Running my amp to highs
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=40117
Printed Date: July 18, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Topic: Running my amp to highs
Posted By: sone4200
Subject: Running my amp to highs
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 5:13 PM
How do I run an amp to my interior car speakers? do i split the RCA from my amp for subs into my amp for the highs and just run the line outs to my speakers? ------------- S-One
1992 Buick Lesabre
Clarion Dxz945MP
2000w Wolfenhag 4 channel amp
2 12" Kicker Solo L7's
Replies:
Posted By: Rushman
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 5:27 PM
wow , dont know where to begin.........I need more info. Are you using a cross-over? How many channels on the amp or amps? How many speakers and what kind? Do you want to be able to use fader or not? Tell me what you got!
Posted By: sone4200
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 5:29 PM
Better yet, tell me the above , but also, tell me the best way to make my speakers sound good. I'm basicly wooried about the backs I have a 1992 buick lesabre w/ 140 Peak JBL 6x9's int the back, those are spliced with 2 Infinity 5.25" s ( 45w RMS) in the front doors ( door speakers are custom, they were not an option in a 92' lesabre) i have ( or rather am getting hopefully ) a 240W 4 channel amp. whats the best way to hook these up? ------------- S-One
1992 Buick Lesabre
Clarion Dxz945MP
2000w Wolfenhag 4 channel amp
2 12" Kicker Solo L7's
Posted By: sone4200
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 5:31 PM
no cross over yet. using fade would be nice
-------------
S-One
1992 Buick Lesabre
Clarion Dxz945MP
2000w Wolfenhag 4 channel amp
2 12" Kicker Solo L7's
Posted By: Rushman
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 5:40 PM
that 4 channel amp makes everything so much easier. Im asuming that the clarion also has 4 channel rca output so all you have to do is follow everything down the line. Take all 4 RCAs from the Clarion H/U and run them to the apropriate inputs on the amp.(front and rear , left and right ect. ect.) Then simply run a speaker wire from each of the four speaker outputs on the amp to the designated speaker in the car. Does this help?
Posted By: sone4200
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 5:45 PM
Easy, and just as I thought, other than not thinking to use my other set of outputs, lol Thanks alot man ------------- S-One
1992 Buick Lesabre
Clarion Dxz945MP
2000w Wolfenhag 4 channel amp
2 12" Kicker Solo L7's
Posted By: sone4200
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 5:47 PM
BUT...... Like I said tho, I have the front doors spliced @ the 6x9's Should I just run the amp to the 6x9's? would that also draw power to my 5.25's? cuz I want a free channel to my fronts to ------------- S-One
1992 Buick Lesabre
Clarion Dxz945MP
2000w Wolfenhag 4 channel amp
2 12" Kicker Solo L7's
Posted By: Rushman
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 5:54 PM
um I thought thats what you wanted to do right? run 4 seperate channels to 4 speakers so you can fade them. If you leave the 5.25 door speakers spliced in the rear deck speakers , they will all work and play , you just wont be able to fade front and rear.
Posted By: sone4200
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 6:07 PM
Looks like I'm gonna have to take the time to fix the mistakes of the guy who had the car before me, like rewiring the doors to the front dash speakers, replacing the front dash speakers ( There Legacy! They suck giant bullfrog balls) . Man do I have a big task ahead of me, beings the guy did a sh*t wiring job on the doors ------------- S-One
1992 Buick Lesabre
Clarion Dxz945MP
2000w Wolfenhag 4 channel amp
2 12" Kicker Solo L7's
Posted By: Rushman
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 6:46 PM
its not that bad.........just take your time and think it thru. set aside a day and have everything laid out in front of you. it might help as you run each wire to put a piece of tape on each end of the wire to label it which one is which.
Posted By: sone4200
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 6:54 PM
Thanks for all your help man. I appreciate it ------------- S-One
1992 Buick Lesabre
Clarion Dxz945MP
2000w Wolfenhag 4 channel amp
2 12" Kicker Solo L7's
Posted By: Rushman
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 7:00 PM
your welcome , good luck
Posted By: sone4200
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 7:22 PM
So my wiring should look like this right?  ------------- S-One
1992 Buick Lesabre
Clarion Dxz945MP
2000w Wolfenhag 4 channel amp
2 12" Kicker Solo L7's
Posted By: sone4200
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 7:26 PM
 ------------- S-One
1992 Buick Lesabre
Clarion Dxz945MP
2000w Wolfenhag 4 channel amp
2 12" Kicker Solo L7's
Posted By: sone4200
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 7:35 PM
 I dont think its showing up right, i tried uploading it, then i put it temporarily on my web-page under construction, and it still does not work. if you really want to see it to tell me go to the following site https://www.angelfire.com/ill/sounds43605/------------- S-One
1992 Buick Lesabre
Clarion Dxz945MP
2000w Wolfenhag 4 channel amp
2 12" Kicker Solo L7's
Posted By: Rushman
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 7:36 PM
sorry s-one , the pics didnt show up
Posted By: sone4200
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 7:37 PM
read above^^
-------------
S-One
1992 Buick Lesabre
Clarion Dxz945MP
2000w Wolfenhag 4 channel amp
2 12" Kicker Solo L7's
Posted By: Rushman
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 7:38 PM
how many rca outputs total does that clarion radio have on the back of it? and how are they labeled?
