Amp wiring

[BigBL87]

Ok, still saving up for my amp, but I know what I'm getting. It's a Pioneer GM5200T 760 Watt 2-Channel. The good part is that instead of RCA, it's setup to use speaker-level input. My question is, coul I run speaker wire from one of my 6x9's to the amp instead of running all the way from my head unit? The way I figure, that saves me a hell of alot of work, and it doesn't seem like it would cause a problem. The 6x9's are mounted about three inches above where the amp would be, so it would save me on speaker wire too.

[PlayStation3]

you could but i wouldn't to it to mine cause of car is 11 yrs old so that means the wire is just as old plus the awg grade might be higher on the old stock wire then regulaer speaker wire.

[BigBL87]

Ok, other opinions are welcomed. If I do end up running a wire all the way from the HU, one of my friends said that I'll need at least 10 gauge speaker wire. For speaker wire, I thought that sounded like overkill, but then again I don't know much about car audio. I was thinking 8 gauge for the power wire. Also, someone mentioned that speaker level inputs are gonna hurt my SQ. I realize it would for higher tones, but will it make that much of a difference for bass?

[PaulD]

I competed my first year in MECA last year and did pretty well with a stock headunit and an Audiocontrol EQ with a LOC. It's more in knowing what you are doing.

[BigBL87]

anybody else? Would it be ok to do?

[dave92cherokee]

It would not be recommended that you use the original factory wiring for your speaker level inputs on that amp as the original factory wiring is probably 14 guage or smaller wire. Like pauld said if you're absolutely intent on using the speaker level inputs over rca then it's best to get a converter or run new wires back that would be at least 12 guage speaker wire which would carry the signal better. But as almost anyone on here will tell you it's alot better to use the rca's than speaker level input.

[PaulD]

good lord, why in the world would you need 14 gauge or larger speaker wire for your amp input wires ? That's what you use for like a 75 watt amp output

[92-silverado7.4]

PaulD is right, U don't need real thick wire in that case, since the wires are going to the hi level inputs in the amp, or the converter....all the amp gets from those wires is "sound signal"...but if we're going to compare RCA ( low level imputs) with hi level inputs, the hi level imputs cause more distortion, so for a cleaner sound I would recomend RCA wires.

[PaulD]

Originally Posted by 92-silverado7.4

"...but if we're going to compare RCA ( low level imputs) with hi level inputs, the hi level imputs cause more distortion, so for a cleaner sound I would recomend RCA wires.

Really ? please do explain ......

[92-silverado7.4]

I'll explain....on most amps you have the otion to use hi level inputs (the ones you get from the speakers, or you have the option to use low level inputs (the RCA inputs). By using the RCA inputs you will get a cleaner sound, than if you would use the high level inputs, though in some cases when your head unit has no RCA jacks, the only thing left to do is to use the high level inputs

[BigBL87]

Well, I decided to replace the HU, so I'll be using RCA's anyway, but thanks for explaining that. As soon as I get a job and get some money flowing in, I'll be working on getting the HU, and then my amp. Eventually, I'd like to replace my front 5.25's too, as they will probably go on me soon. My 6x9's in the back are Pioneers, so not gonna replace those anytime soon. I'll give an update as soon as I am able to put some money into this stuff!

[PaulD]

Originally Posted by 92-silverado7.4

I'll explain....on most amps you have the otion to use hi level inputs (the ones you get from the speakers, or you have the option to use low level inputs (the RCA inputs). By using the RCA inputs you will get a cleaner sound, than if you would use the high level inputs, though in some cases when your head unit has no RCA jacks, the only thing left to do is to use the high level inputs

You just restated your case ... not really proved it. The truth is, the difference in hi and low level inputs on an amp is that the hi level input goes thru a resistor or a small transformer to drop it's level some and then is connected to the same point as the RCA inputs. The reason why it normally sounds bad when you use the speaker levels outputs from the deck is ignorance. The internal amps in most headunits are designed to start clipping and distorting at like 2/3 of the volume setting, if you turn it much past that it will certainly sound like crap. When I had my stock headunit, it clipped at 3/4 volume - I instructed the judges not to turn it up past that. I had several judges that were amazed at how good the stock headunit sounded.

[92-silverado7.4]

Yes, I know how that works and yes, the distortion comes when you put up the volume too high.....Maybe Im not very good at explaining this stuff but bigbl87 got my point.