Car equalizer hook up help please

[computer]

Hey guys, are any of you familiar with how a car equalizer hooks up? I haven't messed with one these since the 70's and I can't remember. It's a passive 7-band w/subwoofer connections.

There is a "Low-level input" L+R RCA jacks. Does this go to the head unit or amp?

Then a Front and Rear L+R (and sub L+R) RCA jacks, does that go to the head unit or amp?

Then there is the wires. Ground, 12v, and remote (car acc.) are self-explanatory. But there's 4 wires that are + & - "Input" (Left input + and - and same for the Right). That's what has me confused. Are these used if the Front and Rear L&R jacks are NOT used, or are these also used? If so, where do they connect? Obviously speakers aren't connected to them since they are input.

Thanks.

 

[computer]

^

 

[robisc]

The RCA inputs are from the head unit, the RCA outputs go to your amps. The other wires are for HUs that have no line level outputs, so in that case your speakers wires out would go to these connectors.

 

[computer]

Originally posted by: robisc
The RCA inputs are from the head unit, the RCA outputs go to your amps. The other wires are for HUs that have no line level outputs, so in that case your speakers wires out would go to these connectors.

Thanks for replying. Ok, so if you don't have an amp, where do the RCA outputs go, to the HU receiver?

 

[Raduque]

Originally posted by: computer

Originally posted by: robisc
The RCA inputs are from the head unit, the RCA outputs go to your amps. The other wires are for HUs that have no line level outputs, so in that case your speakers wires out would go to these connectors.

Thanks for replying. Ok, so if you don't have an amp, where do the RCA outputs go, to the HU receiver?

The signal can't go back into the HU. It has to go to an amp. Unless the equalizer has speaker outputs of it's own and an amp inside the EQ.

 

[jemcam]

I'll bet if you google for a manual online you'll find it. All you should need is a make and model of the amp.

 

[KoolAidKid]

Without knowing the features of your EQ makes it a bit of a guess. Assuming that you have a head unit, EQ, and external amplifier...

If you have preamp outputs on the back of your HU:
-run RCAs from the preamp outputs to the low-level input jacks on the EQ
-run RCAs from the output jacks on the EQ to the low-level input jacks of your amp
-connect your speaker wires to the output of the amp

If you have no preamp outputs on your HU:
A) prefered way: get a line output converter such as one of these.
-connect the speaker wires coming from your HU to the inputs of the LOC
-connect the outputs of the LOC to the low-level inputs of the EQ
-run RCAs from the output jacks on the EQ to the low-level input jacks of your amp
-connect your speaker wires to the output of the amp

B) The other way, this only works if your amp has high level inputs
-connect the speaker wires coming from your HU to the +/- input wire terminals on the EQ
-run RCAs from the output jacks on the EQ to the high-level input jacks of your amp
-connect your speaker wires to the output of the amp

 

[Dead3ye]

Originally posted by: KoolAidKid
Without knowing the features of your EQ makes it a bit of a guess. Assuming that you have a head unit, EQ, and external amplifier...

If you have preamp outputs on the back of your HU:
-run RCAs from the preamp outputs to the low-level input jacks on the EQ
-run RCAs from the output jacks on the EQ to the low-level input jacks of your amp
-connect your speaker wires to the output of the amp

This is right.

If you have no preamp outputs on your HU:
A) prefered way: get a line output converter such as one of these.
-connect the speaker wires coming from your HU to the inputs of the LOC
-connect the outputs of the LOC to the low-level inputs of the EQ
-run RCAs from the output jacks on the EQ to the low-level input jacks of your amp
-connect your speaker wires to the output of the amp

He doesn't need and LOC, the equalizer he has already has one built in. Just connect the speaker outputs from the HU to the input wires on the EQ.

