[PhillipG]

Hey all,

Posting today what my plans are for my 1LE; which we all know is a non-amplified system and lacks some real depth/quality/volume...

I have literally spent the last couple of weeks reading through 77 or so pages in the audio sub-forums and it seems that most people are at opposite ends of the spectrum concerning Audio upgrades; either a simple front door replacement (amplified/non); adding a sub; or a full on audiophile system.

Nothing in the middle, so I figured I would create a thread for those of us who want a complete and full audio system, utilizing all locations available, and doing so on a budget (pricing below varies by a few bucks here and there depending on the vendor).

Hoping for some advice and opinions along the way too.

The idea is simple, more speakers mean you can listen to the music at lower volumes, and feel like it comes form everywhere (They use this same principle when designing whole-home multi-room/floor audio systems).

Below is a basic wiring diagram that I sketched on a notepad:

I want to retain all the functions of the head unit of course.

I want to take the speaker level outs (all 4) to a JBL DSP4068 ($700.00 CAD); its 8 channels out @ 40WRMS/ch - 4 OHMS, or 60WRMS/ch @ 2 OHMS.

For the in car speakers I am looking at JBL Stage 3 series or the JL Audio C1 series. (JBL's are 3 OHM, JL are 4 OHM) power specs are all around 50-60WRMS.

Front: JBL 6.5 component $200 CAD / JL C1-650 component $160 CAD

Rear Seat Panel: JBL 6x9 3-way coax. $160 CAD / JL C1-690 component $190 CAD

Rear Deck: JBL 6x9 3-way coax. $160 CAD / JL C1-690tx 3-way coax. $190 CAD

For phase one the JBL set up is $1,220 CAD, and the JL is $1,240 CAD; add a couple hundred for wiring an accessories. there you go a full system less than $1,500 CAD.

Phase 2 would be to add a sub. Nothing huge, but this is super easy using the DSP in the JBL Amp. all I would need to do is get a small mono amp such as the Kicker CX400.1 ($300 CAD), using the line outputs from JBL channels 7 and 8 on the line level inputs on the Kicker and voila. Thinking of mating this Kicker amp to a JL 10 W1-V3 @ 2 OHM (300WRMS) ($249 CAD).

Planning on getting this started during the Xmas break 2023, and i will post as I go along.

Looking for input on the following:

1. With this set up I don't believe a LOC is needed? why, why not?

2. Speaker selection: Good, Bad? alternates at the same price/performance levels?

3. Door to body harness; is there room in there to run a new set of speaker wires into the doors?

Cheers!
PhillipG