Some stereo install questions for ya's....(UPDATE - faulty amp???)
09-08-2011, 09:34 PM
#31
Three Wheelin'
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Good Lord.
In my opinion, the best answer is to forsake the third set of speakers. he told you they foul the soundstage anyway.
Install new deck, install four channel amp, run fresh wiring to all speakers, replace speakers with Memphis drop-ins, en-fuking-joy.
In my opinion, the best answer is to forsake the third set of speakers. he told you they foul the soundstage anyway.
Install new deck, install four channel amp, run fresh wiring to all speakers, replace speakers with Memphis drop-ins, en-fuking-joy.
09-08-2011, 09:46 PM
#32
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+1 bypass the stock wiring and replace all the speakers, some concours **** in 2030 will thank you, skip the rear most speakers and enjoy. I got way lazy with mine and only hooked up the doors (directly from the deck) with a powered sub and it's 10x better than stock. Next time I tear into the interior I'll wire up the rears. Use the clock wiring for your dimmer.
09-08-2011, 10:23 PM
#33
Drifting
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I would really like to be able to keep the back speakers working. 
I don't know about fouling the soundstage, but when I listen to my stereo, I have the fader set to about 65% rear and 35% front (and balance about 60/40 with more sound coming out of the right side; this is when I am alone in the car) - this way I hear both front and back/side to side in a nice blend. One thing I do hate is having the sensation that I am only listening to the speaker I am sitting closest to - eliminating the back speakers will amplify this problem IMO.
With all speakers working, the ideal spot to hear the full sound is to be sitting on the hump just behind the front seats; but because I am sitting to the front/left of that position, I adjust the sound accordingly so that I feel like I am sitting an equidistant space from all four corners.
Seeing as I don't use the front speakers at their full potential, it's probably best to try and run all the other speakers off the deck and the fronts off the car's amp somehow.
Any feedback on what I can use the deck's pre-amp RCA jacks for in this scenario? Will that output run the car's amp, thus running whatever I choose to run out of the amp? ...or is that output specifically for running to an amp that is powering subs; because if that is the case, the simple answer is to run the 4" speakers/tweeters off the deck and then get my bass from using the pre-amp RCA into an amp, then into subs or 6" somethings in the rear, yes?
**gets ready for Maleficio to say "Good Lord" again**
I don't know about fouling the soundstage, but when I listen to my stereo, I have the fader set to about 65% rear and 35% front (and balance about 60/40 with more sound coming out of the right side; this is when I am alone in the car) - this way I hear both front and back/side to side in a nice blend. One thing I do hate is having the sensation that I am only listening to the speaker I am sitting closest to - eliminating the back speakers will amplify this problem IMO.
With all speakers working, the ideal spot to hear the full sound is to be sitting on the hump just behind the front seats; but because I am sitting to the front/left of that position, I adjust the sound accordingly so that I feel like I am sitting an equidistant space from all four corners.
Seeing as I don't use the front speakers at their full potential, it's probably best to try and run all the other speakers off the deck and the fronts off the car's amp somehow.
Any feedback on what I can use the deck's pre-amp RCA jacks for in this scenario? Will that output run the car's amp, thus running whatever I choose to run out of the amp? ...or is that output specifically for running to an amp that is powering subs; because if that is the case, the simple answer is to run the 4" speakers/tweeters off the deck and then get my bass from using the pre-amp RCA into an amp, then into subs or 6" somethings in the rear, yes?
**gets ready for Maleficio to say "Good Lord" again**
09-08-2011, 11:04 PM
#35
Drifting
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...but really - what can I do with that pre-amp out?
I got one 4-channel amp on the deck - need to run basically 4 speakers, not worrying about bass. This is doable.
That leaves the two 6" in the rear (or some other from of getting bass) - is there any way to power them via the car's amp or with the deck's pre-amp out?
If I can just get an answer to that, I think I know which route to take.
09-08-2011, 11:07 PM
#36
Three Wheelin'
Jeff, soundstage is where the sound comes more from the front of the car than the rear. The rear is for subs, since low end is omnidirectional, and fill
09-09-2011, 01:43 AM
#38
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A really good car stereo shop did my 90GT a few years ago.
