thinking of expanding my system, but i like the stock head a lot (esp w/ the 6-disc), is it possible to amp components off the stock head? how bad would the sq compromises be for say, jl, mb quart, or focal 6.5 comps up front? also, would amping the stock rear speakers have much of an effect? thanks for the help, guys.

 

Hello Rip,

I personally did the install you described...I kept my stock head unit....added a 5 channel amp (cause i wanted to add a sub too), upgraded all the door speakers (I have a P-5 so my rear speakers are on my rear doors...yours are in the rear deck), and put a sub in the back. you could also just use a 4 channel amp if you didn't want to add a sub in the trunk...

the system is AWSOME...its not going to win any contests..but it really pumps and thumps...the way I look at it...when I am driving down the road...and I can have the CLEAR CRISP music pumping out...and the rear view AND side mirrors are vibrating enough that you can't see a clear image in them...it hits PLENTY hard. :{D

the complete install took me about 5 1/2 hours. I attribute that in part to the fact that I had NEVER done an install in a Protege before and did a little R&D along the way so that I could help others in the future.

The equipment I installed is an Alpine V-Power 5 channel amp, Rocford Fosgate speakers for the doors, and a JL Audio 10W0 sub in the back.

The install went off without a hitch.....total cost for all the equipment, the scosche amp install kit, and a few packs of bullet nose connectors....$700 US.

The best part...my system really rocks...and if you look through the window into the car....all you see is the oh so undesirable stock Head Unit!!! :{D

here is another thread that you could read through from start to finish...I dug it up...its a thread on this subject that I was involved in when I was just starting my install....

http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/sho...5&pagenumber=1

 

thanks a lotsounds like exactly what i was thinking of.

 

If you go with Focal, JL, or MB Quart I would def. add an amp to them. A couple of 5 channel amps that I have installed and like are the following:

 

Make sure you get a good "line level converter" so you don't hear engine noise when you turn on your headlights, heater fan, etc. I let some kook install my amp, and he used a crappy one, and it was a nightmare.
Also, I just finally put in an Alpine head unit after a year of the stock head unit w/ an amp and comp's, and it sounds 100% better. Start savin' pennies!

 

The amp I installed is the Alpine V-Power pictured above...and it has line level inputs....and if you get a good amp with line level inputs....and you keep your power lead for your amp seperated as far as possible from your speaker wires, you do NOT need to have line level converters.......you won't get any alternatory whine if its all installed correctly.

 

The great thing about the Alpine V-power is you can brdge the 4 channels to 2 and run the frons at 80 watts rms apiece and still have the 120 rms to the subs. Power the rear speakers with the radio.