24 AR220 Radio Change

[bamapilot]

I did search with not much luck. I just purchased a new 24 AR220, and I’m wanting to upgrade the sound system. My dealer said he didn’t think I could swap out the head unit since it is linked in with the connect system. Is this true?
If someone has done this recently what setup are you running?

 

[unknownghosted]

Hi, I have a 2022 AR220. I have replaced the stock speakers and headunit and added sub and 3 amps. Didn’t see any interconnectivity between the Connex system. I now have a Kicker 45KM654L 6.5” , KMTC8W 8” tower, 46CWTB104 sub with WetSounds WS-MC-2 head unit, only minor issue was shape and size in replacing the round stock unit with the square WetSounds, alittle overhang off the console on the bottom right, i used a thin rubber matt to make everything flush. Watch out for battery usage, if you get carried away….see above

Hope that helps!

 

[Marvin willis]

Hi, I have a 2022 AR220. I have replaced the stock speakers and headunit and added sub and 3 amps. Didn’t see any interconnectivity between the Connex system. I now have a Kicker 45KM654L 6.5” , KMTC8W 8” tower, 46CWTB104 sub with WetSounds WS-MC-2 head unit, only minor issue was shape and size in replacing the round stock unit with the square WetSounds, alittle overhang off the console on the bottom right, i used a thin rubber matt to make everything flush. Watch out for battery usage, if you get carried away….see above

Hope that helps!

And your connex screen still controls the stereo? If so how did you wire it?

 

[bamapilot]

I just finished mine also. The ar220 doesn’t connect through the screen.

kenwood Kmr-300bt head unit
Kenwood XM802-5 amp
Kenwood XM502-1 amp
JL Audio W3-6.5 to replace stock speakers
JL Audio W6-7.7 wake towers
JL Audio w6-10 subwoofer

Backlit blue led light rings behind 6.5” speakers

Very happy with sound now ?. I like the Kenwood head unit because it has a quick access subwoofer control, so I turn down the sub when not needed

 

[unknownghosted]

And your connex screen still controls the stereo? If so how did you wire it?

My stock Jensen JM32 had its own controls, stereo had no interaction with the Connex screen at all.

 

[mtudb24]

I just finished mine also. The ar220 doesn’t connect through the screen.

kenwood Kmr-300bt head unit
Kenwood XM802-5 amp
Kenwood XM502-1 amp
JL Audio W3-6.5 to replace stock speakers
JL Audio W6-7.7 wake towers
JL Audio w6-10 subwoofer

Backlit blue led light rings behind 6.5” speakers

Very happy with sound now ?. I like the Kenwood head unit because it has a quick access subwoofer control, so I turn down the sub when not needed

Very nice. Looks great.
Please excuse my ignorance, but when you buy speakers that have LED lighting like you did (and if I only wanted 1 color so I didn't have to worry about a RGB controller), do you have to run extra power and ground wires to the speakers to light up the LED's or is the current power and ground speaker wire that attaches to the factory speakers all that is need?
Thanks

 

[bamapilot]

Very nice. Looks great.
Please excuse my ignorance, but when you buy speakers that have LED lighting like you did (and if I only wanted 1 color so I didn't have to worry about a RGB controller), do you have to run extra power and ground wires to the speakers to light up the LED's or is the current power and ground speaker wire that attaches to the factory speakers all that is need?
Thanks

Depends on the speakers. You can hook up a RGB controller or simply hook up whichever color wire you want and ground. Separate wire does need to be run for the lights though

 

[BPankau33]

I just finished mine also. The ar220 doesn’t connect through the screen.

kenwood Kmr-300bt head unit
Kenwood XM802-5 amp
Kenwood XM502-1 amp
JL Audio W3-6.5 to replace stock speakers
JL Audio W6-7.7 wake towers
JL Audio w6-10 subwoofer

Backlit blue led light rings behind 6.5” speakers

Very happy with sound now ?. I like the Kenwood head unit because it has a quick access subwoofer control, so I turn down the sub when not needed

Could you show an image of your head unit installed? That seems to be the biggest challenge for my pending setup.

 

[thedon]

I just finished mine also. The ar220 doesn’t connect through the screen.

kenwood Kmr-300bt head unit
Kenwood XM802-5 amp
Kenwood XM502-1 amp
JL Audio W3-6.5 to replace stock speakers
JL Audio W6-7.7 wake towers
JL Audio w6-10 subwoofer

Backlit blue led light rings behind 6.5” speakers

Very happy with sound now ?. I like the Kenwood head unit because it has a quick access subwoofer control, so I turn down the sub when not needed

How does it sound? is the kenwood control better than a bass knob?