QuestionQUESTION: I am planning on installing a 15 inch cvr kicker into my 04 nissan maxima. I was just wondering if to do this, would I need to get a new head unit or radio? ive asked friends, and ive gotten mixed answers. some say ill probably need to get a new radio, but then some say i wont need anything, the head unit is fine the way it is. I know nothing about car audio. please help!
ANSWER: If you know nothing about car audio you should not try a DIY at this stage in your life! Installing a sub requires some knowledge of what you WANT to do and HOW to do it and the installation techniques.
You did not mention which system you Maxima has in it. If it is the Bose system it will require one type of technique and if it is not a Bose it will require a different installation.
In either method you will need an external amplifier to drive the sub. You will also need a way of getting a sub line from the head unit. This usually requires either a tap on one of the outputs or a voltage reducer box from off the speaker lines. It is more difficult to do with the Bose than with a non-Bose unit.
Bottom line, you really should seek the assistance of a professional installer who can guide you in what needs depending on the head unit in your car now and what you hope to achieve.
Hope this helps.
PS: BTW a good pair of 8" in a properly designed box can outperform a 15". The Maxima trunk space is more suitable for 8s than for a single 15 - in my opinion.
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QUESTION: Im getting geek aquad to install it! im not doing it myself. i dont know enough to even try. I was just wondering before I went off and bought the materials needed for them to imstall it such as an amp and a wiring kit,if i needed to get a new radio. only because ive had people tell me and a few professionals that I would probably need to get a new radio/head unit so they could power the amp. and im almost posotive it doesnt have the bose system. and I also think a pair of 8's would be better. but I got a deal on the 15, it only cost me $100 and it already came in an imported box. my neighboor was trying to get it off his hands. couldnt refuse! but thanks for the info!
AnswerAssuming your vehicle has a non-Bose system I suggest the Geek Squad use a Hi-Low adapter to bring the audio to the sub amp. You will need an additional amplifier to power the sub/box which will cost $50 to $200 depending on your choice of amp. The Hi-Lo adapter is only a few dollars. Installation, as described herein is straight forward and simple; should not take over one hour for an expert to install.
If you are lucky enough that the radio in your 04 Maxima has the rca outputs then the installation is simpler yet (BTW, there were several radio versions available in the 04 year so until someone looks in the rear of the head unit you won't know what connections it has or doesn't have!). But, in any event, you need a sub amplifier to feed the 15" monster sub.
Best wishes.
