Originally Posted by
josefran
Mr. Pizzaguy: Thank you for your prompt replay. First of, I have to admit to not being at all familiar with the "lingo" used to discuss these problems. I'm confused between the meanings of such terms as "Heads" & "Amps".
"Head" means "radio", I don't know why they use the term 'head'.
This is what I believe I know: 1. The "radio" itself does not directly connect to the speakers. 2. The "radio" has Line outputs that connect to the car's amplifier (under the mats on the passenger side). 3. The amplifier then distributes the "radio" line outputs (amplified) to all the car's 6 speakers (Highs/Mids & Subs). I had the installation checked by Bestbuy's Geek Squad and they told me those connections are alright. So, if my understanding of all this is correct, is your suggestion that I replace both the present radio as well as the present amplifier? and if I do that, that perhaps I also would benefit by replacing all 6 of the present speakers?
I sincerely apologize for my lack of education regarding car radio/amplifiers parlance but I never before had the opportunity to investigate/learn this stuff so I really do appreciate your help with my problems. Also, following your advice, I checked for water damage and found no signs of it anywhere but since I live in a very dry desert region it could be I'd have to wait for it to rain and go driving the car then. Are there other ways to verify the amplifier's present condition?
Thanks again for your help!
1) The radio drives the speakers directly in Base and SE models (those cars have no amps or speakers behind the seats.
2) WRONG -you'd think they would do it that way, but no. The factory 'head' (radio) drives the amp with it's speaker outputs.
... Most replacement 'heads' have line outputs as well as speaker outputs. It is best to drive the amp with speaker outputs. If you use "Line" outputs, they must be 4 volt level, if they are the 2 volt level, things won't sound right.
3) The system is wired oddly. THe factory head had only two channels, left and right. The output of the head feeds the amp, which is four channels. The harness is jumpered such that it operates like a two channel amp. If you put a new head in, you can wire it up so that each door's speakers are one channel and each rear speaker is one channnel, this gives you fade as well as balance control as well as separate equalizers for front and back if the new head supports that - most do.
The rear speakers are dual voice coil. I'd replace them with conventional single-voice coil models if you replace the factory amp.