Automotive topics, like no other, are especially close to the majority of the male population of our vast Motherland. Many of us spend a lot of time and money bringing our “iron friend” to the highest possible perfection. This is especially true when it comes to car music and audio. In addition, we always want to try to save money somehow by doing at least part of the work ourselves. Moreover, everyone ever does something for the first time. But we remind you once again that it is better to measure seven times before doing anything. This approach will save you a lot of time and money.
Today we will talk about how to connect an amplifier in a car. We believe that this topic will be of interest to you.
Let's assume that you have already managed not only to choose a suitable model, but also to clear space for installation in your car. Now we have to make good wiring to power the amplifier, then connect it to the acoustics, and also run the cable to the radio itself. However, let's talk about everything in more detail.
Powering the amplifier
Beginners who encounter car sound for the first time are amazed to the core by the thickness of the wires, which is rarely seen in everyday life (well, unless you are used to using welding machines or something similar in your work - then this parameter will not surprise you).
Contrary to common misconceptions, amplifiers consume decent amounts of current from the on-board network. So, a four-channel device with 50 W per channel will consume almost 17 A. Not bad, isn’t it? Of course, for power supply you will have to use wires with a really large cross-section. So before connecting an amplifier in your car, visit specialized stores.
Classic version
Let's analyze the classic connection diagram. In this case, the wiring is directly connected to the car battery. It's no secret that in most cases the battery is located under the hood, while the amplifier is located inside the car. Accordingly, the positive cable runs almost throughout the entire interior of the car. Therefore, it is extremely important to protect the wiring with a high-quality fuse, and it should be located no further than 30 cm from the battery.
So before you connect the amplifier in the car, also visit an electronics store and buy a normal fuse.
A little about isolation
In addition, do not forget to additionally insulate the cable, since 17 A is not to be trifled with. Particular care should be taken to protect the area between the engine compartment and the passenger compartment, as the cable often frays there. As a rule, there is a rubber gasket, but there are exceptions. If this is the case, it would not hurt to use plastic bushings made of durable and fairly thick plastic. Approach this issue responsibly, since it is clearly not worth allowing exposed, frayed cables to get on the metal of the body!
The wire through the cabin must also be pulled, preventing it from getting under its moving parts. There have been cases where people have slipped cables under the seat slides. You can figure out for yourself what consequences this could lead to. So how to connect an amplifier in a car?
Choosing a cable
Don't forget about the golden rule: the fewer connections, the higher the security! The abundance of wires with different cross-sections is fraught with high energy losses, and from the point of view of fire safety this does not look the best.
In addition, the cross-section of the negative wire must be equal to that of the positive cable. The current in the network is uniform, its value is constant. If the wires have different cross-sections, they will overheat, which again risks a fire in the car.
Let us remind you once again that thin cords mean high resistance. In no case do you skimp on the cables that go from the battery to the amplifiers, since we have already talked about the current strength that passes through them.
A little physics and mathematics
First, let's check what the maximum current consumption of the amplifier you are using is. To do this, look at the fuse (or fuses). Let's assume that your amplifier can theoretically withstand 100 A at once. It is better to place it in the trunk. For a typical passenger car, it is preferable to take at least five meters.
I = 100 A; L = 5 m.
Even with maximum current use, at the positive end of the wire it should not exceed 0.5 V. We recall the simplest school formula for calculating resistance, after which we carry out a simple calculation:
Rtot = U/I = 0.5 V / 100 A = 0.005 Ohm.
Therefore, the cable resistance should not exceed 0.005 ohms. Since we plan to use five meters at once, it is necessary to calculate the resistance over a meter segment:
R meter = R Total / L = 0.005 / 5 = 0.001 Ohm.
As you can see, we need a wire with a linear resistance of no higher than 0.001 Ohm/m. Now you can take a catalog of any manufacturer, and then choose something suitable.
Connecting the cable
After you have laid the wire in the cabin, you can connect it to the positive terminal of the amplifier. The negative cable is connected directly to the body, and for this you need to use a copy with the same cross-section as the positive one. Under no circumstances use self-tapping screws! Fastening can only be done with bolts, and the joint must be cleaned as efficiently as possible from traces of paint and other contaminants.
The positive wire from the battery should be connected to the +12V terminal, and the negative wire to GND (ground). Before connecting the amplifier to the radio, find the remote contact, because it is designed to engage the wire that comes from it. It is in it that those same 12V appear, and therefore the radio can control the functions of the amplifier. Most often this cable is blue (or blue with a white stripe). It would be a good idea to also install a capacitor in the system.
Pull the cable from the radio
We continue to analyze the question: “How to connect the amplifier to the radio?” Now we need to lay a cable through which the signal will go from the player to the amplifier. As a rule, it comes from the Line Out, indicated by the “bells” on the rear panel.
Please note that radios of different models and from different manufacturers may have a different number of linear outputs. Most often there are three pairs of them, but in professional players there are more. These are the following outputs: Front, Rear and Sub, designed for connecting front, rear sound systems, as well as a subwoofer. Which one you need depends on what kind of amplifier you purchased for your car.