Posted By: sone4200
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 7:41 PM
2 total outputs, i dunno how there labled ------------- S-One
1992 Buick Lesabre
Clarion Dxz945MP
2000w Wolfenhag 4 channel amp
2 12" Kicker Solo L7's
Posted By: Rushman
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 7:51 PM
I think I see your problem a little more clearly now that I looked at your web page. your basicly trying to run a 6 speaker system all from two RCA's from the back of the radio. If thats the case...... I would use the existing RCA cable on the clarion and run it strickty to the subs and the you will have to purchase RCA converters for the front and rear speaker line off the radio. (converters about 20$) You'll need two of them as they are set up in two channel mode. once youve run the speaker wire from the radio front and rears into the converters , then just run the RCAs from that point into the 4 channel amp for the interior speakers. Does that make sense?
Posted By: Rushman
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 7:52 PM
option 2 is to buy a 4 channel amp with high level inputs you could take straight off the radio but usually doesnt sound as good that way/ Hissing and popping and a little static.
Posted By: sone4200
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 7:56 PM
what i meant by 2 outputs is that i have a extra set of outputs With my subs hooked in now, so i wouldn't be able to run that second line to the amp?
-------------
S-One
1992 Buick Lesabre
Clarion Dxz945MP
2000w Wolfenhag 4 channel amp
2 12" Kicker Solo L7's
Posted By: sone4200
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 7:57 PM
even without it , i couldnt just buy a RCA "Y" cable and split the signal between the two amps?
-------------
S-One
1992 Buick Lesabre
Clarion Dxz945MP
2000w Wolfenhag 4 channel amp
2 12" Kicker Solo L7's
Posted By: Rushman
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 8:02 PM
yes I guess you could run the 2nd line into the amp depending an which speakers you want to amplify with that line. again if you wanted to keep your fader , you'll still need at least one of the converters for the speaker wires on the radio that remain still un-used , like for the front door and dash speakers or how ever you want to set it up. Think of it as just haveing nothing but RCAs to use as inputs into the amp or amps in your system. You did say you either have or getting a 4 channel amp right and you have a sub amp already?
Posted By: Rushman
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 8:04 PM
ok I see , yes again you can just buy the Y splitter will work just as well. I was just trying to help you with the fader issue that you wont have if you just split it with the Y
Posted By: sone4200
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 8:05 PM
yeah, im getting the amp soon,and i have a 2000w sub amp. do i really NEED the fader? if i didn't have the fader ide be able to set it up just like my diagram?
-------------
S-One
1992 Buick Lesabre
Clarion Dxz945MP
2000w Wolfenhag 4 channel amp
2 12" Kicker Solo L7's
Posted By: sone4200
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 8:06 PM
oh btw congrats we made a "hot Topic" lol
-------------
S-One
1992 Buick Lesabre
Clarion Dxz945MP
2000w Wolfenhag 4 channel amp
2 12" Kicker Solo L7's
Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 8:08 PM
If this is the cd player in your sig, then it has front / rear and sub preouts, no Y cables are necessary.
-------------
Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.
Posted By: sone4200
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 8:10 PM
i know, but i wasn't looking foward to pulling the unit agagin, i was looking for an alternatiive ------------- S-One
1992 Buick Lesabre
Clarion Dxz945MP
2000w Wolfenhag 4 channel amp
2 12" Kicker Solo L7's
Posted By: Rushman
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 8:11 PM
thats what I was looking to ask if he had a total of 6 RCAs so to loose the converters and run right into the amps. Alot easier and more flexability
Posted By: Rushman
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 8:14 PM
Oh I see. Didnt want to pull the head unit. You just want to work with whats already there. Thats a different ball game. If your gonna spent that much time and money on your system , take the extra hour or so to pull the H/U and run the x-tra cables !
Posted By: sone4200
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 8:15 PM
so pulling the unit again would be my BEST option?
-------------
S-One
1992 Buick Lesabre
Clarion Dxz945MP
2000w Wolfenhag 4 channel amp
2 12" Kicker Solo L7's
Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 8:17 PM
Yes, definitely. While you have it out, look for wire gremlins at the same time.
