I have been looking at changing the speakers, after reading some posts on s2ki about a loss of bass when changing the speakers and the low output from the stock head unit I came to the conclusion that I need to add an amp to get a real benefit.

So I went and looked at some equipment and decided that some Kenwood 1679ie (drop in) speakers and a Sony 222 amp under the seat was the way to go.

I was referred to a friend of a friend who does car audio installs and explained to him what I wanted to do, he asked if the stock head unit has rca out. I told him it doesn't and I wanted to use the high level input on the Sony etc. He has warned me that I will probably suffer from alternator noise and other interference if I keep the stock head unit and add a amp.

Has anyone done the above and what were your results?

I am aiming to improve the stereo without spending too much cash and maintaining the stock stacker and dash controls.

 

You shouldn't run into any interference, as long as the RCA's are ran right. In my Si, I ran high level inputs to an Audio Control EQL and no interference what so ever. I've installed plenty of systems that have used high level inputs and the only time I had intereference was when the RCA's ran close to stock and power wires. Like I said, just run the RCA's and power wire away from other wires and ground the amp well, and you should not come across any problems.

 

I recently had a professional install a pair of 6.5" Alpine Type R components in the door, and 5.25" Type R components in speaker pods (a special rear speaker mount developed by an S2000 owner in Elk Grove,CA) in the roll bar hoops. I am running an Alpine V12-F450 5 channel amp and the stock 02' head unit.

Although I cannot give you details on the install, I can tell you that the the sound is great even with top down at 80 mph. I will however be adding an Alpine 9815 HU and 10" Type R sub mounted in the tool well.

I have never had any noise from the alternator or other sources come through my speakers.

 

if he runs speaker level outputs to the amp, there would be no RCA's.


saying that you will get a lot of alternator noise and interference just by using the speaker level inputs on the amp and keeping the stock headunit is wrong. it's not impossible, but it definitely isn't a given. but i should mention that upgrading to an aftermarket headunit will improve the quality of the sound of the system.

and as a side note, i'd keep the speaker wire runs separate from the power just to be safe.

also, between Modifry's DCI (dash control interface) and DJ Qube's upgrade, most aftermarket headunits can be controlled by the dash controls. in fact, both of those solutions offer an increased number of functions from the dash controls.