All this is connected by an interconnect cable, which is characterized by reinforced shielding. In fact, the choice of such a wire is quite a subject for a separate article, so in ours we will limit ourselves to one piece of advice. Do not skimp on it under any circumstances; purchase products only from well-known and reliable suppliers.
Before connecting the amplifier to the car radio, it would be a good idea to also read the operating instructions. This will help you avoid many problems.
Connect the cable to control the amplifier
We have already said that it is necessary to lay wires to control the amplifier itself. By the way, it is advisable to do this by laying the interconnect wire. Moreover, many models have a special cable specifically for this purpose. One end of it is attached to the amplifier (we remind you once again that it is painted blue or blue-white), and the other to the radio. Advice: when buying an amplifier for your car, be sure to purchase all the wires along with it, as it is better to immediately consult the seller about them.
It is absolutely not necessary to buy a cable with a large cross-section, since very small currents will pass through it.
Very Important Notes
Extremely important note: do not lay the interconnect wire near power cables under any circumstances! For example, if the power wiring runs on the right side of the cabin, then the control wires should run on the left, as long as possible from the power!!!
In addition, you can stretch them under the floor mats, since in this case there is a maximum chance of not “catching” interference. If you decide on the worldly stupidity of laying all the wires end to end, then when the engine is running you will listen to crackling noises, howls and other noises in the speakers. In this case, there will be no other way but to completely redo all the work. Since connecting an amplifier to a car is a long and tedious job, there is no need to rush.
In especially severe cases, the wires have to be pulled under the ceiling, masking them under the upholstery. This is especially true for ultra-modern cars, which are literally “stuffed” with all sorts of electronics. In this case, there is so much interference that sometimes it is necessary to use special shielding.
Differences in connecting different types of amplifiers
If you install, then you need a similar interconnect cable. If four-channel - a pair of double wires, or a special four-channel.
How to connect an amplifier to a radio if it only has a couple of linear outputs, and the amplifier itself is four-channel? In this case, special Y-adapters (splitters) can help you. The cunning Chinese have created a device that gives a pair of outputs for each input. Thus, from one stereo pair we get two at once. Convenient, nothing to say. Of course, you shouldn’t do this with acoustics of the highest price category, since the sound quality will noticeably decrease.
There is another way. All normal models of modern amplifiers (Audison, for example) are equipped with an internal parallel distribution function for inputs. In short, in this case you will not need any splitters.
If your radio does not have linear outputs at all, then it can be connected to the speakers directly (high-level signal). Almost all normal devices nowadays have corresponding terminals (Hi level input). The most common speaker wires are used for connection, and it would be better not to mix up the poles.
We connect (aka monoblock)
Single-channel amplifiers have only one function - connecting to a subwoofer. They have very decent power, and also have the ability to operate under low-resistance loads. What is this, by the way? Conventional car speakers have a resistance of only 4 Ohms, while all other equipment has much lower characteristics (3 Ohms, 2 Ohms, 1 Ohms). This is called a low-resistance load. All these amplifiers belong to D-class.
Today, they all have a built-in LPF filter that cuts all frequencies above those that you set as maximum for the subwoofer. Its connection diagram is outrageously simple. Subwoofers are connected in parallel or in series, or only one speaker is mounted. You can connect even more than two at once in parallel, but it is important to consider that not all subwoofer models can cope with the significantly increased resistance.
Here is the simplest and most common installation diagram. The linear signal from the radio goes to the amplifier, summed and amplified. The connection diagram for control and transmission wires should be found in the instructions from your manufacturer.
How to connect a two-channel amplifier?
And now we will find out how to connect the amplifier to the radio if it is a two-channel model. Devices of this type are for many a starting point in the world of car audio. This is explained not only by low cost, but also by simplicity. These amplifiers are often used to connect to a front speaker system or subwoofer. Let's talk about each of these options.
Connecting front speakers
If you plan to use the amplifier to “drive” front or rear speakers, connect it in stereo mode. So how do you connect a two-channel amplifier?
The signal is sent at a low or high level. It is advisable to connect a low pass filter (HPF), which is especially important with this installation scheme. In this case, the load on each amplifier can reach up to 2 ohms. Thus, one 4-ohm speaker system can be installed on each channel.
Connecting a subwoofer
Very often there is a device connected using the so-called “bridge” version. Before going to the amplifier, make sure the device is “fresh”: almost all new models use this mode perfectly. Accordingly, their instructions contain detailed diagrams that clearly demonstrate where and how to connect the positive and negative wires. In this case, the power is summed up, and the sound is more juicy and rich.
In addition, on the rear panel there are icons indicating connectors for the power and ground cables, as well as a compartment for wires to the speakers. It's not difficult to figure it out. Here's how to connect a sub to an amp. Not too problematic, right?
