How to add an amplifier to your car audio system
by Crutchfield's Buck Pomerantz
Jun 03, 2024
Some people think that installing an amplifier in their vehicle is hopelessly complicated and best left to a professional. That's an option, sure. But Crutchfield has been helping people realize they can do it themselves for over 40 years.
To that point, here are diagrams for a couple of typical amp installations to help you see how all the separate components fit together to form a car audio system.
The first diagram shows a total system upgrade using an aftermarket receiver, two amplifiers, and a subwoofer. The second is more specific. It shows you how to add a subwoofer to a factory system.
How to wire a full car audio system
This wiring diagram shows how a full-blown car audio system upgrade gets wired in a car. The system depicted includes new speakers, an aftermarket receiver, a 4-channel amp for the front and rear pairs of full-range speakers, and a mono amp for a subwoofer.
The extra gear you'll need for wiring the amps includes:
- a dual amplifier wiring kit
- distribution blocks
- speaker wire
- RCA cables
Capacitors aren't usually necessary in a car stereo installation but we included one here to show how it would get wired into a system.
How to add a subwoofer to a factory stereo
A lot of folks want to add bass to their system without replacing the factory radio, either because it looks good or is impossible to replace. The following wiring diagram shows the additional wiring you'll need to add a subwoofer to a factory system.
Start by getting a subwoofer amplifier or powered sub with speaker-level inputs. You'll need these items for the installation and to give it that professional touch:
- Use wire taps to get signal
- An Add A Fuse connector plus a 2A to 10A fuse to get the amp's remote turn-on voltage
- An amp wiring kit and some speaker wire
For further help understanding how to install your sub, check out our short videos How to add a subwoofer to a factory stereo and How to install a powered subwoofer.
Start building your system today
Now that you've seen how all the components and parts fit together, you can knowledgeably shop Crutchfield's extensive selection of car audio gear and start building your system.
Give us a call at 888-955-6000 and an Advisor will help you get what you need. If you want to learn more about installing amplifier systems, check out our Amplifier Installation Guide.
Comments (315)
Please share your thoughts below.
-
sonny singson from NY nassau county
Posted on 7/16/2024
So awesome, the diagram explains everything. thank you so much
-
Kay from Anchorage
Posted on 6/7/2023
Hey, looking for help to order a subwoofer for our car. It already has a kicker amp. The wire is bare for the subwoofer? Subwoofer is the only thing missing. I can post the model of the amp later...but trying to get a heads up bc I'm at a dead end. Do I need to get my husband new wires too? Or is it perhaps the model needed for the amp??? Our car isn't that old 2016..so I imagine the subwoofer is around same age. I really want to get this before father's day or at least before October. Any and all help is appreciated!
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield
on 6/8/2023
Kay, With questions like that, it's always better to have a conversation with a real live human. Give us a call and talk to one of our Advisors. We can help you choose the right gear and give you the right advice on how to install it.
-
John
Posted on 6/5/2023
I currently have a sedan with a Jbl stadium 4 amp installed under my passenger front seat powered with 4ga wire (120a in-line fuse). I want to add a Jbl club a600 in the trunk powering a Jbl Basshub subwoofer. Does it matter where I install the power distribution block? Is 120a main fuse at the battery enough to protect these two amps?
-
Kirk from Jenkins Twp, Pa
Posted on 4/5/2023
What are you recommending when trying to get rid of alternator whine? I checked all of the grounds and even relocated as many as possible to the same exact location, no difference. I installed some noise filters on the stereo power and memory wires, no difference. I went over everything (voltage drops- all within .1 volt), resistance (0 ohms). It's horrific at low volumes but you can't hear it at higher volume.
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield
on 4/6/2023
Kirk, That kind of noise is usually induced due to a loose power or ground connection, but could also come from a defective device. You can use our interactive flowchart to help identify the source of the problem and solve it.
-
Jason from Edmonton
Posted on 11/27/2022
I have a 2004 Sebring and I just added an aftermarket BOSS head unit. I have a 500 watt sub amp and a 10" 1000 watt shallow sub that I removed from my truck that I sold. I plan on adding that as a starting point but eventually upgrading all the speakers, and adding two subs. What is a typical alternator output requirement for this kind of upgrade?
