Okay,I'll admit...I'm pretty much clueless when it comes to radio systems.I know how to install a CD player and four speakers,but nothing else lol.I'm wanting to put a complete system in either my Ranger or my F-150.Preferably the F-150 since it has the SuperCab.I know that for 95% of the job,new speaker wiring will have to be installed since it only came out with two door speakers and one dash speaker from the factory.So,the speakers in the back will have to have their own wires run.

What I'm wanting to do is purchase a good head unit,preferably Sony.I've had lots of luck with their products through the years.I want one that I can control a CD changer,amplifier,etc. etc. all from the unit itself without having to reach in the back to turn the amp up or whatever.All of the controls for the system are within reach at the CD player.

You can view the head unit that I'm looking at here.I think that's the best bang for the buck as far as money goes.It has controls for the CD changer,amp,etc.,which is exactly what I'm wanting.As far as speakers and other add-ons go,the following is what I'm looking at;

Sony 6.5" 3-Way Speakers (Door) - View Here
Sony 6x9" 3-Way Speakers (Rear) - View Here
Sony 10" Subwoofers (Rear Enclosed) - View Here
Q-Logic Subwoofer Boxes (Rear) - View Here
Sony XM-100W Amplifier (Rear) - View Here
Sony 10-Disc CD Changer - View Here

I think that I'm on the right track with this system.This is my first one to build from scratch and I'm excited about getting started.I do have a few questions though;

1) Is there any type of special speaker wire that I'll have to have for the subwoofers?I usually use the red wire on a spool that you get at Wal-Mart.Will this work?I forgot what gauge it is.

2) Do the subs wire up to the amp or the CD player?I think that they wire up to the amp and the amp is wired through the CD player from the amp controls.Is this correct?

I think that's all the questions for now.If I think of any later on,I'll add them.

Thanks for any insight.

Nightrain

 

Looks like you've got a good match of subs to amp. You'll be getting 100 watts to each sub with that combo.

To answer your questions;
1) I would use 12guage for the subs.

2) The subs are wired to the amp. The amp is fed from the CD player via the Subwoofer Preamp Output.

Should be a great sounding system.

 

Thanks brother.Maybe this isn't so hard afterall...

BTW,would this amp work better than the one I have picked out above?

Thanks.

Nightrain

 

What kind of $$ are you looking to spend. Sony is a good product, but if you are looking into a audiophile quality system think: Alpine, Xtant, Rockford Fosgate etc for amplifiers.
For Speakers (high quality) look at MB Quarts.(MB stands fro Microphone Builder in german, a speaker is just an inverted microphone and all MB Quart makes are Speakers) There is also Focal, Alpine, Infinity, JL Audio. You need to listen to the speakers before you buy them if at all possible. No they wont sound exactly the same as they do on a board in a shop, but if sound is important demo everything before hand.

Im not a dealer and not trying to shoot down Sony, they have solid products and you can save $$ and get products from wal-mart too, but if Sound Quality is at all at stake here revisit your product line choices. Just my .02 $

 

i will say this i do work at a car stereo shop and there has been more then a few time's i've swapped a brand new sony deck for a brand new pioneer deck and they've sound ten times better and were actually acouple bucks cheaper. also you do have to watch the pioneers from walmart the are usually ther b grade stuff. the model numbers will be something like dehp36 instead of instead of dehp3600.

like fire said sony isn't exactly garbage but if you shop around you can get way better stuff for about the same price, sometimes cheaper. by the way their speakers tend to blow kinda quickly to if you don't step them up absolutely perfect.

 

I just installed a Pioneer head unit in my 350. It's a DEH 6600 or maybe last years 6500. Anyrate, there is more tuning functions in the Pioneer than other brands of head units and it provides better sound through my Infinity 5x7 speakers in the four doors. I'll be powering those speakers next with a 4 chanel Alpine amp. I'm contiplateing running new speaker wires but I don't know that it is completely necessary.

 

gotta agree on the pioneer stuff. my sis has a sony deck in her car, and i have a pioneer deh-p6500 in my pickup. my pioneer has alot more settings, and can be more finely tuned for my system. but hey, if u like sony, i guess go for it...tell us how it sounds when ur done.

 

You dont have to run new speaker wires, you will lose some sound quality with the stock speaker wires. Fresh wire to the speakers would be better for carrying the Wattage the Alpine amp will be pushing through them