Bypassing stock amp
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Bypassing stock amp
ok i am a newb and i dont know much about cars. I installed a pioneer HU and pioneer speakers in my 93 ford explorer and when i turn up the volume the speakers dont give out a very good bass and the vocals sound crappy. If i were to bypass the amp and just use the one on my HU would it make it the sound better. If not could i have some suggestions on what i should do.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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bypass would be recommended
when replaceing the head unit...it is recommended you bypass the amp. If you hook up the speaker wires to the amplifier input (as you probably did with a premium sound system) you will be overdriving the amplifier. the speaker outputs have a LOT more power than the line level (RCA) outputs. This WILL result in distortion. An aftermarket amplifier bypass wiring harness is made JUST for this scenereo...it usually costs $15-20. The amplifier is located in the hatch on the right side...forward of the little storage compartment. You'll have to remove the panel, and install the bypass harness....the amplifier will have two connectors...one on top, one on bottom...unplug both of then, and plug either end of the bypass into the harnesses.
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speakers will be safer....
Ok, first of all, just to let you know I'm not blowing smoke up your ***...LOL, I'm an electronics technician for the FAA...second...I've done the same in my 93 Explorer. Yes, the speakes will be better off running off the head unit...less distortion since you'll no longer be overdriving the amplifier (since it is now bypassed). However...will they sound better than stock? Well that depends on the power handling and efficiency of the drivers (speakers) and the power output of the head unit. Underpowering a speaker can blow it just as quickly as overpowering it...but this usually isn't an issue with speakers as small as the ones that fit in your doors...usually subs. It will also depend on the frequency response curve of the speakers. They may not be designed to hit the lows (often common in high end components, which are intended for use with a sub-woofer) Your speakers will be sound much more clear (assuming you don't have any wiring issues)...but may not have the depth you want. You may want to check the power handling specs of the speakers, and add an aftermarket amplifier. I found that it wasn't necessary in my case, but then again, I'm running an Alpine Head Unit...and they don't make them any better than Alpine for sound quality (except for Clarion...they're just as good).
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From: Winnipeg, Mb. Canada
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adapter for preouts?
even if it does, I haven't yet found an RCA (preout) to stock amp adapter...I've always had to build my own (soldering is fun) you should ask if they make such a thing though....its worth a shot!
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i just had the same dilema except i installed a sub and sub amp aswell with a new alpine head unit
problem i had is my head unit puts out 50 watts a speaker so once that was going through the stock amp it was distorted at volume level of 4 and i couldnt hear the sub at all cause the volume level needed to be at least 10 before it really turned on
i didnt bypass the stock am
instead i used a high level to low level filter between the head unit and stock wiring harness
high level input is the speaker wires on the head unit
low level is the rca plugs on the head unit
with this filter you wire it up to the stock harness speaker wires in the dash and plug it into the rca outputs on your new head unit
ask around the stereo shops they can give you a better idea of this process
easy and you dont have to fart around bypassing the stock amp
plus the stock amp has a nice clear sound to it with a fair amount of kick for the new mb quarts speakers i installed
problem i had is my head unit puts out 50 watts a speaker so once that was going through the stock amp it was distorted at volume level of 4 and i couldnt hear the sub at all cause the volume level needed to be at least 10 before it really turned on
i didnt bypass the stock am
instead i used a high level to low level filter between the head unit and stock wiring harness
high level input is the speaker wires on the head unit
low level is the rca plugs on the head unit
with this filter you wire it up to the stock harness speaker wires in the dash and plug it into the rca outputs on your new head unit
ask around the stereo shops they can give you a better idea of this process
easy and you dont have to fart around bypassing the stock amp
plus the stock amp has a nice clear sound to it with a fair amount of kick for the new mb quarts speakers i installed
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I still suggest the bypass.
stock amp only puts out a max of 40W, and generally, anything aftermarket is clearer. It sounded 10 times better bypassing the amp and running the speakers off my alpine than using the line level converters and stock amp did.
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