Need some help with installing my speaker

I tried to install these pioneer speakers to my 2003 honda element ( http://www.crutchfield.com/S-pkpSk8Z22hH/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?a=0&s=0&cc=01&g=52000&id=features_and_specs&i=130TSG1640) but there is only a very faintly, barely audible sound when I turn the radio to the max volumne, Do i need an amp to run these speakers from a factory head unit? (30W nominal) Another weird thing is that it would still sound the same when I switch the polarity on the speaker. What's going on here? DId I messed up my speakers already?

Thanks in advance.

Try calling Crutchfield if all else fails. They should be able to give you tech support for the life of your product. You shouldnt need an amp to run these speakers. Even if you're using a factory head-unit it should give you some ok volume.

Thanks for the response, guys. 

The Element DX does not come with a head unit or speakers, but they did prewired the car for audio, So I assume I can just plug in the stock head unit from EX and it should work. But I guess the head unit needs an external amp in order for it to work, which is probally why I got a very  faint sound when I plug in the speakers.

So do you have a factory HU without an amp right now or do you not have a HU at all?

I bought the factory HU from eBay thinking that I can just plug it in, so now I am stuck with it. so I guess i will have to get a 4 channel amp and figure out how to wire that into the system with the factory speaker wiring.

I'd consider getting an aftermarket deck if that's the case- no need for an external amp, and it'll still be the cheaper route.  You'd have better controls with more system options for future upgrades.  You can always sell the deck on ebay again.

If you'd like to stick with what you've got, you can use line-out converters for your RCA connections, or buy an amp with high-level inputs and use those.  You can actually clip the wires going to the speakers a few inches back from the harness.  The side going into the radio will become your amp inputs, and the side going to the speakers will become your amp outputs (to the speakers).  This way, there's no need to run extra wires, although you're certainly welcome to do so if you wish.  If you don't want to cut any wires, you can get two harnesses, one that plugs into your factory harness (Metra 70-1721), and a reverse that plugs into your radio (Metra 71-1721). 

geeherder,

Thanks for the advice about the reverse harness, I think that will save me alot of trouble and I like to keep the factory wiring in tact. My question is what kind of wire should I use to run from the reverse harness (Metra 71-1721) to the amp? Can I use speaker wires? (is there a diffrent between speaker wire and regular wires?)

No problem, I'd probably just install line out converters behind the deck, and run RCA's to the amp.  While this won't give you as clean a sound as you'd get with an aftermarket deck, it'll sound better than if you'd used the high level inputs on an amp (trust me).  From the outputs of the amp, you can connect to the speaker leads on the other harness.  That's my lazy way.