:beating head on wall:
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 8,147
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From: Joppa, Maryland
:beating head on wall:
Well since i can't get any help out of the guys over at the mazda forum i joined i've come back to you guys.
Just a simple question:
Pionner head unit 2 RCA outs.
Currently have one two channel amp (using one set of the RCS) powering my two 12's
I want to amp all four of my speakers. to do this i need a 4 channel amp, correct?
I'm curious about how to wire the amps. The Rear RCA from the head unit currently powers the sub amp. Would i take the RCA out from the sub amp and plug into the Rear set of the 4 channel and run another set of RCAs from the Front HU to the Front set of the 4 channel? Or is there some other way to wire them?
After they are wired up, How does the sound get from the 4 channel amp to the 4 speakers? Do i have to run wire to each speaker, or do i splice in behind the head unit somehow, how does it work?
thanks guys,
Paul
Just a simple question:
Pionner head unit 2 RCA outs.
Currently have one two channel amp (using one set of the RCS) powering my two 12's
I want to amp all four of my speakers. to do this i need a 4 channel amp, correct?
I'm curious about how to wire the amps. The Rear RCA from the head unit currently powers the sub amp. Would i take the RCA out from the sub amp and plug into the Rear set of the 4 channel and run another set of RCAs from the Front HU to the Front set of the 4 channel? Or is there some other way to wire them?
After they are wired up, How does the sound get from the 4 channel amp to the 4 speakers? Do i have to run wire to each speaker, or do i splice in behind the head unit somehow, how does it work?
thanks guys,
Paul
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,461
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From: Abilene Kansas
i would run the speakers amp on a high pass amp and use the speaker wires as the inputs. thats my thoughts
Matt
Matt
Last edited by fordboy_52; Apr 25, 2006 at 08:42 AM. Reason: i need to quit posting with my laptop... numerous typing errors
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Calgary, Canada
It partly depends on how you wired the hu, if you used a harness adapter, it's a little easier; for the output from the amp, run speaker wire from the amp to the adapter harness speaker inputs. It's not necessary to run new wire for the speakers; you can splice into them somewhere if you're not using a harness adapter.
Also, depending on the amp, you may only need one L & R input to run the 4 channels - this is the way my amp works; check your documentation... RCA's is always the best way to go if at all possible, because you don't get any signal degradation from the HU's processing, distortion etc from the poor output of the unit. Even if you do end up needing 4 discreet inputs on the 4 channel amp, it's still better to split the front L/R into 4.
I'm assuming you mean 4 speakers + your subs
Also, depending on the amp, you may only need one L & R input to run the 4 channels - this is the way my amp works; check your documentation... RCA's is always the best way to go if at all possible, because you don't get any signal degradation from the HU's processing, distortion etc from the poor output of the unit. Even if you do end up needing 4 discreet inputs on the 4 channel amp, it's still better to split the front L/R into 4.
I'm assuming you mean 4 speakers + your subs
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Joppa, Maryland
You are correct, furball. It has one front set and one rear set. 4holes in all.
thanks for the replies
thanks for the replies
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Postmaster
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From: Calgary, Canada
Was just thinking and if you do end up needing 4 discreet inputs for the 4 channel amp, it'd be better to run the front channel direct and split the rear between the rear channel and the sub amp... for less degradation on the fronts signal.
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Another thing to consider when choosing your 4ch amplifier is whether it has a pass through circuit for the RCA in/out.
This is a very desireable feature, it allows your fader to function as intended while keeping a constant signal present for your subwoofer amplifier. The RCA's, front and rear, would be connected to your 4ch amp, then your subwoofer amp would be connected to the output provided by the 4ch amp.
If the amplifier you select has internal crossovers then the signal can be tailored to your speaker's playback capabilities and the resulting sound will be at it's best. In any case, as it has been said already, the output wiring from the 4ch amp can be routed to the dash harness currently providing power from your head unit to yopur speakers. Just remember to disconnect the head unit and connect the amplifier wiring to the harness that connects to your speakers.
This is a very desireable feature, it allows your fader to function as intended while keeping a constant signal present for your subwoofer amplifier. The RCA's, front and rear, would be connected to your 4ch amp, then your subwoofer amp would be connected to the output provided by the 4ch amp.
If the amplifier you select has internal crossovers then the signal can be tailored to your speaker's playback capabilities and the resulting sound will be at it's best. In any case, as it has been said already, the output wiring from the 4ch amp can be routed to the dash harness currently providing power from your head unit to yopur speakers. Just remember to disconnect the head unit and connect the amplifier wiring to the harness that connects to your speakers.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Joppa, Maryland
Alright, i went with an alpine 4ch amp, and before i get started on installing it i want to make sure i'm understanding clearly. I bought the wiring harness adapter today.
The wiring harness adapter has white, grey, green and purple wires for front r/l and back r/l, what you're saying is that i'd run wires from the (alpine) amp to these wires and completely bypass connecting these wires to the head unit?
Also, the adapter has a blue wire on it.. why would it have this?? Doesn't the blue wire out of the back of the head unit go directly to the amps (do i just split this, btw?) why would it connect into the harness??
The wiring harness adapter has white, grey, green and purple wires for front r/l and back r/l, what you're saying is that i'd run wires from the (alpine) amp to these wires and completely bypass connecting these wires to the head unit?
Also, the adapter has a blue wire on it.. why would it have this?? Doesn't the blue wire out of the back of the head unit go directly to the amps (do i just split this, btw?) why would it connect into the harness??
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Calgary, Canada
Correct, look at it from where the power is coming from, in the case where you would be powering the speakers from the head unit, you would solder the speaker wires from the head unit to the speakers wires on the adapter inputs, but now the power is coming from the external 4 channel amp, so you run the speaker wires from that, to the harness adapter inputs behind the dash. I measured all the speaker wires for the amp to behind the dash, put a different colored zip tie on each speaker wire at both ends and wrote down where I soldered which color on the harness. All the soldering can be done on the kitchen table and taped, then run the amp ends through the HU hole and to the amp.
Some factory setups have an external amp from factory and use the blue wire if you are not adding an aftermarket amp. YOu should run the blue from the HU directly to the amp and tape up the blue ends on the adapter.
Some factory setups have an external amp from factory and use the blue wire if you are not adding an aftermarket amp. YOu should run the blue from the HU directly to the amp and tape up the blue ends on the adapter.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Joppa, Maryland
Thanks for all the help furball, thats basically what i was going to do, just wanted to make sure so i didnt' screw something up.
one last question: the remote power on wire since i have two amps do i just split this wire? Or can i run it to one amp and then run it from that amp to the next?
one last question: the remote power on wire since i have two amps do i just split this wire? Or can i run it to one amp and then run it from that amp to the next?
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Calgary, Canada
Originally Posted by captain p4
one last question: the remote power on wire since i have two amps do i just split this wire? Or can i run it to one amp and then run it from that amp to the next?
Edit: make sure all unused leads are taped up individually to prevent short circuits.
Last edited by furball69; Apr 29, 2006 at 01:43 PM.