The car already had a false floor in the rear that was 2 inches thick and had a 4 channel and 2 channel amps mounted in cutouts. The false floor was covered so was very stealth and looked like stock carpet. It also let me keep the spare tire.
They put Infinity Kappa component 4 inch mids / 1 inch tweeters in all four of the stock mid/tweeter locations including the crossovers that came with the component sets.
In the 6.5 inch rear bolster locations they put some then new 6 inch JL subs. They did a really nice 1/2 grill mount that brought the subs out enough that they fit without any other mods to the car or upholstery.
They used the 4 channel amp to run the four corners and the 2 channel to run the subs.
Between the head and amps they installed a Rockford Fosgate surround processor (also in the false floor). This not only provided separation for the subs but really improved the sound stage using surround sound. They used a tone generator and sound meters to set the crossovers and equalization for best frequency balance across the spectrum. It sounded fantastic!
The amps were wired directly to the battery with noise filter, fuse, and a relay that powered them up with the head unit.
The stereo shop I used had won many many sound off contests for both sound quality and custom installation, not the how loud you can get thing. They took a LOT of pride in their work.
The car already had a false floor in the rear that was 2 inches thick and had a 4 channel and 2 channel amps mounted in cutouts. The false floor was covered so was very stealth and looked like stock carpet. It also let me keep the spare tire.
They put Infinity Kappa component 4 inch mids / 1 inch tweeters in all four of the stock mid/tweeter locations including the crossovers that came with the component sets.
In the 6.5 inch rear bolster locations they put some then new 6 inch JL subs. They did a really nice 1/2 grill mount that brought the subs out enough that they fit without any other mods to the car or upholstery.
They used the 4 channel amp to run the four corners and the 2 channel to run the subs.
Between the head and amps they installed a Rockford Fosgate surround processor (also in the false floor). This not only provided separation for the subs but really improved the sound stage using surround sound. They used a tone generator and sound meters to set the crossovers and equalization for best frequency balance across the spectrum. It sounded fantastic!
The amps were wired directly to the battery with noise filter, fuse, and a relay that powered them up with the head unit.
The stereo shop I used had won many many sound off contests for both sound quality and custom installation, not the how loud you can get thing. They took a LOT of pride in their work.
09-09-2011, 06:07 PM
#39
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Back again!
Just got back from the stereo install place.
I presented him with the idea of running the back speakers off the deck and the front speakers off the car's amp via the RCA pre-out on the new deck . His worry was the input voltage of the old amp. He said if I used the RCA pre-amp out to the car's amp, that the front speakers may be a lot more weak then the rear speakers.
The deck I have is the Alpine CDE 125bt and is apparently a 2.5 volt stereo.
Anyone know what the input voltage is on the stock 6-channel amp?
He also suggested eliminating the old amp completely and replace it with a lil' 2-channel amp - then run the smaller speakers off the deck and use the RCA pre-amp out to run to the 2-channel amp and then run that to the rear 6" speakers - which will eventually be replaced with subwoofers. That gives me the 6-channels I need - 4 from the deck and the additional 2 from the pre-amp out.
The pre-amp out on this Alpine stereo says it is for either "subwoofers" or "front speakers". I guess if I had of bought a stereo with 3 sets of pre-amp outs, I could have run to the car's amp that way and all speakers would be getting the same "low" feed and would all perform the same.
Also.....if I decide to just get the stereo installed straight up (running it to the car's amp like the deck that is there now).....is this a big job? ...or should I order the harness from Stefan?
Just HOW much of a difference will there be in running the deck to the amp vs running the speakers off of the new deck's amp? If it's not that big a difference, I'll just get the stereo installed and worry about getting rid of the amp when I get subwoofers.
One place I called said they could eliminate the amp completely and just parallel or series the back speakers off of one another......that's another option I guess.
Just curious....in all my searching re this subject - I learned about the DIN plug going into the amp and how the speakers, etc run through that.