Other models have a special switch with which you can switch the equipment to mono mode. Very important: when using bridge mode, remember that in this case, almost all “amplifiers”, with rare exceptions, will not operate under a load of less than 4 Ohms! Before connecting the subwoofer to the amplifier, the latter must turn on the LPF filter. Otherwise, all frequencies above 50-100 Hz will go to the subwoofer, and this will hopelessly ruin the sound. This probably won’t appeal even to people who don’t have a good ear for music.
Four channels!
How to connect a 4-channel amplifier? In general, in this case there is absolutely nothing complicated. We pull the positive cable from the battery, following the instructions described above (we take the wire thicker and of the highest quality possible).
There should be four linear outputs on the radio (RCA - tulips). If there are 2 of them, we buy a splitter, which we already discussed above. Linears are connected to the player and amplifier. When planning to connect the amplifier to the standard radio, do not forget to disconnect the battery, as you can burn the fuses.
Then the control cable (remote) is pulled between the audio recorder and the amplifier. As we have already said, it is very thin and is in dire need of high-quality shielding. Then the acoustics are connected and configured.
How to connect a single channel amplifier?
This kind of technique is the actual connection of one- and two-channel models in one housing. Accordingly, you can connect several subwoofers to it, and install front and rear speakers on the remaining outputs (marked with the corresponding icons).
How to mount several amplifiers?
How to connect two amplifiers? If you plan to install several units of this nature in your car at once, there are two ways to do this. The first is to simply stretch one thick cable from the battery, and then send current through the splitter to the amplifiers. Note! If the wires are longer than 40 centimeters and also have a smaller diameter (compared to the main cable), then it is extremely important to protect them with fuses.
Option number two. Pull as many wires from the battery as you have amplifiers installed. Despite the apparent technological complexity of such a solution, in practice it is not so scary. The fact is that it is much easier to throw in a couple of relatively thin wires than one thick one. And most importantly: in this situation, you only need to think about how to connect 2 amplifiers. And you don't have to worry about fuses at all.
We pull the wires to the speaker system
Let's talk about the features of connecting amplifiers and As we have already mentioned several times, for this it is necessary to use special wires. They can be pulled through without fear of interference from other electronics in the car. But on crossovers it’s quite possible to catch acoustic interference, so the cable should be placed as far as possible from sources of possible interference.
There is only one difficulty. We are talking about pulling the cable through the door. So how do you connect an amplifier to speakers? In most cases, manufacturers do not forget about consumers, leaving special connectors for laying cable channels or embedding rubber couplings under them. But often such gifts from the auto industry cannot be expected, and therefore additional holes have to be drilled.
Do not forget to remove the terminals from the battery before carrying out work!
If you carefully read the article, you probably saw references to fuses more than once. Which models are best to use to protect your system?
Can be protected from combustion with a conventional safety fuse. Since it is located directly under the hood, it is necessary to buy a holder in the most moisture-resistant design. For medium power systems, AGU type fuses are excellent because they have a characteristic appearance resembling large round cones.
But it is much more expedient to protect powerful acoustic systems with ANL elements (they are flat, in the form of tablets). As an alternative to such devices, you can use circuit breakers that will immediately de-energize the system in the event of a short circuit or sudden increase in voltage. By following these tips, you will keep your equipment in the best condition!
So we looked at how to connect an amplifier to speakers. Read the instructions carefully and select the correct wires! Good luck!
A low-frequency power amplifier is the main component of a high-quality sound reproduction system. Everyone has an independent choice and the opportunity to connect it to the radio in the car. This is a difficult and troublesome task, but feasible for all car enthusiasts.
Car audio amplifiers
Purpose and principle of operation
The sound of your car radio can be improved by installing high-performance speakers. Unfortunately, the parameters of the standard equipment do not allow the use of high-power sound emitters, which limits the possibilities of modernization with little cost.
In such a situation, installing an autonomous sound amplifier will help out. It is an electronic device powered from the vehicle's on-board network that increases the amplitude (span) and power of low-frequency electrical oscillations.
Four-channel car power amplifier with adjustable parameters
The input of the device is supplied with a signal taken, usually from the linear output of the radio. An acoustic system is connected to the output. In other words, in the electrical circuit the amplifier is located between the audio source and the speakers.
Classification
The sound system of a car interior consists of several channels - separate “lines” for generating, amplifying and processing low-frequency electrical signals needed for speakers.
For this reason, one of the criteria for classifying car amplifiers is the number of channels, each of which has its own input and output.
Photo gallery: examples of car amplifiers for 1–6 channels
Low frequency amplifier for subwoofer 
Car stereo audio amplifier 
Six channel car amplifier
Typically the device has from 1 to 6 channels. The stereo system requires two (left and right speakers). The “front plus rear” scheme - four.
When a subwoofer is needed, choose amplifiers with an odd number of channels (3 or 5) or those that allow connection in bridge mode. The latter allows you to use a more powerful speaker, as it uses two amplification channels simultaneously. In addition, the low-frequency speaker can be connected using a separate single-channel amplifier - a monoblock.
Based on a combination of energy efficiency and output signal distortion indicators, automotive audio amplifiers are divided into classes A, B, AB, C and D.
