bypass active car speakers w/ head unit amp or try and send signal through pre-outs?

JBuzenberg · 31st January 2005, 11:40 PM

A car with stock, active speakers (each has a dedicated clarion amp) also has an amplifier in the aftermarket Alpine car stereo (50 x 4). Result: the signal is amplified twice and so the volume knob is much too sensitive--three clicks away from zero and it's already too loud. (A) Is there a way to use the sub-woofer output on the head unit to send a non-amplified signal to the car speakers? Or, (B) should I just forget using the clarion amps of which there are four and rely on the amplifier in the head unit? If (A) is possible, then would it also be possible to use the car stereo amplifier to power a subwoofer, since the speakers are being run by their own amps? Any help solving this dilemma is appreciated.

arcom · 1st February 2005, 05:27 PM

If your car stereo has preamp outputs for front/right channels, connect them to the inputs of your Clarion speaker amps. If not, you can put a resistor (say, 100K) between the car stereo's outputs and amplifier inputs.

Running a sub from car stereo is not a good idea because of its low power (those 50W are actually around 20W RMS, if not even lower) and you can ruin either your sub or car stereo or even both.

Hope this helps.

31st January 2005, 11:40 PM	#1
JBuzenberg diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN	bypass active car speakers w/ head unit amp or try and send signal through pre-outs? A car with stock, active speakers (each has a dedicated clarion amp) also has an amplifier in the aftermarket Alpine car stereo (50 x 4). Result: the signal is amplified twice and so the volume knob is much too sensitive--three clicks away from zero and it's already too loud. (A) Is there a way to use the sub-woofer output on the head unit to send a non-amplified signal to the car speakers? Or, (B) should I just forget using the clarion amps of which there are four and rely on the amplifier in the head unit? If (A) is possible, then would it also be possible to use the car stereo amplifier to power a subwoofer, since the speakers are being run by their own amps? Any help solving this dilemma is appreciated.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Question about newer head unit guts/signal handling	jol50	Car Audio	2	21st May 2009 07:02 PM
head unit problem.No output through interior speakers but rca outs work fine	spooney	Car Audio	2	1st January 2007 11:08 AM
Head Unit	VoLCoM	Car Audio	4	31st October 2005 02:51 PM
sony head unit - amp wiring for speakers	goodstang	Car Audio	3	13th June 2004 10:35 PM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

1st February 2005, 05:27 PM	#2
arcom diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Croatia, Rijeka	If your car stereo has preamp outputs for front/right channels, connect them to the inputs of your Clarion speaker amps. If not, you can put a resistor (say, 100K) between the car stereo's outputs and amplifier inputs. Running a sub from car stereo is not a good idea because of its low power (those 50W are actually around 20W RMS, if not even lower) and you can ruin either your sub or car stereo or even both. Hope this helps.