Ok, now that you mentioned it, both. Does the HU have to match the amp, and amp match the speakers? Or does it not matter between the HU and the amp?

yes and no. as far as i know the preamp voltage on the HU can/should NOT exceed the input voltage of the amplifier otherwise it might let the blue smoke out.

The impedance of a speaker (ohms) should match that of the amp powering the speaker (whether a head unit amp or an external one.) If you are running a head unit to an amp, then the head unit has no speakers hooked up to it directly and is inconsequential.

Here is the best way I can try to explain impedence (ohms.) Think of the speakers ohms as a weight. The smaller the ohms, the heavier the weight. Now, think of an amp as a truck. You can get a 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, and 1 ton models, each able to carry more weight. In general, the 1/2 ton truck has the smallest motor and thus can only carry a modest weight using all its power. The 3/4 ton has a bigger motor and can carry more weight, but can also carry the same weight the 1/2 ton truck did, just without using all its power. Likewise, the 1 ton can carry the most, in addition to being able to carry that of its lesser siblings using less power respectively. Confused yet? An amps power solely depends on what load it sees from the speaker. So if an amp is rated at 500w at 2ohms and 2ohms is its lowest rated impedance, hooking up a 2ohm speaker will give you the most power from that amp. However, you can safely hook up any speaker with higher impedance (4, 8 ohms etc) and they will work fine, they just will have less power. Just like with the trucks, a 1ton can safely carry the 1/2 ton trucks load, it just won't be using as much power. Also, if you try to use a 1/2 ton truck to carry the 1 ton trucks load- it will do it for a short period of time until the truck craps out. Likewise hooking up a speaker with an impedance lower than the amp is rated to handle will cause problems with your amp (i.e. 1ohm speaker to a 4ohm amp.)
I apologize if that example was hard to follow. It was all I could think of.

JCRAZYJJ is correct in checking the output voltage of the head unit compared to the acceptable input voltage of an amp. Many unknowing folks will use the gain **** on an amp as a volume ****. It is there to set the amp to the voltage level from the head unit'* RCA'*.

question. how do i remove the part of the dash to access the radio? i tried pulling on it but stopped cause i didnt wanna break it.

You just gotta pull it off. I'd recommend starting at one corner first, possibly starting it with a flat screwdriver. Once it pops, then work your way around popping it off. If it is an 00+ model its a little tougher only because the piece goes around the instrument panel over to the other side. But it just pops out just the same.

thats what i figured but i didn't wanna break it in the process cause i was doing it wrong. im pretty pumped for this radio to come in, now if only sonic electronix would hurry up, stop processing it and ship the damn thing to me.

has anyone fit 6.5 speakers in the front doors? how much cutting do i need to do?

Coming from someone who'* been working with the Bose audio equipped 97-99 Bonnevilles for 5 years I suggest going on ebay and get the speakers of your choice for a fraction of Crutchfields price.
For the mounting and wiring adapters with antenna adapter just go to Wal-Mart get it on the cheap and not have to pay shipping.
I have Infinity Kappa 693.7i'* in the rear dash
Infinity Kappa Perfect 1" tweeters high up in the rear pillars (connected to the Kappa 693.7i crossovers)
Infinity Kappa 52.7i'* in the front doors
Stock Bose tweeters in the front door

I have run this setup with a factory 7-band EQ CD unit in my 99 SSEi and it was all I thought I'd need until I found a deal at Circuit City for a Pioneer DEH-7700MP for $69 on clearance (was a return, refurb and clearance w/o any packaging, manuals, or remote).

If you are on a budget get the speakers first.
Also you will find you can get a 7-band EQ stock deck for cheap and it will improve sound drastically, especially with some decent speakers.


My cost for the speakers:

693.7i'* & 52.7i'* were a package deal used for $75 including shipping via BUY IT NOW on ebay.
Infinity Kappa Perfect Tweeters NEW $25 shipped via BUY IT NOW on ebay.
I also have a set of NEW Infinity Reference 6022CS'* I got from the guy I got the tweeters from. I paid $40 for that set.

I bought them with the intentions of upgrading the fronts to the 6.5" components and moving the 52.7i'* to the rear doors, but I haven't managed to do that yet (need an extra set of panels to install in, but haven't looked hard yet). I am probably just going to hold onto them and install them in my next vehicle which will probably only have an upgraded sound system.

I also have a Infinity Basslink powered sub I bought used for $30 off CL with all the wiring, but it only lasted 2-3 weeks before it did what they all do -the internal amp fried.

got the HU i listed, soldered al the connections, installed it and nothing. it turned on, switched modes, picked up radio but no sound. went though the manual and still nothing. sat down to think for a bit and it hit me. "oh hey, i have an external amp..." so i hooked up the orange wire and bammo! we have sound!

overall i love this unit. awesome features, lots of settings for me to change and mess up. haha.

question though.

i have this dash kit.

i dont like how it sticks out that little bit. so... correct me if im wrong couldn't i make/mod one that is flush all the way across?

kinda like this...

anyone?

i have googled flush mount kits but i dont really know which ones will work for sure.