This video really REALLY helped, but the guys voice was so calming and not screaming and forceful. Thanks for making this first Crutchfield install easy.
Man still replying to comments and questions 7 years after the video release, crutchfeild is the bomb. If I had seen this video before buying my stuff I would have bought from crutchfeild . If I ever decide to add a sub woofer to my Miata cf is the first place I'm looking from now on
Yep, I wanted to buy local only because I'm not patient. I was planning on adding an amp and sub when I replaced the head unit... But I wasn't quite ready to do all that just yet... That is until I destroyed my aux port the other day, which was the only way to connect my phone since my car is equipped with BT. And two of my jobs are doing deliveries so I NEED my music. So now, ready or not I'm doing this shit... Replacing the head unit it no biggie. I've done that many times before... Same with regular speakers. But this will be my first time doing an amp and sub. Honestly, it's a little intimidating, which is why I've never done it before. So just the fact that I know there will be help if I need it is enough to make me buy from y'all... Not only that but this video was one of the easiest, if not the easiest, tutorials I've seen. Y'all actually seem to give AF about your customers, which is rare these days.
I had to use vaseline and a mashing utensil made of wood. The grommets are like dry women,, when I was done I told my wife it's like trying to get busy without foreplay
I love how positive and encouraging the comments sections of videos seem to be these days. This one is no exception. Good video and it;s nice to see how far we've come in the way we treat one another
I heard of you guys through CAF and have bought all my car audio equipment with the exception of the aftermarket radio from you guys. Phone support is top notch and make sure all my needs were met.
@@crutchfield This is literally the only one that actually shows how to connect the amp to the car battery. I didn’t know how and this showed me. Thank you. I’m dropping a like
I'm glad I'm having mine professionally installed. I wouldnt have the patience to do it myself. I bought the sony xm-gs4 from amazon but said it was sold by crutchfield.
"I bought the sony xm-gs4 from amazon but said it was sold by crutchfield." A good reason to buy straight from Crutch. I've noticed this on several products in the past few years. Crutchfield is tightly integrated with Amazon. Prices are almost always the same, but buying thru Crutchfield directly adds their service to the product.
I have 2 questions - 1. What did you use to seal the crack on the rubber grommet for weather protection ? 2. Did you use double-sided tape to mount the fuse holder? If yes, which tape would you recommend, or if you could share a link to buy it ?
In this case, we did just pass the wiring through an existing opening. If you need one though, we do carry some great grommets here: www.crutchfield.com/I-rIGRc921/I-rIGRc921/support/ContactUs.aspx Though this step was not covered in the video, most fuse holders do have provisions for mounting them with screws or even wire ties.
I wouldn't have thought crutchfield would wire their power wire to the amp without a connector. Just wrapping it around the screw is what I used to do but now I use connectors.
A questoin does the speakers need RCa cable? Or i can just connec the amp to my headunit with RCA and cut their power from the headunit and move that to the amp?
The wiring harness from your aftermarket radio will have a remote wire. It should be a blue wire and sometimes they’re labeled “amp turn on” or just “remote”
Good video but the wire going into and coming out of the fuse block is protected- doesn’t seem like it would protect the wire before it but it does - it’s in series with the entire wire run so any over current will blow the fuse
at 1:06 when he is inserting the (bare) power wire into the fuse (block), could one use a wire ferrule here since the fuse uses set-screw amp style connections?
Sorry to hear that! It may be a noise caused by a ground loop--in which case a noise filter can be useful, like this Ground Loop Isolator: www.crutchfield.com/I-rYTVc000/p_127SNI1/PAC-SNI-1.html For more details please feel free to contact an Advisor directly from the Crutchfield website. Thanks! --Crutchfield
If im installing an amp for my highs, do I have to run the speaker wires for the same side of the car where my RCA's are? Or can I run the speaker wire on the same side as my power wires are?
Ideally you'd want to have the speaker wire and RCA cables both routed on one side of the vehicle, with the power wire on the other. Hope that helps! --Crutchfield
I was browsing on the Crutchfield website. I put my car (Altima 2015, No Bose center logo. Yes I can see the corner speakers, and without center navigation screen), just to see if there was an option to have all 6 speakers from Kenwood but there isn't 😓.
Those front doors do have a short list of speakers that can fit it! We are happy to check for others. Are there any alternative brands that you would be willing to consider? Also, will you be installing a new amp or radio to run the speakers?
sorry im pretty new at this, so when i wire the amp to the speakers, does that mean i no longer need the factory speaker cables connected to the head unit or do i need wires connected to the amp and the headunit too or is it all ran by the amp
Great tutorial! I learned how to easily install a car amplifier without any prior experience. The step-by-step guide made it simple and straightforward. Thanks for sharing this helpful resource! #CrutchfieldDIY #CarAmplifierInstallation #VehicleAudioUpgrades
Car amps do not usually have a power button or on/off switch. They rely on other triggers to turn on like audio coming in on the input wires or a 12V trigger becoming active when the radio is turned on.
Factory speaker wire is typically very thin and not ideal for high powered aftermarket amps. If the amp is rated in the 50 watts RMS per channel or less range, it's usually ok to tap back into the factory speaker wiring. But for amps stronger than that, it's best to run thicker 16-gauge speaker wire from the new amp directly to each speaker it powers.
A question: I’m installing a new after market Android radio with CarPlay in my BMW e46. How do I send connect the signal from my radio to the AMP and then to the speakers? Witch output can I use because I of course have the main wires but also an AMP and a line out. Howe do I connect this all together?
Im putting my power wire into my right now. But im not sure where or how i should attach the wire and circuit breaker inside the engine bay to ensure it doesnt moe too much while i drive. What do you usually do to connect that
We recommend installing the fuse holder/circuit breaker in a location where you can use screws to hold it onto the mounting surface. If the cables need to be secured, you could consider using cable ties to secure it to other cables already ran and secured in place
Absolutely. You will also need aftermarket speakers that can handle the wattage of your new amplifier. If you are also thinking about adding an aftermarket subwoofer, you can use a 5-channel amplifier like the Kicker 46CXA660.5T in the link below. This amp sounds great and is one of our top sellers! www.crutchfield.com/I-rYALc166/p_20646CX66T/Kicker-46CXA660-5T.html
You say not to run RCA wires from head unit to amp alongside the amp power wire, but what about the speaker wires coming from the amp to the speakers? Can those be run next to the power wire if it's more practical?
If possible you'd want to try and avoid the power wire with your speaker wires as well. However that's typically not as much of a concern based on speaker mounting locations in most vehicles. For more details or to discuss further feel free to contact an Advisor directly from the Crutchfield website: bit.ly/2xOOeQR Hope that helps! --Crutchfield
So I had my subwoofer connected, but for some reason, it was draining my battery so I got an extra battery in order for me to play off my Extra battery. How do I connect everything to the extra battery? This is my first time doing everything.
Most batteries will include wiring instructions; but you'll run your power wiring in line with your main battery and then ground the second battery as well. If you got your battery here, you can call our tech Support for installation assistance. Their direct number is on your invoice.
This depends on the length of the run and the amperage requirements (fuse rating) on your 1200-watt amplifier. With most high-powered amplifiers a 1/0-gauge wiring kit like the Crutchfield CK1 in the link below is required. www.crutchfield.com/I-rFBKc166/p_007CK1/Crutchfield-CK1.html
We make all the amp connections (power/ground/12v turn-on/RCA's if applicable) with the battery disconnected, and the main fuse installed removed from your main power wire. Once you have made your amp connections and double checked your wiring work, you can connect at the battery and install the main fuse as the very last step before testing.
so i have already done all of this and used 0 gauge wire but when i go to connect my negative cable back it sparked and had enough to pretty much them tighter if i would have left it on and it blew my 300amp fuze block what do i do
We cannot diagnose your exact issue from here, but it sounds like from what you described the issue is serious. Disconnect from the battery immediately, then check all connections you have made to ensure they are correct.
Did I understand this correctly, if my door speakers have less than 75W output it's sufficient enough if I stay with the stock wiring and dont need to connect it to the amplifier? Edit: If they have more than 75W do I run new cables from the amp to the speakers? Or how exactly would that work.
You will need to make sure your wire is connected to the output side of the new amp but if you are running less than 75W (I would say 50W) RMS power you can use the existing factory wiring. I think it's never a bad idea to run new, heavier gauge speaker wire to get the best performance out of your amp and speakers.
