Wiring a high-level input on an amplifier is a straightforward process that allows you to connect the amplifier to your car's factory-installed stereo or an aftermarket head unit without using a dedicated RCA output. High-level inputs, also known as speaker-level inputs, are commonly found in car audio amplifiers and some home audio amplifiers. They are essential when you don't have RCA outputs on your head unit or when you want to integrate your amplifier into an existing speaker setup. In this guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of wiring high-level input on an amplifier for your car audio system.
Materials Needed:
- Amplifier with high-level input capability
- Wiring harness (if available, specific to your vehicle's make and model)
- Speaker wires
- Wire stripper/cutter
- Crimp connectors or soldering iron with solder
- Electrical tape or heat shrink tubing
- Screwdriver
- Head unit removal tools (if necessary)
Step 1: Prepare Your Vehicle and Equipment Before you begin, ensure that your car's ignition is turned off and that the negative terminal of the vehicle's battery is disconnected to avoid any electrical mishaps during the installation process. Gather all the necessary materials and tools, and read the user manual of your amplifier to understand its high-level input connections and compatibility.
Step 2: Locate the Head Unit Identify the location of your car's head unit (stereo), usually found in the dashboard. If you are unsure how to remove the head unit, consult your vehicle's user manual or use appropriate head unit removal tools, which can be purchased at an automotive store.
Step 3: Remove the Head Unit (if necessary) If required, carefully remove the head unit from the dashboard using the appropriate removal tools. Be gentle to avoid damaging any wires or components.
Step 4: Identify Speaker Wires Locate the speaker wires coming out of the head unit. In most cases, you'll find a set of four speaker wires: two for the front speakers (usually color-coded as white and gray) and two for the rear speakers (usually color-coded as green and purple).
Step 5: Connect Speaker Wires to the Amplifier Now, you'll need to connect the speaker wires from the head unit to the high-level input of the amplifier. Take the speaker wires you identified in the previous step and strip off a small section of insulation from the ends to expose the bare wire.
Step 6: Match the Speaker Wires Match the positive (+) and negative (-) wires from the head unit to their corresponding terminals on the high-level input of the amplifier. Typically, high-level inputs are labeled or color-coded for easier identification. Connect the positive wire to the positive terminal and the negative wire to the negative terminal. Repeat this process for all four speaker wires.
Step 7: Secure the Connections To ensure a reliable connection, use crimp connectors or solder the wires to the terminals on the high-level input of the amplifier. If you choose to solder the connections, make sure to use heat shrink tubing to insulate the soldered joints properly. If you use crimp connectors, crimp them securely using a crimping tool.
Step 8: Insulate the Connections After making the connections, cover the exposed metal parts with electrical tape or slide the heat shrink tubing over the connections and heat it with a heat gun to shrink it and provide insulation.
Step 9: Reinstall the Head Unit (if removed) If you had to remove the head unit earlier, carefully reinstall it back into the dashboard following the reverse steps of removal.
Step 10: Connect Power and Ground Wires to the Amplifier Now that the high-level input is wired, you'll need to connect the power and ground wires to the amplifier. Refer to your amplifier's user manual for guidance on the appropriate wire gauge and connection methods.
Step 11: Reconnect the Vehicle Battery After ensuring all connections are secure, reconnect the negative terminal of your vehicle's battery.
Step 12: Test the System Before finalizing the installation, test your car audio system to check if everything is working correctly. Turn on the ignition and play some audio to see if the amplifier receives and amplifies the signal from the head unit.
Step 13: Fine-Tune the Amplifier Once the system is working, you may need to fine-tune the amplifier settings to achieve the desired sound quality. Adjust the gain, bass, treble, and other settings on the amplifier according to your preferences and the specifications of your speakers.
Step 14: Secure Wires and Components After confirming that everything is functioning as intended, secure all wires and components to prevent them from shifting or rattling during driving.
Congratulations! You have successfully wired the high-level input on your amplifier, allowing it to work with your car's factory-installed head unit or an aftermarket stereo without RCA outputs. Enjoy your improved car audio system and the enhanced audio experience it provides.
Remember, always refer to your amplifier's user manual for specific instructions and safety guidelines, as the wiring process may vary slightly between different amplifier models. If you're unsure about any step in the process, consult a professional car audio installer for assistance.
