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pairing amp to speakers.

C

Car Splicer

New member
*Original post* 120 rms Energy 6"x9" rear speakers
85 rms Energy 5.25" front speakers
both 4ohm

Looking at buying Pioneer class FD 4channel amp model (gm-d8604)
rated 100 rms x 4 @ 4ohm
paired with after-market Pioneer head unit 122 rms x 4

(Will this be too much power for my speakers? Also can I use existing wires and just connect amp to head unit harness input and output?) - Fixed - won't be too much power, but need new speaker wire)
Thank you all for input and help :)

-Link for amp http://www.crutchfield.com/S-uI3Pkq2MGyk/p_130GMD8604/Pioneer-GM-D8604.html
-Link for head unit http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/CD-Receivers/DEH-P6900UB
-Link for front speakers http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/prod...spx?path=ab13be053de99cc25a67a658ba7b72a5en02
-Rear speakers http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/prod...spx?path=fb845ffed205dbf9298f7a754d1e96daen02

Pontiac Grand Prix SE 2003
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_43619_Power-Acoustik-GT5-2500.html
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_63974_Pioneer-GM-D8604.html
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/Amplifiers/GM+Digital+Series/GM-D7500M
 
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Without knowing what you own (carwise) it's tough to give you much advice.

I wouldn't suggest hooking up a head unit to an amp via factory wiring, but then, I'm not a audio guy. I followed the advice of buddies and ... let's say 3 years later I'm still very happy.
 
The power will be fine. Just adjust your headunit more to the back a few clicks.
Dont use factory wiring. factory speaker wire is like 22-24 gauge. Pick up a roll of 14-16 gauge and spend an afternoon running fresh wire.
 
I'm installing that very amp now.

You won't, of course, be able to use the factory power wire. That amp requires a 8 gauge cable for both power and ground.

I'm running RCAs to the amp for its input, and I'll be using 14 gauge wire for the speakers.
 
Sorry I don't quite understand, "Just adjust your headunit more to the back a few clicks." Does this mean don't put the volume too high? However, thank you everyone for your input! I will definitely look at buying 14 gauge speaker wire.
 
douger said:
I'm installing that very amp now.

You won't, of course, be able to use the factory power wire. That amp requires a 8 gauge cable for both power and ground.

I'm running RCAs to the amp for its input, and I'll be using 14 gauge wire for the speakers.
Click to expand...

Okay I looked at my headunit
link for head unit
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/CD-Receivers/DEH-P6900UB

It looks like it has 3 RCA pre-outs (1 I hooked to sub already) I can use RCA cables for input of amp like you're doing. For the output of amp should I take 14 gauge wire to my old wire and pull it through dash then hook to amp? Also, where is a good spot to mount a 4channel amp for main speakers/ where are you putting yours?

2003 grand prix SE

One more thing. Where is the head unit's amp? Will I miss the power from it or will the signal be automatically paired together since the RCA inputs for my new amp are coming from my head unit?
 
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Car Splicer said:
Sorry I don't quite understand, "Just adjust your headunit more to the back a few clicks." Does this mean don't put the volume too high? However, thank you everyone for your input! I will definitely look at buying 14 gauge speaker wire.
Click to expand...

No what i meen is the front speakers have a lower rms than the rear, therefor you want to adjust the fader on the headunit like 2-4 clicks towards the rear so those put out more than the fronts.
 
If you'd like nice wiring check out Knuconceptz, here's there amp kit page
http://www.knukonceptz.com/productMaster.cfm?category=Amp Installation Kits

I called up because what I wanted wasn't listed quite the way I wanted it. I added more of their speaker wire, one double rca cable (did front/rear preouts) and one for the subs. The amp wiring (4 gauge) Then 80 feet of speaker wire. I had very little speaker wire left after doing all four and the sub. All the wiring was awesome quality and in three years, I've never had a single bit of dimming etc. That's running everything off one amp.

As for install... see if your amp needs a certain orientation, if possible invert it and mount it below the rear deck. Keeps it out of the way.
 
BillBoost37 said:
If you'd like nice wiring check out Knuconceptz, here's there amp kit page
http://www.knukonceptz.com/productMaster.cfm?category=Amp Installation Kits

I called up because what I wanted wasn't listed quite the way I wanted it. I added more of their speaker wire, one double rca cable (did front/rear preouts) and one for the subs. The amp wiring (4 gauge) Then 80 feet of speaker wire. I had very little speaker wire left after doing all four and the sub. All the wiring was awesome quality and in three years, I've never had a single bit of dimming etc. That's running everything off one amp.