@@crutchfield Damn, your customer support really is impeccable like Ive heard from others. I've run into some new problems installing my new radio and sadly I am not from the US so I cannot use your installation kits. Also about my speakers, I will be installing the factor speakers from someone else's car which are a lot better than mine. Then I'll just run an amp and sub combo in the back which will be sufficient. I just want a quality system not some high end music machine.
Is it wise to have more than one amp in a car? I have a monoblock for a sub and was thinking of getting a 4-channel amp to power four speakers (front door & read deck)...how would that work? I'm completely new to car audio. Btw none of this is installed. I purchased the master sheet from Crutchfield and will install soon.
You can install more than one amplifier in your system--the best way to do so is with a dual or multi-amp wiring kit. You can find a selection of multi-amp wiring kits on the Crutchfield website here: www.crutchfield.com/I-rYTVc000/g_711/Amp-Wiring-Kits.html?tp=635#&nvpair=FFType|Multi-amp kit If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out to an Advisor via the "Contact Us" link on the webpage. Hope that helps! --Crutchfield
Shawn yes you can do that. I had a Rockford fosgate Punch 40 amplifier powering 2 Punch 8" woofers and a Alpine 4 channel amp pushing 2 Altec Lansing 6x9s and 2 5 1/4 Infinity kappa mids in the door. I ran the two amps from my battery and from pre amp outputs from an Alpine head unit. I got my wires, amp installation kit,etc from CRUTCHFIELD and installed it myself. As long as you have the equipment,and a big enough battery, CRUTCHFIELD will guide you through a 2 Amp setup.I installed this setup on a 1982 Olds Cutlass supreme...
With any amplifier install the correct size power/ground wiring is required. If your amplifier is not turning on, also check the 12-volt turn-on connection or your speaker-level inputs if you have an amplifier that features automatic turn-on features. I hope this helps!
just got my kenwood 200 watt amp and wiring kit from crutchfield to use for my 8" pioneer subwoofer, in the factory location of a 2001 chevy suburban. where should I put the amp??
Thanks again for your order, Thomas. Looks like you got the Alpine KTA-200M amp which is super compact so you can mount it in any convenient location. If you have an Alpine iLX-W650 or iLX-407 digital multimedia receiver, you can use the included PowerStack bracket to mount the amp behind those radios as well.
Looking to install a kicker 400 watts amp from a previous car to my 2022 kia ev6 which is fully electric. Do I wire the amp + wire directly to the car battery like in gasoline cars? Can I just jump remote for turning on n off from same power source? Thank you answer my question in advance. Happy holidays!
Hi Anthony, happy holidays! We haven't researched your new car; but it can be tricky adding aftermarket amps or components to an electric model. You can wire to the battery and, in general, you do need to stay at or below 30-amps or 350 watts.
Absolutely! 😃 There are no brand compatibility issues with our amp wiring kits. You just need to make sure that you use the appropriate gauge of power wire based on the current draw demands of the specific amp you are installing.
Anytime you are working on your vehicle the battery should be disconnected and the vehicle de-powered. If your fuse is repeatedly blowing, there could be an issue with your wiring.
I recently bought a 4 channel amp, infinity 3004A, for my 2015 jeep cherokee. It has 6 speakers, 2 3.5 in the dash, 2 5.5 front door speakers and 2 rear door soeakers. I bought component speakers for the front doors, 3.5 speakers for the dash, and 6x9s for the rear. I was planning on using the locpro vehicle specific t harnes to just use factory wiring. Now I'm wondering if this will work with the 6 speakers and the 4 channel amp.
The Infinity 3004A amplifier is 2-ohm stable and can drive a pair or 4-ohm component speakers/tweeters and a pair of 4-ohm 3.5" dash speakers off of the front two channels, no problem. You will use the rear two channels to drive your 6x9"s.
I wired mine up like this verified all my connections good. My amp turns off and into protection mode as soon as the sun hits. 800w system on a stock 2022 Corolla le. Is it possible my battery output is to little?
It's possible so be sure and verify the fit there with your mechanic. From there, double check all your wiring and make sure you have the subs wired to a correct load to match the amp. If you got the amp here, you can call our Tech Support. Their direct number is on your invoice.
@@crutchfield thank you but I bought the sub pre wired in a box from skarr audio. Opened the box and found a loose ground. I fixed it now it works great!
Running a new power wire through the firewall will require a new hole of some sort. You would either cut a hole into a factory grommet that's big enough to support the cut. Or you can drill a hole into the metal of the firewall and use a bushing like this to protect the cable: www.crutchfield.com/I-rFBKc227/p_142WPG0/item.html
@@crutchfield with lack of resources in my country i may not be able to buy your aftermarket boot to support the 0 gauge, what else could be done, will be checking all the oem boots, and is it viable to drill a hole in the firewall, if so how?
If you can't find an existing opening for routing the cable, you will need to drill a hole or cut one. Most auto supply stores will offer some type of grommet.
@@crutchfield also, the 0 gauge i am using was short in length, and i got it extended by adding another 0 gauge of the same length, joint together by a ferrule which was then pressed/crimped. Is it fine to use that for something rated at 1500 to 3000RMS? (its under heat shrink, and done by a local electrician)
As long as the connection point for the two wires is secure so it cannot come undone or get exposed, then that is ok because wires are joined together all the time to install things like fuse holders or distribution blocks
Sorry to hear that, Joseph. Sounds like you may want to double check your fuse match and power connections. If you got your amp here, you can call our Tech Support as well. Their direct number is on your invoice.
Are you using an aftermarket radio installed into a vehicle that has an OEM amplifier? What is the year, make, model, and specific trim of your vehicle?
Hey Crutchfield, I have a Kicker C10 4 ohm 300 watt sub, and a Planet Audio 1500 watt ACD10 subwoofer. I also have a 2000 watt Crunch amplifier, would these all pair together without any problems?
Hi, we're glad to help. To verify, the Kicker sub is rated at 300 watts RMS? And the Planet Audio sub for 1500 watts RMS? What is the exact model of your amp?
Thanks! Based on the sub and amp specs, this amp is going to offer too much power for both subs. Planet audio lists the AC10D at 750 RMS. Since the power ratings for each sub is substantially different, using different amps to power each will work better too. Would you like help choosing a better match?
@@crutchfield Im actually looking at a different set now, the two subs are American Bass XD-1222 1000w 12". I was looking at the Belva BXA15001 1500W Peak BX-Series 2-Ohm Stable Class-A/B Amp. Is this a good match?
It is tough to diagnose the exact issue from here. If the amplifier has suddenly stopped functioning and has a red warning indicator light lit, it usually means there is some sort of internal fault with the amplifier.
That will depend on what speakers the amp will be used to power and which channels on the amp the speakers are connected to. The main thing to keep in mind is the flow of the audio and making sure that you get the proper audio to each speaker (i.e. front left audio to the front left speakers). We give lifetime technical support on every purchase and include their toll free phone number on the order invoice. They can help ensure proper signal flow
That's an interesting question! While this is not something we do, it does seem like a feasible way to get power for an amp. One area of concern would be to ensure the power port does not share its power wiring with other devices. If it shares power with other devices, the amp could make those other devices not run as designed, and those other devices could create noise.
Be careful about how much current you're drawing. The power port (cigarette lighter plug) is normally the correct voltage, but they often use thinner cables that might not be able to supply the current your amp needs.
The lack of a remote turn-on wire would not cause noise. It would only cause an amp to either not turn on or always stay on. There are wires in the vehicle that are only active when the radio can be turned on. We recommend contacting technical support for help locating such a wire. If you purchased the gear from us, you can contact technical support using the toll free phone number we include on the order invoice. Some line output converters can create the return turn-on wire for triggering the amp. Also, some amps have the ability to turn on when audio starts coming to them. Noise typically comes from other areas of the vehicle and is most often linked to grounding issues. We have a few articles on our web site to help diagnose and troubleshoot the noise: www.crutchfield.com/I-rYALc227/learnsearch/noise.html
Disconnecting the negative battery terminal ensures your safety during amplifier installation, as well as ensuring that nothing within your vehicle's electrical system shorts out should you make any sort of contact with your vehicle while installing.
Possible issues are the speakers and amp are not a good match, the amp settings are not adjusted properly, and could be that the sound qualities of the speakers are not a match for your goals. What speakers and amp did you get? What aspect of the sound was reduced as compared to the stock?
Hey I replaced 4 speakers and connected them to the amp, and the only speakers that work are the ones that I didn’t replace… any thoughts on why this happens?
