Paying to install a sub and amp with stock head unit

[kyw]

I have been wanting to install a sub in my mazda3 for a while and finally have gotten around to purchasing the sub, amp and wires. Now to get it installed... I know best buy is notorious for not doing a good job with car audio installations but I have a $100 gift card there so I thought it would be a convenient choice. The mechanic told me it would be about $200 just for the installation because I have a stock head unit and the car is uncommon. $200 smells like bs to me just for an installation, especially since I was told on the phone that it would be about $60-$70. I know I can get a cheaper price somewhere else but my question is are other places going to jack up the price just as much as best buy did just because I have a stock head unit, or is this guy just trying to rip me off? I don't know enough about car audio to do the installation myself, but I don't want to pay more for the installation then I did for the actual sub and amp.

 

[knokout5]

Well, i dont know how much it would cost since my friend helped me with much of my install for me, but it was definitely a lot of work. Took almost 8hrs to cut some wires on the stock amp under the drivers seat, connect the new amp to the stock amp, position the new amp under passenger seat, and wire through to the sub in the trunk..granted it was the first time doing it in a ms3. I'm pretty sure it wouldve cost $100+ for install somewhere..but yea dont get it from best buy!

 

[kyw]

a guy came to my house and did it for $40 in less than an hour and it is super clean, so I am happy. And I don't have the bose system so I am pretty sure it was an easier install than that.

 

[rdaex]

I sometimes think Im in the wrong business..

You can do this yourself in about 2 hours if youre reasonably adept at it.

Get this (Its called a line out converter): http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_18698_PAC-AOEM-MAZ2.html
Its 100% plug and play.
Step 1) Unplug factory radio
Step 2) take that MALE plug you just unplugged and plug it into the FEMALE plug on the converter
Step 3) Take the MALE plug on the converter and plug it into the factory radio.
Step 4) Plug your RCA cables into the converter and run them to the amplifier.

Its very easy to do.. seriously.

If you have a reasonably small amp, you can easily fit it under your passenger seat. Thats where my JL audio 300/4 is.

 

[knokout5]

I sometimes think Im in the wrong business..

You can do this yourself in about 2 hours if youre reasonably adept at it.

Get this (Its called a line out converter): http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_18698_PAC-AOEM-MAZ2.html
Its 100% plug and play.
Step 1) Unplug factory radio
Step 2) take that MALE plug you just unplugged and plug it into the FEMALE plug on the converter
Step 3) Take the MALE plug on the converter and plug it into the factory radio.
Step 4) Plug your RCA cables into the converter and run them to the amplifier.

Its very easy to do.. seriously.

If you have a reasonably small amp, you can easily fit it under your passenger seat. Thats where my JL audio 300/4 is.

and don't need to run anything to the battery?

 

[Hapa88]

I sometimes think Im in the wrong business..

You can do this yourself in about 2 hours if youre reasonably adept at it.

Get this (Its called a line out converter): http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_18698_PAC-AOEM-MAZ2.html
Its 100% plug and play.
Step 1) Unplug factory radio
Step 2) take that MALE plug you just unplugged and plug it into the FEMALE plug on the converter
Step 3) Take the MALE plug on the converter and plug it into the factory radio.
Step 4) Plug your RCA cables into the converter and run them to the amplifier.

Its very easy to do.. seriously.

If you have a reasonably small amp, you can easily fit it under your passenger seat. Thats where my JL audio 300/4 is.

There's quite a few more steps than that if you're installing the amp. You can do it, but it always takes a long time. The reality is that you'll have to remove the factory stereo to get to the back, you'll have to run a power line through the firewall to the battery. You'll have to run RCA cables on one side of the car (if your amp doesn't have line-inputs), and the powerline & remote turn on the other side. It involves a lot of removing of plastic panels and carpet manipulation, and stringing of cable through tight spaces. You'll also need the right tools and accessories (plyers, wire cutters, wire stripper, wire taps, butt connectors, electrical tape, shrink tubing, zip ties, various screw drivers and socket/wrenches. .etc).

I used to enjoy doing that stuff, but as I got older my time became more valuable.

Does you amp accept line level inputs? If so, you don't need that converter.

I paid my local stereo shop to do my sub install (it's a Boss Bass600). Cost was $60 for labor only but I gave them all the wiring and necessary items to complete it. Took them about 1.5 to 2 hours to do and they installed it under my drivers seat (they physically removed the seat, drilled the Sub/amp into the floor). This is a good location for the amp, cuz it's completely out of the way, but also makes it more difficult if your sub is in the back because you have run the wires to two different locations.

Just something to consider.

 

[rdaex]

and don't need to run anything to the battery?

Well yes, but I was speaking more about the factory radio part of the whole deal.