Hardcore Rock Superstar

iTrader: (2)

Hey everyone,

Working with a 2005 300C with stock 8 speaker stereo:
- 3 3.5 Inch speakers on the top of the dash
- 2 6x9 Inch diameter speakers in front doors.
- 2 6x9 Inch diameter speakers in rear deck.
- 1 7" Subwoofer mounted on rear deck.
- 1 380 watt amplifier in front dash directly behind headlight switch.

I recently had a Pioneer AVIC-Z120BT installed along with a PAC SWI-PS (to keep factory steering wheel controls) and C2R-CHY4 (interfaces deck with factory system).

Post install the stock stereo sounded awesome. The 7 band equalizer allowed me to improve midbass a ton and over-all the system sounded better. Unfortunately there was an issue where I couldn't hear when the stereo was talking to me: GPS navigation commands, bluetooth dialtone.

I went back to the shop and on the second try after consulting their support, they resolved the issue. Said it was specific to my specific car and that they hooked up a wire wrong.

Since then, maybe it's just my imagination, but I don't think the stereo sounds as good. It seems to be lacking bass. I've driven around and played with every setting in the deck including ensure the subwoofer is on and the HPF is off, with no luck. Finally today, I opened the rear deck to ensure I did have the 8 speaker system and see if the sub was functioning. Low and behold with the system at a moderate level, the 6x9's were vibrating away, but there was zero movement from the sub. Even after cranking some bass settings a lil, there was no change on the sub.

Now my question is: is there some common mistake or easy to point out issue the shop could have made to cause this? This will be my fourth time back and aside from feeling like a nuissance, I'm trying to make sure this wasn't my imagination or somehow my doing.

I suppose there is the option I blew the sub at coincidentally the same time as they fixed the issue, but the stereo sounds solid: no bad buzzing, humming, crackling or anything. Just a lack of bass.

On top, there is a known issue with the C2R-CHY4 which I've confirmed, however, I don't think that should effect my sub issue. Should it?
In Premium Amplified Systems only two input channels can be used from the aftermarket radio, therefore there will be no fading capability of the aftermarket stereo.

I'll head back to the shop regardless to get their insight, but I wouldn't mind being extra knowledgable/prepared going in this time.

Thanks for any help/thoughts in advance!

Phil G.

I just installed an Alpine W205 in a '05 300C to replace the nav deck. It seems to sound fine with decent of bass. The issue I had was the C2R-CHY4 was from the 08 Jeep I pulled the W205 from and it was faulty and not providing acc. output. plus playing havoc with the canbus (throwing signal lights off sync, lights turning on randomly, etc)

The factory amp sounds great for a factory amp but he wants more so I have suggested rather than replace the C2R, I am going to give him a complete stand alone system. We left the headunit connector unpluged and nothing bad seems to be going on (if it throws a radio code, he's cool wiht that) so that is now the plan.
You might consider seeing if they could add a dedicated amp right off the head unit just for your sub and leave the rest of the system intact.
To answer your original question though, this car I am working on still has the same punch it had with the factory nav deck so something must be up with yours.

Hardcore Rock Superstar

iTrader: (2)

Stopped by the installers yesterday (and the day before - they needed the stock deck to confirm some stuff) and after talking to PAC audio regarding some of the computers, PAC said the sub may simply not be as loud with the aftermarket unit. The guy tried to explain to me maybe the deck is putting out different frequencies or something which didn't really make much sense to me, but their/PAC's ultimate recommendation was to just turn up some of the bass settings on the deck as the sub was in fact working, just quieter. I've done so and it sounds alright though i'm still not 100% convinced. I guess this just fast tracks my need/desire to get a pair of 10" alpine type r's.

Any recommendations on wattage to push to the new type r's? they're 600RMS but everyone seems to say you can give them a lil extra with no trouble. I'm debating whether I should look at an amp doing 2000RMS or stick with 1500?

audio1der

Some amp headroom is noce (and almost required if you upgrade) but yo HAVE to make sure you don't show the subs a clipped signal. Some newer mono amps have clipping indicators on the remote bass **** which, although not 100%, are better than your ear at keeping subs safe. What about 1 higher power 12" in a smaller enclosure instead of 2- Alpine Rs? AQ, Sundown, DC all fit the bill. Not mainstaream brands, but solid stuff for sure.
Just thought I'd thrrow it out there- the stuff "Visions Electronics" sells is NOT all that's out there.