howse2708

I just bought a 2008 mazda 3 and i want to hook up a sub and amp to the factory deck. I have checked around and i have been told to get a amp with high level imputs, or if i don't get that i would have to buy a adapter. I'm just wondering if it would be better to get a amp with high level inputs or not. I know i wont have any control over the sub from the deck but what way would work the best?

Jo-Psyko

iTrader: (1)

i would personally take an amp with hi level inputs over a line out converter. and since you feed the amp from the rear speaker wires of the car you can controll with the front to rear fade, also if you get an amp with remote gain conrtol (bass ****) that gives you even more control i have been using a line out converter in my car and even with out remote gain control i have great control over the bass level in the car just spend some time playing with the amp settings to find a level that allows you easy adjustment from the factory deck.

howse2708

so do you control the sub with the fader with the hi level input sub or one with a line out converter. Also my rear speakers are in the back doors would that be a problem

Jo-Psyko

iTrader: (1)

both will be controlled the same way... as the more you turn the bass up the louder the sub will get, in my car the fader is in the middle and i just use the bass adjustment in the deck to control the boom it works great! my rears are also in the doors, just find where they run the wire along the door sills and then find the right wires in the loom that are for the rear speakers and cut them there then run more wire from that point to the rear of the car...

howse2708

so do you cut into the rear speakers for both amps? So really theres not much difference whichever way i decide to go is there?

Jo-Psyko

iTrader: (1)

no there is no difference in what you have to do to the car. but there will be a difference in sound... line out converters are generally not a good idea you are better off with an amp that has high level inputs. and yes you cut both left and right for the amp. then i personally find it works better if i set the bass level half way or so into the negative side like my bass adjustment on my deck goes from -8 to +8 so when i set up my amp i had the level on the deck at -4 then turned up the stereo to listening level then set the amp, this way i dont send much bass to stock front speakers and i have room to add more or take it away depending on what im listening to.

all of this is with a factory head unit. Until Monday then the real deck goes in.

howse2708

So when you adjust the bass level on your deck does that adjust the bass for the sub too? or do you only adjust it for the fader

Jo-Psyko

iTrader: (1)

it adjusts for the sub to. and does really well i never change my fader except for when burping the car. other then that all i ever do is adjust the decks bass level, the fader is just another way of doing it.

howse2708

Thanks for the help

Jo-Psyko

iTrader: (1)

no problem

i know it can be a pain to try to understand on here. but once you have it in you'll see what i mean... this is easy to do, and can offer fairly good sound