JL Stealthbox Install...very frustrating!

[vinnymac]

I installed the JL Stealthboxes this weekend and I have to admit it was quite frustrating.

The instructions that come with the subs are complete crap. They are vague and hardly provide any detail at all.

I'm also having a problem getting the set up to work. Each sub is 8-Ohm so I wired them in parallel and have them wired to my amp in mono mode....about 160w RMS.

For some reason I am not getting an audio signal to the amp even though I'm using the same exact setup I have with my old sub/amp setup. I thought my line-out converter was bad and bought a new one and it still doesn't work.

How is everyone getting their audio signal?

BTW, I have the OEM HK system.

[BMWintoxication]

there is a PDF file..

can't attach it here.. they don't support pdf files..




http://www.jlaudio.com/stealthbox/3series2.html

bottom of the page..
hope this helps...



and.. can u do a write up on these boxes?..

i really want to invest my money on these.. thanx..

[Anthony]

Hey, good luck on this Vinny. Be a pal, and give us a Vinnymac style writeup, that we know is easy to follow.:thumbup: :D

[-Ryan-]

Vinny, do you have something portable with RCA's out. It could be a portable stereo/cd player/playstation etc. Run the RCA cables to that and see if the subs will play. If they do then you know the converter is connected wrong. If they don't then the converter is probably fine.

Does your amp light come on. This should tell you that the power, ground and remote turn-on are good.

Other than that, check all your speaker wire connections.

I tapped my converter into the rear deck speakers. I did a write up on it. You can try those wires if all else fail.

[vinnymac]

Originally posted by Rdubb
Vinny, do you have something portable with RCA's out. It could be a portable stereo/cd player/playstation etc. Run the RCA cables to that and see if the subs will play. If they do then you know the converter is connected wrong. If they don't then the converter is probably fine.

Does your amp light come on. This should tell you that the power, ground and remote turn-on are good.

Other than that, check all your speaker wire connections.

I tapped my converter into the rear deck speakers. I did a write up on it. You can try those wires if all else fail.

I tried all that...

My amp is powering on just fine.

My line-out converter is good b/c I just removed my old sub/amp setup and didn't touch a thing. I know the speaker inputs to the converter are good b/c I tested them with extra speakers.

I'm going to buy an amp with speaker level inputs today and be done with it...

[-Ryan-]

Left + = Solid Yellow from amp
Left - = Solid Brown from amp
Right + = Solid Blue from amp
Right - = Solid Brown from amp

Try tapping into those wires from the amp. They are easy to find because they are a little thicker gauge and twisted together.

Plus, I liked tapping in over there because I could hide the converter behind the carpet.

[nleeumd]

If you are tapping the signal before it gets to the HK amp, i.e. taking the signal directly from the headunit to the amp, it will not work, the signal from the headunit is not strong enough. I am having my stealthboxes installed next friday, I will take pictures and make a writeup when i am done.

[nleeumd]

He said that I should get a line driver...bascially it pumps up the voltage so that the amp can get a decent signal. He modified the picture VinniMac made up. Just wanted to get your ideas

[vinnymac]

Everything is working fine now. I got an amp with speaker level inputs. Alpine MRP-M200.

I just need to build an amp rack and clean up the wiring. :D

[nleeumd]

Take some pictures of your amp rack. I was gonna mount mine upside down, but my friend said its better to sit it right side up via amp rack.

Neal

[-Ryan-]

Originally posted by vinnymac
Everything is working fine now. I got an amp with speaker level inputs. Alpine MRP-M200.

I just need to build an amp rack and clean up the wiring. :D

Vinny, how does it sound compared to your 1 sub?

[vinnymac]

Originally posted by Rdubb


Vinny, how does it sound compared to your 1 sub?

It's not a fair comparison to make...apples to oranges.

I had a Diamond Audio MacDaddy DVC 10" sub with nearly 600w of power from a Rockford Fosgate bd500.1. It was LOUD for such a small setup.

The JL Stealth boxes use two 8" woofers. I'm running them in parallel with about 150w RMS. They sound good for what they are. I'm definitely not going to win any SPL contests. It all about give and take. I'm gaining back my trunk space and lossing a little on the low end, but I'm pretty happy with the new setup.

[Chailo27]

Vinny,

Are you using the Alpine amp in addition to the factory amp, or did you have to rewire you entire system?

Thanks,
Chai

[vinnymac]

Originally posted by Chailo27
Vinny,

Are you using the Alpine amp in addition to the factory amp, or did you have to rewire you entire system?

Thanks,
Chai

I disabled the HK sub amp and wired the speaker leads to the Alpine amp. The rest of the OEM system is still running off the stock amp in the trunk.

[nleeumd]

Are you still using the sub amplifer? In other words, are you taking the signal comming out of the HK sub amplifer and connecting it to the new amplifer? or are you taking the signal before it gets to the subwoofer amplifer. I heard the signal before the amp is ideal, since using the signal after the amplifer will bring in alot more distortion.

[vinnymac]

Originally posted by nleeumd
Are you still using the sub amplifer? In other words, are you taking the signal comming out of the HK sub amplifer and connecting it to the new amplifer? or are you taking the signal before it gets to the subwoofer amplifer. I heard the signal before the amp is ideal, since using the signal after the amplifer will bring in alot more distortion.

Right now I'm tapping the signal coming out of the HK sub amp. I'll try it from the signal after the amp and see if it sounds better.

[nleeumd]

I heard that the signal before the headunit is not strong enough to produce a good sound and you may have to turn up the gain just to hear it. Try it out, I have yet to do this, otherwise, you will need a line driver, to boost the signal feed.

[CiSach]

Which wires are you guys splicing into either before OR after the factory HK sub amp........ which colors?

[RyanDe680]

Originally posted by CiSach
Which wires are you guys splicing into either before OR after the factory HK sub amp........ which colors?

The green and grey wires that come out of the sub amp and go into the HK subs on the under deck.

[Dre325]

does anybody have any updates on this wiring? I don't have HK, so I need to know if I can just tap into the yellow/brown and blue/brown wires from the stock amp to the rear deck speakers or if there is a better way (before the amp?).

Any help is very much appreciated!