Class A devices have the lowest efficiency and the least signal distortion. In contrast, Class C is characterized by high energy efficiency and high distortion.
Class AB is an economical compromise solution that combines acceptable sound quality and good energy efficiency.
Class D includes equipment with digital signal processing, which provides excellent sound. Its disadvantage is its high cost.
Specifications
From the consumer's point of view, the most important parameter of car audio amplifiers is output power. Its value is indicated in the passport or certificate. You should not rely on the numbers printed on the case or front panel. As a rule, they are not true.
There are several techniques for measuring output power. The following are most often cited in documentation.
PMPO (Peak Music Power Output) - maximum peak value of the output signal. In practice, it does not characterize either the sound quality or the capabilities of the device and, as a rule, is given for advertising purposes.
RMS (Root Mean Squared) - root mean square (square) value of power at a given signal quality. This parameter characterizes the state at which even an inexperienced listener notices sound distortion.
DIN POWER is the most adequate parameter, measured at the nameplate load with a normalized harmonic distortion coefficient. Its varieties are also referred to in the documentation as IEJA and IHF.
Among the main technical characteristics (except power output):
- frequency range,
- nonlinear (harmonic) distortion coefficient,
- signal/noise ratio,
- dumping factor.
In practice, the same characteristics of equipment from different manufacturers differ slightly and provide high sound quality.
Choice
Based on the number of channels, the amplifier is selected based on the number of speakers that need to be connected and their connection diagram.
An additional advantage may be the presence of crossovers - built-in audio frequency filters (HPF highlights the upper ones, LPF - the lower ones) with adjustable parameters (cutoff frequency, gain, slope).
When choosing the power of a car amplifier, take into account the capabilities of the speakers. To operate for a long time, they do not need to be overloaded, so the power should be less than what the speakers are designed for.
If there is no linear output (tulips) in the radio, which happens very rarely, you will need a high-level input.
How to connect an amplifier to a car radio
Installation location
The installation location must meet the following requirements.
- No dampness or leaks.
- Convenient access for connecting and setting up the amplifier.
- Good air circulation for cooling.
- No inconvenience or interference with normal vehicle operation.
- Beautiful appearance.
Most often, motorists choose the following places.
- Rear shelf (top or bottom).
- Rear seat backs.
- Under the front seat.
- Below the trunk floor (if there are underground recesses and drawers).
Photo gallery: Placing an amplifier in a car
An example of placing a sound amplifier on the back of the rear seat of a car 
An example of placing an amplifier in the trunk of a car 
Example of placing an amplifier under the front seat
The positive and negative aspects of each solution are shown in the table.
Table: Advantages and disadvantages of installation locations for a car audio amplifier
| Place | Advantages | Possible disadvantages |
| Under the rear shelf. | Cooling and access. | Takes up space in the trunk. |
| On the back shelf. | Cooling and access. |
|
| On the back of the rear seat. | Easy to attach. Cooling and access. |
|
| Under the front seat. |
| Lack of installation option. |
| Under the trunk floor. |
|
|
Materials and tools
Power wire
The purpose of the supply wire is to connect the device to a current source. The current consumed depends on the power of the amplifier. The diameter and cross-section of the wire depend on the length and current strength.
8 AWG power cable for connecting an audio amplifier
The current consumption value is in the amplifier's data sheet. When power is given in watts, current in amperes is calculated by dividing its value by 12.
If the nameplate characteristic is unknown, the approximate current value is calculated from the output power. To do this, sum up the rated power of all channels (DIN POWER or RMS, but not PMPO), double the result and divide by 12.
To connect to the vehicle's on-board network, stranded copper wires are usually used. Specialized retail outlets offer wires manufactured according to the AWG standard.
The numbers in the name of the wire AWG (another designation Ga) indicate the gauge. The smaller the digital value, the larger the conductor cross-section. For example, caliber 0000 AWG corresponds to a conductor area of 107 mm 2, 13 AWG - 2.62 mm 2.
The corresponding current consumption, wire length and AWG (Ga) wire gauge are given below.
The wire gauge is selected depending on the length and current strength
Fuse
Power wiring should be protected from overload and short circuit by a fuse. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in a fire.
The fuse rating is selected depending on the wire cross-section (caliber).
The fuse rating is selected in accordance with the caliber and cross-section of the power wire
It is permissible to install a fuse of a smaller, but not larger, rating than recommended in the table. The lower limit is the sum of all fuse ratings of devices connected to the wire.
The fuse is installed in the wire gap in close proximity to the battery no further than 30 cm from its terminal in a dry place accessible for inspection. The fuse holder is rigidly attached to the car body.
The cheapest type of fuse is AGU. The most reliable are ANL, miniANL and AFS.
Capacitor for car amplifier
Capacitor for car sound system
The capabilities of the on-board electrical network are limited. In the increased load mode created by powerful equipment, the network voltage reacts spasmodically to the connection and disconnection of consumers. For example, it falls when switching from low beam to high beam.
