QuestionThe DIN plug is illustrated at this link: -http://carstereohelp.net/wireharness_Toyota3.htm
Here's one for the 'ask why not' dept. The EQ line level inputs are via paired wires bearing colors for Front left and Rear right speakers. FR and RL output colors follow, but FL and RR use non standard colors. Shall I follow this interpretation? If the EQ is happy with hi inputs thru the wires, would patching the RCA input jacks off the EQ over to the 2/1 channel sub amp's RCA inputs blow a big hole in the ozone layer?------------------------
Followup To
Question -
Hi Alan> As a former expert under an obscure category I offer congrats at your exemplary stats. I shall outline as clearly as space allows my present endeavour. Upon searching the web regarding car audio upgrades, my thoughts of what really made for better performance at minimal expense seemed substantiated. My plan is to keep the factory fm/cass head, which sounds quite satisfactory thru the door and rear speakers. Using the cassette adapted Walkman for CDs works for me, and remedies theft concerns.
As of today, I have accessed and removed the head unit and obtained both male and female harness connectors. Also ready to go are a 7 band 20-20k EQ with hi and lo inputs and 4 output circuits. The 1/2 DIN sixe fits well in the dash and powers up on initial test. A 10" JBL sub with box and 2 channel bridgeable amp with lo input only awaits connection. This brings up my questions for you: Is my scheme to use the four existing speaks thru the EQ and sub thru the new brided amp reasonable? If I have a cable raw at one end and matching the 13 pin 1/2" round DIN connector at the other, can this be utilized for a lo RCA output to feed the sub/amp? Is using the line level output to the EQ a problem? I have compiled all appropriate wire color and pin function data, and wire work shall happen only between the harness extending connectors and Din cable, I hope. I need some confidence to press on, and am open for real critical thoughts. Thanks awfully for your time. >Will
Answer -
Will,
First off, thanks for the compliment. I was responsible for creating the Car Audio Repair section of AllExperts more than 4 years ago, so I've been helping people out for awhile. I'm also an Expert for C++. Anyway, I can only answer some of your questions, there are a couple I can't though.
Ok, four existing speakers through the EQ and sub through the bridged amp is just fine. I'm assuming that you are going to continue using the stock amplifier for the original speakers, and the 2 channel amp is new and just for the sub. Needless to say, an EQ is not amp. :) I used the same solution back in the day when I got my first aftermarket amp and subwoofer (Rockford-Fosgate 150 watt 2 channel amp and a 12" JL Audio sub). The 10" you're using shouldn't overpower your other speakers. However, I don't know if a raw cable at one end and a 13 pin 1/2" round DIN connector can be utilized for a lo RCA output feed. Using the line level output to the EQ shouldn't be a problem, but I would get another opinion on that before you do (just to be sure). I'm not incredibly familiar with EQs (I know what they do), but I don't play with them very often. I would also recommend that you buy a CD player as oppose to using the Walkman cassette adaptor. While this solution does solve your theft concerns, you have to think about your behavior and whether you park your car in high risk areas where theft is common. A decent quality deck with a removeable face (or the facec that flips around) can greatly improve the sound quality of the stereo with a minimal investment. I've seen this happen with just a new head unit and all stock speakers in my friend's Isuzu Trooper (which was a million years old, as far as I knew). Anyway I hope this helped. If you need some clarification please let me know.
Best Of Luck,
Alan
AnswerWill,
I would just follow the interpretation of the guide that you found on the web. 'Standard' can be such a relative term that it's tough to use, especially when it comes to the colors of wires. As for your second question, I would get advice from an installer who deals with EQs a lot, as I'm not entirely sure what would happen. If you patched the low output RCAs off the EQ to the sub amp's RCAs, everything should be ok, the ozone layer would remain intact and everybody would be happy. Again though, I'd get a second opinion, just in case. Hope that helps.
Best Of Luck,
Alan
