Hooking up speakers question

[69fback]

All,

Trying to hook up some speakers and can't seem to figure out the best way to hook up the dash speakers. I have the below hooked up currently.

2 4x6 kick panel speakers - hooked up to 4 channel Alpine amp
2 6x9 speakers - hooked up to 4 channel Alpine amp
2 12' subs - hooked up to mono Alpine amp

What I'm having trouble with is how to hook up the 2 dash speakers. Since I already have the kicks and rear connected to the 4-channel amp, I have no idea how to connect the dash speakers. I searched the net and can't seem to find the answer although I'm sure it has something to do with series/parallel connection.

Can anyone point me to a site or pictures that will tell me how to connect these?

Thanks in advance.

[sdmustangrider]

I think I have my dash speaker hooked up to the radio, but I don't see a problem hooking them up with the kick panel speakers. Don't think it'll do any damage or cause distortion.

[69fback]

I thought about hooking the dash speakers up to the head unit, I just thought I might damage something if I had some speakers amp powered and some not.

[Greg'66 5.0]

Most head units (that are not the OEM units) have line level outputs and amplified outputs. The line level outputs are usually RCA jacks and those are the ones that you run to your amplifier. The amplified outputs are usually pigtails of purple, gray, green, and white wires.

I would run the kick panel speakers and 6x9 speakers off of the 4 channel amp and connect the dash speakers to the amplified output of the deck. You won't hurt anything doing it that way. If you don't have amplified outputs, you could run the dash speakers in parallel with the kick panel speakers (i.e. left dash and left kick panel connected to one channel of the amplifier, both positives on the same terminal and both negatives on the same terminal). The only possible way that I can think of that would cause problems is if you ran speakers with different impedances together. Most car speakers are all the same impedance - it should be stamped on the speaker (usually on the magnet) or you can look up the specs for it. Car speakers are usually 4 ohm impedance - as long as they are both the same, you'll be fine. Home stereo speakers are usually 8 ohm impedance.

[jevchance]

I wouldn't recommend trying to run all 3 pair of speakers off the head unit. Most decks don't like pushing anything other than a 4 ohm load.

As suggested I would recommend adding a 2- or 4-channel amplifier to the mix. Otherwise you risk blowing the amp in your deck.

[Blue Blood]

Unless you're running speakers that require a lot of power, I'd say you've got more into this system than you need. For most the average system you'd only need one amp for your primary voice/music speakers, and a second for your subs.

Having said that, here's what I would suggest based on what you're trying to use:

2 4x6 kick panel speakers & 2 dash speakers - hooked up to 4 channel Alpine amp
2 6x9 speakers - hooked up to 4 channel Alpine amp
2 12' subs - hooked up to mono Alpine amp

This will allow you to use the ability of amp to fine tune the high and low pass filters, and apply to the speakers that most closely represent the same output frequency ranges.

Assuming that you purchased the Alpine amp to improve the quality of the sound reproduction I would not use the amplified output of the radio, doing so would just reduce any improvements gained.

Anyway, that's my $.02. Best of luck with your system.

[2manyhobbies]

Originally Posted by Greg'66 5.0

Most head units (that are not the OEM units) have line level outputs and amplified outputs. The line level outputs are usually RCA jacks and those are the ones that you run to your amplifier. The amplified outputs are usually pigtails of purple, gray, green, and white wires.

I would run the kick panel speakers and 6x9 speakers off of the 4 channel amp and connect the dash speakers to the amplified output of the deck. You won't hurt anything doing it that way. If you don't have amplified outputs, you could run the dash speakers in parallel with the kick panel speakers (i.e. left dash and left kick panel connected to one channel of the amplifier, both positives on the same terminal and both negatives on the same terminal). The only possible way that I can think of that would cause problems is if you ran speakers with different impedances together. Most car speakers are all the same impedance - it should be stamped on the speaker (usually on the magnet) or you can look up the specs for it. Car speakers are usually 4 ohm impedance - as long as they are both the same, you'll be fine. Home stereo speakers are usually 8 ohm impedance.

^^^ This.

[GypsyR]

I would try off the head unit first and see what it sounds like. The Kenwood I'm using has a long list of adustments to tune the various outputs to compensate for all sorts of installations. That said, I'm using a 4-way for the dash and doors. A 2-way for the rear 6x9's and a mono for the subwoofer.

[slim]

If you connect a 2 ohm impedance and a 4 ohm impedance speaker in series you have a 6 ohm load and the 4 ohm speaker will dominate. If you connect a 4 ohm and 2 ohm in parallel the 2 ohm will dominate and the load will be about 1 1/2 ohm, too close to a short circuit for some amps.

I recommend the radical notion of looking at the instructions for the head unit and amps if any.


Slim

That said, I'm an engineer, usually revert to the manual after blowing something out!

[jevchance]

Originally Posted by Blue Blood

Unless you're running speakers that require a lot of power, I'd say you've got more into this system than you need. For most the average system you'd only need one amp for your primary voice/music speakers, and a second for your subs.

Having said that, here's what I would suggest based on what you're trying to use:

2 4x6 kick panel speakers & 2 dash speakers - hooked up to 4 channel Alpine amp
2 6x9 speakers - hooked up to 4 channel Alpine amp
2 12' subs - hooked up to mono Alpine amp

This will allow you to use the ability of amp to fine tune the high and low pass filters, and apply to the speakers that most closely represent the same output frequency ranges.

Assuming that you purchased the Alpine amp to improve the quality of the sound reproduction I would not use the amplified output of the radio, doing so would just reduce any improvements gained.

Anyway, that's my $.02. Best of luck with your system.

For the record, Alpine isn't the only company that makes quality amplifiers.

[Blue Blood]

Originally Posted by jevchance

For the record, Alpine isn't the only company that makes quality amplifiers.

"for the record", show me where I said they were...

If you have a constructive comment I'd love to hear it.

[jevchance]

Originally Posted by Blue Blood

"for the record", show me where I said they were...

If you have a constructive comment I'd love to hear it.

I've been really happy with MTX amplifiers. I apologize for ruffling your feathers, its apparent my kidding was in bad taste.