if i want to get this sub http://www.crutchfield.com/S-mrXqSIW...Display=Kicker what kind of amp would i need to power the sub and the rest of my speakers in my neon? i am hoping to stay with all kickers.... but any suggestions im open to but i do need an answer very soon

i.e.
should i just get a mono sub to power the subs alone? or what?

 

Get a mono amp to power the subs, then a 4-channel for the speakers. Unless you upgrade your speakers you don't need an amp, in fact with an amp you will blow the OEM speakers very quickly. You also need to make sure your head unit has pre-outs for sub, fronts and rears.

 

ok and u mean pre-amp outs right? actually im trying to decide on a new head unit... what do you suggest? and i have new speakers so that wont be a problem... and i might just run the speakers without an amp for now... and just run an amp for the sub.... also for a head unit im looking for something that will utilize the oem CD changer........

 

Most head units won't work the OEM changer unless you can get a converter for them, they're usually designed to work their own brand name changers. For the basics, look for a head unit with pre-amp outs for front, rear, and subwoofer. If you're only getting an amp for the sub, then make sure that the head unit puts out 40w-50w per channel. That should give you plenty of power to run your speakers. Other than that it depends a lot on what you want in a head unit. As far as brands, stick to names like Clarion, Panasonic, Premier, Alpine, and the likes. As a rule of thumb I would avoid Sony for car audio. I have a Panasonic CQ-C5301U and I am very happy with it, one of the best decks I've heard and it ran me $170ish CDN. I believe that Panasonic does make a converter to run the OEM changer, but I didn't bother, it's not really that hard to change a CD. My head unit was also XM ready, you just get the unit from XM and it plugs right into the back and the head unit will control it. Also don't get suckered in by head units that have all these fancy sound enhancement presets. A good system sounds and performs better with them off, as mine does. Other than the basics I listed, and making sure you get a good brand head unit that's also in your price range, it all depends on what you want, like full colour screens and that kind of stuff. Hope this helped you out.

 

thanks it helped a lot, i guess ill have to go find myself a converter then............ wish me luck

 

I will be honest, I am not 100% sure that such a converter actually exists. I believe it does, but it's been over a year from when I got my head unit and that's when I looked into it, but decided I was fine with just a single CD. For your sake (and for the sake of knowing I'm not just going crazy) I hope you can get one.

 

yea well i did look into it and panasonic does sell the converter but you have to buy a few things.... 1) head unit w/ ability to control CD changer 2)their expansion module 3) the conversion cable but im not 100% sure if it WILL work with my CD changer....

 

ok i read into it and the converter only works if u have their brand of CD changer... so it wont work with my stock CD changer.... god this is a pain in the A@#

 

Ya. It's a lot less work to just change CD's one at a time. It is a shame, seeing as there's a nice changer built into the cars, but after the year or so ive had my new head unit I've completely forgotten that there's even a changer in there still.

 

lol if you say so... but there has to be a way or a head unit that will work the CD changer......