Ok so I hear this issue discussed all the time on many forums but never seem to find a clear answer...
I have the Mach 460 sound system and want to upgrade the audio. Currently all I have done is installed a Kenwood head unit. I bought the special wiring harness to allow the stock amps to function with the new head unit. All is good so far and now I can play my iPod. Adding a sub is next which is no problem.

The problem is upgrading the speakers and how to go about doing it. I have heard that if you install aftermarket door and rear deck speakers while using the stock amplifier will either blow the speakers or the amps due to a difference in resistance (ohms). Is this true? If not I also hear that since the stock amps have a set tune, aftermarket speakers wouldn't sound any better than stock ones due to amp limitations. Is this true? If so where would be the best location to hide an aftermarket 4channel amp in the car? Under the passenger seat?

My second problem is dealing with the front tweeters. Most aftermarket tweeters are 3". The ones in the 460 are 2.5". I would like to keep the appearance of the cars interior to look as stock as possible besides the head unit. Will I be able to install new tweeters inside of the existing tweeter pod or is this impossible as well?

Thanks for any help and support in advance!

Kevin N.

 

Aftermarket speakers with the stock amps will cause nothing but problems. If you want to save yourself a headache, just run all new wires and put in a 4-channel amp and new speakers. I have mine mounted to the sub box in the trunk. Lots of people mount them to the backs of the rear seats too.

As for the tweeters, what kind are you looking at? I have Infinity Kappa components and the tweeters fit just fine. They're a lot smaller than the stock tweeters so I had to do a little modifying, but nothing crazy.

If you don't want to go the amp route, you could just put some 6x8 coaxials in the doors and use the wires going to the tweeters since those are currently being fed a full signal from your Kenwood headunit. Same goes for the rear deck.

 

Thank you for the clarification! I don't mind going the new amp route. I just didn't mind avoiding it either haha... As for the tweeters I will look into them. Those will be a little later down the line so if I need future help I know who to talk to

I didn't think of mounting to the back of the sub box. I will try that! Where did you mount your ground wires? All of what I can find that's metal in the trunk is painted... Which I though was a no no for grounding?

 

It's been so long I really can't remember exactly. It was something under the rear seat I found. I think. lol

 

Haha, ok ill look around some more. Thanks a ton for the help!