Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio Tweaking my system

Hey, im a rookie when it comes to stereo knowalge so i figured id ask ya guys what i could do to make mine sound nice.
heres what i got...
Pioneer head unit, its 40x4 its an deh -8440 i think
Jl Audio W0's 12s with a 300 watt phoenix gold amp.

thanks

I assume you are happy with the bass. Next I assume that you bypassed the factory amp, with the new head unit. Next I assume you need new speakers. Components sound the best.

What specifically are you unhappy with? It'll give us an idea of what to recommend.

well i havent yet bypassed the amp im sure. how do i do this? I know it seems a lot louder than it used to so i must be going threw the amp. also would a cap for the subs help out? it seems like the bass sometimes laggs behind the music. thanks again

Well, I don't think the cap on the subs would accomplish much of anything. I assume you meant a capacitor for the amp to help the electrical system, right? Because if you were to add a cap to the woofer, it would act a high pass filter (bass blocker).

I would get the bypass kit if I were you, the internal amp in most after market units is superior to the stock unit.

i was talking about the capactator and i thought that it was just supposed to deliver more power at the peak times so that its less strain on your system and puts more power towards your box. and what all do i need to buy to bypass the stock amp?

Amp bypass wiring harness available at you local brick and morter stereo shop, or www.crutchfield.com. 2000 model years have a slightly different plug so make sure you get the right one.

Aaron

I'd completely forget about the stock amp and the Pioneer's internal amp (except maybe for the rear door speakers which I'd leave stock).

If sweet sounds are what you crave, you need a component speaker set up front driven by their own external amplifier.

As for capacitors, you'd be better off investing in a higher amperage alternator, IMHO. But, I'd hold off until you notice an actual drain when the system is on, such as the headlights dimming to the beat of the music. Otherwise, you'd just be wasting your $$$$$.