as opposed to hearing the sound coming from the speakers. That's exactly what it sounded like before I fixed all of the timing. I could hear the sound coming from each individual speaker and it sounded terrible. After dialing in the settings, you feel like you're immersed in the sound again, much like the factory setup, just MUCH louder.
Simul - I'm considering the same set up. Where did you mount the amp and do you mind sharing any pictures of the install?
Thanks
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