Voltage surges negatively affect sound quality. The capacitor allows you to smooth them out and reduce the negative impact. In addition, the capacitor reduces high-frequency interference in the on-board network, which can penetrate the audio path.
The capacitor capacity is selected at the rate of 0.1 farad for every 100 W of amplifier power. Install as close to the amplifier as possible, no further than 60 cm from it, connect between the positive power wire (12V terminal) and the car body. Some devices have a separate connector for the capacitor.
The interconnect (linear) cable is used to connect the outputs of the radio to the inputs of the amplifier.
Interconnect cable for connecting the radio and amplifier
As a rule, this is a shielded coaxial copper cable, the parameters of which can significantly affect the sound quality.
On sale there are both ready-made kits with soldered connectors (“RCA tulips”) and cut-in cables.
If the capabilities of the car radio (number of outputs) allow, the signal to each channel of the audio amplifier is supplied with a separate cable (using a separate pair of “tulips” of multi-channel cables).
When the number of channels exceeds the number of linear outputs of the car radio, use a Y-adapter (Y-splitter), which has one input and two outputs per channel. It is installed after the interconnect cable before the amplifier input.
Connecting the radio to an audio amplifier via a Y-adapter
An adapter is not needed if the device allows parallel connection of inputs.
Instead of this cable, use a regular acoustic cable (for speakers) in the case of a complete absence of linear outputs in the radio, and connect it to high-level inputs.
Manufacturers embed a control wire (usually blue) into some interconnect cables, which is necessary to turn on the amplifier remotely. Otherwise, the REM connector is connected to the corresponding output of the radio using any conductor.
Tools and consumables
In addition to the above, to install a sound amplifier you will need the following tools and consumables.
- Screwdriver.
- A set of keys.
- Wire cutters.
- Drill.
- Hardware.
Installation of an audio amplifier
Option for connecting a car audio amplifier
- Carry out all work with the negative terminal of the car battery disconnected.
- Select the most suitable installation location. Place the amplifier. Mark and drill mounting holes for all mounting points of the device. Secure the amplifier with bolts or screws.
- Route the power cable from the amplifier to the battery. In the cabin, place the wire close to the other harnesses. If necessary, remove (in whole or in part) the trim elements during installation.
- Use standard holes in the partitions for transitions from the passenger compartment to the engine compartment and trunk. Drill individual holes if necessary. Protect the cable with rubber (pieces of hose) or factory-made plastic bushings with seals, and seal the transitions.
Use standard holes in the partitions for transitions from the passenger compartment to the engine compartment
- Do not lay the power cable near moving parts, do not allow it to be pinched by sheathing elements, fix the wire in places where there is a risk of chafing due to vibration.
- To install the fuse, select a location near the battery. Attach the holder to the body. Connect one contact of the fuse to the positive terminal. Connect the wire going to the amplifier to the second one. Protect cable sections in the engine compartment with corrugated tubing.
To install the fuse, select a location near the battery
- Connect the power cable to the 12V socket of the amplifier.
- Connect the GND terminal to the car body with the same wire that connects the amplifier to the power supply. Thoroughly clean the contact area of paint. Use corrosion-resistant bolts, nuts and washers for fastening. Do not use self-tapping screws.
Thoroughly clean the contact area of paint.
- Install a capacitor if desired.
- Lay and connect the interconnect cable to the amplifier and radio. Do not lay it along the standard on-board power supply harnesses, avoid crossing them. The further the signal cable is from the wiring, the less likely it is to cause interference.
- Lay the control wire together with the interconnect cable and connect it to the amplifier input and the radio output.
- Connect acoustics (speakers and crossovers).
Connecting the amplifier to other elements of the sound system
- Attach the negative terminal of the battery.
- Turn on the radio and amplifier, check its functionality. If necessary, adjust the sound using the amplifier's built-in adjustment tools.
- If everything is in order, secure the cables and wires, restore the casing.
Video: Connecting a car audio amplifier
Connecting an amplifier is an important part of equipping a car with high-quality sound. Independently selecting components and installing them is not as difficult a task as it seems if you prepare well in advance.
Many car owners are not satisfied with the power and sound quality of their radio. In order to solve these problems, an external amplifier is installed. The external audio amplifier operates on a voltage of 12 V; thanks to the built-in voltage converter, it increases it from 12 to 100 V.
After installing an external amplifier, the radio's power, maximum volume and sound quality increase.
How to choose an amplifier
When choosing an amplifier, you need to pay attention to the following details:
- The amount of power for each channel. This is one of the main characteristics of an external amplifier. It must match the power of the radio and other equipment.
- The power of each channel in the amplifier should be less than the power of the subwoofer speaker and rear speakers. If this condition is not met, you may get unpleasant wheezing in the speakers.
- The amplifier and speakers must have equal load impedance. It is acceptable if the speakers have this figure slightly higher.
- The frequency range of the external amplifier should not be less than 20 Hz - 20 KHz.
- If a subwoofer is installed in the car, then a two-channel amplifier is needed.
