How to add a sub/amp to the 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)
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.
Can you add an amplifier to a factory stereo?
Adding an amplifier to a factory stereo often requires running a lot of new speaker wire — from the stereo to the amplifier and then from the amp to the speakers. This can feel like an impossible nightmare. Fortunately, we have a way to make it a little easier.
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
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
Can I add an amplifier to my stock stereo?
Usually, you'll be installing a 4-channel amplifier with speaker-level inputs. 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.
Can I install amp and sub to factory stereo?
So now you know – it's definitely possible to install a subwoofer and amplifier to your factory system, and still have it sounding good. If you'd like to know more about how to get a killer system set-up in your car without swapping your stereo, give us a call at 510-527-9888.
How do I connect my amp to my stereo?
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.
How do I hook up subs to a factory stereo?
2:3616:02How to Install Subwoofer WITHOUT aftermarket Radio - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo as you guys can see on one side you do have uh your speaker wires. These ones we will have to tapMoreSo as you guys can see on one side you do have uh your speaker wires. These ones we will have to tap into the black speakers. Um and then from there we can actually plug a pair of rcas.
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 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 install an amp without RCA jacks?
Determining the Compatibility of Amp A car audio system usually has an RCA plug but some stereo system units lack RCA jacks. Don't worry as you can still install an amp without using RCA cables. You just have to make sure that the factory radio can accept speaker-level inputs or line-level connections.
How do you wire up an amp?
11:5314:22How to install an amp and sub in your car | Crutchfield video - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOn the side of the amplifier. On the other side is where our power and ground and speaker wires allMoreOn the side of the amplifier. On the other side is where our power and ground and speaker wires all connect. So we'll start with the power wire that first wire that we ran. Go ahead and strip.
Do you need a line output converter for subwoofer?
A: Yes, definitely. Amplifiers that offer speaker-level inputs don't require a separate line output converter to tap into existing speaker wires to get their signal. Many powered subwoofers offer this feature, too. The speaker-to-line level conversion is done inside the amplifier.
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 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.
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.
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.
What is Alpine Power Pack?
The Alpine Power Pack is another amplifier that has made factory integration way easier! it has a internal Hi/Lo and comes with an input and output harness that will usually allow you to install it without any additional parts even. Its considered a mini amplifier because of its small footprint and can generally be installed into hidden locations around your car.
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
How to connect speaker wires to amp?
Once you've identified each of the eight speaker wires, cut each one. Connect the end coming from the radio plug to a new wire going to the amp's input. Connect the end going to the speakers to the appropriate wire coming from the amp's output.
What wires do you use for a premium sound system?
Justin, With a premium sound system you'd use the speaker output wires of the factory amplifier for your LOC's inputs.
How does a factory radio work?
Behind the factory radio, you can access all of the speaker wires in one place. The radio's wiring harness delivers power to the radio and sends its output to the speakers. You'll need to identify which wire goes to which speaker. Positive leads are usually solid-colored wires, while their accompanying negative leads tend to be the same color with a stripe of a second color.
What type of wire is used for Crutchfield speaker wire?
We also carry a selection of highly conductive, pure copper speaker wire, available by the foot, if you prefer that.
What does it mean when an amp turns on?
Amplifiers that have speaker-level inputs also feature "signal-sensing turn-on." The amp turns on when an input signal is present. This means you don't use the ninth wire (the blue wire) of either cable for this installation.
How many watts does a factory radio use?
Kathryn, Factory radios, like yours, rarely put out more than about 10 watts RMS per channel, which translates to around 6 volts RMS. Using the voltage markings on an amplifier to set gain doesn't always result in the best settings. For help with that, see How to set the gains on a 4-channel amplifier.
Can you run a speaker through factory wire?
But amplifiers of 75-watts or less aren't really affected by this. Running their output through factory wiring remains a practical and convenient solution.
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.