As for install... see if your amp needs a certain orientation, if possible invert it and mount it below the rear deck. Keeps it out of the way.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the link for speaker wire! I'm not quite sure where "below the rear deck" is. Essentially in trunk by rear speakers underneath? I didn't really mention too much, but I do have a sub with amplifier wired in trunk. Is there anywhere near front of car I could mount the new amplifier? I could use less power wire and need a lesser gauge wire I think. Mainly I need locations of good grounding points. However, the rear of car is still a valid point for amplifier because I would likely buy another wiring kit and therefore get 17' of power cable.
 
Hold on for about 30 minutes. I'm logging into PB. Yes.. up under between the rear deck speakers. I don't compromise about having room and fold down rear seats. In my case, it had to be out of the way.

This is looking into the trunk while crouched down.




Backseat down and looking out from inside the car


Some of that wiring




I may have gone overboard.
 


BillBoost37 said:
Hold on for about 30 minutes. I'm logging into PB. Yes.. up under between the rear deck speakers. I don't compromise about having room and fold down rear seats. In my case, it had to be out of the way.

This is looking into the trunk while crouched down.





Backseat down and looking out from inside the car


Some of that wiring




I may have gone overboard.
Click to expand...

Thank you! This is very helpful. Unfortunately I may have blown my tweeters. I'm not sure.. So I'm looking into the problem before buying an amp :/ sorry to ask more, but do you know how to test if your tweeters are not working properly? It seems to me like they aren't emitting very much sound. My woofers still sound great and are putting out good vocals at least. I do have a crossover in door as well. I think I put my head unit a little past 3/4 max to like 5/6 max when testing my sub out for a good full test drive and may have had slight clipping of my stock amp :'( do you know how to go about getting replacement tweeters? Also, would my rear 6x9 tweeters be blown as well if my front speaker tweeters are blown? It is very hard to tell in the rear as getting to the speakers requires taking out the entire back seat...

-Link for speakers
http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/prod...spx?path=ab13be053de99cc25a67a658ba7b72a5en02
 
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Op, better (a lot better) coulda been had for money you spent on those speakers.....

And on the amp also.....
 
Car Splicer said:
Okay I looked at my headunit
link for head unit
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/CD-Receivers/DEH-P6900UB

It looks like it has 3 RCA pre-outs (1 I hooked to sub already) I can use RCA cables for input of amp like you're doing. For the output of amp should I take 14 gauge wire to my old wire and pull it through dash then hook to amp? Also, where is a good spot to mount a 4channel amp for main speakers/ where are you putting yours?

2003 grand prix SE

One more thing. Where is the head unit's amp? Will I miss the power from it or will the signal be automatically paired together since the RCA inputs for my new amp are coming from my head unit?
Click to expand...

I am running new speaker wires from the amplifier to the speakers. That involves pulling the sill plates and other trim so I can get access to the harnesses that run along the rocker panels. I ran the power cable down the right side, I'll run the speakers down the left side (you don't want them running together unless you like chasing down noises) and I'll run the RCAs under the console.

My car has the Monsoon audio system and I'll mount the Pioneer amp in the same location, which is underneath the rear deck in between the speakers.

The audio signals run from the head unit to the amplifier via the RCA cables. An added bonus with this amp is that it will turn itself on and off based on whether it's seeing an audio signal. There's no need to run a separate wire.
 


douger said:
I am running new speaker wires from the amplifier to the speakers. That involves pulling the sill plates and other trim so I can get access to the harnesses that run along the rocker panels. I ran the power cable down the right side, I'll run the speakers down the left side (you don't want them running together unless you like chasing down noises) and I'll run the RCAs under the console.

My car has the Monsoon audio system and I'll mount the Pioneer amp in the same location, which is underneath the rear deck in between the speakers.

The audio signals run from the head unit to the amplifier via the RCA cables. An added bonus with this amp is that it will turn itself on and off based on whether it's seeing an audio signal. There's no need to run a separate wire.
Click to expand...

Okay, I think I can wire my amp the same way you are. Sounds like a good way to go and yes I will definitely put speaker wire down left and power down right haha. No power cable noise!!
 
Thompsju said:
Very clean install Bill.

Wanna hang out some time? =)
Click to expand...

Thanks and you don't know the half of it. Most of it's not even in the pics. My power wire actually is run in the factory loom on the right side of the car because I took out the 30 Monsoon wires. I put the LED turn signals and puddle lights/door light wiring into the factory connector where they were on previous years etc.

On the hanging out, I'll pass. You have too many spare brackets still. :th_biggrin2:
 
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