Your best bet is to start by re-checking all your wiring and connections. From there, you could test the speakers with another power source. If you got the amp/speakers here, please give our techs a call. Their direct number is on your invoice.
Were the wires that led to old speakers already wired to input of your amp.if not,you will need to run those wires to your amp input,and new wires to your amp output and then to your new speakers.
Sweet! So these Pioneer speakers can handle 80-watts RMS max. I would pair with the Pioneer GM-A6704 4-channel in the first link below, it would deliver 60-watts RMS and allow some headroom on the speakers so you could run a full-range signal to them with good results. The CK8 in the second link is needed for power and ground connections, you will need to add some RCA cables and speaker wire. The Crutchfield Reference 4-channel in the third link is available in 12 or 17-foot lengths and would go from the Alpine 73BT to the Pioneer amp. You will also need some new 16-gauge speaker wire to connect your amp to your speakers, so choose the right length of 16-gauge speaker wire in the fourth link below and you should have everything you need for install. If you have any questions or need any help getting the order placed, you can always give us a call at 1-800-309-2075. www.crutchfield.com/I-rFBKc166/p_130GMA6704/Pioneer-GM-A6704.html www.crutchfield.com//I-rFBKc166/p_007CK8/Crutchfield-CK8.html www.crutchfield.com/I-rFBKc166/p_007CMER417/Crutchfield-Reference-4-Channel-RCA-Patch-Cables-17-foot.html www.crutchfield.com/I-rFBKc166/p_007CSW16/Crutchfield-Speaker-Wire-16-gauge.html
That is a lot of work, im not blaming you, but the entire process in the current year should just be as easy as a simple plug in device. Like seriously, massive recabling and sanding off parts of your vehicle to make a simple device like this work is just absurd.
My amp won’t turn off and drains battery over night, I used the remote wire, maybe hooked it to the wrong location on the car end of it? Hmmm can’t even remember what I hooked it to now.
Are you using a factory radio? It sounds like the blue remote wire is getting power constantly and the amp is not turning off when you turn your vehicle off with your key, draining your battery. If you are using a factory radio the Kicker 46KISLOC2 below taps into speaker signal and provides the 12-volt wire to power on/off your amplifier. The Kicker LOC is passive, only requiring a solid ground and speaker wire input connections for use. www.crutchfield.com/I-rYALc166/p_20646KILO2/Kicker-46KISLOC2.html
Since the negative battery wire has been disconnected, no short will occur. The circuit cannot be completed so power will not pass again until the negative battery wire is reattached.
Dear Sir/ Madam, I have pegeuot 206 CC. I want to install suboofer on it, but the problem is I can't find a whole to put the power cable through from the bettary to the inside. Can you please help. Thank you in advsne
If there is no pre-cut hole or knockout in the factory firewall, you may need to drill a new hole to pass your power wire through. For additional assistance and personalized recommendations, feel free to contact us directly: bit.ly/2jBGHPp Hope that helps. --Crutchfield
Crutchfield First of all thank you for answering my question! I found a place in the door, I don’t know how it’s called But I can make photo so other people can benefit from it
I'm having the same issue right now with my 2001 Chevy Silverado. There's no holes at all lol. Great tutorial though 👍 I'm hoping to finish this installation today. First ever car sub for me so I'm super hyped to hear it. SVR-12
A capacitor can help a system perform better by making more power available for a subwoofer amp. Typically, it is recommended to get 1 farad for every 1000 watts RMS power. Which amp are you wanting to get a capacitor for?
I just installed a full system to my stock head unit in my 2016 Canyon. Now my blinkers are LOUD!! and there is a constant buzz that does not change with rpm. The power line is run away from speaker wire. The ground is in thr body under the carpet in the rear near the amp. Any ideas what I should check?
Hi Mark. That does sound like a wiring issue. If you purchased your gear from Crutchfield, our tech support team is here for you, and will be happy to go through those connections with you. You will find their contact information located on your invoice, or by logging into your Crutchfield account, and looking under the "My Orders" tab.
If any still monitors this I have a question. Can an amp be wired easily to my 2014 Mustang base with a very standard factory AM/FM unit ? Don’t want to start until I’m assured it will work. TIA
Hi Lloyd, we're glad to help. To verify, your car came without factory navigation or a factory Shaker audio system? Will you be maintaining the factory radio? What model amp do you have in mind?
We're happy to recommend new speakers and an amp to match. Do you have the coupe or convertible? Are there any speaker brands you love the sound of most? If not, what types of music do you listen to most often? Any plans to add a sub and sub amp later too? Thanks!
Got it. Step 4 does mention the speaker wire; but does not show it connected on the amp side. Keep in mind, you can call our Tech Support for any help you may need installing an amp and speakers you get here. And be sure and check out our Amp Installation Guide: www.crutchfield.com/learn/learningcenter/car/amplifier_installation_guide.html
Sounds like you need to check your remote or turn-on wire The remote wire signals your amplifier to turn on whenever the stereo is powered up (usually, whenever the vehicle is turned on).
That is always frustrating, I understand. Let us know if troubleshooting where that 12v turn on is connected on your vehicle solves the issue! We are always here to help.
Quick question If I get lets say 4 ohm door speakers and connect them to my factory harness later down the road when i install a sub with amp would the door speakers interfere? Pretty new to the music stuff
2001 honda crv , I read about Erins Crv install on crutchfield which im thinking of following except that i wont be be getting the same set up but ill try to replicate it power wise for example he was only running 2 polk speakers upfront which was 60rms 180max & his amp was 40watts x4 I feel like replicating his set up but just matching my power for example if my speakers are 100rms and I have all 4 installed I would atleast need a 800 watt amp to have enough power to drive them? Haha sorry for the long reply
Got it, thanks! The best amp match will depend on the exact speakers you use; but you can add one amp now for the new full range speakers and a second sub amp later when you choose a sub. Did you want to stick with Polk speakers? Will you be using an aftermarket radio with 3 sets of pre outs?
@@crutchfield I was trying to use polk audio but cant really find any on eBay I found some Prv Audio 6mr200A-4 which are 100 watts rms 200 program power and 400 watts max peak im thinking of getting 4 they are midrange speakers I also just installed a Pioneer DEH-S4220BT 1 din which has 4 rca inputs in the back
What would u think would be a good amp for those speakers and also would I be able to run the same amp for the door speakers and a sub ? Also how would i go about running my speakers to amp wouldnt that just be running them directly to the amp & not using the factory speaker harness
I need help my 2015 hyduai Genesis lexicon amplifier went out and I have no voice any tips or help you can give me can i just Mickey Mouse any other amp to it
We do not offer replacement factory amps. In fact, the gear we sell that helps install our amps onto a factory radio require the stock amp to be working which means this is not an option for you. We may be able to replace the stock radio with an aftermarket radio and get one that's built for installing aftermarket amps. Let's check your Genesis! Is it a 2 door or a 4 door? How many speakers can factory installed in it? Does the stock radio include navigation?
So for the speaker wire, i have the cable Metra 72-8104 connected to the speaker and hooked up yo the factory cable. To connect the speaker wire to the amp, would i have to disconnect the cable to the speaker and use the provided speaker wires and tap straight into the speaker itself? What about the tweeter? Also, for the other options, the aftermarket radio have the metra harness connecting straight into the factory radio harness, if i decided to connect my amp to the unit, i have to cut the front left n right cable from the metra harness then seal it off then cut off front lrft and right cable in the factory harness and solder the connection and wire it to the amp right?
The best wiring option will depend on your exact setup. What model amp, radio and speakers do you plan to use? What is the year, make, and model of your vehicle? Did it come with a factory amp? Thanks!
Your step two was taking about connecting two cables to the back of the radio then to speakers? You showed nothing of the speakers or the amp and it’s hook ups
The very last part of step two discussed the options for connection an amp with speaker level inputs. You can tap into those speaker wires either at the back of the radio or, if your amp is in the back of the vehicle, the rear speakers. Every Crutchfield purchase comes with lifetime tech support so if you have questions during the installation we are happy to help.
great vid & very helpful. I want to point out is mostly a myth that you need anything more than 18AWG wire for speakers. Its a waste of time and money to switch those wires. I have run thousands of watts to subwoofers off 18AWG wire just fine. The resistance is still extremely low and the wire temperature does not get nearly hot enough to power compress even at high loads.