-------------
Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.
Posted By: sone4200
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 8:18 PM
wire gremlins?
-------------
S-One
1992 Buick Lesabre
Clarion Dxz945MP
2000w Wolfenhag 4 channel amp
2 12" Kicker Solo L7's
Posted By: Rushman
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 8:18 PM
I would pull the H/U. Run all RCA's Front , Rear , and Sub. Your system will be that much easier and cleaner. You'll apriciate it in the long run. Plus if you ever wany to expand in the future , the cables are already there for ya.
Posted By: Rushman
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 8:21 PM
wire gremlins..........ha-ha. Just anything that doesnt look safe or loose. Make sure you have all good tight insulated connections. Ive seen a car go up in flames due to unprotected wires in the dash.
Posted By: sone4200
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 8:24 PM
Well thanks Rushman and forbidden for all your help and advice... DEFINATLY appreciated...,but as for hooking up an after market EQ, how would you suggest running that (after the above is done of course)?
-------------
S-One
1992 Buick Lesabre
Clarion Dxz945MP
2000w Wolfenhag 4 channel amp
2 12" Kicker Solo L7's
Posted By: Rushman
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 8:28 PM
an EQ? that will help things alot but you'll have to re-configure your RCAs again. one cable from the radio into the EQ and then 2 or 3 from the EQ to the AMP , depending if the EQ has its own sub output or not. Most do and also have a fader option. I have one in my set up and its almost the hub of the system. almost everything is tied into it.
Posted By: sone4200
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 8:30 PM
ive seen EQ's that dont have RCA in/out, but rather just take the speakers + and - wires in and out, could i hook it like that, i know i'de have about 20 feet of extra speaker wire to hide, but would that be good?
-------------
S-One
1992 Buick Lesabre
Clarion Dxz945MP
2000w Wolfenhag 4 channel amp
2 12" Kicker Solo L7's
Posted By: Rushman
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 8:33 PM
might want to check on that eq with NO RCAs. That sounds like a booster eq. thats definately NOT what you want in your system. A booster eq is like a noisy little amp with an eq built in. Havent seen one of those in a while.
Posted By: sone4200
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 8:35 PM
i know, the one i have is like 1980's maybe, made by Craig, had it installed on a factory stereo and it sounded great
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S-One
1992 Buick Lesabre
Clarion Dxz945MP
2000w Wolfenhag 4 channel amp
2 12" Kicker Solo L7's
Posted By: Rushman
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 8:35 PM
when you go to look for an EQ , make sure its whats called a Passive EQ and NOT a booster eq , big difference.
Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 8:36 PM
No doubt, throw that thing under the tire and drive over it, better yet, send it to me, I have 2.5 tons of rock in my pickup right now. (I'm putting off going home and shovelling). An eq is either a band aid for a problem or a problem solver. If you don't know why you need one, then you do not need one. ------------- Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.
Posted By: sone4200
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 8:38 PM
O.K EQ = BAD , anything else that would make my system sound better? what exactly does a capacitor do?
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S-One
1992 Buick Lesabre
Clarion Dxz945MP
2000w Wolfenhag 4 channel amp
2 12" Kicker Solo L7's
Posted By: Rushman
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 8:41 PM
Capacitor.........think of it as like another battery but a little different. They store Voltage and deliver it to the amps when they are in peak performance. They also help keep the amps from drawing too much current from the cars electrical system. Helps keep amps stronger.
Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 8:41 PM
Better sound = better speakers, better mounting location, proper installation and proper amplification. Better sound is also subjective, you hear different than we do. Thus listen to different speakers and go from there. My ears like MB Quart and Focal with a good basic speaker being Eclipse. Pioneer or Driftwood just doesn't cut it with me anymore. Ignore the cap, a cap is something that belongs on your head to keep you from sunburn (for the folically challenged). Add sound deadening materials to the door to help increase midbass response.
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Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.
Posted By: Rushman
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 8:45 PM
I see where we differ on the Cap and Eq thing but I do agree that good sounding music is only judged by you the owner of the car. If it sounds good and you can afford it , go for it. If you dont like what you hear , then keep looking.
Posted By: sone4200
Date Posted: October 01, 2004 at 8:45 PM
I got good speakers already except for my dash speakers. So basicly after i run this amp rewire my door speakers and replace my crappy legacy dash speakers it SHOULD sound great? with all 6 speakers wired like my diagram (page 2 i think forbidden, if you didnt see it) ------------- S-One
1992 Buick Lesabre
Clarion Dxz945MP
2000w Wolfenhag 4 channel amp
2 12" Kicker Solo L7's
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