Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio Speakers To Amp?

Hey guys, bear with me here, this may have been answered. I am installing speakers this weekend and waiting on an amp. One friend wants to run the speaker wires through the door and under the carpet to the amp. Another friend wants to install the speakers using the existing wires in the door, then from the back of the HU, cut them and send them to the Amp that way. He says it neater. Any difference in the two? And which way have you guys run your wires? Any input greatly appreciated.

The first friend is the better friend.

haha "the first friend is a better friend"

It's really easy to run the wires from the trunk along under the plastic between the door sill and door frame. Just lift up the rubber seal, insert wire and replace seal. Presto...

Getting the wires from the car to the door is a little tougher but there are already holes on the car body under the hinges. Pop that grommet out run wirs through and into door. I just enlarged a hole in the oval shaped gormet that is already in the door.

Late

JE

I think running wires directly from the amp to the speakers is "neater". As for how to run the wires...it all depends on where your amplifier is.

If you're putting it under the passenger seat: for the LEFT FRONT speaker, I would suggest going up into the console, that will run you to behind the deck, where you can easily go under the steering wheel and into the door. The best way to get to the LEFT REAR speaker is to go up through the console but cut back under the carpet right behind the driver's seat. That will get you to the door. For the RIGHT REAR speaker, do the same as for the left rear but on the opposite side and without going through the console. and for RIGHT FRONT you would do the same as for the left front speaker, except go the other way when you get behind the deck.

The easiest way to run the speaker wire under the carpet to the rear doors is to take the bottom part of the back seat (the part you actually sit on) and pull some of the carpet back. Then feed the wire to the back, then to the door(s). Once you're at the door, use JOHNE's suggestion for getting your wire there. But DEFINITELY use new speaker wire.

It's all pretty simple, just takes some patience. Oh and if your amp is in the back, you can get to the doors the same way you got your amp wires there.

Thank you! I am thinking that we will mount the amp under one of the front seats. And yes, I agree about new speaker wires. If I go with what you guys are suggesting, and my first friend wants to do, I will have to wait until my amp comes in hopefully next week. Cheers!

When I had a GL, we went under the driver's side seat because it was closer to the battery.

KEWL.

First a few questions:
1. Is it an aftermarket deck?
2. Does it have RCA outputs?

Amp should be 4 channel if you have front and rear RCA's. That way you can keep the fader control.

Mount amp under seat is gonna be kinda hard to do unless you are going to remove the seat. Trunk is an easier location. Why? Cause with it there you can make it easier to adjust the system. Picture it this way...if you can get to it easier, you can tweak it.

If you do mount under the seat, and hey this would be classier, mount it so that the power wire side and the speaker wire side are pointing left and right in the car (not front to back). This will make it easier to run wire to the door sills and under the center console.

Most speaker installs done in shops 9 times out of 10, use the wire in the doors. However, if you want to "rewire" the car, get some real excellent monster cable stuff. Get a door panel "popper" and trace the speaker wire back thru the door using the new wire. It will be difficult but work with it until it makes its way into the car. Do this with the door opened fully! You want to make sure you have enough slack to account for the door opening and closing but don't get too much or it will be sloppy. Do we know if the amp is gonna run full, or high pass? If you are gonna run full on the crossovers, then get some speaker savers (bass blockers) so that you can reduce some of the low end bass and clean out some distortion. If you are gonna run highpass NO Speaker savers. Best Buy has the ones you need. They are the green wire ones.

If you don't have RCA outs or pre-outs, then you are going to want to get a line-level convertor. GET A GOOD ONE!!!! NO ROAD GEAR STUFF. Check the install bays. What are they using. I think Metra makes a convertor. Again check Best Buy.

Have fun
L8R
Rich