We would never advise using any RMS power larger than 100-watts with factory or aftermarket 18-gauge wire. If you are installing powerful amplifiers and subwoofers you will need to use larger gauge wire, with 12-gauge in the link below being the most common for subwoofers. www.crutchfield.com/I-rYALc166/p_007CSW12/Crutchfield-Speaker-Wire-12-gauge.html
If you are installing an amp, that is the terminal that the amp's power wire gets connected to using a ring terminal. This terminal typically comes included in amp wiring kits but can be purchased separately if needed.
Hi there! That is an 8-gauge wiring kit made by EFX. Here it is: www.crutchfield.com/I-rYTVc313/S-Wl0MlYHcWna/p_142PA8BX/EFX-PA8BX-Wiring-Kit.html Feel free to let us know if you have other questions!
@@crutchfield what kind of wires would I run for speakers to amp (4 door speakers) What wires for subwoofers to amp(2 subs 1 box) What wires for amp to aftermarket radio(5 channel amp) Thanks for the wiring kit link, currently have everything to do car audio but the wires
Sounds like most of the system is ready! Generally, we recommend 16-gauge wire for the speaker connections and 12-gauge wire for subwoofers. For the after-market radio to the amp, we'll need some RCAs. What is the vehicle you are working with, and where will you place the amplifier? What is the equipment you are using in the setup? We can send a cart with the gear you will need. :-)
@@crutchfield I’ve actually gotten everything done with the exception of a wiring harness for the new radio I have in the mail from you all. So as long as it all work after that comes in I should be good
If I understand correctly, you are installing speakers and an amp to power them. If that is correct, speaker wire will need to be ran from the speakers to the amp
Bro someone did this to my car but shitty and I need to take it out now like therr be sparks coming from my amp. Can I just remove the wire from the positive side of the battery or is that going to kill me
You may want to disconnect the negative battery cable first so that you can ensure you are safe before working with any of the new cabling/parts that were installed for the new amp.
Hi, greetings from across the pond! In regards to tapping into the speaker wires, is it literally just a case of doing that, or would it be more beneficial to cut and splice them? Great vid btw 👍
Tapping into them works just fine! It also reduces the amount of work that is needed to complete the installation. You don't have to cut and stripe the wire and hope to pull the ends together again to keep them connected.
That's brilliant, thanks for the quick reply too! I've seen them positaps on amazon UK, lot more expensive over here but then again everything is compared to the states! 😱 Enjoy your day buddy, thanks again
Help!!! I had an idiot hook up my system that people told me was reliable, not only did he have a panic attack throwing fits the entire time trying, this guy tried to connect the ground wire and shoved it into the positive battery terminal. I don’t know anything myself, the bump and music itself has worked for almost a year now but my car was having major power issues since then and now realized that the battery terminal is barely even on because he tried to shove that ground wire up into it. Me trying to watch these videos, obviously are all absolutely completely different from wherever he put it. I have no idea what to even do right now. I’m just driving around with no music. Can someone help me out?
If you purchased your gear from us, our technical support can help guide you through checking the connections and signal paths to ensure its hooked up like it should be. As for the wire you mention, it may help to put a terminal on the end of it. That can help make the installation of the new wire to the battery post a lot easier. Here are the ones we offer: www.crutchfield.com/I-rYALc227/g_714/Power-Wire-Terminals.html
Great video! Ironically, I watched this to help get an idea of what goes into installing one of these things because I need to rip out the absolute dog's breakfast of an install that was done by a stupid and incompetent former owner of a vehicle I just bought lol. The install is such trash that it screwed up the vehicle's electrical system, tripping various warning lights intermittently, the amp is right infront of the passenger seat with a mess of wires spewing out of it, and to top it off, the idiot undid the seatbelt sensor wire causing the seatbelt warning light to constantly go off.
Glad I came across this video before buying amplifier. Too much work. I thought you only had to connect amplifier somewhere to the existing stereo wiring and off you go. Not for me.
This video really REALLY helped, but the guys voice was so calming and not screaming and forceful. Thanks for making this first Crutchfield install easy.
Man still replying to comments and questions 7 years after the video release, crutchfeild is the bomb. If I had seen this video before buying my stuff I would have bought from crutchfeild . If I ever decide to add a sub woofer to my Miata cf is the first place I'm looking from now on
Thanks, James and welcome! We'll be here.
Yep, I wanted to buy local only because I'm not patient. I was planning on adding an amp and sub when I replaced the head unit... But I wasn't quite ready to do all that just yet... That is until I destroyed my aux port the other day, which was the only way to connect my phone since my car is equipped with BT. And two of my jobs are doing deliveries so I NEED my music. So now, ready or not I'm doing this shit... Replacing the head unit it no biggie. I've done that many times before... Same with regular speakers. But this will be my first time doing an amp and sub. Honestly, it's a little intimidating, which is why I've never done it before. So just the fact that I know there will be help if I need it is enough to make me buy from y'all... Not only that but this video was one of the easiest, if not the easiest, tutorials I've seen. Y'all actually seem to give AF about your customers, which is rare these days.
Yeah. I bought my aftermarket radio from best buy but all speaker equipment from them. They have specialists that can help you make a choice.
I love how the power cable magically slides right through the firewall grommet with no problem 😂
dude for real that was the hardest part for me 🤣
@@lilpoopoo3415 i
Ya I run 00 I had to drill a hole 🤣
I had to use vaseline and a mashing utensil made of wood. The grommets are like dry women,, when I was done I told my wife it's like trying to get busy without foreplay
@@godlesssociety498 i may or may not have used astro glide 😅💦😂
I love how positive and encouraging the comments sections of videos seem to be these days. This one is no exception. Good video and it;s nice to see how far we've come in the way we treat one another
I heard of you guys through CAF and have bought all my car audio equipment with the exception of the aftermarket radio from you guys. Phone support is top notch and make sure all my needs were met.
Thanks so much! Glad we could help and hope you're enjoying all your new equipment.
By far the best tutorial I've seen
Thanks Miguel, glad we could be a source of information for you!
@@crutchfield This is literally the only one that actually shows how to connect the amp to the car battery. I didn’t know how and this showed me. Thank you. I’m dropping a like
glad i watched this before attempting to do it myself !
Never underestimate the limitlesspower of education.
REally? Take a look at "Video quality mobile" or "Fabrication"
I'm glad I'm having mine professionally installed. I wouldnt have the patience to do it myself. I bought the sony xm-gs4 from amazon but said it was sold by crutchfield.
That's a great amp! What type of speakers are you going to power with it?
@@crutchfield the rears are jbl g7-96.. I dont know whats in the front..
I think that is going to be a great combo. Make sure to let us know how it sounds when you get it installed!
"I bought the sony xm-gs4 from amazon but said it was sold by crutchfield." A good reason to buy straight from Crutch. I've noticed this on several products in the past few years. Crutchfield is tightly integrated with Amazon. Prices are almost always the same, but buying thru Crutchfield directly adds their service to the product.
I have 2 questions -
1. What did you use to seal the crack on the rubber grommet for weather protection ?
2. Did you use double-sided tape to mount the fuse holder? If yes, which tape would you recommend, or if you could share a link to buy it ?
In this case, we did just pass the wiring through an existing opening. If you need one though, we do carry some great grommets here: www.crutchfield.com/I-rIGRc921/I-rIGRc921/support/ContactUs.aspx Though this step was not covered in the video, most fuse holders do have provisions for mounting them with screws or even wire ties.
I wouldn't have thought crutchfield would wire their power wire to the amp without a connector. Just wrapping it around the screw is what I used to do but now I use connectors.
A questoin does the speakers need RCa cable? Or i can just connec the amp to my headunit with RCA and cut their power from the headunit and move that to the amp?
One quick question, so with the remote wire, how would you attatch it into an after market stereo?
The wiring harness from your aftermarket radio will have a remote wire. It should be a blue wire and sometimes they’re labeled “amp turn on” or just “remote”
Good video but the wire going into and coming out of the fuse block is protected- doesn’t seem like it would protect the wire before it but it does - it’s in series with the entire wire run so any over current will blow the fuse
The best amp install video on youtube!
Thanks, Rashad!
Thanks for the video! Great informative diy tutorial!
You're welcome! Glad we could help. If you need anything further, please let us know.
@@crutchfieldhow do I know what’s the right thing to use for my amp like the fuse ?
at 1:06 when he is inserting the (bare) power wire into the fuse (block), could one use a wire ferrule here since the fuse uses set-screw amp style connections?
Yes, you could do that.
i just finished installing my amp, but when i accelerate i can hear a whining noise pls help!!
Sorry to hear that! It may be a noise caused by a ground loop--in which case a noise filter can be useful, like this Ground Loop Isolator: www.crutchfield.com/I-rYTVc000/p_127SNI1/PAC-SNI-1.html
For more details please feel free to contact an Advisor directly from the Crutchfield website. Thanks!
