Question on Adding a Second Head Unit

[Juggernight]

I have a very odd question for the group. I want to essentially add a second head unit into the Maverick strictly for Audio Purposes only aka Listening to Music via Bluetooth.

My question is if I just tap into the speakers and basically splice them to each Head Unit does this cause any issues? Basically, leave the infotainment system connected for alerts, navigation, etc., while having the second head unit be strictly for music. I cannot find anything online that explains this well enough to try it.

I do have a harness - Which is where I would tap into the speakers/power/etc and not into the factory wiring ( PAC LPHFD31 LocPro Advanced T-Harness T-harness ), amp and LOC already installed - The stock infotainment system just isn't loud enough.

If anyone has knowledge of this, please reach out and let me know your experience.

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[Carlitos_92]

You already added an amp, and it isn't loud enough? Sorry, but that is not making much sense.

MANY people on the forum have successfully (and in some cases, exponentially) improved their sound quality and volume without resorting to duplicate head units. Swapping the speakers out, adding a Kicker amp with DSP, and a modest powered sub behind the rear seat makes a night-and-day difference from even the premium B&O system.

I would look at how you have the amp and everything upstream of that wired up before I'd add even more complexity trying to introduce a second head unit. If you have an amp and are still unsatisfied, there is an execution problem somewhere in your truck that there are easier ways to fix.

 

[Juggernight]

Thank you @Carlitos_92 for the reply. Maybe I didn’t specific enough on what I was looking for. So the head unit isn’t as loud as I would like it to be, and I am not looking to add another amp for the front and rear speakers, the sub is fine, I want to be able to turn the volume up more than the head unit can do, as well as potentially remove the need for the LOC I have to have for the stock unit.
I am just looking to see if there are any electrical/audio issues that would happen if I tapped the speakers to power a second head unit at the same time for music only

 

[Carlitos_92]

Thank you @Carlitos_92 for the reply. Maybe I didn’t specific enough on what I was looking for. So the head unit isn’t as loud as I would like it to be, and I am not looking to add another amp for the front and rear speakers, the sub is fine, I want to be able to turn the volume up more than the head unit can do, as well as potentially remove the need for the LOC I have to have for the stock unit.
I am just looking to see if there are any electrical/audio issues that would happen if I tapped the speakers to power a second head unit at the same time for music only

As it turns out, I understood what you were looking for perfectly, but thanks for verifying.

I still think that you are going about things the completely wrong way. From what I am hearing, adding an amp will probably solve your problem, whereas there is no guarantee a second head unit is going to do anything at all except give you another audio input/source.

I doubt anyone around here has tried what you are asking. Even the guy who disassembled his interior for sound deadening and redid pretty much everything else didn't mess with the head unit. Good luck in your search.

 

[Maverick123]

Dumb question, but is the Bluetooth volume turned all the way up on your phone?

Bluetooth volume isn't controlled only by the head unit, you also have to turn the volume up your transmitter

I've been in the car thinking, "why is the music so low?" and it was the Bluetooth volume on my phone that was turned down for some reason

 

[shrek]

Have you used FORSCAN to to set the EQ to flat? Ans also shut off the speed differential for the audio.

 

[rallyshark]

Okay, I'll bite... I suspect there is more to this story, than what we're being told. First of all, a LOC isn't needed, unless your amp/DSP can't handle high level input, but most can. Are you saying you only have an amp on the sub right now, and plan on adding one for the other speakers after getting another head unit? Why not add the amp to the other speakers now with the factory head unit. The factory head unit can get as loud as you wish with what ever gear you're willing to spend the $$ on, so I completely don't understand the need for a second head unit? A good DSP, amp for mids/highs, and amp for sub should have you rolling.

On a side note, BT and loud/good sound quality don't go together. BT sound quality is really lacking, unless you're running a HI-res BT setup(which can still be done with an adapter using the factory head unit). I guess what we're all saying is: Something is wrong with your setup, if you can't get it loud enough with the factory head unit. Budget is the only limit on how loud you can make it with the factory head unit, assuming the setup is correct. Help us understand. We're willing to help, but you have to let us. Give us details, and we'll probably be able to solve your problem

P.S.
As Shrek mentioned above, setting the EQ to flat via Forscan is also pretty important.

 

[phoneguyinpgh]

Just to add my $.02... connecting the outputs of two amplifiers in parallel to try to get more output volume will most likely cause a fire. The 2 amps will be fighting each other. I agree with the prior suggestions of checking how you have things already set up with your amp and the how your volume is being controlled. I have the stock B&O system. I did swap out the speakers. It is more than loud enough playing from the thumb drive, BT & radio.

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