B) The other way, this only works if your amp has high level inputs
-connect the speaker wires coming from your HU to the +/- input wire terminals on the EQ
-run RCAs from the output jacks on the EQ to the high-level input jacks of your amp
-connect your speaker wires to the output of the amp

Will not work. The line level RCA ouputs from the EQ will not put out near enough voltage to drive the speaker level input on an amp. Whether you use the speaker or RCA inputs on the EQ, it will convert the output signal to line level.

The EQ the OP has will require an amp, and one that has line level inputs, no matter what. That's why it's called "passive".

 

[Juddog]

Give it back to the guy you stole it from and ask for another with a manual.

 

[Farbio]

perhaps if you explained what you're wanting to do exactly, it would help us tell you how to hook it up? from what its soundling like so far, this is not something that would work for you as you're trying to connect an eq that changes the signals sent to an amp, but you have no amp.....

 

[computer]

Originally posted by: jemcam
I'll bet if you google for a manual online you'll find it. All you should need is a make and model of the amp.

I spent a while doing that before I posted an incredibly found nothing.

 

[computer]

Originally posted by: Juddog
Give it back to the guy you stole it from and ask for another with a manual.

Like I said, I LOST the manual. We had to move a whole bunch of items during hurricane Katrina because we flooded. The box never was sealed and it probably fell out then. I even scanned the specs from the manual before it disappeared.

 

[computer]

Originally posted by: Raduque

Originally posted by: computer

Originally posted by: robisc
The RCA inputs are from the head unit, the RCA outputs go to your amps. The other wires are for HUs that have no line level outputs, so in that case your speakers wires out would go to these connectors.

Thanks for replying. Ok, so if you don't have an amp, where do the RCA outputs go, to the HU receiver?

The signal can't go back into the HU. It has to go to an amp. Unless the equalizer has speaker outputs of it's own and an amp inside the EQ.

(No, the EQ is passive). So you're saying it will ONLY work with a HU and an amp? Not just a receiver alone?

 

[computer]

Originally posted by: Farbio
perhaps if you explained what you're wanting to do exactly, it would help us tell you how to hook it up? from what its soundling like so far, this is not something that would work for you as you're trying to connect an eq that changes the signals sent to an amp, but you have no amp.....

Someone bought it and I don't know their exact app yet, but I asked and I'll know shortly.

 

[computer]

Dead3ye and KoolAidKid, I don't know which of you is correct. In my original post I mentioned all the connections on it. Here they are again:

_
_| L
_ LOW-LEVEL INPUT
_| R

_
_| L
_ SUBWOOFER
_| R

_
_| L
_ FRONT
_| R

_
_| L
_ RIGHT
_| R

_______________________ GROUND (black of course)

_______________________ 12V (red of course)

_______________________ "CAR ST. ACC B+" (orange, I guess that's the remote on?)

_______________________ INPUT LEFT -

_______________________ INPUT LEFT +

_______________________ INPUT RIGHT -

_______________________ INPUT RIGHT +


I'm not sure why there's a red 12v+ and that orange remote on.

Hopefully from that it will tell you more.
Thanks guys.

 

[computer]

Originally posted by: Dead3ye
B) The other way, this only works if your amp has high level inputs
-connect the speaker wires coming from your HU to the +/- input wire terminals on the EQ
-run RCAs from the output jacks on the EQ to the high-level input jacks of your amp
-connect your speaker wires to the output of the amp

Will not work. The line level RCA ouputs from the EQ will not put out near enough voltage to drive the speaker level input on an amp. Whether you use the speaker or RCA inputs on the EQ, it will convert the output signal to line level.

The EQ the OP has will require an amp, and one that has line level inputs, no matter what. That's why it's called "passive".
[/quote]
Is everyone in agreement on that--this EQ MUST be used with a separate HU and amp?