--Crutchfield
Sir can i ask Where to connect batt - and +
The pin is 1. Batt. 2. Gnd
3. Remote .whats the use of remote pin?
If im installing an amp for my highs, do I have to run the speaker wires for the same side of the car where my RCA's are? Or can I run the speaker wire on the same side as my power wires are?
Ideally you'd want to have the speaker wire and RCA cables both routed on one side of the vehicle, with the power wire on the other.
Hope that helps!
--Crutchfield
Crutchfield Hi. If I decide later on to install subwoofers in my vehicle, what kind of speaker wire is recommended? 14 or 16 gauge as well?
I was browsing on the Crutchfield website. I put my car (Altima 2015, No Bose center logo. Yes I can see the corner speakers, and without center navigation screen), just to see if there was an option to have all 6 speakers from Kenwood but there isn't 😓.
Those front doors do have a short list of speakers that can fit it! We are happy to check for others. Are there any alternative brands that you would be willing to consider? Also, will you be installing a new amp or radio to run the speakers?
sorry im pretty new at this, so when i wire the amp to the speakers, does that mean i no longer need the factory speaker cables connected to the head unit or do i need wires connected to the amp and the headunit too or is it all ran by the amp
Your best bet is to run new speaker wire from the new amp to each new speaker directly.
Great tutorial! I learned how to easily install a car amplifier without any prior experience. The step-by-step guide made it simple and straightforward. Thanks for sharing this helpful resource! #CrutchfieldDIY #CarAmplifierInstallation #VehicleAudioUpgrades
You're welcome! We are happy to know that this video helped you!!
Does the power amp have constant power. Or is there a switch?
Car amps do not usually have a power button or on/off switch. They rely on other triggers to turn on like audio coming in on the input wires or a 12V trigger becoming active when the radio is turned on.
Thank you for making it so easy to understand
You're welcome!
So do you completely get rid of the oem wires that connect to the speakers?
Factory speaker wire is typically very thin and not ideal for high powered aftermarket amps. If the amp is rated in the 50 watts RMS per channel or less range, it's usually ok to tap back into the factory speaker wiring. But for amps stronger than that, it's best to run thicker 16-gauge speaker wire from the new amp directly to each speaker it powers.
A question: I’m installing a new after market Android radio with CarPlay in my BMW e46. How do I send connect the signal from my radio to the AMP and then to the speakers? Witch output can I use because I of course have the main wires but also an AMP and a line out. Howe do I connect this all together?
The amp should have a lead that goes directly into the headunit. Some of them look like telephone line cables.
Im putting my power wire into my right now. But im not sure where or how i should attach the wire and circuit breaker inside the engine bay to ensure it doesnt moe too much while i drive. What do you usually do to connect that
We recommend installing the fuse holder/circuit breaker in a location where you can use screws to hold it onto the mounting surface. If the cables need to be secured, you could consider using cable ties to secure it to other cables already ran and secured in place
Thanks man ,video was a great help. 👍💯🇬🇾
Could I do this in a 2004 Honda element?
Absolutely. You will also need aftermarket speakers that can handle the wattage of your new amplifier. If you are also thinking about adding an aftermarket subwoofer, you can use a 5-channel amplifier like the Kicker 46CXA660.5T in the link below. This amp sounds great and is one of our top sellers!
www.crutchfield.com/I-rYALc166/p_20646CX66T/Kicker-46CXA660-5T.html
@@crutchfieldthe goat
You say not to run RCA wires from head unit to amp alongside the amp power wire, but what about the speaker wires coming from the amp to the speakers? Can those be run next to the power wire if it's more practical?
If possible you'd want to try and avoid the power wire with your speaker wires as well. However that's typically not as much of a concern based on speaker mounting locations in most vehicles. For more details or to discuss further feel free to contact an Advisor directly from the Crutchfield website: bit.ly/2xOOeQR
Hope that helps!
--Crutchfield
If i have an aftermarket head unit, would i still need to plug in the high level input
If you have an aftermarket radio with RCA outputs, you will use RCA to connect to your amp and not the speaker-level inputs.
So I had my subwoofer connected, but for some reason, it was draining my battery so I got an extra battery in order for me to play off my Extra battery. How do I connect everything to the extra battery? This is my first time doing everything.
Most batteries will include wiring instructions; but you'll run your power wiring in line with your main battery and then ground the second battery as well. If you got your battery here, you can call our tech Support for installation assistance. Their direct number is on your invoice.
What about the negative? . Will the amplefeir work with only the positive connected
No, you'll need to also connect the amp's ground connection to a metal chassis grounding point close to the amp, such as a seat bolt.
If im working with a 1200w amp, should i run 0g wire for the positive connection from batt to amp?
This depends on the length of the run and the amperage requirements (fuse rating) on your 1200-watt amplifier. With most high-powered amplifiers a 1/0-gauge wiring kit like the Crutchfield CK1 in the link below is required.
www.crutchfield.com/I-rFBKc166/p_007CK1/Crutchfield-CK1.html
Ok noob question. Once you have the amp mounted do you connect the power or ground first to the amp?
We make all the amp connections (power/ground/12v turn-on/RCA's if applicable) with the battery disconnected, and the main fuse installed removed from your main power wire. Once you have made your amp connections and double checked your wiring work, you can connect at the battery and install the main fuse as the very last step before testing.
Shouldn't the fuse be installed before connecting the neg. cable to the battery?
so i have already done all of this and used 0 gauge wire but when i go to connect my negative cable back it sparked and had enough to pretty much them tighter if i would have left it on and it blew my 300amp fuze block what do i do
melt them together
We cannot diagnose your exact issue from here, but it sounds like from what you described the issue is serious. Disconnect from the battery immediately, then check all connections you have made to ensure they are correct.
Did I understand this correctly, if my door speakers have less than 75W output it's sufficient enough if I stay with the stock wiring and dont need to connect it to the amplifier?
Edit: If they have more than 75W do I run new cables from the amp to the speakers? Or how exactly would that work.
You will need to make sure your wire is connected to the output side of the new amp but if you are running less than 75W (I would say 50W) RMS power you can use the existing factory wiring. I think it's never a bad idea to run new, heavier gauge speaker wire to get the best performance out of your amp and speakers.
@@crutchfield Damn, your customer support really is impeccable like Ive heard from others. I've run into some new problems installing my new radio and sadly I am not from the US so I cannot use your installation kits. Also about my speakers, I will be installing the factor speakers from someone else's car which are a lot better than mine. Then I'll just run an amp and sub combo in the back which will be sufficient. I just want a quality system not some high end music machine.
I have a question. I have a 2014 dodge Journey and I'm trying to set up my amplifier. Do I need a 250A fuse or a 300A fuse
What brand and model amplifier are you installing?
Is it wise to have more than one amp in a car? I have a monoblock for a sub and was thinking of getting a 4-channel amp to power four speakers (front door & read deck)...how would that work? I'm completely new to car audio. Btw none of this is installed. I purchased the master sheet from Crutchfield and will install soon.
You can install more than one amplifier in your system--the best way to do so is with a dual or multi-amp wiring kit. You can find a selection of multi-amp wiring kits on the Crutchfield website here: www.crutchfield.com/I-rYTVc000/g_711/Amp-Wiring-Kits.html?tp=635#&nvpair=FFType|Multi-amp kit
If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out to an Advisor via the "Contact Us" link on the webpage. Hope that helps!
--Crutchfield
Shawn yes you can do that. I had a Rockford fosgate Punch 40 amplifier powering 2 Punch 8" woofers and a Alpine 4 channel amp pushing 2 Altec Lansing 6x9s and 2 5 1/4 Infinity kappa mids in the door. I ran the two amps from my battery and from pre amp outputs from an Alpine head unit. I got my wires, amp installation kit,etc from CRUTCHFIELD and installed it myself. As long as you have the equipment,and a big enough battery, CRUTCHFIELD will guide you through a 2 Amp setup.I installed this setup on a 1982 Olds Cutlass supreme...
Will not having high power connected make amp not turn on ?
With any amplifier install the correct size power/ground wiring is required. If your amplifier is not turning on, also check the 12-volt turn-on connection or your speaker-level inputs if you have an amplifier that features automatic turn-on features. I hope this helps!
