How to wire DB651's to current amp?

tarlyn

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_236T6304/MTX-Thunder6304.html?tp=115&tab=features_and_specs

I have this MTX amp that I have not been using and would like to hook it up to my rear db651's.

I am wiring dumb and would love some ideas on how to best wire the amp to the 2 rear speakers.

Thanks for any input!!!

LBrize

Do you have your front speakers on an amp?

Here's what I'm assuming... You currently have everything running from the power of your in dash unit. Is it factory?

If it is factory, you will need an adapter so that you can hook up the amp. What it does is, it takes the wires that hook to your rear speakers, and converts them to a level that your amplifier can accept. Here's a link:
http://www.autosoundcentral.com/Add_an_Amplifier_Adapters_s/29.htm

If you already have an aftermarket CD player (like Pioneer, Alpine, JVC, etc.)
Then you will need to run RCA cables (Walmart has them really cheap in the car stereo dept.--you should get ones that are long enough to run from behind the stereo to wherever you are putting the amplifier. So, here's what you do (in this case):
1. Remove your CD player from the dash, and run the RCA cable from the back of the stereo through the dash, and have the cable come out in the floor on the driver's or passenger's side.
2. Hook up the RCA cable to the Rear Preamp Outputs on the back of the stereo. If your stereo only has one set of preamp outputs, just hook the RCA cables there. ALSO: There will be a blue wire with the installation kit you buy from wherever. This blue wire will connect to the blue wire coming from the back of your CD player. It is called the remote turn on lead, and this wire will turn your amp on when you turn on the stereo. Be sure to connect it to the back of the stereo, and run it along the same path you run the RCA cables. Reinstall the CD player back into the dash.
3. Take the screws out of the trim that runs along the floor where your door opens. Pull back the carpet a bit, and run the RCA cable along the floor under the carpet, back to the amp. The blue wire will run right along side these RCA cables, also from the CD player, under the carpet, and back to the amp.
4. Many people like to run the power cable on the opposite side as the RCA cable, to avoid noise interference possibilities, but if you get a good RCA cable, that shouldn't be a problem. Now that I think about it, you can get an entire amplifier wiring kit at WalMart for like $20-40. It will have all the wires you need. So, next is running the power wire. You will need to find some acess from inside your car to under the hood. This is usually pretty easy to find once you pull back the carpet from where the gas/brake pedals are. Just shove the red power wire through there, it's called the firewall, then go under the hood and pull the wire to the battery. Be sure to allow the power wire space to not touch any moving parts, or the motor, or exhaust, so it won't melt and burn your car down. Use some zip ties to secure the power wire after it is installed to the battery. In the installation kit, there will most likely be a large fuse assembly that will allow you to connect the power wire to the positive terminal (red one) on your battery. Take the fuse out, then you can secure the fuse assembly/wire to the battery. If you don't have a fuse, don't connect the red wire to the battery terminal until you've finished everything else.
3. Run the power wire similar to the way you did the RCA cable, under the carpet, back to the amp.
4. The black wire in the kit is the ground wire. Just find something metal in your trunk that is part of the vehicle's body. Attach the black wire to something metal, and run it to your amp.
5. Be sure the Red power wire is not yet connected to the battery, either by having the fuse out, or having the wire not yet connected.
6. Connect the Blac wire to the Ground, or (-) on the amp. There will be three screws right in a row, usually three larger screws. The black wire should be first, key out of the ignition.
7. Next, connect the blue wire to the screw in the middle. This is the Remote wire (that's how it should be labeled).
8. Connect the RCA cables to the INPUT on the amplifier. Just match the colors.
9. Connect the Red wire to the Positive (+), the last of the three screws that are together.
10. Now, according to the speakers you have, you can either bridge the amp (gives the speakers a lot of power), or run it in stereo mode. If you choose to run it in stereo, Make sure the RCA cables are connected to the REAR INPUT jacks. If you run it in BRIDGED mode, the amp should have the inputs labeled so you will know where to plug the RCA cables.
11. If in stereo mode, I'm going to assume that the speaker output screws you will want to use are on the bottom (the two rows of smaller screws). L+,L- will go to the driver's side rear speaker. Be sure to connect the + to the + on your speaker. R+, R- to the passenger's rear speaker.
12. If you are running in BRIDGED mode, you will want to be careful not to blow your speakers when playing at high volume. How to connect? Look on the amp. many times the top row, you will connect for the left speaker, by connecting the L+ with the R- on the top row, and running that to your driver's left rear speaker. Then, the bottom will usually be L+, R-, running to the passenger's side rear speaker. There may be a diagram on the amp that may indicate a different wiring configuration, so see if there's one on there. If not, that is usually the way it is.
13. Now that the RCA, Remote turn on, Power, and Ground are all connected, you will want to screw the amp down where you want it, and hide the wires, zip tie them into place.
14. Make sure you don't have any loose wires.
15. Connect the power wire to the battery, either by installing the fuse or connecting the wire to the battery.
16. Your amp will work now, but it will need to be adjusted to give you the best sound.
According to your CD player, there is a sensitivity screw on the amp. You can choose to turn it wherever you want. The higher you turn it, the louder the amp will be at a lower volume setting on your CD player, but the faster the amp will peak it's power output, so somewhere in the middle is good until you get used to the settings.
There is a High-Pass filter (either a switch or an inset turnie screw). you will want to turn this on, or turn the screw about half way. This will keep DEEP bass notes from destroying your speakers.
If you have bass notes popping your speakers, turn the screw clockwise. Please don't let your speakers pop while adjusting, turn the volume down, adjust, then turn the volume back up until the pop is not there, at the desired volume.
If there's a bass boost or something like that on the amp, I'd suggest either turning it off, or REALLY watching the volume control. You can blow speakers pretty easy with an amp like this.

Okay, now it's adjusted, and you should have a good sound from your rear speakers. Oh, if there's a low pass, turn it off. If it's on, you won't really hear anything from your rear speakers, except a low level thud. The low pass is for running subwoofers with the amp.

I almost forgot! If you have a factory stereo, use the adapter. Just remove the wires from your rear speakers, connect them to the proper wire inputs on the adapter, then run SHORT RcA cables from the adapter to the amp. Everything else is the same. Again, if you have a factory stereo, you will not need to run the long RcA cables from the CD player to the rear of the car. About the remote turn on (blue wire) ask me later if this is the case. There may be one on the adapter that will run directly to the amp, or you may have to run one from your factory wiring. If you do have to use the factory wiring, I'll let you know what to do after I know the make and model of your vehicle.

Please be advised--I have installed for YEARS, but if I've said anything that is wrong, or if for whatever reason in the world your amp, car, speakers, anything, is damaged or blows up, or catches on fire, or anything else negative happens as a result of you following these directions, I am not liable in any way for anything. By using these instructions, you agree to that statement.

Now that that stuff is out of the way, I hope this helps, and if you have any questions, post them and I'll try to answer!