QuestionQUESTION: My factory head unit doesnt have a subwoofer output plug,do i splice wires somewhere, where can i hook up my subs to get them working?
ANSWER: Hi Edgar,
You'll need one of two things to hook up subwoofers to your factory system.
The first thing is an amplifier with 'high level inputs'. If you have one of these, you can simply splice into the wires going to your speakers, and plug them into the amplifier's high level input.
The second item you can use is a high level to low level converter. Scosche makes one, as does other companies. It's a little device you can hide behind your dash or in a panel somewhere that takes high level inputs and converts them to low level. Then you can splice into the speaker wires, run them to the converter, and then run RCAs to the amplifier.
If you have either as an option, I'd suggest the latter, with as short of a splice as possible, as the reason products usually use low-level inputs is that they are less susceptible to EMI and interference.
Good luck,
Justin
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QUESTION: Ok, I have a 1800 watt amplifier this i hook up to the batter and the remote wire, and i splice the wires from one of the speakers and hook that up to the amp too? what color are the wires i should splice, which one is negative and positive, do i use any speaker?
ANSWER: Hi Edgar,
If the amp has high-level inputs, then yes, that's what you hook up there. If it's not a mono-block, you'll want to splice into a left AND right speaker so you aren't just getting the bass from one channel, and then bridge the amp (if that's a possibility.)
In GM vehicles, the rear left speakers are typically yellow(-) and brown(+), and the rear right are light blue(-) and dark blue(+). Youll want to test them with a multimeter/battery to make sure.
Don't forget about the amp's ground wire which should be at least as heavy as a gauge as the 12V positive, and connected to a non-welded part of the chassis that's been sanded to bare shiny metal.
Justin
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QUESTION: Ok, one last question, the wires i am running from the speaker wires to my amp, have a small wire with copper wire, this small wire is in the middle surrounded by more copper wire, is it ok if both sets of copper wire come in contact? my amp has a 2 plugs similar to those of tvs have yellow, red and white, this is similar to the wire i am running to the amp if that helps.
AnswerHi Edgar,
If the only inputs your amplifier has are the RCA type (like the ones that go to your TV), then you need to buy a high to low input signal converter, as running the wires straight from your deck to your amp like that won't work and the sound will sound absolutely dreadful (if it works at all).
The speaker wires in your car shouldn't have two layers in them -- that's the way RCA cables are usually designed. If they do, you might be looking at more work, since it sounds like your truck might have the Bose system. If it does, you'll need to get a factory integration adapter which will give you the outputs you need for an aftermarket amp.
Justin
