I'm looking at having a small system added into my RX8 in the upcoming days, but am not exactly sure how everything works when using the stock head-unit... (Kicker Class D amp, 2 MTX Series 8000 subs)

I've contacted an installer and was quoted the following:

"Well you are looking at 65.00 for the amp install and 75.00 for the line input
with install. The box will run you 150.00"

The price isn't an issue... But i'm just curious as to what exactly the line input is and what it will do for me? (I'm assuming it will help the amp and subs work properly w/out an aftermarket head-unit?)

I've done a little search on google, but i'm still a bit confused...

 

basically - they "tap" the signal going to the rear speakers - run it through a LOC (Line Output Converter) which will reduce the speaker level down to line level then plug that signal into the amps.

this is a crucial part of your system, because a cheap one can really degrade the sound - so you are taking your chances when they install one - look around on the forums here (start with the stickies at the top) and learn a little about what is actually goin on. if it were me i would purchase a quality LOC and take it to them to install for you.

 

Alright, thank you very much!
I've read a little bit in the stickies and tried searching through some posts but it just got me confused as hell as to what was going on... i'll certainly look into a quality LOC since it is important when it comes to sound quality

You have any suggestions for a good LOC?

Thanks again!

- Brad

 

Yeah the audiocontrol lc6 is a crowd favorite around here..

 

Pretty much a "copy that" on what WikkedOne said. I just recently put a system in my 8 as well and I went with the AudioControl LC6 and am very happy. Basically you (or the installer) runs the front R and L speakers and back R and L speaker wires to the LOC and then from the LOC you can run low level RCA outputs to the amps. The great thing abou the LC6 is that it can duplicate the rear speaker inputs and give it 2 outputs, one for your rear speakers and one for your subs.

It is just one rather small box. The cheap LOCs out there are normally just little converter jacks pretty much that will lower the sound quality.

https://resources.myeporia.com/Company_38/LC6_OM.pdf

There is the manual for it, it should answer any other questions you have. As far a buying one, I'd just look around on ebay. I couldn't find any major websites selling it.