Help me understand here - the DIN plug out of the back of the stock CD-2 stereo......is that like a "pre-amp out" that runs to the amp? ...or does that DIN plug basically just carry the signal for the speakers and the amp does the rest? ...and what is the big white plug for? I always thought it was that plug that carried all the speaker wire outputs.
So if they install the new stereo straight to the car's amp.....will they basically take the speaker wires in the new decks harness and feed them into that DIN plug somehow or will those speaker wires be going into the big white plug? In other words, what is on the back of the new stereo that is equivalent to the DIN out plug on the older CD-2 deck?
I've learned a lot in this thread/searching so far!!
Just got back from the stereo install place.
I presented him with the idea of running the back speakers off the deck and the front speakers off the car's amp via the RCA pre-out on the new deck . His worry was the input voltage of the old amp. He said if I used the RCA pre-amp out to the car's amp, that the front speakers may be a lot more weak then the rear speakers.
The deck I have is the Alpine CDE 125bt and is apparently a 2.5 volt stereo.
Anyone know what the input voltage is on the stock 6-channel amp?
He also suggested eliminating the old amp completely and replace it with a lil' 2-channel amp - then run the smaller speakers off the deck and use the RCA pre-amp out to run to the 2-channel amp and then run that to the rear 6" speakers - which will eventually be replaced with subwoofers. That gives me the 6-channels I need - 4 from the deck and the additional 2 from the pre-amp out.
The pre-amp out on this Alpine stereo says it is for either "subwoofers" or "front speakers". I guess if I had of bought a stereo with 3 sets of pre-amp outs, I could have run to the car's amp that way and all speakers would be getting the same "low" feed and would all perform the same.
Also.....if I decide to just get the stereo installed straight up (running it to the car's amp like the deck that is there now).....is this a big job? ...or should I order the harness from Stefan?
Just HOW much of a difference will there be in running the deck to the amp vs running the speakers off of the new deck's amp? If it's not that big a difference, I'll just get the stereo installed and worry about getting rid of the amp when I get subwoofers.
One place I called said they could eliminate the amp completely and just parallel or series the back speakers off of one another......that's another option I guess.
Just curious....in all my searching re this subject - I learned about the DIN plug going into the amp and how the speakers, etc run through that.
Help me understand here - the DIN plug out of the back of the stock CD-2 stereo......is that like a "pre-amp out" that runs to the amp? ...or does that DIN plug basically just carry the signal for the speakers and the amp does the rest? ...and what is the big white plug for? I always thought it was that plug that carried all the speaker wire outputs.
So if they install the new stereo straight to the car's amp.....will they basically take the speaker wires in the new decks harness and feed them into that DIN plug somehow or will those speaker wires be going into the big white plug? In other words, what is on the back of the new stereo that is equivalent to the DIN out plug on the older CD-2 deck?
I've learned a lot in this thread/searching so far!!
09-09-2011, 06:20 PM
#40
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I installed and new flip-out screen stereo a couple months back, I also added a 12-inch kicker with 250watt amp. It was really simple, I connected the exhisting connections to for the stock speakers to the same wires, this meant the original amp was still being used because in my opinion the HIGH's are high enough, the stereo lacks bass. I then ran a 2 cables to the amp in the back one to kick the amp on when the stereo is on so it does not bleed the battery and the other for the sound. This was the hardest part as I had to remove carpet a but and re-glue it. I then Ran the AMP power cable directly to the battery in the back...going on 6 months now with no issues...my alternator seems good as well with the extra load.
I would not do away with the stock amp in my opinion, it powers new kicker HIGH's just fine in my car...
just my 2 cents...
sniper
I would not do away with the stock amp in my opinion, it powers new kicker HIGH's just fine in my car...
just my 2 cents...
sniper
09-09-2011, 06:56 PM
#41
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In reading some searches - I find a lot of people are running the smaller speakers off the deck and then pre-amp out to a 2-channel amp, then to the rear 6" speakers (or subwoofer, if one chooses to get them).
I think I may get the stereo place to hook up the deck and then wire the deck to the small speakers (eliminating the old amp).
