Kicker “Substage” & “Powerstage” for Sony equipped 2009-2014 F150’s
02-21-2016, 05:15 PM
#471
While waiting for my Kicker Soundstage system to ship I have been researching how to wire the subwoofer. The install instructions from Kicker show to tap the wires for the right front speaker, WH-VT to Green and WH-OG to Brown. As you can see in this wiring diagram, green goes to positive and brown goes to negative.
Why is this important you ask, well I've read that if you get the polarity wrong it can have a negative effect by putting the subwoofer 180 degrees out of phase with the rear speakers and thus cancel each other out reducing the amount of bass you hear. Same principle as noise canceling headphones.
I want to use the sub input that went to the Sony subwoofer as others have done on here and on FRF. Some people use all four wires and some only use two of the four wires. I will have to experiment with each method to see which I like the best. Here is the wiring diagram for the sub wires and the connector.
Why is this important you ask, well I've read that if you get the polarity wrong it can have a negative effect by putting the subwoofer 180 degrees out of phase with the rear speakers and thus cancel each other out reducing the amount of bass you hear. Same principle as noise canceling headphones.
I want to use the sub input that went to the Sony subwoofer as others have done on here and on FRF. Some people use all four wires and some only use two of the four wires. I will have to experiment with each method to see which I like the best. Here is the wiring diagram for the sub wires and the connector.
02-22-2016, 08:47 AM
#472
American member
I think I'm going to have to set aside a hour or two on a Saturday and check out these different options for signal.
Right now I'm hooked into my scab's left rear door. There's been times, 'not many,' but still times when I've run out of juice and have maxed out both the volume & bass and wanted more.
I have to check out my right front speaker I replaced the Sony's with Infinity's after Xmas and yesterday I was getting static from that speaker. Hopefully it's just a loose connection.
Right now I'm hooked into my scab's left rear door. There's been times, 'not many,' but still times when I've run out of juice and have maxed out both the volume & bass and wanted more.
I have to check out my right front speaker I replaced the Sony's with Infinity's after Xmas and yesterday I was getting static from that speaker. Hopefully it's just a loose connection.
02-25-2016, 12:46 PM
#474
I received the Kicker soundstage kit yesterday. I replaced all four door speakers and the subwoofer in my Sony equipped F150, installation took about three hours taking my time. I removed the door panels and Sony speakers while waiting for the brown truck. A few days prior I had re-routed a power cable into the cab to use for the subwoofer.
Installing the door speakers was a snap, 100% plug-n-play. I used the wire harness from the Sony sub to make the connection to the Kicker sub and only used two of the four Sony sub signal wires, WH (pin 1 +) to Green and WH/BL (pin 2 -) to Brown. Power and ground for the Kicker sub were connected to my power cable in the cab.
When all buttoned up it looks factory but sounds 10x better.
Installing the door speakers was a snap, 100% plug-n-play. I used the wire harness from the Sony sub to make the connection to the Kicker sub and only used two of the four Sony sub signal wires, WH (pin 1 +) to Green and WH/BL (pin 2 -) to Brown. Power and ground for the Kicker sub were connected to my power cable in the cab.
When all buttoned up it looks factory but sounds 10x better.
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Rogel Ford (03-02-2016)
03-19-2016, 10:42 AM
#477
American member
Kicker “Substage” & “Powerstage” for Sony equipped 2009-2014 F150’s
Ya know..., I keep forgetting to ask you guys, that replaced your door speakers. Even though I did it months ago, I keep wondering if you took off the that foam/felt whatever it is gasket, that sealed the speaker to the the door panel and then stuck it on the aftermarket speaker?
I can't help but wonder how much sound I'm actually losing, if any by not having it sealed tight to the grill?
I do realize any sound lost is not good, but how measurable is it, in this case?
Think it really !makes a difference...would it tighten it up a bit?
Sony/Ford designed it that way, so should I have done the same?
I can't help but wonder how much sound I'm actually losing, if any by not having it sealed tight to the grill?
I do realize any sound lost is not good, but how measurable is it, in this case?
Think it really !makes a difference...would it tighten it up a bit?
Sony/Ford designed it that way, so should I have done the same?
04-10-2016, 04:17 PM
#478
I wanted to share that I finally tried switching my Kicker subwoofer input from the front door to the factory Sony sub signal. I will say that I like it much much better this way! I'm glad I finally got around to trying it out. I listen to all kinds of music and everything I've tried so far is better this way (to me anyway).
04-10-2016, 10:37 PM
#479
Senior Member
I too never changed mine back to the door feed since moving it to the Sony sub input.
04-10-2016, 10:55 PM
#480
American member
Getting closer...Now, if I can read someone switching from the back speaker, to the factory sub.
Couldn't be an easier switch.....guess I'm being lazy till the weather warms up.
Couldn't be an easier switch.....guess I'm being lazy till the weather warms up.