Luke - Why 3 pairs of RCA's?

[george graves]

ALWAYS run 3 pair of RCAS.

I guess this is assuming that the deck will output front, rear and sub channel? Can you elaborate?

[whakiewes]

I will let luke clarify more as to his post regarding that, but I am on all RCA's to bypass the internal amp completely. I run front, rear, and sub as you stated. All zero-noise JL or Monster cables in my car.

I think to his statement though he was referring to a car that was already pre-amped such as premium package E30's. Even if you don't use all three at once, its less running you have to do since you already have to run atleast one set, if not two. In my experience sound is significantly better when RCA'ed versus wired.

Wes

[erik325i]

Three makes sence because you can run three 2-channel amps (fronts, rears, and subs), or a 4-channel amp for all the speakers and another 2-channel for the subs.
Even if you aren't installing three amps at the moment, it's easy to throw in an extra pair of RCAs while your in there just incase you want to upgrade later.

-Erik

[Jean]

you don't HAVE to run 3 pairs but you might as well do it once. The main reason is to be able to Fade F to R w/o affecting the sub out. If you don't use rear channels then you can just use the rear or 2nd set of pre-outs to run the sub amp(s).

Think of a headunit (cd player) with 3 sets of pre-outs. One is front, one is rear and one is sub out (normally not a full range output, low passed to only let the low freqs. out to the sub). When you fade front/ rear to balance the sound in the car somewhat (so that the sound doesn't come so much from the rear but more from the front or how it would be in real life concert etc) the sub out is not affected by the fader.

[StereoInstaller1]

Three makes sence because you can run three 2-channel amps (fronts, rears, and subs), or a 4-channel amp for all the speakers and another 2-channel for the subs.
Even if you aren't installing three amps at the moment, it's easy to throw in an extra pair of RCAs while your in there just incase you want to upgrade later.

-Erik

Bingo!

I like Monster 401XLN or Stinger "Dream" series...or anything designed by Bruce Brisson (cubic dollar applications)

Luke

[george graves]

OK - I would have assumed the sub channel would be a mono feed, not a pair.

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

OK - I would have assumed the sub channel would be a mono feed, not a pair.

Even subwoofer mono amps have L and R RCA inputs

[AndrewBird]

OK - I would have assumed the sub channel would be a mono feed, not a pair.

I would have thought the same thing. Why is there a L and R?

[Jean]

To make it easier to connect two monoblocks for example, L&R will be summed at the stereo amplifier anyway if you hook it up in bridged or mono mode.

[george graves]

The world of car audio is weird in many ways. Pro audio is so much more plug and play.

[Jean]

Yep, I gave up on spending $$$ on car audio many years ago. Home audio is way more rewarding imho.

[StereoInstaller1]

Virtually all car decks have 2 RCAs for sub. Most are mono. Most sub amps need 2 RCAs in to get full voltage. Dunno why, but it is.

Most HT subs have 2 RCA inputs, but most recievers have 1 out! Y cord centrals, yo!