Test if audio output is high or low?

hey everyone, I'm trying to add sub and amp to existing bose system w/o sub. Wondering how to test if audio signal from deck is high or low level? I've looked at bose amp but there is no markings and it doesn't look like it has a sub out. Customer came in with system already hooked up at left kick panel area with a fixed level line out converter, doesn't seem to have any low freq. Maybe I should use an adjustable LOC? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Ryan

Low level is RCA's...High level is speaker leads Pretty much every factory system is high level...well I don't know of any factory systems that use RCA's

there are alot of factory systems that use low level. just because a system is low level doesn't mean it's going to have RCA cables. on some mach and bose systems, you simply cut the end off an rca cable and attach them to the factory wires to use an aftermarket head unit. without knowing what kind of vehicle it is, it's hard to tell which one it is.Whatever you do, DO NOT let the white smoke leak out of the wires.....

high and low level has to do with the signal, not the wiring.Whatever you do, DO NOT let the white smoke leak out of the wires.....

1lowgalant wrote: you simply cut the end off an rca cable and attach them to the factory wires to use an aftermarket head unit.

Can this even be done?

OK, I found that using an adjustable LOC as opposed to a fixed level LOC tapped into any of the speaker wires after the bose amp worked the best in my case. I ended up using the front left speaker(tan+/gray-) for the LOC and worked out OK. 2004 GMC Sierra extended cab w/ Bose system. I was told the wires off the back of the deck were low level and they were not RCA's. Thanks for the input Ryan

chucksnee wrote: 1lowgalant wrote: you simply cut the end off an rca cable and attach them to the factory wires to use an aftermarket head unit. Can this even be done?

it's done every day at install shops across the country. what's not to understand?

Whatever you do, DO NOT let the white smoke leak out of the wires.....

1lowgalant wrote: chucksnee wrote: 1lowgalant wrote: you simply cut the end off an rca cable and attach them to the factory wires to use an aftermarket head unit. Can this even be done? it's done every day at install shops across the country. what's not to understand?

I just find it hard to believe, 2 different types of output. Thats why you need a LINE OUT convertor to convert your speaker wire to RCA. I could be wrong.....what do some of the power's to be say on cutting RCA's?

Yah if that is possible then why does everyone use a line level output to do that? that has to be way too much power to go into an amp rca input... in the event its a stock unit which outputs a low amount of power that could work... that sounds dangerous