I will get them to run an RCA cable from the decks pre-amp out to the area where the old amp was. Once I find a 2-channel amp to fit in the old amp's spot, I'll plug in the RCA jack and then take the unhooked speaker wires for the back 6" speakers and plug them into the 2-channel amp - I can do that myself.
This, way, I eliminate having to make two stops to the install place.
I think I may get the stereo place to hook up the deck and then wire the deck to the small speakers (eliminating the old amp).
I will get them to run an RCA cable from the decks pre-amp out to the area where the old amp was. Once I find a 2-channel amp to fit in the old amp's spot, I'll plug in the RCA jack and then take the unhooked speaker wires for the back 6" speakers and plug them into the 2-channel amp - I can do that myself.
This, way, I eliminate having to make two stops to the install place.
09-09-2011, 07:00 PM
#42
Drifting
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I installed and new flip-out screen stereo a couple months back, I also added a 12-inch kicker with 250watt amp. It was really simple, I connected the exhisting connections to for the stock speakers to the same wires, this meant the original amp was still being used because in my opinion the HIGH's are high enough, the stereo lacks bass. I then ran a 2 cables to the amp in the back one to kick the amp on when the stereo is on so it does not bleed the battery and the other for the sound. This was the hardest part as I had to remove carpet a but and re-glue it. I then Ran the AMP power cable directly to the battery in the back...going on 6 months now with no issues...my alternator seems good as well with the extra load.
I would not do away with the stock amp in my opinion, it powers new kicker HIGH's just fine in my car...
just my 2 cents...
sniper
I would not do away with the stock amp in my opinion, it powers new kicker HIGH's just fine in my car...
just my 2 cents...
sniper
So, basically, you did what I want to do, but you just didn't bypass the stock amp?
If I thought the stock amp would run the highs as good as the amp on the deck, I'd keep the old amp hooked up - but I don't know how much difference there is between those two options.
09-09-2011, 07:36 PM
#43
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Speaker outs are usually on the (white) block plug/socket on the back (along with power etc) - the DIN was just premp outs only. If you use the head unit to drive speakers you need speaker wires from there to the location of the amp where you will splice in to the existing speaker wires. The DIN cable gets dumped, I'd also dump the amp and maybe get the RCA cable now for the pre-amp outs at the same time (though its easy later too). Then you can add a 2 channel amp at a later date...
Alan
Alan
09-09-2011, 08:48 PM
#45
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Speaker outs are usually on the (white) block plug/socket on the back (along with power etc) - the DIN was just premp outs only. If you use the head unit to drive speakers you need speaker wires from there to the location of the amp where you will splice in to the existing speaker wires. The DIN cable gets dumped, I'd also dump the amp and maybe get the RCA cable now for the pre-amp outs at the same time (though its easy later too). Then you can add a 2 channel amp at a later date...
Alan
Alan
Cool, cool, cool....
I'm sloooowly getting this
So, if the factory deck runs it's speakers to the amp via the big white plug - why are the DIN pins labeled "LF/RF", etc. What is going from the factory deck to the amp via the DIN plug? This is where I am confused.
I am going to direct wire the new decks speaker wires down to the amp location and splice in the speaker wires there. That takes care of the smaller speakers in all four corners. They would all be getting more watts off the deck's amp than vs using the stock amp.
I'll get them to run the RCA out off the deck down to the same location (the "low" output out of the deck) to cover the other missing two rear 6" speakers - then when I get the 2-channel amp, I'll hook the 6" speakers back up.
Alan, I saw in an older thread you mentioned to not run speakers off of the pre-amp outs, as it will only be sending minimal signal - the "high" signal will come from the HU's speaker wires.....
......what if I ran the pre-amp out to the car's amp (that would be RCA to DIN, yes? or would that pre-amp RCA go into the white plug that goes into the amp? - basically, where would the deck's pre-amp RCA jacks plug into the old amp?) and then ran the 6" speakers off of the old amp? Seeing as the 6" are basically for bass, would they still get enough juice to make bass? This would just be until I get another amp.