Car Stereos: Car audio wiring, gm audio, chevy tahoe

Question
QUESTION: I would like to hook up a new sub-woofer, but the installer wants me to buy a wiring kit that's ready for an amp and speakers just in case I up grade.  Which I am thinking about doing.  I don't know what the wiring kit is called but it's $105.00, then I need an RCA converter ($50),RCA jacks ($20).  I'd like to look on line for better prices.
I'm nervous that he's trying to take advantage of me because I'm a girl.  Can you tell me if all this is needed?

My sub is powered with a built in amp. I do want it to change my speakers in the future, and add a small amp.

I have a 2002 Chevy Tahoe, standard system.

ANSWER: Hi,

If I'm reading your question right, it sounds like you're adding a powered sub to the stock system in your Tahoe, and the installer wants to sell you a heavy-gauge wire kit and line-out converter that's not needed for this installation, but might be needed if you add another amplifier down the road.  Does this sound about right?

I'd like to know more about what you're installing.  Does your powered sub include its own power wiring, or would you need to buy a wiring kit for it in any case?   Later on, were you thinking of replacing the powered sub with an upgraded amp and sub system, or just leaving it in place and adding an additional amp for your other speakers?  

With the information I have so far, I'd doubtful that you're going to need the extra parts he wants to sell you, even if you do install an additional amplifier later on.  In any case, there's really no reason you can't just purchase the additional wiring you need at the time of the next upgrade.  But there's a possibility that installing the additional wiring now will save you some money later on.  I really need to know more about your vehicle and your plans before I can judge.

If you can follow up with some more information:

What kind of stock audio system do you have: ie, Bose or standard GM audio?  Are you considering replacing your factory radio with an after-market head unit?  Do you plan to replace the stock speakers?

What's the brand and model of the powered sub you're installing now?

Have you selected the amplifier that you might want to add later; or have you looked at any?  

Give me as much detail as you possibly can, and I'll try to give you a better answer.

Thanks

Brian



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION:  Brian,

  Tahoe system is GM audio and actually very good for stock. I will not be replacing the head unit.
  
 I will eventually change out the speakers, and add a small amp.  Have not looked at any.  I will leave the Plye sub.

  The sub is a Pyle tube sub-woofer.  Handles up to 500 W.

  He said I could buy a $20 wire kit, but when I upgrade the speakers and add the amp, he will have to run another wire kit to handle the it. But... if I buy the $105 wire kit, it will be ready for the additions in the future.  The sub does not look like it includes any wiring.

  I hope this helps.  

  Thanks again,

  Michele

Answer
Hi Michele,

Sorry for the delayed response; we had a wind storm in our area Sunday night, and haven't had power restored yet.  I haven't had any internet access until now.

What he's telling you now makes some sense, but only to the extent that it may save you some labor costs in the future.  I'm guessing that the $105 wire kit is a 4-gauge package;  I think that might be overkill for your needs, but many installers wouldn't use a smaller wire for any 2-amp system. If it's certain that you'll be adding an additional 4-channel amp later on, then it makes sense to add a 4-channel line-output converter behind the head unit now, and run an additional RCA cable so you don't have to pull the radio again later.  It also makes sense, given that you'll need to buy some sort of amplifier wiring kit in any case, to buy one that's large enough for future expansion.  A 4-gauge kit is probably larger than you need, but it's better to get an oversized wire than an undersized one.

I think you're correct that the parts you need can be found online for less money.  You'll probably want to check first, and make sure your installer is willing to use parts that he didn't sell.  Also, you'll need to be very cautious when buying amplifier power wiring online.  There are a lot of online kits advertised as "4-gauge" that are frankly a rip-off--they use a thin conductor with a thick jacket, so that the wire looks bigger than it really is.

If you want to buy online, I'd suggest Knukonceptz ( http://www.knukonceptz.com ).  They sell their own brand of wire at a very reasonable price, and it's excellent quality.  If you find something cheaper, there's a good chance it's not what it claims to be.

Here's what I'd suggest if you want to buy your parts from Knukonceptz:

KOL-AK44 4-channel 4-gauge install kit
BC-1428 fused distribution block
2 AGU40 40-amp fuses
6 feet of KFX8BL 8-gauge power cable
6 feet of KFX8BK 8-gauge ground cable
2 ST88BK black spade terminal
2 ST88R red spade terminals
GMBT  GM side-post battery terminal
KLA-2M 2-meter RCA cable


From the prices you quoted earlier, I'm guessing that you're dealing with Best Buy; and that the wiring kit they're talking about is this one:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8286883&type=product&id=1172276905

If this is true, then the list of Knukonceptz parts above should cost substantially less, and includes several parts that aren't included in the Rockford Fosgate kit, but will be required for a system like yours.

Also, I picked the parts assuming that when you buy a 4-channel amp, it will have a set of RCA outputs as well as two pairs of RCA inputs.  This would allow you to run two pairs of RCA cables from the line-output converter to the 4-channel amp, and then a shorter RCA cable from the 4-channel amp to the subwoofer.  Not all 4-channel amplifiers have the RCA outputs, but many do; I'd definitely look for this feature when you buy the amplifier, because it will make installation much easier.

Knukonceptz doesn't sell RCA converters like the $50 part you were quoted, but you can find this device at a lower price online as well.  If I'm right that you're dealing with Best Buy, then there's a very similar 4-channel line-output converter available online for about $20 less than theirs.  It's made by PAC and the model number is OEM-2.  I found it at Crutchfield for about $30.  There are many other good line-output converters; as long as you pick one that's a 4-channel model, and includes output level controls, then it should work fine for you.

Hope this helps!

Brian