How-To: Add a Sub/Amp to your Factory Stereo
- Interface with the factory radio (3 ways)
- Connect the amplifiers power wire with the vehicles battery
- Connect the amplifiers remote power wire to a positive lead that is triggered when the vehicle is started or radio is turned on
- Connect the amplifiers ground wire
- Connect the amplifier to the sub woofer (s)
Full Answer
How do you hook up an amplifier to a factory radio?
Another popular way to connect an amplifier to a factory radio is to use something called a line output converter. It connects to the factory radio's speaker wires and converts the speaker-level signal to a preamp-level signal. This lets you use RCA cables to run that signal to your amplifier.
How do I connect my amp to my car stereo system?
The best way to connect it to a factory system is to tap into the stereo's speaker outputs for the amp's input signal. Then send the amp's outputs back to the stereo's harness, and on to the speakers through the factory wiring.
How do I hook up a subwoofer to a 2 channel amp?
You will just need to run the larger gauge speaker wire from your amplifier to your subwoofer. This is usually a lot easier! Connect your 2 channel HI/lo converter to a left and right output signal behind your radio. Attatch your RCA wires to that RCA channel and run that to the input section of your amp
How do I connect my speakers to my amplifier?
If your amplifier has an internal Hi Lo you will need to cut your speaker wires and attach them to the amplifier input wire harness listed in the parts list at the top of the page. Run those wires to the amplifier and connect them into the input section of the amplifier
Can you hook up an amp to a stock radio?
Another popular way to connect an amplifier to a factory radio is to use something called a line output converter. It connects to the factory radio's speaker wires and converts the speaker-level signal to a preamp-level signal. This lets you use RCA cables to run that signal to your amplifier.
How do you amplify a stock car radio?
6:228:28How to install an amplifier to factory radio - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPositive and negative is gonna go to the driver side positive negative my two gray solid gray andMorePositive and negative is gonna go to the driver side positive negative my two gray solid gray and gray with the black stripe the one with the black stripe is the one that's negative. So positive.
How do you hook up an amp to a radio?
2:064:34How to install a car amplifier | Crutchfield DIY video - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe turn on wire is included in your amp wiring kit. Run these cables behind the dash to your stereoMoreThe turn on wire is included in your amp wiring kit. Run these cables behind the dash to your stereo. The turn on wire connects to a remote turn on lead in your stereos wiring harness.
Can you hook up an amp and subs to a stock stereo?
Adding a subwoofer to a factory stereo is an excellent method to boost your sound while retaining your factory controls. The nifty devices can produce bass and sub-bass sounds at low frequencies. Thankfully, it's pretty simple to wire one into an existing car stereo system.
Will an amp help stock speakers?
By replacing the factory speakers with higher performance, aftermarket speakers and powering them with an amplifier that provides a clean audio signal, you will vastly improve the sound and still leave the interior looking stock.
How do you hook up a amp without a RCA jack?
Method #1: RCA Adapter If it can, you can use the cables and connect it to adapters. In this method, the rear speakers will be used to connect to the RCA output. Then, connect the adapter to the rear speaker wires while hook the other end of the cable to the RCA outputs.
How do you hook up amps and subwoofers to a factory radio?
0:036:05How to: Add Aftermarket Subwoofer and Amp to Factory Stereo. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo the first thing you do is you want to run your power cable. So you'll see there's a fuse. So ifMoreSo the first thing you do is you want to run your power cable. So you'll see there's a fuse. So if you get an amp wiring kit it'll come with that.
How do you hook up a RCA adapter to a stock radio?
0:126:03How to add RCA Pre out adaptor to a factory car radio guide - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd it's part number pc2 so one and what that is is basically it's got speaker wires on one end withMoreAnd it's part number pc2 so one and what that is is basically it's got speaker wires on one end with an earth and RCA connectors on the other end that you can plug your RCA cables into.
Do you need RCA cables on an amp?
What wiring and accessories do I need? Car amplifiers don't come with any wiring included. You must supply the amp's power and ground wiring, an inline fuse, a remote turn-on wire, RCA cables, and speaker wires.
How do you hook up a amp to a factory speaker?
10:5015:38Wiring a 2 or 4 channel amp to your stock speaker harness ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou have the option of using a second set of rca's from the rear RCA output to the rear RCA inputMoreYou have the option of using a second set of rca's from the rear RCA output to the rear RCA input you can also just use a single set of RCA.
Do I need to bypass factory amp?
Bypassing the factory amp takes a little more work because you have to run the bypass harness to the factory amp, which is often located in some other part of the car. It's usually worth the extra effort because you'll get better sound from your new stereo, even if you're keeping those factory speakers.
Can you run a sub without an amp?
In nearly all cases, the answer is yes. Unless you have a system in your car or boat that is already powering a subwoofer, you'll need to find an amplifier that will power your sub. Your head unit will typically provide a low-power signal (RCA output) that can be used for an amplifier to power your subwoofer.
When Do You Need To Add an Amplifier To Your Factory System?
Simply put, whenever you want. Generally speaking you should consider adding an amplifier whenever the clarity and/or volume inst to your liking . You can also consider adding a subwoofer amplifier to your system paired with a nice subwoofer to bring the bass presence up to your liking.
What Amplifiers Can You Add To Your Factory Audio System?
The short answer is, any. But, there are a few styles of amplifiers that make it a lot easier to integrate with the factory system without the need to replace any existing things.
How to connect remote to amp?
Connect your remote wire to a 12v switched source that only powers when the car is running and run that down with your other wires to your amp and connect that to the remote wire input on your amp.
How to connect speaker wires to amplifier?
Run those wires to the amplifier and connect them into the input section of the amplifier. Now connect your second harness to the speaker wires that lead into the dash and run them to the output section of your new amplifier.
What is a 2 channel amplifier?
2 channel amplifiers – Amplifiers that power 2 speakers. 4 Channel amplifiers – Amplifiers that power up to 4 speakers. 5 channel amplifiers – Amplifiers that power up to 5 speakers including 1 subwoofer. While almost every amplifier is capable of being installed into a factory audio system when paired with the right accessories, ...
Can you run a remote wire from a 12V source?
Run your remote wire from a source that has 12 v only while the vehicle is running to your amplifiers remote input
Do all amplifiers need the same parts?
Its important you know that not all amplifiers require the same parts during installation. For example, the Alpine Power Pack 4 channel amplifier comes with the mounting parts, wiring and fuse needed to install right out of the box while standard amplifiers might need a few more things.
How does an amplifier work?
Time alignment, crossovers, equalization and factory integration processing allow us to configure your system to make it sound like a live performance. With our careful tuning, the sound can appear to come out of thin air. It can sound as if you have invisible speakers in your windshield – as though you are sitting front-row-center at a concert.
What does an amplifier do?
An amplifier can do much more than just make your music louder. Many amplifiers include advanced signal processing that can dramatically improve the performance of your system. Time alignment, crossovers, equalization and factory integration processing allow us to configure your system to make it sound like a live performance.
Why is it important to have a high quality amplifier?
A big engine makes a lot of torque and is always ready to accelerate your vehicle with even the slightest tap on the gas pedal. A high-quality amplifier is the same – it can speed up and stop the speaker cone faster. Your music will sound more lifelike and dynamic with a high-quality amplifier.
