Low level output from amp

The_big_dill

The_big_dill

Greenie N00B Member
Hey guys,

Wiring in some subs using the OEM amp outputs to the speakers as a source for an LOC.

Been having issues with audio performance and I narrowed it down to the LOC. I should have probed the wires coming out of the amp to understand that they are low level outputs, so I am going to wire them directly to my amp.

Question is: If you have done this install, Which pins did you use off the factory amp to your aftermarket amp?

Terminals B/C output 0-8V AC

Whereas the speaker inputs are 0-1.5V AC.

1600221335249-png.278663
 
I spliced the factory harness to run the door speakers off an aftermarket amp, but my sub is on a separate second amp by itself and I just ran fresh wires from there to the hatch.

How exactly did you wire it up? B and C tapped to the sub?
 
Ssinstaller said:
Oem radio has a 2v differential output. You can wire channels one and two at the oem amp directly to an rca for your aftermarket amp.
Click to expand...

Which input/output would you use from the diagram above for RCA?

For the remote wire to the aftermarket sub, would you use B11: SWB+?
 
SharksInSpace said:
I spliced the factory harness to run the door speakers off an aftermarket amp, but my sub is on a separate second amp by itself and I just ran fresh wires from there to the hatch.

How exactly did you wire it up? B and C tapped to the sub?
Click to expand...

I am using the oem radio and oem amp. The convention is to wire those connections to a high level input or to use a level converter before going to your sub.

I read in another article that someone used B and C straight to their amp, but when i probed them, i saw up to 8V and am not sure that an RCA input on an amp is okay to handle that...
 
Reason I ask is that based on the chart, B and C are both positive outputs for speakers 5/6. G and F are the corresponding negatives. Tapping B and C together to the same speaker is probably not going to do a whole lot of good.

Anyway, I honestly can't imagine getting a good result using the oem amp. Shit's weak; all the Bose hardware is pretty much trash tbh.
 
If it was me I get the eonon headunit and just use that to feed the sub amp/bose amp. If you ever decide to replace door speakers you will want an actual head unit and amps as the eonon I had was not a clean enough sound to make legit speakers sound as good as they should. But if you are content with the bose door speakers that would be a solution to get your sub amp working. I am sure you can tap factory wires and make it work but I don't think you will get your desired outcome without a of frustration.
 
SharksInSpace said:
Reason I ask is that based on the chart, B and C are both positive outputs for speakers 5/6. G and F are the corresponding negatives. Tapping B and C together to the same speaker is probably not going to do a whole lot of good.

Anyway, I honestly can't imagine getting a good result using the oem amp. Shit's weak; all the Bose hardware is pretty much trash tbh.
Click to expand...
I am glad you caught that. Mostly for anyone else reading this. The OEM wiring actually doesn't have wires going to C or F, so Im actually using B and G. My bad.

Also, I am not really using the stock amp for more than just the audio signal, the aftermarket amp is taking care of the amplification and driving the woofer.
 
JohnnyTightlips said:
If it was me I get the eonon headunit and just use that to feed the sub amp/bose amp. If you ever decide to replace door speakers you will want an actual head unit and amps as the eonon I had was not a clean enough sound to make legit speakers sound as good as they should. But if you are content with the bose door speakers that would be a solution to get your sub amp working. I am sure you can tap factory wires and make it work but I don't think you will get your desired outcome without a of frustration.
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Thanks for chiming in.

I had an aftermarket headunit with the Metra install kit and I could not tolerate the fit and finish, so i reverted to stock. How are the Eonons on the fit and finish relative to the stock radio location?

I am actually usually quite surprised at the quality of the door speakers for the 3, I do like a bit more bass though. Its all relative though, im sure if I hear a nice system, it may change my mind haha. I do not like pulling speaker wire through doors, so I hope i never hear a nice car speaker system. :)
 
Okay, I gotcha now. There IS an aftermarket amp but the issue is not having RCA or other easy, direct signal out from the factory head unit. That's not a setup that I've messed with so I will probably not be of much assistance. :( I went straight to a new head unit before messing with any amp or speaker gear.
 
SharksInSpace said:
Okay, I gotcha now. There IS an aftermarket amp but the issue is not having RCA or other easy, direct signal out from the factory head unit. That's not a setup that I've messed with so I will probably not be of much assistance. :( I went straight to a new head unit before messing with any amp or speaker gear.
Click to expand...

I find myself doing unconventional things. I learn a lot, but its a huge time investment... keeps me off the couch.

Also, I do appreciate your input!

You can keep one end of the RCAs intact and plugged into your amplifier, and cut the other end and splice into speaker wiring. Thats the plan right now as I will be removing the LOC from my system.
 
The eonon fit like factory and keep factory controls. They are a lot nicer than the factory head unit but the audio quality and control is not up to spec with real head units. It might be a lot better now and there might be actual hardware EQ on them as before it was silly software stuff that did not work great. Last unit I used was 4 years ago so I am sure they have improved. I mostly used mine for bluetooth and torque app which it was great for but you can do lots of other stuff on it as it is android OS. Worse for worse if you got one and hated it they sell pretty quick on facebook it seems. @E30Andrew recently got one.
 
The_big_dill said:
Thanks for chiming in.

I had an aftermarket headunit with the Metra install kit and I could not tolerate the fit and finish, so i reverted to stock. How are the Eonons on the fit and finish relative to the stock radio location?

I am actually usually quite surprised at the quality of the door speakers for the 3, I do like a bit more bass though. Its all relative though, im sure if I hear a nice system, it may change my mind haha. I do not like pulling speaker wire through doors, so I hope i never hear a nice car speaker system. :)
Click to expand...
One major thing Eonon has going for it is fitment and factory looking finish. Where it falls short is the output quality. I was running an Eonon for a couple of years but ended up going "proper" aftermarket to get the most out of my upgraded speakers. I used a Scosche dash mounting kit and while it could be better, it's good enough to satisfy me as a compromise for fitting up a much better head unit (customer reviews seemed to indicate it being preferable to the Metra option, as well. Also note: my experience is with second gen, so I can't speak directly to first gen mounting kits). Granted, I also was not happy with the Bose speakers and that was my ultimate cause of changing the head unit; if you are happy with them and just want to add in a sub and amp, it's quite easy to do with the Eonon having direct RCA output, and the sound to an aftermarket sub didn't really seem to suffer from the lower output the way my upgraded speakers did.
 
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