Thanks for this video! It's really very helpful. 👍🏾
You're welcome! We are happy to know it helped. Let us know when we can help again.
just got my kenwood 200 watt amp and wiring kit from crutchfield to use for my 8" pioneer subwoofer, in the factory location of a 2001 chevy suburban. where should I put the amp??
Thanks again for your order, Thomas. Looks like you got the Alpine KTA-200M amp which is super compact so you can mount it in any convenient location. If you have an Alpine iLX-W650 or iLX-407 digital multimedia receiver, you can use the included PowerStack bracket to mount the amp behind those radios as well.
Looking to install a kicker 400 watts amp from a previous car to my 2022 kia ev6 which is fully electric. Do I wire the amp + wire directly to the car battery like in gasoline cars? Can I just jump remote for turning on n off from same power source? Thank you answer my question in advance. Happy holidays!
Hi Anthony, happy holidays! We haven't researched your new car; but it can be tricky adding aftermarket amps or components to an electric model. You can wire to the battery and, in general, you do need to stay at or below 30-amps or 350 watts.
@@crutchfield Thank you for quick reply !
You're welcome! If you need anything further, please let us know.
ok i MAY get some flak here but is it ok to run a crutchfield wire kit if i have a skar audio system?
Absolutely! 😃 There are no brand compatibility issues with our amp wiring kits. You just need to make sure that you use the appropriate gauge of power wire based on the current draw demands of the specific amp you are installing.
When I connect my power wire I get a little spark from the negative and pop my fuse blows. Any idea what's going wrong
Anytime you are working on your vehicle the battery should be disconnected and the vehicle de-powered. If your fuse is repeatedly blowing, there could be an issue with your wiring.
do we need to disconnect the battery if we just wanna switch ie change/upgrade the speakers only?
No. Just leave the radio off.
@@twotwentyswift thanks.
It is best practice, as you want to avoid any possibilities for shorting out electronics.
I just bought a Massive blade 2000.5 and my power acoustic 12 is putting out 1250 watts of rms is this correct for this amp taking any suggestions
I recently bought a 4 channel amp, infinity 3004A, for my 2015 jeep cherokee. It has 6 speakers, 2 3.5 in the dash, 2 5.5 front door speakers and 2 rear door soeakers. I bought component speakers for the front doors, 3.5 speakers for the dash, and 6x9s for the rear. I was planning on using the locpro vehicle specific t harnes to just use factory wiring. Now I'm wondering if this will work with the 6 speakers and the 4 channel amp.
The Infinity 3004A amplifier is 2-ohm stable and can drive a pair or 4-ohm component speakers/tweeters and a pair of 4-ohm 3.5" dash speakers off of the front two channels, no problem. You will use the rear two channels to drive your 6x9"s.
@@crutchfield awesome, thanks for the reply!
Anytime! 🙂
I wired mine up like this verified all my connections good. My amp turns off and into protection mode as soon as the sun hits. 800w system on a stock 2022 Corolla le. Is it possible my battery output is to little?
It's possible so be sure and verify the fit there with your mechanic. From there, double check all your wiring and make sure you have the subs wired to a correct load to match the amp. If you got the amp here, you can call our Tech Support. Their direct number is on your invoice.
@@crutchfield thank you but I bought the sub pre wired in a box from skarr audio. Opened the box and found a loose ground. I fixed it now it works great!
Glad to hear it!
how can i install 0 gauge wire thru factory boots? i don't wish to make any holes or damage anything
Running a new power wire through the firewall will require a new hole of some sort. You would either cut a hole into a factory grommet that's big enough to support the cut. Or you can drill a hole into the metal of the firewall and use a bushing like this to protect the cable:
www.crutchfield.com/I-rFBKc227/p_142WPG0/item.html
@@crutchfield with lack of resources in my country i may not be able to buy your aftermarket boot to support the 0 gauge, what else could be done, will be checking all the oem boots, and is it viable to drill a hole in the firewall, if so how?
If you can't find an existing opening for routing the cable, you will need to drill a hole or cut one. Most auto supply stores will offer some type of grommet.
@@crutchfield also, the 0 gauge i am using was short in length, and i got it extended by adding another 0 gauge of the same length, joint together by a ferrule which was then pressed/crimped. Is it fine to use that for something rated at 1500 to 3000RMS? (its under heat shrink, and done by a local electrician)
As long as the connection point for the two wires is secure so it cannot come undone or get exposed, then that is ok because wires are joined together all the time to install things like fuse holders or distribution blocks
I followed this and the fuses in the amp blew instantly
Sorry to hear that, Joseph. Sounds like you may want to double check your fuse match and power connections. If you got your amp here, you can call our Tech Support as well. Their direct number is on your invoice.
Hi there, why does the speaker pop when I turn of f the car. Any idea? 😅
Are you using an aftermarket radio installed into a vehicle that has an OEM amplifier? What is the year, make, model, and specific trim of your vehicle?
Hey Crutchfield, I have a Kicker C10 4 ohm 300 watt sub, and a Planet Audio 1500 watt ACD10 subwoofer. I also have a 2000 watt Crunch amplifier, would these all pair together without any problems?
Hi, we're glad to help. To verify, the Kicker sub is rated at 300 watts RMS? And the Planet Audio sub for 1500 watts RMS? What is the exact model of your amp?
Yes to both questions. The amp is a crunch ground pounder gp-2000.2 2000 watt amplifier
Thanks! Based on the sub and amp specs, this amp is going to offer too much power for both subs. Planet audio lists the AC10D at 750 RMS. Since the power ratings for each sub is substantially different, using different amps to power each will work better too. Would you like help choosing a better match?
@@crutchfield Im actually looking at a different set now, the two subs are American Bass XD-1222 1000w 12". I was looking at the Belva BXA15001 1500W Peak BX-Series 2-Ohm Stable Class-A/B Amp. Is this a good match?
Looks like that amp also offers too much power. Would you like help choosing an amp to match the XD-1222 subs?
All of a sudden my car amplifier stoped working, and i noticed that the alarm red light is on. Any idea what caused this? Thanks in advance.
It is tough to diagnose the exact issue from here. If the amplifier has suddenly stopped functioning and has a red warning indicator light lit, it usually means there is some sort of internal fault with the amplifier.
Try disconnecting the speaker output from the amp. It's possible a speaker was damaged and is now drawing too much current.
if I don’t have an after market stereo with pre amp outputs, what amp do you recommend that has speaker level inputs ? ( on a budget). Thank you :)
Hi Elliot, what are you planning to power with the new amp? What is the year, make, and model if your vehicle?
@@crutchfield the year is a 2005. Suzuki jimny, However it has a radio from a Honda crv init, so no rca inputs
which inputs do i connect my rca’s to specifically?
That will depend on what speakers the amp will be used to power and which channels on the amp the speakers are connected to. The main thing to keep in mind is the flow of the audio and making sure that you get the proper audio to each speaker (i.e. front left audio to the front left speakers). We give lifetime technical support on every purchase and include their toll free phone number on the order invoice. They can help ensure proper signal flow
Can ypu fuse the 12v and negative to a cigarette plug instead of running it to your battery
That's an interesting question! While this is not something we do, it does seem like a feasible way to get power for an amp. One area of concern would be to ensure the power port does not share its power wiring with other devices. If it shares power with other devices, the amp could make those other devices not run as designed, and those other devices could create noise.
Be careful about how much current you're drawing. The power port (cigarette lighter plug) is normally the correct voltage, but they often use thinner cables that might not be able to supply the current your amp needs.
What if you don't have a remote turn on lead? I'm getting a ton of back ground noise. I have constant and accessory. I need help!
The lack of a remote turn-on wire would not cause noise. It would only cause an amp to either not turn on or always stay on. There are wires in the vehicle that are only active when the radio can be turned on. We recommend contacting technical support for help locating such a wire. If you purchased the gear from us, you can contact technical support using the toll free phone number we include on the order invoice.
Some line output converters can create the return turn-on wire for triggering the amp. Also, some amps have the ability to turn on when audio starts coming to them.
Noise typically comes from other areas of the vehicle and is most often linked to grounding issues. We have a few articles on our web site to help diagnose and troubleshoot the noise:
www.crutchfield.com/I-rYALc227/learnsearch/noise.html
I forgot to disconnect the negative
B4 I started is that gna be a problem?
Disconnecting the negative battery terminal ensures your safety during amplifier installation, as well as ensuring that nothing within your vehicle's electrical system shorts out should you make any sort of contact with your vehicle while installing.
i recently had my factory amp and speakers replaced in my 2003 Santa Fe and it doesn't even sound as good as before, any idea what it could be ?
