So I don't have the 10 speaker system that your talking about but I've read what seems like everything about audio upgrades on this and the other forum. My understanding is that you will need the DSP because the signal coming from the factory amp is all actively eq'd. or at the very least I believe you need to tap the signal after the amp. Someone might be able to correct me if I'm wrong. Might have to do with retaining functionality for phone and car sounds (someone else should fact check me on that)
This might be the harness you need, but again some further fact checking is required.
I'm gonna leave this video here as hopefully a resource to help you understand the signal coming from the radio.
Adding an amp is absolutely necessary to bring your speakers to life. I don't think a 5 channel amp would do what your asking of it, as like you've discovered, that 5th channel is almost always for a sub, and if you try to run sub power to your center speaker you will blow that little guy. I'd recommend looking at 6 or 8 channel amps, for cost reasons I'd highly suggest you find one with a DSP in it, you'll want that DSP to get the sound you expect. I'd recommend This JBL 8 Channel Amp , you could use the first 4 channels to run your front components as active (meaning that you don't use a cross over that usually comes with component speakers) 5 and 6 as your rears, 7 as your center speaker and use 8 as a feed for your sub amp. you can use the lc2i you have as a High level Low level adapter to feed your sub amp. This would give you the ability to control everything from one DSP. While configuring a dsp might be scary at first, it's not super complicated and the JBL DSP software seems pretty straight forward. There are some good videos explaining the software here and here. The infinity amp is a 4 channel version, but its practically the same thing as its the same company and same software with different colors. This path would also eliminate the need for an epicenter.
Running speaker wire is a whale of a time, I personally decided to re use the factory wiring, because in the 8 speaker version it was much easier to do so. But from what I can tell the best method to run speaker wires into the door is through the grommet and using zip ties or a wire hanger to fish it through. Patience is the key there, something I lack lol.
To get mid bass I strongly recommend adding some sound deadening also. Proper sound treatment alone will improve the perceived audio quality. Honestly that should be higher on the priority list. You can get by with doing the front doors and the trunk area.
At some point you'll probably ask about speakers, pretty much whatever works in the rears, I would recommend either not doing them, or at the very least reconnect your tweeters in the back. Will at least sound better for your rear passengers.
For the front speakers everyone and their mother seems to recommend morel, the Maximo 6's seem to be the best bang for buck. The tweeter will not fit in the stock tweeter location, so you can either hack up your tweeter sails or look for something like This to better fit them. I ordered a few options for these tweeter sails from ebay and aliexpress, so I don't know whats the best fit till they get off the boat. I'll circle back here when I get them in.
There are other options for front speakers, I had the Focal ASE-165, which is a part of their auditor series, they sounded good, but the tweeter was a tad bit to shrill for me and the mid range was not to my liking. What is to note is that both the Morel's and the Focal's mounting screw locations did not match with the adapter that crutchfield will send, so I just drilled new holes into the plastic of the adapter. But that tweeter did fit better in the factory tweeter sail without having to hack anything up.
I threw a lot at you here so I'm happy to answer any questions or explain further to the best of my ability.
This might be the harness you need, but again some further fact checking is required.
I'm gonna leave this video here as hopefully a resource to help you understand the signal coming from the radio.
Adding an amp is absolutely necessary to bring your speakers to life. I don't think a 5 channel amp would do what your asking of it, as like you've discovered, that 5th channel is almost always for a sub, and if you try to run sub power to your center speaker you will blow that little guy. I'd recommend looking at 6 or 8 channel amps, for cost reasons I'd highly suggest you find one with a DSP in it, you'll want that DSP to get the sound you expect. I'd recommend This JBL 8 Channel Amp , you could use the first 4 channels to run your front components as active (meaning that you don't use a cross over that usually comes with component speakers) 5 and 6 as your rears, 7 as your center speaker and use 8 as a feed for your sub amp. you can use the lc2i you have as a High level Low level adapter to feed your sub amp. This would give you the ability to control everything from one DSP. While configuring a dsp might be scary at first, it's not super complicated and the JBL DSP software seems pretty straight forward. There are some good videos explaining the software here and here. The infinity amp is a 4 channel version, but its practically the same thing as its the same company and same software with different colors. This path would also eliminate the need for an epicenter.
Running speaker wire is a whale of a time, I personally decided to re use the factory wiring, because in the 8 speaker version it was much easier to do so. But from what I can tell the best method to run speaker wires into the door is through the grommet and using zip ties or a wire hanger to fish it through. Patience is the key there, something I lack lol.
To get mid bass I strongly recommend adding some sound deadening also. Proper sound treatment alone will improve the perceived audio quality. Honestly that should be higher on the priority list. You can get by with doing the front doors and the trunk area.
At some point you'll probably ask about speakers, pretty much whatever works in the rears, I would recommend either not doing them, or at the very least reconnect your tweeters in the back. Will at least sound better for your rear passengers.
For the front speakers everyone and their mother seems to recommend morel, the Maximo 6's seem to be the best bang for buck. The tweeter will not fit in the stock tweeter location, so you can either hack up your tweeter sails or look for something like This to better fit them. I ordered a few options for these tweeter sails from ebay and aliexpress, so I don't know whats the best fit till they get off the boat. I'll circle back here when I get them in.
There are other options for front speakers, I had the Focal ASE-165, which is a part of their auditor series, they sounded good, but the tweeter was a tad bit to shrill for me and the mid range was not to my liking. What is to note is that both the Morel's and the Focal's mounting screw locations did not match with the adapter that crutchfield will send, so I just drilled new holes into the plastic of the adapter. But that tweeter did fit better in the factory tweeter sail without having to hack anything up.
I threw a lot at you here so I'm happy to answer any questions or explain further to the best of my ability.