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield
on 11/28/2022
Jason, A general rule-of-thumb for power in a car's electrical system is that one-half the top current capability of the alternator/battery/charging system is available to run accessories like amplifiers. A 500 watt amplifier might need as much as 48A (amperes) of current to run at full volume, so you'd look for a system that puts out a total of over 95A. For more info, check out Headlights dim when the music plays.
-
Dylan from Fairbanks, AK
Posted on 10/29/2022
You forgot to add the most critical information about the amplifier wiring - the power wire and ground wire must be identical if possible, at the very least they need to be the same gauge wire, preferably ofc with silver coat or something comparable
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield
on 10/29/2022
Dylan, If you can find and afford silver-coated oxygen-free copper power and ground wire suitable for car audio amplifier installation, please let us know how it would improve your amp's efficient operation and sound - and where one might get the stuff. But maybe you meant tinned copper wire, which is common.
-
Patrick from Maricopa, AZ
Posted on 8/26/2022
Buck, I have a Kenwood HU that has 6 RCA jacks with 4 going to a Kicker 4 channel amp and 2 going to a 12 inch powered subwoofer in a Titan. The 4 channel and the subwoofer both need 8 gauge power wires. Should I run a (4 gauge?) to a distribution block and then an 8 gauge to each amp? What amp rating fuse do I need for the 4 gauge wire close to the battery. Do I need to run a fuse close to the distribution block for each 8 gauge wire to protect the 4 channel and sub individually ? The sub said to use a 20 amp on the power and the 4 channel 40 amp. Thanks!
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield
on 8/29/2022
Patrick, 4-gauge power wire from the battery to a distribution block, and then 8-gauge to each amplifier sounds good. The primary fuse should match the specs of the wire - 4-gauge would mean using a fuse rated no more than 150A. In your case, a 60A fuse - the sum of the two amplifiers' fuse ratings - will work safely. If your amplifiers don't have onboard fuses, you should also fuse each 8-gauge wire at the distribution block with each amplifier's appropriate fuse.
-
Richard from Fort Worth
Posted on 5/17/2022
I just purchased a 5 channel amp from Crutchfield and I am keeping my stock stereo. When using the high level inputs, is it okay to use rear channel speaker wires for all required inputs? My stock stereo is only a 4 channel so I have to use the rears for channels 3 and 4 plus the subwoofer. It would save some hassle if I could jump them 3x instead of running wire all the way from the front of the car for input and then running another set of wires all the way back up to the front speakers for output.
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield
on 5/19/2022
Richard, If the rear channels are producing full-range signal, yes you can use them for your amp's inputs. If the bass or treble has been rolled off, attenuated, then you'll need to find some other source, like the front channels.
-
Chris Hansen from Vaughn
Posted on 4/3/2022
If I only have two sets of rca's out of my stereo and am running an jl audio m800/8 should I just run it in 4 channel in mode, or y off rca's to fill up all 8 inputs? I am using all 8 channels out of amp.
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield
on 4/4/2022
Chris, If you have two sets, four total, RCA outputs of your receiver, then by all means, use the 4-channel input setting to get eight outputs.
-
Chris Hansen from Vaughn
Posted on 3/26/2022
Running all jl audio equipment. Just asking about rca hook up. Running head unit mm50, has two pairs rca out and one pair sub out. Amps are m800/8 running 6 pair 6.5 m3 and one m10ib5 second amp is 750/1 running one 10w7. Third amp is 600/4 running pair m880-ccx and one m10ib5. Plan was to run one set to m880 second set to 600/4 and third sub rca's to 750/1. Is this the best way? I have heard it's better to run all 8 channels into the m880 but is it worth splitting them up with y's?
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield
on 3/29/2022
Chris, If your amplifiers don't have preamp outputs to help distribute input signals, Y-cords will work.
The easiest way to shop car audio online
Find what Fits your vehicle
Remove
Checking fit...
Related products
Loading...
Adding...
$64.95 each
Loading...
Adding...
$149.99
Loading...
Adding...
$279.95
Loading...
Adding...
$289.95
Related articles & videos
See all
- Car amplifier buying guide How much power and how many channels should your amp have? How much power do your car speakers need? This guide will help you choose the right amplifier for your car's sound system. by Crutchfield's Buck P.
- How to install a car amplifier Check out this overview of a typical installation to see the steps involved when you install an amplifier in your vehicle. by Crutchfield's Zak B.
