How to Install Car Audio Equalizer and Amplifiers
Car stereo enthusiasts covet a sound system that is powerful and precise. Stereo system power is increased by adding speakers and stereo decks, but adding an aftermarket amplifier is the surest way to boost the signal from a stock or aftermarket stereo head unit. Precision in a car stereo means having the ability to adjust the levels of the stereo's output to customize the sound of the system. Equalizers allow the user the ability to fine-tune their stereo to produce output that suits them specifically. Install the components yourself to save the cost of labor that comes with a professional installation.
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Things You'll Need
- Adjustable wrench
- Amplifier wiring kit (with heavy duty power cable)
- Wiring harness adapter
- Patch cables (3 sets)
- Amplifiers
- Equalizer
- RCA splitter
- Power distribution block (with at least two inputs)
- Power cables
Instructions
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1
Lift the hood of the vehicle to gain access to the grounding cable connected to the battery. The grounding cable is connected from the frame of the vehicle to the negative battery terminal. Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the cable from the terminal post. Move the cable away from the battery.
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2
Loosen the positive battery cable and place the amplifier wiring kit's ring terminal between the lead post and the cable clamp. Tighten the clamp to secure the ring terminal to the positive battery lead post.
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3
Remove the fuse from the fuse holder on the ring terminal.
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4
Connect the power supply cord from the amp wiring kit to the ring terminal. Feed the cord through the established opening in the vehicle's firewall. The location of the opening varies among vehicles. Look along the firewall for the path used by other wiring leading to the inner cabin. Move to the interior of the vehicle.
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5
Remove the vehicle's stereo. Consult the vehicle's repair manual for instruction on stereo removal.
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6
Unplug the stereo wiring from the rear of the factory unit. Reconnect the wiring via wiring harness adapter. Plug the leads into the adapter and plug the adapter connectors into the stereo outlets.
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7
Plug the amplifier patch cables into the corresponding wiring harness adapter leads. Plug a second set of patch cables to connect the equalizer to the stereo. Feed the cables through the back of the stereo mounting dock and down to the floor beneath the dashboard of the vehicle.
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8
Replace the stereo into the stereo mounting dock as directed by the repair manual.
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9
Feed both sets of patch cables to the rear of the vehicle. Feed the power supply cord to the rear of the vehicle on the opposite side as the patch cables.
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10
Place the amplifiers and equalizer in the trunk or rear cargo area of the vehicle.
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11
Plug the patch cables from the amplifier wiring kit into the RCA splitter, or "Y" splitter. Plug the two leads from the splitter into the respective amplifiers.
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12
Plug the second set of patch cables into the the equalizer.
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13
Connect the amplifier to the equalizer with another set of patch cables.
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14
Plug the power supply cord into the power distribution block. Connect power cables from the block and plug them into the amplifiers' power inputs.
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15
Connect the grounding wire from the amplifier wiring kit to the amplifier and then to a screw or bolt in the rear cargo area of the vehicle. Any bolt or screw that is within 20 inches of the amplifier and directly connected to the frame of the vehicle will serve as an adequate grounding source.
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16
Connect speaker wires to the amplifiers outputs and route them to the speakers you wish to receive the boosted stereo signal. Return to the battery.
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17
Replace the grounding cable clamp over the negative battery terminal. Tighten the cable with the wrench.
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18
Replace the fuse into the ring terminal's fuse holder and close the hood of the vehicle.
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Tips & Warnings
Consult your vehicle repair manual for the recommended way to conceal the stereo and amplifier wiring.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
