A question for the audio inclined...

[ESP]

I'd like to throw my 10" MTX sub in the trunk as well as a couple of Infinity 6x9s on the rear deck, but I'd also like to keep the stock non-BOSE headunit. I know that using high level inputs is pretty much a crapshoot, but what's the general consensus on a line out converter? I've googled and googled some more, but can't seem to really find a definitive answer that's newer than 2005. Has that kind of technology gotten better since then, or should I be looking into a double-din aftermarket unit to power my gear? I'm not an anal-retentive audiophile but I do appreciate clean sound...

...oh, and I just got a quote from Best Buy to do the install...$115 for the loc, $240 for the labour...is it just me, or does that seem a tad pricey?

[LongBeachCoupe]

if you give BEST BUY your car.. GOOD LUCK!

Do some googling and you will see several cars they have mangled and refused to repair. Some of the installs mistakes on a head-unit cost owners upwards of $5k.

Id let a chimp in a bathingsuit, whose BLIND do an install before i brought it to WorstBuy.

[vballer22]

Ahhhhhhh He said the B word! LBC's spot on, as always.

anyway, Line out and high level converter are basically the same. Where did you hear it's a crap shoot? I'ts not the ideal quality, but it's gonna work fine. It's reliable, which is what counts.Generally, the difference is line out is a little more expensive and a little higher quality. To be honest, buy a jl audio cleensweep or RF threesixty.1, you wont regret it EVER. you keep your factory stereo and get incredible sound like an aftermarket deck. plus it has rca outputs just like the converters.

[audtatious]

Limitations with line-out converters is usually because of factory radio equalization issues. In effect, as you turn up the volume they defeat bass in order to keep the speakers from blowing. The Cleansweep or threesixty.1 would take care of that issue

[ESP]

Thanks guys!...that's basically what the folks at Visions told me too (only they offered just the Cleansweep...).

So, after doing more research, it would seem that my options are down to the Cleansweep, 3sixty.1 & .2, and AudioControl LC6...

I understand the concept behind factory radio equalization, but I read in some forums elsewhere that not all factory decks do this, and therefore some of these products aren't really applicable to what I want to do (...or something like that!). Keeping in mind that the mechanics behind audio equipment still manages to completely boggle me, which of these four would you recommend for a setup as follows:

2 Kicker 6.5" (relocated to dash)2 Kicker 6x9"1 MTX 10"

I'm pretty sure the 3sixty.2 is overkill for something like this, but I just can't figure out whether or not one of those devices is more applicable to a setup like this or if it's just a waste of money. It's really quite embarrassing that I can't wrap my head around this stuff...hell, I can explain just about every working part in a camera and the history of how it originated, but don't ask me what the difference is between 2ohms & 4ohms!!! Sheesh...

I humbly place my well-being in your guys' capable hands, - Eric

[rjdmmfl1]

Thanks guys!...that's basically what the folks at Visions told me too (only they offered just the Cleansweep...).

So, after doing more research, it would seem that my options are down to the Cleansweep, 3sixty.1 & .2, and AudioControl LC6...

I understand the concept behind factory radio equalization, but I read in some forums elsewhere that not all factory decks do this, and therefore some of these products aren't really applicable to what I want to do (...or something like that!). Keeping in mind that the mechanics behind audio equipment still manages to completely boggle me, which of these four would you recommend for a setup as follows:

2 Kicker 6.5" (relocated to dash)2 Kicker 6x9"1 MTX 10"

I'm pretty sure the 3sixty.2 is overkill for something like this, but I just can't figure out whether or not one of those devices is more applicable to a setup like this or if it's just a waste of money. It's really quite embarrassing that I can't wrap my head around this stuff...hell, I can explain just about every working part in a camera and the history of how it originated, but don't ask me what the difference is between 2ohms & 4ohms!!! Sheesh...

I humbly place my well-being in your guys' capable hands, - Eric

The Rockford 3sixty.2 is a manchild, hence the price! It is ridiculous how much you can fine tune your audiio system... you have like 31 bands of EQ for EACH INDIVIDUALLY CONTROLLED SPEAKER... that's just ridiculous and you would defintely need a professional installer to hook that up for you.

If you want to keep the factory deck, for bang for the buck, I say go with the cleansweep!

[ESP]

I trust the Doc! Thanks so much!