Possible issues are the speakers and amp are not a good match, the amp settings are not adjusted properly, and could be that the sound qualities of the speakers are not a match for your goals. What speakers and amp did you get? What aspect of the sound was reduced as compared to the stock?
Wish it was this simple...finding a way in the firewall of a KIA Spectra was a major pain.
I sure wish this worked for XS 1/0 cable to amps in the trunk; on a Lexus rx400h ( hybrid) ;(
What's the order of positive to negative?
HI Joshua, what are you trying to connect specifically?
How can i calculate how much current my amplifier needs ?
What is the fuse rating and RMS wattage of your amplifier?
@crutchfield I don't know the fuse but the amplifier has 160 watt subwoofer with 2x90 mid and I want to give it 20 volts
If I need to replace the car battery, would I just need to disconnect and reconnect the amp power in the front?
You would need to remove any connected power cables to remove the battery. Be sure and follow all listed safety instructions.
Im new to this i have a four channel amp and wanna connect two 6x9 speakers and a sub do i need two rca cables for every two channels?
Hi Adam. are you using an aftermarket radio with pre-outs? What brand/model is your amp?
@ yes im using an after market one and im running a cadence q2404 four channel amp
So wait im confused on what i do with the p con slot on my amp i have a facter stereo do i need to pull it out and tap into the wire?
What brand and model amp are you looking to install?
@@crutchfield asked my brother to help and got it figured out. 😁
Glad! Thanks for the update.
Hey I replaced 4 speakers and connected them to the amp, and the only speakers that work are the ones that I didn’t replace… any thoughts on why this happens?
Your best bet is to start by re-checking all your wiring and connections. From there, you could test the speakers with another power source. If you got the amp/speakers here, please give our techs a call. Their direct number is on your invoice.
Were the wires that led to old speakers already wired to input of your amp.if not,you will need to run those wires to your amp input,and new wires to your amp output and then to your new speakers.
just bought some pioneer ts-a6880f (350 Watts Max Power) what amp do you recommend? and does that wiring kit coming with everything needed?
How many pairs of those Pioneer speakers do you have? Will the amp be connected to a factory radio or an aftermarket head unit?
@@crutchfield i have two pairs i also ordered a alpine ute-73bt from you guys
Sweet! So these Pioneer speakers can handle 80-watts RMS max. I would pair with the Pioneer GM-A6704 4-channel in the first link below, it would deliver 60-watts RMS and allow some headroom on the speakers so you could run a full-range signal to them with good results. The CK8 in the second link is needed for power and ground connections, you will need to add some RCA cables and speaker wire. The Crutchfield Reference 4-channel in the third link is available in 12 or 17-foot lengths and would go from the Alpine 73BT to the Pioneer amp. You will also need some new 16-gauge speaker wire to connect your amp to your speakers, so choose the right length of 16-gauge speaker wire in the fourth link below and you should have everything you need for install. If you have any questions or need any help getting the order placed, you can always give us a call at 1-800-309-2075.
www.crutchfield.com/I-rFBKc166/p_130GMA6704/Pioneer-GM-A6704.html
www.crutchfield.com//I-rFBKc166/p_007CK8/Crutchfield-CK8.html
www.crutchfield.com/I-rFBKc166/p_007CMER417/Crutchfield-Reference-4-Channel-RCA-Patch-Cables-17-foot.html
www.crutchfield.com/I-rFBKc166/p_007CSW16/Crutchfield-Speaker-Wire-16-gauge.html
@@crutchfield i appreciate you very much crutchfield
You're welcome, Kalvin. Let us know how you like it and if you need anything else.
What would be the best amplifier for 1 15 American bass speakers?? It’s an older gen but not that old
Do you have the exact model number of the sub?
That is a lot of work, im not blaming you, but the entire process in the current year should just be as easy as a simple plug in device. Like seriously, massive recabling and sanding off parts of your vehicle to make a simple device like this work is just absurd.
Plug and play anything is ideal; but not the norm for car amps. Were you hoping to add an amp to a specific vehicle?
My amp won’t turn off and drains battery over night, I used the remote wire, maybe hooked it to the wrong location on the car end of it? Hmmm can’t even remember what I hooked it to now.
Are you using a factory radio? It sounds like the blue remote wire is getting power constantly and the amp is not turning off when you turn your vehicle off with your key, draining your battery. If you are using a factory radio the Kicker 46KISLOC2 below taps into speaker signal and provides the 12-volt wire to power on/off your amplifier. The Kicker LOC is passive, only requiring a solid ground and speaker wire input connections for use.
www.crutchfield.com/I-rYALc166/p_20646KILO2/Kicker-46KISLOC2.html
Great video but shouldn't you connect the power to the battery last? Save shorting anything out
Since the negative battery wire has been disconnected, no short will occur. The circuit cannot be completed so power will not pass again until the negative battery wire is reattached.
Subscribed to your channel!
Welcome!
Dear Sir/ Madam,
I have pegeuot 206 CC. I want to install suboofer on it, but the problem is I can't find a whole to put the power cable through from the bettary to the inside. Can you please help.
Thank you in advsne
If there is no pre-cut hole or knockout in the factory firewall, you may need to drill a new hole to pass your power wire through.
For additional assistance and personalized recommendations, feel free to contact us directly:
bit.ly/2jBGHPp
Hope that helps.
--Crutchfield
Crutchfield
First of all thank you for answering my question!
I found a place in the door, I don’t know how it’s called
But I can make photo so other people can benefit from it
I'm having the same issue right now with my 2001 Chevy Silverado. There's no holes at all lol. Great tutorial though 👍 I'm hoping to finish this installation today. First ever car sub for me so I'm super hyped to hear it. SVR-12
Do you need a capacitor if you have one amp? or two? and would it be a capacitor? or an Ultra Capacitor..
A capacitor can help a system perform better by making more power available for a subwoofer amp. Typically, it is recommended to get 1 farad for every 1000 watts RMS power. Which amp are you wanting to get a capacitor for?
@@crutchfield Alpine R-a90S and R-A75M.. Which capacitor model should I use also?
Great amps! The T-Spec 1.5-farad capacitor is a good match here: www.crutchfield.com/I-rYALc921/p_12015DDC/item.html
I just installed a full system to my stock head unit in my 2016 Canyon. Now my blinkers are LOUD!! and there is a constant buzz that does not change with rpm. The power line is run away from speaker wire. The ground is in thr body under the carpet in the rear near the amp. Any ideas what I should check?
Hi Mark.
That does sound like a wiring issue.
If you purchased your gear from Crutchfield, our tech support team is here for you, and will be happy to go through those connections with you.
You will find their contact information located on your invoice, or by logging into your Crutchfield account, and looking under the "My Orders" tab.
If any still monitors this I have a question. Can an amp be wired easily to my 2014 Mustang base with a very standard factory AM/FM unit ? Don’t want to start until I’m assured it will work. TIA
Hi Lloyd, we're glad to help. To verify, your car came without factory navigation or a factory Shaker audio system? Will you be maintaining the factory radio? What model amp do you have in mind?
@@crutchfieldcorrect, no navigation, no Shaker, just a standard factory unit I would like to keep.
@@crutchfieldI have no idea what amp or speakers I want. Just better sound. Considering doors & rear deck all 6x8’s.
We're happy to recommend new speakers and an amp to match. Do you have the coupe or convertible? Are there any speaker brands you love the sound of most? If not, what types of music do you listen to most often? Any plans to add a sub and sub amp later too? Thanks!
So where did the wires to connect to the speaker come from?
You can run speaker wire from the amp to your speakers. Do you have a specific amp and speakers in mind?
No i dont. I just didn’t see where the wires to the speakers come from.
I watched the video again and I didn’t see the speaker being installed from amp to speaker.
Got it. Step 4 does mention the speaker wire; but does not show it connected on the amp side. Keep in mind, you can call our Tech Support for any help you may need installing an amp and speakers you get here. And be sure and check out our Amp Installation Guide: www.crutchfield.com/learn/learningcenter/car/amplifier_installation_guide.html
Wow, thanks for that link. I don’t know how I didn’t find it. It is very helpful.
What to do if The amp doesnt shutdown when the car is off
Sounds like you need to check your remote or turn-on wire The remote wire signals your amplifier to turn on whenever the stereo is powered up (usually, whenever the vehicle is turned on).
@@crutchfield Thanks Ill definitely do that because It even drained my battery. Now I need To deal with battery recharge first then the amplify
That is always frustrating, I understand. Let us know if troubleshooting where that 12v turn on is connected on your vehicle solves the issue! We are always here to help.
