High Level and Lowevel Signal?

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=11492
Printed Date: August 15, 2025 at 7:51 AM

Topic: High Level and Lowevel Signal?

Posted By: mark241
Subject: High Level and Lowevel Signal?
Date Posted: March 26, 2003 at 6:42 PM

What is the different between High Level and Low level signals?

Replies:

Posted By: thepencil
Date Posted: March 26, 2003 at 6:50 PM

In simple terms High level means the speaker signal, Low level means RCA signal.

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Posted By: esmith69
Date Posted: March 26, 2003 at 6:52 PM

high-level usually means a signal that has already been amplified. For example, the wires on a radio's harness that go to each speaker could be consider high-level. Low-level signals are those that come from a deck's preamp output (RCAs). These signals have not yet been amplified until they reach an external amplifier.

When connecting external amplifiers it's generally best to use a head unit's low-level outputs to send the signal to the amp. This provides the cleanest signal and lets the amplifier do the work of making the signal loud enough to power speakers.

Posted By: mark241
Date Posted: March 26, 2003 at 6:52 PM

Thank You

Is there any difference in the quality of the signals?

Posted By: esmith69
Date Posted: March 26, 2003 at 6:56 PM

low-level is usually a cleaner signal but it needs to be amplified in order to be of any value. high-level is less clean because it's already been run through an amplifier, which by its very nature will alter the original signal.