Speaker Wiring

bpd138

I'm planning on replacing the stock radio (non-Bose) with a Kenwood DNX-8120. If I add the rear speakers, how do I wire everything up. As far as I know there are only four speaker outputs. Left & Right Front and Left & Right Rear. How would you go about wiring the tweeters in the dash?

Once again thanks for any advice.
Willie

rreign

That would depend on a few things. If you plan to upgrade the stock speakers, your H/U isn't going to give your speakers the wattage they require. Granted they will still work but it's never really a good thing to under power. You want to try and match them the best you can. So in that case you would need a multi channel amp and rca's to the amp from the H/U. You will also probably need x overs for your tweets.

If you plan to stay stock, I would suggest routing your normal speakers ( 6 1/2s) to your rear L & R and run the tweets to the front L & R.

Do you plan on putting in a sub too?

jbean8510

NO

You dont need a new amp unless your planning on doing high end audio, otherwise most normal $80-$100 speakers will be fine on a h/u that pushed 50-60w.

bpd138

Hi,
Thanks for the advice. I was thinking of adding a compact powered sub. If I go that route I might forget about the rear speakers and just replace the two door speakers and dash speakers. What do you think? I am just looking for a better sound quality and at the same time trying to keep things simple. Any replacement suggestions for the dash speakers?
thanks,
Willie

rreign

The DNX8120 only has Peak: 50 watts x 4 channels , RMS: 22 watts x 4 channels. I don't know what the specs are on the stock speakers or the stock H/U but this usually means that you're going to be under powering those speakers which could (still debatable) cause damage to the speakers.

david712370

I am getting a very similar Head Unit the DDX814. I would suggest that you replace the front speakers with some component speakers. The way the car is currently set up is 2.5" mids in the dash and 6.5" in the door both running off the front channel of your stock headunit. If you go to the settings and putt all sound to the rear you will notice you hear nothing. There is no wiring in the back panel for 4" speakers. I have been told that you'll be better off getting a high end set of component speakers rather than putting rears in. This is a choice that is up to you. if you do want to put rears in you will need to run wiring from the rear to your head unit. I would suggest that you decide whether you really want to put a 4 channel amp in b/c this will be redundant work if you later on choose to switch.

My personal suggestion would be to get a 2 channel amp and a really nice set of component speakers for the front. You could go with some 3 ways or 2 way components. The 3 ways would take more customizing. If you look at the thread our first 370z or something like that you might get some ideas. Thats where I got mine from....Later I hope to post some pictures of what I did. Hope this helps.

david712370

I think you are right about this.... to an extent. I feel that you would only cause damage to your speakers if you like to listen to your speakers at loud levels. So if you like to listen to your radio louder than what your Headunit can supply and start to get distortion.....than you need to upgrade to an amp in my opinion.

rreign

Well said. I guess I didn't really clarify that.

jbean8510

good call eh! if u wanna blast it, dont use the h/u's amp

bpd138

Once again thanks for all the info. This site is such a great resouce and a pleasure to read.

I'm a complete noob when it comes to amps and such. I have replaced many head units and speakers but I have never wired up an amp. The wiring part I'm not too concerned about, however I have no knowledge of the terms used.

Can someone explain the difference between a two channel and four channel amp? Does a two channel only power two speakers? Also if I go with the amp setup like David suggested, waht size should I get.

I know I might get some flack on this but I am going to use Infinity Kappa two-way speakers in the door. I'm still undecided on what to put in the dash. Any suggestions? Should I separate the dash speakers from the door speakers?

Oh, almost forgot, one more question, what is the wire on the antenna adapter for? Can someone tell me if I need to hook it up to something and if so what?

Once again, thanks for all your help.
Willie

david712370

Well the amp choice depends on the speakers you plan to run off of it. A four channel amp would power four speakers with each a different channel left front right front left rear right rear. However, you could use a two channel amp to power four speakers but two of the speakers would each be on the same channel. Basically you need to know the RMS wattage of the speakers to see what amp you would use. I would say you need to decide whether or not you're going to get rear speakers before you buy your amp. Although you seem pretty set on the infinity speakers, I am not very familiar with them, but I would definitely get at least 2 way components. Not sure if you are familiar with the term component speakers. Basically this will allow you to separate the tweeters from the 6.5". You could put the tweeters in the dash. If you really want good sound i would suggest 3 way component speakers.

I believe the wire with the ant. is a power wire. what it is for i'm not sure.

rreign

BPD - If you insist on using Infinity component speakers or co-axial speakers, I would suggest these..Infinity Perfect 6.1 (perfect61) 6-1/2" Component Systems Car Speakers Car Audio and Video - Sonic Electronix With a 4-channel amp (to run you tweets and speakers together) Infinity Reference 475a Multi-channel Amps Car Amplifiers Car Audio and Video - Sonic Electronix I have heard a lot of Infinity speakers and I personally think they are more of a mid-range speaker compared to most other brands. Atleast spend the extra $100 for some better Infinity's if anything. The main problem with most of Infinity's components are that they are eith 2 or 3 ohm and most of your head units are 4ohm. So if you plan to try to use your H/U alone to power these then you are gonna be in for a big disappointment. Your speakers will end up being under powered with heavy distortion at low volume ranges. Thats why David and I both keep suggesting the amp as well.

Side note..... yes the antenna wire is for "power antenna." If your talking about an antenna adapter thats to be able to run your aftermarket H/U to recieve radio in the car. Most new cars don't even need an aftermarket antenna adapter anymore. Not sure if the Z does or not.

bpd138

One more quick question. lol
I bought the Infinity amp and I'm working on the rear speakers and door speakers.
My question is;
How do I wire the door speakers and the dash speakers together? Are they wired in parallel?
Sorry one more question;
Seeing as I will be using the amp to power everything, is all I have to do is run the four rca jacks from the back of the head unit to the amp and then run wires to each speaker?
Once again thanks for all your expert help.
Take care,
Willie

rreign

This can go a couple of different ways, but my suggestion for just ease of the install is to leave the OEM wiring where it's at and just connect your speakers straight to the OEM wiring. Then run your speaker wire from the harness to your amp. Connect the RCA's, set your gain and voila. (For a tip on setting your gain you can check here...Rockford T212D2 too much for 370z?

Also, yes you would run your door/dash in parallel.

CBRich

To clarify for me and the OP, you suggest RCA from Radio to AMP, then speaker wire from AMP back to radio harness up front. Thereby eliminating the need to rerun wire to the speakers. Is that correct?