What's up with my BRAND NEW speakers??

**pimpJ** · 10-12-2004, 04:56 PM

1 word of warning that shocked me when I bought mine..
a good new amp wiring kit will run you at least $60..
since you're running 2 channel, maybe more

You may be able to go used, I didn't look around at that much

**tbird2340** · 10-12-2004, 04:59 PM

$60!!! What the heck is needed?? I thought just some wire and a pair of RCA's no?

**pimpJ** · 10-12-2004, 05:03 PM

again, you may be able to find cheaper, I got a "monster wiring kit" 8 gauge for $65 new.

there will be 2 pair of RCAs needed for you, along with a 4 gauge wire (massive). A ground wire, and a remote wire (used so the HU can tell the amp when to come on.) Also, mine came with a fuse to mount on the power wire which is a very good idea if you don't want to blow out your amp.

**pimpJ** · 10-12-2004, 05:09 PM

on ebay I'm finding 35-45 kits which have everything minus the RCAs (or only have one pair.) I say you need 2 under the assuption that you want stereo (left and right) sound.

**pimpJ** · 10-12-2004, 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by pimpJ

That is correct, and remember that's peak wattage, not RMS
(it's still plenty for a non-show stereo)

correction, that is 55x4 W RMS into 4 ohms. So you're plenty loud

**tbird2340** · 10-12-2004, 05:24 PM

So adding another 30 watts RMS is gonna make that much of a difference (being that my head unit is 25 RMS)? And 4 GAUGE WIRE!!! That is thick as heck! Why do I need two sets of RCA's? I thought one pair went from the Head Unit to the Amp?

**pimpJ** · 10-12-2004, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by tbird2340

So adding another 30 watts RMS is gonna make that much of a difference (being that my head unit is 25 RMS)?

yup yup

Originally Posted by tbird2340

And 4 GAUGE WIRE!!! That is thick as heck!

quite huge..

on the ebay link you have in this thread :
4 Gauge Power Connectors

I believe this because my amp (250 x 2 peak) required 8 gauge, Yours has much more power, 4 gauge seems reasonable in comparison.

Originally Posted by tbird2340

Why do I need two sets of RCA's? I thought one pair went from the Head Unit to the Amp?

My bad, Don't know what I was thinking..
You're right. One pair of RCAs.

**Shrynn** · 10-12-2004, 05:39 PM

Well you don't NEED a 4 guage wire... but most kits come with them. You will only need on set of RCAs per amp.

I bought a wiring kit with an 4 guage wire way back when for my 200watt Extant 202. Let me tell you how happy I am now that I put the 4 guage in.... When I found this site 2 years later and decided to put a carputer in I don't have to re-run power to the trunk. I just slap a distribution block on the end on the 4 guage and can power other things.

but again.... it's a good idea, but you don't NEED it.

**pimpJ** · 10-12-2004, 05:42 PM

right, I just figure if you're going to skimp on any wire, don't let it be one that connects your battery to $100+ equipment. Overheating wires is never any fun.. Also this way, if you ever decide to put subs in and upgrade amps, I know 4 guage would be strongly reccommended for a 5 channel.

All in all, you probably could get away with 8 gauge, but the difference is most likely about 5 - 10 bucks, I'de splurge.

**sdashiki** · 10-12-2004, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by Shrynn

Well you don't NEED a 4 guage wire... but most kits come with them. You will only need on set of RCAs per amp.

I bought a wiring kit with an 4 guage wire way back when for my 200watt Extant 202. Let me tell you how happy I am now that I put the 4 guage in.... When I found this site 2 years later and decided to put a carputer in I don't have to re-run power to the trunk. I just slap a distribution block on the end on the 4 guage and can power other things.

but again.... it's a good idea, but you don't NEED it.

well you dont need 4gauge unless yer amp has the actual gauge hole in it. Most amps of a decent size/price still take 8g. Your amp is an Xtant, so yeah its gonna have 4g cuz truth be told the bigger gauge the better, always. Especially when it comes to ground, and then the POS+ battery.

For kits, BestBuy sells RF ones, and ebay like u see is good too. But if u want hands on right now, BB or Circuit city, though both *****ty still got what you need.

NOw you gotta think to the future too though, running more than one amp, which is why i suggest finding a 5-channel so u only need one with a 4G or even a zero gauge, will run you into problems. Especially during setup and startup kits. Cuz if u run more than one, hopefully just 2 8g and not 2 4g, youll need TWO distributor blocks. One FUSED one for POS+ and another splitter for the ground. You can always run 2 wires from the battery and 2 seperate ground wires, but thats overkill and 2x as much when it comes to kits. So if u are gonna be using more than 1 amp ever, buy the blocks now or at least know youll need them later and when it comes to buying a kit, dont skimp.

Basic kit:

-Battery fuse/holder, for 18" or less from positive terminal on car battery
-usually RED power wire, 4g or 8g
-usually BLACK ground wire
-various end plugs for different battery posts and grounding solutions
-either 4 channel RCAs or 2 channel RCAs
-remote on wire, very thin usually ORANGE or BLUE for connecting to your head unit and sending the ON signal to the amp

-and a multiple amp kit would come with the blocks, or you can buy "better" ones seperately

make sure you buy the right kit for the right setup, 2 channel, 4 channel, multiple amp. Or buy it all seperately and maybe you might save a few bucks.

just dont buy from Crutchfield, they are like soooooooooooo overpriced, its silly.