Upgrading stock audio

[radionightster]

Hi guys

I am interested in upgrading my stock audio system in my 06 LR3 w/ in-dash 6disc CD changer. I would like to upgrade the door speakers and put an amplifier inline (one with line-level inputs.)

It seems you'd have to run speaker wires from the factory head unit's wiring harness to the amplifier, then run speaker wires from the amplifier back to the place where you split them from. Has anyone ever done something like this? It's a must to keep the factory head unit.

Thank you kindly

 

[radionightster]

Update: I have the Harmon Kardon factory speaker system. I found the factory amplifier under the passenger seat. I see power going to it, and lots of (speaker) wires. It sure seems like a good installer would be able to use all that and replace it with an aftermarket amplifier. What do you think?

 

[gtc]

From what I've read, you'll need to keep that amp and add a second one, unless you want to completely remove the headunit (and some associated functionality). Sound from the HU goes to the amp via a fibre bus, so you can't tap until after the amp itself. I've considered a similar project, but won't really be looking 'till later in the summer...

If you have an SE, you can pull the doors and put in some additional speakers, similar to the HSE - the cut-outs are traced on the inner door lining, so you'd just need some mounts (easy to fabricate, or buy pre-fabbed from eBay), a tasteful cover (OEM?) and potentially crossovers... Maybe a good place as well to start with custom amplification...

 

[nwoods]

Check this out:
http://blog.nextstepdesigns.com/?p=74

Or: http://blog.nextstepdesigns.com/?p=75

 

[UNCWLR3]

I had all new speakers installed throughout the car with a new amp. I had to get a new monitor installed where the navigation normally is and I have the Indash as an AUX to the new monitor. All said and done it came to around $3600 but that was with top of the line speakers and the ipod hookup in the glovebox and with the navigation computer. If you take it to a audio specialty store they can help you figure something out.

 

[toddjb122]

I had all new speakers installed throughout the car with a new amp. I had to get a new monitor installed where the navigation normally is and I have the Indash as an AUX to the new monitor. All said and done it came to around $3600 but that was with top of the line speakers and the ipod hookup in the glovebox and with the navigation computer. If you take it to a audio specialty store they can help you figure something out.

Impressive.

Have any photos?

 

[UNCWLR3]

I will take some tomorrow with my camera phone but the amplifier is under the middle seat and the computer is under the passenger seat. They had to file down the head unit by a mm or so to make it fit up in the dash but it fits perfectly and looks stock. It even matches the trim in the car. The ipod connects in the bottom glove box and they reconnected everything to the steering wheel so i can use the volume controls and i can change the track on CD's/ipod/radio etc. When I hit Aux the previous head unit is completely functional and that is actually what I use as my 6 CD changer.

I can get you the product numbers on everything if you are actually interested in having this done. I liked this setup a lot more than replacing the stock headunit, which they were doing to another LR3 when mine was getting installed.

 

[radionightster]

I had all new speakers installed throughout the car with a new amp. I had to get a new monitor installed where the navigation normally is and I have the Indash as an AUX to the new monitor. All said and done it came to around $3600 but that was with top of the line speakers and the ipod hookup in the glovebox and with the navigation computer. If you take it to a audio specialty store they can help you figure something out.

Hey!

Do you by any chance have a list of the gear they put in? I checked Crutchfield, and it says that I have 6.5" speakers up front and 6.75" speakers in the rear, and a tweeter in the door. My audio place tried telling me I had the 6.5"s up front, and some 6.5"s and 4"s in the rear. I don't know about all that.