Can u use the stock speakers
We do not recommend installing an aftermarket amplifier to power stock speakers.
We do not recommend installing an aftermarket amplifier to power stock speakers.
Quick question If I get lets say 4 ohm door speakers and connect them to my factory harness later down the road when i install a sub with amp would the door speakers interfere? Pretty new to the music stuff
Sounds like you're planning a nice upgrade! What is the year, make, and model of your vehicle?
2001 honda crv , I read about Erins Crv install on crutchfield which im thinking of following except that i wont be be getting the same set up but ill try to replicate it power wise for example he was only running 2 polk speakers upfront which was 60rms 180max & his amp was 40watts x4 I feel like replicating his set up but just matching my power for example if my speakers are 100rms and I have all 4 installed I would atleast need a 800 watt amp to have enough power to drive them? Haha sorry for the long reply
Got it, thanks! The best amp match will depend on the exact speakers you use; but you can add one amp now for the new full range speakers and a second sub amp later when you choose a sub. Did you want to stick with Polk speakers? Will you be using an aftermarket radio with 3 sets of pre outs?
@@crutchfield I was trying to use polk audio but cant really find any on eBay I found some Prv Audio 6mr200A-4 which are 100 watts rms 200 program power and 400 watts max peak im thinking of getting 4 they are midrange speakers I also just installed a Pioneer DEH-S4220BT 1 din which has 4 rca inputs in the back
What would u think would be a good amp for those speakers and also would I be able to run the same amp for the door speakers and a sub ? Also how would i go about running my speakers to amp wouldnt that just be running them directly to the amp & not using the factory speaker harness
I need help my 2015 hyduai Genesis lexicon amplifier went out and I have no voice any tips or help you can give me can i just Mickey Mouse any other amp to it
We do not offer replacement factory amps. In fact, the gear we sell that helps install our amps onto a factory radio require the stock amp to be working which means this is not an option for you. We may be able to replace the stock radio with an aftermarket radio and get one that's built for installing aftermarket amps. Let's check your Genesis! Is it a 2 door or a 4 door? How many speakers can factory installed in it? Does the stock radio include navigation?
So for the speaker wire, i have the cable Metra 72-8104 connected to the speaker and hooked up yo the factory cable. To connect the speaker wire to the amp, would i have to disconnect the cable to the speaker and use the provided speaker wires and tap straight into the speaker itself? What about the tweeter?
Also, for the other options, the aftermarket radio have the metra harness connecting straight into the factory radio harness, if i decided to connect my amp to the unit, i have to cut the front left n right cable from the metra harness then seal it off then cut off front lrft and right cable in the factory harness and solder the connection and wire it to the amp right?
The best wiring option will depend on your exact setup. What model amp, radio and speakers do you plan to use? What is the year, make, and model of your vehicle? Did it come with a factory amp? Thanks!
Your step two was taking about connecting two cables to the back of the radio then to speakers? You showed nothing of the speakers or the amp and it’s hook ups
The very last part of step two discussed the options for connection an amp with speaker level inputs. You can tap into those speaker wires either at the back of the radio or, if your amp is in the back of the vehicle, the rear speakers.
Every Crutchfield purchase comes with lifetime tech support so if you have questions during the installation we are happy to help.
great vid & very helpful. I want to point out is mostly a myth that you need anything more than 18AWG wire for speakers. Its a waste of time and money to switch those wires. I have run thousands of watts to subwoofers off 18AWG wire just fine. The resistance is still extremely low and the wire temperature does not get nearly hot enough to power compress even at high loads.
We would never advise using any RMS power larger than 100-watts with factory or aftermarket 18-gauge wire. If you are installing powerful amplifiers and subwoofers you will need to use larger gauge wire, with 12-gauge in the link below being the most common for subwoofers.
www.crutchfield.com/I-rYALc166/p_007CSW12/Crutchfield-Speaker-Wire-12-gauge.html
i have a gas pro 600 2013 model and i dont know how to adjust the level, low pass, subsonic filter in the back of the amplifer
Thank you
my positive side of my battery has all the parts to connect amp wire in use what do i do now??
2007 honda fit to b more exact
If you are installing an amp, that is the terminal that the amp's power wire gets connected to using a ring terminal. This terminal typically comes included in amp wiring kits but can be purchased separately if needed.
Where is 2015 Nissan pathfinder amplifier located
under the 3rd row seat.
what happens if you don’t disconnect the negative ?
It would be possible to cause damage
What is the amp wiring kit used in the video?
Hi there! That is an 8-gauge wiring kit made by EFX. Here it is: www.crutchfield.com/I-rYTVc313/S-Wl0MlYHcWna/p_142PA8BX/EFX-PA8BX-Wiring-Kit.html
Feel free to let us know if you have other questions!
@@crutchfield what kind of wires would I run for speakers to amp (4 door speakers)
What wires for subwoofers to amp(2 subs 1 box)
What wires for amp to aftermarket radio(5 channel amp)
Thanks for the wiring kit link, currently have everything to do car audio but the wires
Sounds like most of the system is ready! Generally, we recommend 16-gauge wire for the speaker connections and 12-gauge wire for subwoofers. For the after-market radio to the amp, we'll need some RCAs.
What is the vehicle you are working with, and where will you place the amplifier? What is the equipment you are using in the setup? We can send a cart with the gear you will need. :-)
@@crutchfield I’ve actually gotten everything done with the exception of a wiring harness for the new radio I have in the mail from you all. So as long as it all work after that comes in I should be good
Cuestion i need to run speaker wire from mi speakers to of amp??
If I understand correctly, you are installing speakers and an amp to power them. If that is correct, speaker wire will need to be ran from the speakers to the amp
Bro someone did this to my car but shitty and I need to take it out now like therr be sparks coming from my amp. Can I just remove the wire from the positive side of the battery or is that going to kill me
You may want to disconnect the negative battery cable first so that you can ensure you are safe before working with any of the new cabling/parts that were installed for the new amp.
@@crutchfield thank you bro! Been driving scared asf!
Happy to help any time, and good luck with that amp situation!
@@crutchfield mission successful I’m good 😂
Good quality and fitting to AMP fire
You're an angel
Would you like a son?
😀 It's good to hear that you found it helpful!
Hi, greetings from across the pond! In regards to tapping into the speaker wires, is it literally just a case of doing that, or would it be more beneficial to cut and splice them?
Great vid btw 👍
Tapping into them works just fine! It also reduces the amount of work that is needed to complete the installation. You don't have to cut and stripe the wire and hope to pull the ends together again to keep them connected.
Tapping in works well. In most cases, you can even use a good wire tap like these: www.crutchfield.com/I-rYALc921/p_669PP607/item.html
That's brilliant, thanks for the quick reply too! I've seen them positaps on amazon UK, lot more expensive over here but then again everything is compared to the states! 😱
Enjoy your day buddy, thanks again
Anytime! 🙂
Help!!! I had an idiot hook up my system that people told me was reliable, not only did he have a panic attack throwing fits the entire time trying, this guy tried to connect the ground wire and shoved it into the positive battery terminal. I don’t know anything myself, the bump and music itself has worked for almost a year now but my car was having major power issues since then and now realized that the battery terminal is barely even on because he tried to shove that ground wire up into it. Me trying to watch these videos, obviously are all absolutely completely different from wherever he put it. I have no idea what to even do right now. I’m just driving around with no music. Can someone help me out?
If you purchased your gear from us, our technical support can help guide you through checking the connections and signal paths to ensure its hooked up like it should be. As for the wire you mention, it may help to put a terminal on the end of it. That can help make the installation of the new wire to the battery post a lot easier. Here are the ones we offer:
www.crutchfield.com/I-rYALc227/g_714/Power-Wire-Terminals.html
Great video! Ironically, I watched this to help get an idea of what goes into installing one of these things because I need to rip out the absolute dog's breakfast of an install that was done by a stupid and incompetent former owner of a vehicle I just bought lol. The install is such trash that it screwed up the vehicle's electrical system, tripping various warning lights intermittently, the amp is right infront of the passenger seat with a mess of wires spewing out of it, and to top it off, the idiot undid the seatbelt sensor wire causing the seatbelt warning light to constantly go off.
Yikes! Sounds like you've got a big project ahead. Hope your installation goes well and you enjoy your new setup.
i finished mine and the protection light is on
Glad I came across this video before buying amplifier.
Too much work. I thought you only had to connect amplifier somewhere to the existing stereo wiring and off you go. Not for me.