Car radio speaker wiring question...

[lspencer534]

I recently posted about replacing the rear speakers in my El Camino. That was the thread about putting 6 x 8 speakers in a 6 x 9 enclosures, (BTW, the fit fine.)

The speaker wires from the radio are your typical solid gold color and gold with a black tracer. The set of wires from one speaker are brown and brown with a black stripe. The set of wires from the other speaker are white and white with a black stripe. I don't understand why the wires from the speakers are colored differently. Any significance?

And do I just connect solid-color wire to solid-color wire and striped wire to striped wire?

[simpleman68]

I recently posted about replacing the rear speakers in my El Camino. That was the thread about putting 6 x 8 speakers in a 6 x 9 enclosures, (BTW, the fit fine.)

The speaker wires from the radio are your typical solid gold color and gold with a black tracer. The set of wires from one speaker are brown and brown with a black stripe. The set of wires from the other speaker are white and white with a black stripe. I don't understand why the wires from the speakers are colored differently. Any significance?

And do I just connect solid-color wire to solid-color wire and striped wire to striped wire?

Different manufacturers use a wide range of color combinations to identify individual channels as well as + or - for each channel.

Be careful not to miswire any speakers. Most of the time you'll just have one driver out of phase but you could also overload the head units built in ss amp or damage a speaker with clipping/distortion.

Shoot me a pm if you need any additional help. I've done mobile installs since the mid 80s. :cert:
Scott

[simpleman68]

Just realized the other portion of your question.

The color used on the head units wiring will almost never match the wire, if supplied, by the speaker manufacturer.

They also seldom match the wire harness/adapter that is custom made for your vehicle.

You just have to use the diagram from each so that front left speaker output wires match the front left speaker for + and -.
Most of the time the black tracer is used as the - channel; usually but not always.

If you get stuck, you can also use the fader and balance buttons on the radio to isolate each channel so you know which one you have. :cert:
Scott

[lspencer534]

Scott. is a factory radio in a 1987 El Camino that sophisticated? I mean, does it have individual channels as well as + or - for each channel?

[Bill]

Scott. is a factory radio in a 1987 El Camino that sophisticated? I mean, does it have individual channels as well as + or - for each channel?



You are just replacing speakers. You shouldn't have to worry with what channel goes where. The car (truck?) wiring is already in place. You just need to make sure you attach a + to a + and vice versa.

I'll have the same project, as I blew out a woofer in my T/A's sail panel and need to replace the pair. I ordered the replacements from Crutchfield, specifically because they include instructions for installation in my specific model car.....including which existing wire is + and -.

[lspencer534]

You are just replacing speakers. You shouldn't have to worry with what channel goes where. The car (truck?) wiring is already in place. You just need to make sure you attach a + to a + and vice versa.

I'll have the same project, as I blew out a woofer in my T/A's sail panel and need to replace the pair. I ordered the replacements from Crutchfield, specifically because they include instructions for installation in my specific model car.....including which existing wire is + and -.

Crutchfield = money.

Thank you! :cert:

[Bill]

Crutchfield = money.

Thank you! :cert:

Yes, you could probably find the same stuff they sell cheaper (or in your case, free in the mail), but I think they have a solid business plan by giving you the support you need to successfully install their stuff. I put a head unit and cd changer in a previous truck. The equipment came with the dash plate I needed as well as misc. supplies, and the instructions I needed to not make a costly mistake while doing the install. Totally worth it, to me.



Note: I have no financial interest or affiliation with the aforementioned company.

[lspencer534]

Yes, you could probably find the same stuff they sell cheaper (or in your case, free in the mail), but I think they have a solid business plan by giving you the support you need to successfully install their stuff. I put a head unit and cd changer in a previous truck. The equipment came with the dash plate I needed as well as misc. supplies, and the instructions I needed to not make a costly mistake while doing the install. Totally worth it, to me.



Note: I have no financial interest or affiliation with the aforementioned company.

I bought most of the electronics in my house from Crutchfield. Nothing but great quality and service.