Installation and connection steps
Most often, the amplifier is connected using wires directly to the battery. The external amplifier will be located in the trunk or interior of the car, and the wiring runs through the holes in the engine compartment. The wires must be well insulated with electrical tape.
The positive wire, almost always red, is connected to the positive terminal of the battery and plugged into the corresponding connector in the amplifier. And the negative wire, black, is connected to the body and inserted into the connector designated GND (GROUND). The remaining two sockets are used to connect the radio and signal cable. Almost all radios have outputs for connecting an amplifier and supplying sound to it.
For a four-channel amplifier, you need to use special adapters, and if the receiver does not have linear outputs, then the wire is laid directly to the speakers, where special inputs must be provided.
The wiring from the radio to the amplifier is laid inside the car, most often under the door trim. Under no circumstances should the signal cable be laid on the same side as the power cable. This will cause interference and loss of sound quality.
When choosing a place for the amplifier, you need to take into account that it gets very hot during operation, so it is best to install it in an open place, for example, a trunk shelf. If the amplifier is installed in a narrow space, it will require additional cooling. To do this, you can use a couple of computer coolers.
Another important factor when choosing the location of the amplifier is the distance from it to the acoustics. It is advisable to reduce it to a minimum so that the wires are as short as possible. In this case, the likelihood of interference during music playback will be minimal.
With the correct selection and installation of an external amplifier, you can significantly improve the quality of the sound reproduced by the radio, eliminate interference and increase the power of the radio.
Results
To install the amplifier, be sure to choose only high-quality wires; they should not have any damage. Be sure to follow safety precautions while working. Before installing the amplifier, you must read the operating manual and the instructions for the car radio.
To connect the amplifier you will need: power wires, a fuse with a holder, a remote wire, protective insulation, terminal blocks and lugs, an RCA cable. Let's look at the connection step by step.
Connecting the amplifier to the battery
“Black is a minus, red is a plus, every little one knows!”
Power is the foundation of the system; it affects the safety of components and their sound quality. Therefore, it is very important to approach its connection responsibly.
Wiring
Before connecting the amplifier, you need to select the thickness of the power cable; it must correspond to the amount of current consumed. You are unlikely to find the value of power consumption in the manuals, since there is no generally accepted measurement method for it and therefore you will have to calculate it yourself. Please note that the calculation data must be taken from the minimum resistance in which the amplifier can operate, for example if: output power for 2 Ohm:240 W x 2, and the output power for 4 ohm:160 W x 2- we take 240.
Let's say you have a two-channel amplifier with rated power 2 x 240 Watt— add up the channels 240 + 240 = 480 W- general power.
These 480 W multiply by 2 , because the power consumption is taken to be double the output due to large unevenness and surges in consumption: 480 * 2= 960 W.
Now we divide the received power by the voltage in the vehicle’s on-board network - 14.4 V(we mean a running car) and find the consumed voltage: 960 / 14,4 = 66,7 Ampere.
We use the plate to select the cable cross-section: 
We compare the consumed voltage with the length of the wiring (if you pull it to the trunk, it is usually up to 5 meters) - we get the required cross-section 2 Ga(abbreviated from American Wire Gauge- American measure of wire cross-section). 
Important - the first table is relevant only for copper wires. If you have aluminum coated with copper on top (as a rule in all ready-made connection kits), make a margin of 35 - 40%.
Fuse
The power wiring of an automobile system is an object that poses a fire hazard, therefore a fuse is required for the positive wire, which, if the voltage increases and the wire heats up during a short circuit, will melt and de-energize the system. Do not confuse with fuses in amplifiers!
It is important to choose the right value so that it does not choke the power supply and does not melt unnecessarily, but at the same time it burns out before the wiring, otherwise the meaning of the protection will be lost.
Types of fuses
Fuse types (from left to right): AGU, ANL, mini ANL
AGUs are typically rated up to 80 amps and are installed in bulbs. ANL fuses reach up to 300 Amperes; various types of cases are used for their installation. Mini ANLs are usually not used to protect the main wiring, but are installed in power distributors for cable routing.
Types of holders
Types of holders (from left to right): flask, case, machine, distributor
Separately, it is necessary to note the machine, which does not contain a fuse as such, but turns itself off if the voltage is too high. Despite its convenient functionality, it does not enjoy much confidence among car audio lovers; there is an opinion that in some cases it may not have time to turn off and “get stuck”.
It is recommended to install a fuse or circuit breaker no further than 20 cm from the positive terminal. The point is that the section of the wire up to the fuse is not protected, and therefore the shorter it is, the better.
Battery terminals
There are several ways to attach wires to the battery. The simplest is to screw the crimped tip under some bolt of the standard terminal. This is a fairly common option (when connecting, be sure to clean the contact area with sandpaper). A more practical way is to install a new terminal with additional connection points (they are sold in car dealerships and are not expensive). An uncompromising solution is to install specialized terminals with powerful clamps and convenient wiring. If you are not striving for results in sound pressure, then you are unlikely to feel a big difference in music, the main thing is that the contact is reliable (strong and clean), although convenience and accuracy can also be important.