- Speaker-level inputs or line output converter (LOC)? Most aftermarket car amplifiers feature speaker-level inputs, so the amps can be used with a factory stereo system. However, many amps aren't capable of handling the complex signals in today's cars. We'll help you figure out when an amp alone isn't enough and which amplifiers are up to the task. by Crutchfield's Buck P.
- Car amplifier installation guide Here's a step-by-step guide to installing a car amplifier, including how to run the cables through your car and how to wire the amp. by Crutchfield's Buck P.
- 12 tips for the best sound quality in your car These car audio tips can help improve sound quality in your vehicle, whether you're listening on a factory system or a multi-channel amplified setup. Read on for advice from our experts. by Crutchfield's Dave D.
- Subwoofer wiring diagrams There are many ways to connect subwoofers to an amplifier. Our wiring diagrams will help you find the best way to wire your subs and amps so you'll get the most powerful performance out of your gear. by Crutchfield's Buck P.
- Amplifier wire gauge chart What size of wire should you should use when installing an amplifier? Use our handy wire gauge chart to find out. Without proper wiring, your amplifier can't deliver the power that your speakers need. by Crutchfield's Buck P.
- Tuning your subs What does the gain control do anyway? How should you set the low-pass filter? This article describes how to tune your amplifier so that your subwoofer sounds just the way you want it to. by Crutchfield's Buck P.
- Adding an amp to an amplified or premium factory system Replacing your car's speakers and adding an amplifier are the best ways to improve sound quality. Speakers are easy. Amplifiers are more difficult in many modern vehicles. In this article, we discuss three different scenarios describing how to add an amplifier to a vehicle that has a factory amp. by Crutchfield's Buck P.
Compare the sound
SpeakerCompare™
Patented Virtual Audio™ technology for auditioning speakers online
Recommended
You can change this setting any time by clicking 'Headphones' in the main menu.
Don't see your headphones?
Rent our Listening Kit
SpeakerCompare™ is protected by patents and patent applications owned by Crutchfield Corporation.
SpeakerCompare™
Patented Virtual Audio™ technology
Audition speakers before you buy
SpeakerCompare simulates the sound of home and car speakers through your headphones. It lets you compare sonic characteristics between speakers so that you can make a more informed shopping decision.
To get started: For the best sound comparison, we recommend selecting your brand and model of headphones in the right-hand column, or if your headphones aren't listed, you can rent one of our Listening Kits.
SpeakerCompare™ is protected by patents and patent applications owned by Crutchfield Corporation.
Start here
SpeakerCompare™
Please turn active noise cancelling off for best results
...
What to listen for
Track notes
Artist:
- analyzer
- log
- linear
- messages
We're here to help
For free personalized advice, call 1-888-291-8923. Our Advisors have listened to most of the speakers we carry, and can help you make the best choice for your system.
We'd love to know what you think
Select your headphones
Recommended
You can change this setting any time by clicking 'Headphones' in the main menu.
Don't see your headphones?
Rent our Listening Kit
Select a track to start listening
Audition speakers before you buy
SpeakerCompare simulates the sound of home and car speakers through your headphones. It lets you compare sonic characteristics between speakers so that you can make a more informed shopping decision.
Why selecting your headphones is important
SpeakerCompare tailors your listening experience to the exact headphones you have, so that what you hear is comparable to auditioning speakers side-by-side in person. Knowing which model headphones you’re using lets us remove any sonic coloring from your experience.
Two different listening modes
In an actual listening room, you'd find that some speakers play louder than others when fed the same amount of power. In equal power mode, you'll hear these differences in loudness as they naturally occur between speakers.
In equal volume mode, we've made the loudness of each speaker about the same. This gives you a more direct comparison of subtle voicing differences between speakers.
Nothing beats listening to speakers in your space
SpeakerCompare gives you a sense of the sonic differences. But performance in the real world is affected by the acoustics of your car or home, your choice of amplification, and your source material. We still believe that the gold standard for auditioning speakers is hearing them in your own environment — that’s why we offer a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Our Listening Kit
To help you choose the right speakers, we recommend using Crutchfield’s SpeakerCompare Listening Kit. It includes a pair of studio-quality headphones, and a guide to getting the most out of your session, and a few other necessary items. We’ve carefully chosen the components of this kit to ensure a crystal-clear listening experience. It’s available for a nominal rental fee, and includes a $25 Crutchfield merchandise credit.
Request a kit
Rate your experience with SpeakerCompare
Thank you for your feedback!
Product preview
Color:
Continue listening
We'd love to know what you think
