70 Challenger stereo help needed

[70chall440]

Let me say up front that I am not a "stereo" guy at all; I am very adept at wiring, mechanics, etc but haven't spent a lot of time dealing with stereos other then just installing them and hooking up all the wires. That said, I am currently upgrading the stereo in my 70 Challenger and wanted to get some advice. What I have is
 - a Pioneer DEH-X3600UI head unit
 - 4 x 3" front speakers (3 speaker dash; left and right and 2 in the middle)
 - a pair of pioneer 6x9 TS-975M rear speakers
 - JBL CS300.1 single channel amp

My question is if it is worth using the amp or should I just wire the head unit up normally? I don't need "huge" sound but I would like clean sound. I will be using my Ipod primarily but will use the radio from time to time. I am pretty new to using an amp and am not really sure if it is worth using. I see how it connects (RCA jacks from the head unit to the Amp, separate power and ground for the amp as well as a "remote" from the head unit or a switched 12V source). My original plan was to use the amp to power the rear speakers and the head unit for all of the front speakers.

Amy advice is appreciated.

[Bullitt-]

   ABSOLUTELY it will wound better with the extra 300watt amp... 
   It is a MONO amp so you would only want it for the two rear 6x9" speakers
Run a heavy gauge fused power wire from the starter relay to the amp.
A low priced kit will get you everything you need http://www.amazon.com/IMC-Audio-Gauge-Power-Wire/dp/B002YPPN0Q/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1425388100&sr=1-2&keywords=amp+wiring+kit

[dave73chally]

   ABSOLUTELY it will wound better with the extra 300watt amp... 
   It is a MONO amp so you would only want it for the two rear 6x9" speakers
Run a heavy gauge fused power wire from the starter relay to the amp.
A low priced kit will get you everything you need http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PLAM14-Amplifier-Speakers-Installation/dp/B00022OBD8/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1425387825&sr=1-1&keywords=amp+wiring+kit

Agreed. The (2) 3" speakers upfront will have plenty of power feeding off the headunit. The 6x9's in the rear will be lacking power if there wasn't an amp. For kicks, hook it all up to the headunit and then hook up the rear speakers to the amp, you'll be surprised how much more power you get out of those speakers 

[70chall440]

that's what I needed. I ordered the amazon kit; great deal. I am going to mount the amp in the trunk, the battery is there as well so I suspect I could just run the power straight to the battery? The head unit has a "remote" connection which I believe should run to the amp to turn it on, I have to figure out what connection that it, looks kinda like a 3.5mm connector but I am probably wrong.

[70chall440]

Anyone know what the remote wire/connector is? What I am asking is what the connector is on the back of the head unit. I have tried to research it and am not really finding what connector it is. I know it runs from the head unit to the amp, just not sure how to connect it to the head unit.

[Bullitt-]

The amp signal wires I've ran into had no connector at the head unit, just a light gauge blue wire usually labeled for the purpose.
You can add a connector or just splice the wire from the kit. At the amp there's been a screw terminal to wire to.
Straight off the battery for power is fine, just be sure to fuse as close to there as possible.

[70chall440]

I will look at it, maybe I am overthinking it. I know there is a "wired remote" connection on the back of the head unit which I thought was for the amp but that might be a different deal and there could be the wire you are talking about.

The fuse needs to be close to the amp or battery?

[70chall440]

found it

Blue/white
Connect to system control terminal of the
power amp or auto-antenna relay control terminal
(max. 300 mA 12 V DC).

[dave73chally]

Do you have the manual for your headunit? Should have a diagram of wiring with or without an amp.

[70chall440]

yes I do, that is where I got the previous wiring information; yes they do show wiring with an amp but Pioneer's manuals are a little weak..

[Bullitt-]

The fuse needs to be close to the amp or battery?

The big fuse with the wiring kit goes close to the battery to protect should the power wire get shorted, the amp comes with it's own fuse built in.

[70chall440]

good to go, thanks.

[Denison636]

Something that I do is run a cap and a crossover. This will save you alternator and battery and also clean the sound up that much more. I got a reg cab pickup with a 1400 watt 12" sub behind the seat and all the other speakers upgraded and even in a space that small bigger is better. I only loose vision a little when turned up all the way but this is due to I keep the bass down and the rap out it.

[70chall440]

I will look into it. I don't want this thing to get out of control and as I mentioned up front, I am not looking for a huge killer stereo. I am just looking for something that clean and somewhat modern in capability and quality. That said, I am interested in making it work well and an asset verses a liability (ie I don't want to kill my battery or alternator just to have a stereo).

[Denison636]

If you use amps I always use a capacitor. Saves so many things that I made a habit out of it. And they are cheap compared to buying all other electrical components.