Tips
The ends of the wires, whether terminals or sockets, must be securely crimped. Flattening with a hammer means poor contact; it is better to press in a vice using a mold. Our recommendation is a manual press (mechanical or hydraulic) - you can ask for crimping in a car audio studio, and if you don’t have one, you can ask industrial electricians, perhaps in some service stations. Try to find, the result is worth it - perfect contact.
Minus on the body or from the battery
How to connect the amplifier - negative from the body or directly from the battery.
Not long ago, car audio enthusiasts debunked the long-established myth that the negative must be pulled from the battery. In fact, the losses in a separate cable are greater than through the body.
If you have an everyday system with a couple of kilowatts, then the minus from the body will be an adequate solution. Besides, it will save your money. The main thing is to remember to thoroughly clean the contact area down to the metal and firmly tighten all connections. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to throw an extra wire under the hood from the battery negative to the body.
If you have a system focused on SPL results, then each additional draw will reduce the drawdown. Where the struggle is for every tenth of a decibel and one hundredth of a volt, this is very important.
So, for everyday use the minus from the body will be enough. Moreover, it will be better and cheaper than a separate broach. The main thing is to select the required cross-section for the positive wire and for the negative wire segments. Securely strip, pull and machine connections.
Wiring protection
As mentioned above, wiring is a fire hazardous element and that is why it needs additional protection from damage. I do not advise you to take this issue lightly, because the price of your arrival may be a new car.
Everyone decides for themselves what degree of insulation protection to provide, but the minimum and logical requirements are additional insulation under the hood, under the wings, in all places where cables pass through elements of the body and interior. And also in places where chafing is possible - under the rear seat, in places where it comes out from under the trim, in places where the cable bends, etc.
Mostly soft corrugation or snakeskin braid is used. It is better not to use hard corrugation (usually light gray), as it cracks in the cold. Soft, easy to use and not expensive. The “snake” protects the cable as much as possible (it’s difficult to cut even with a knife), has an attractive appearance, but is more expensive and is not available everywhere.
Snake skin braid
Connecting the amplifier to the radio
Connecting the amplifier to the radio is quite simple. It connects with two types of cables: RCA interconnect and Remote.
Make all connections on a de-energized system (positive wire folded away from the battery)
Interconnect cable
To avoid interference, lay acoustic and signal cables on the opposite side of the power cables; if intersection cannot be avoided, do it at a right angle.
Interblocks or RCA connect to the linear outputs of the radio and transmit the audio signal to the amplifier. Line outputs have a left and right channel (can be mono for a subwoofer), do not confuse them when connecting to an amplifier, so as not to disrupt the balance adjustment on the radio (left/right).
Remote
The minimum cross-section wiring that transmits the signal to turn on the amplifier when the radio is turned on is the same when it is turned off. Usually the radio has a separate wire for this; if it doesn’t exist, you can connect to the active antenna control or connect it to a permanent plus by installing a toggle switch to independently control the amplifier. It is highly not recommended to power it from a constant +12 directly - this way your amplifiers will be constantly on, which will be an unnecessary load.
Important points
In the end, we summarize all the main aspects that need to be observed in order to connect the amplifier correctly and safely:
- Select a power cable of sufficient cross-section, preferably with a margin.
- Select the correct fuse.
- All contacts must be stripped and tightly tightened or crimped (the larger the contact area, the better).
- Knock out quality copper wiring.
- Protect cables from damage with additional insulation.
- Lay acoustic and signal wiring as far as possible from the power supply.
- If you have several amplifiers and the minus is taken from the body, then make contact for all at one point.
- Make all connections on a de-energized system (positive terminal with battery removed).
In contact with
A subwoofer is an indispensable thing for those who want to get complete pleasure from listening to music. But the trouble is that the power of the radio is not enough for its normal operation. You have to connect an amplifier. And installation is only half the battle. You need to know how to configure the amplifier correctly. We will talk about this and more in our article today.
How to connect?
Let's see how to connect an amplifier in a car:
- First, the subwoofer and other speakers are connected to the corresponding connectors on the amplifier.
- Next, the device is connected to the radio.
- The amplifier will then automatically distribute the signal. Some will go to the subwoofer, and some to the high- and mid-range speakers.
Let's understand the design
On the back of any amplifier there is a panel with connectors. It has two separate blocks. The first block - “Front” - is intended for the front channels. The second - “Rear” - is used to connect rear speakers or a subwoofer. It is this block that we will configure.
Acoustic amplifier controls
The process of tuning a car amplifier involves changing parameters, each of which has a separate function. To configure even the simplest amplifier there are controls:
- So, Crossover Selector is nothing more than a filter switch.
- In the LP position, the amplifier operates in
- When the regulator is set to the HP position, the operation is in high-pass filter mode.
- In the AP position, the filters are disabled and do not work.
In addition, there is a switch on the rear panel that controls the cutoff frequency of the filters. “Level” is a knob for adjusting the power level. And with the help of “Bass Boost” you can enhance low frequencies, but you shouldn’t try too hard.
If this is a high-power device, then experts recommend installing a capacitor first.
Starting point for acoustic tuning
At the entry level, anything beyond adjusting crossovers and gain levels doesn't matter. In addition, it does not matter how the amplification part is implemented. The basic principle is always the same.
Here's how to set up the amplifier:
- To begin with, turn off any sound adjustment circuits.
- If this is not possible, then the correction is set to zero. It is worth remembering that this is not the same thing - in the first option, the signal will not go through the correction circuits. This means that its path will be shorter and the level of distortion will be lower.
- In passive crossovers, the RF control is set to approximately the average level, even if it is different from zero. You should select a value of -3 dB.
- In the case of active crossovers, the crossover frequency of the low-pass and high-pass filters is initially made the same. The level should be around 75-80 Hertz.
The gain level on any channels is set to the very minimum position. If all these conditions are met, then optimal basic settings can be achieved.
Gain Setting
Setting the amplifier's input sensitivity is an important step. Any instructions for the amplifier will indicate how to adjust this coefficient. But in practice, you may find that the level is set incorrectly. In the most innocuous case, these errors can only lead to inconsistent sound. At worst, there will be significant distortion (perhaps even some system components will fail).
If the high-frequency speakers in the car are constantly on, the culprit is an incorrectly set gain. Subwoofers also burn, even if they are well and correctly matched in power to the amplifier. This sometimes happens to those who do not know how to set up the amplifier in the car and try to get everything out of the device. But high-quality sound does not have to be loud. The main parameter is its purity.
If the goal is not to achieve maximum volume, then the main thing in adjusting the gain is not to be greedy. There is no need to squeeze everything that it can out of the device. It is intended for other purposes. Speaker, amplifier - everything should sound clean. It’s better to make a little mistake and underestimate the coefficient. This will reduce the volume reserve, but the sound will be of higher quality. Considering the power reserve that most low-end amplifiers have, losses in maximum volume do not lead to quiet sound.
Gain adjustment is very closely tied to crossover adjustment. There is a simple rule - the narrower the crossover range for a separate speaker system and the higher the slope, the more power can be supplied to the speaker. Hence the gain can be higher. This is important to know before setting up the amplifier for the speakers in your car.
The basic principles of adjusting this coefficient are simple - while listening to certain tracks, the level is gradually increased until distortion appears. When a point of distortion appears, the level is lowered.
Before setting the amplifier to a high gain, you should decide at what volume the distortion appears on the radio. This is often about half the audio range, and sometimes lower. Therefore, the coefficient on the amplifier must be adjusted within this undistorted range. So, if the radio scale has 60 units, then the range from 30 to 60 is not suitable, it is better to forget about it. These losses will be made up by the amplifier.
The first step is to adjust the described coefficient for the front speaker systems. In the most basic case, they can operate via a passive crossover. Then they move on to the subwoofer channels. But here it is necessary to monitor not possible distortions, but the tonal balance. It is necessary that the sound is not “thin” or excessively “fat”. If there is a big difference between the power of the channels, then it is very difficult to get distortion in the subwoofer channel.
Setting up for working with a subwoofer
Let's use a simple example to see how to configure an amplifier for a subwoofer. Let it be connected to Rear on the amplifier, and the front speakers connected respectively to Front. Experts recommend the following settings:
- The bass boost is set to zero for both channels. The level or gain is also set to zero.
- The crossover for the Front channel is set to the HP position.
- For the Rear channel, the crossover is set to the LP position.
- Next, all that remains is to adjust the sensitivity by adjusting the gain so that the sound is as harmonious as possible. It can be adjusted for front and rear channels as desired.
Here's how to set up an amplifier for a subwoofer in practice. As you can see, there is nothing complicated about this. All you need is good hearing, acoustic tracks and enough free time.
DIY setup without a subwoofer
In this case, the speaker system consists of four speakers. In this option, the settings will be the simplest. With this design, the amplifier filters are disabled. All parameters are set to zero, and the crossover selector is set to the “Flat” position. With these settings, the speaker, amplifier and all other components will produce high-quality sound without distortion.
All that remains is to set this. This can be done by selecting from ready-made equalizer settings. The volume is turned up to 90 percent and the track starts. During the sound process, the gain is adjusted until the sound is loud and clear, without distortion. This is how you can set up a simple amplifier for the average music lover.
Setting up household amplifiers
The principles of adjusting home amplifiers are practically no different from the method described above. But there is an exception - if it is an amplifier and not a receiver, then it often has two channels and an equalizer.
First, everything is set to zero, and then the desired frequency response is adjusted by ear and taste on the equalizer. They also adjust the input sensitivity so that there is no distortion at the output.
Conclusion
Here's how to set up an amplifier in your car or home yourself. Having high-quality audio recordings, you can adjust the sound so that everything is balanced, and the sound is clear and without distortion.