 

[Dead3ye]

Originally posted by: computer

Originally posted by: Dead3ye
B) The other way, this only works if your amp has high level inputs
-connect the speaker wires coming from your HU to the +/- input wire terminals on the EQ
-run RCAs from the output jacks on the EQ to the high-level input jacks of your amp
-connect your speaker wires to the output of the amp

Will not work. The line level RCA ouputs from the EQ will not put out near enough voltage to drive the speaker level input on an amp. Whether you use the speaker or RCA inputs on the EQ, it will convert the output signal to line level.

The EQ the OP has will require an amp, and one that has line level inputs, no matter what. That's why it's called "passive".

Is everyone in agreement on that--this EQ MUST be used with a separate HU and amp?

[/quote]

I hate to sound pompous here, but I'm right. I've installed more car stereo systems on my own time than I would care to admit. No, I never did it for a living like at Circuit City or somewhere like that.

If those are your only connections, you will need a separate amplifier. This EQ you have will let you connect to any HU out there, even factory units. The fact that it has line level and speaker level inputs allows this.

You could connect up to three separate amps, one for the front, rear, and sub. Or you could get a 4-channel amp to connect the fronts and rears.

The orange wire is the remote turn on. Usually after market HUs will have the remote turn wire output, some factory units will as well. When you turn off your HU, the EQ will turn off. Your amps and possibly a automatically retractable antenna would connect to the same wire.

I'll poke around and see if I can come up with a generic drawing...

 

[computer]

Originally posted by: Dead3ye
I hate to sound pompous here, but I'm right. I've installed more car stereo systems on my own time than I would care to admit. No, I never did it for a living like at Circuit City or somewhere like that.

If those are your only connections, you will need a separate amplifier. This EQ you have will let you connect to any HU out there, even factory units. The fact that it has line level and speaker level inputs allows this.

You could connect up to three separate amps, one for the front, rear, and sub. Or you could get a 4-channel amp to connect the fronts and rears.

The orange wire is the remote turn on. Usually after market HUs will have the remote turn wire output, some factory units will as well. When you turn off your HU, the EQ will turn off. Your amps and possibly a automatically retractable antenna would connect to the same wire.

I'll poke around and see if I can come up with a generic drawing...

I'm a bit confused on this line: "If those are your only connections, you will need a separate amplifier. This EQ you have will let you connect to any HU out there, even factory units. The fact that it has line level and speaker level inputs allows this." Did you see the diagram of the connections in my post above? Are you saying if the connections in that diagram are my "only connections" I need a separate amp, or the latter the EQ I have will let me "connect to any HU out there, even factory units."?

On the remote turn-on, does that AND the red 12v wire have to be connected or just the remote turn-on wire is enough? Both seem redundant.
Thanks.

 

[Farbio]

Originally posted by: computer

Originally posted by: Dead3ye
I hate to sound pompous here, but I'm right. I've installed more car stereo systems on my own time than I would care to admit. No, I never did it for a living like at Circuit City or somewhere like that.

If those are your only connections, you will need a separate amplifier. This EQ you have will let you connect to any HU out there, even factory units. The fact that it has line level and speaker level inputs allows this.

You could connect up to three separate amps, one for the front, rear, and sub. Or you could get a 4-channel amp to connect the fronts and rears.

The orange wire is the remote turn on. Usually after market HUs will have the remote turn wire output, some factory units will as well. When you turn off your HU, the EQ will turn off. Your amps and possibly a automatically retractable antenna would connect to the same wire.

I'll poke around and see if I can come up with a generic drawing...

I'm a bit confused on this line: "If those are your only connections, you will need a separate amplifier. This EQ you have will let you connect to any HU out there, even factory units. The fact that it has line level and speaker level inputs allows this." Did you see the diagram of the connections in my post above? Are you saying if the connections in that diagram are my "only connections" I need a separate amp, or the latter the EQ I have will let me "connect to any HU out there, even factory units."?

On the remote turn-on, does that AND the red 12v wire have to be connected or just the remote turn-on wire is enough? Both seem redundant.
Thanks.

the line level inputs mean that you don't have to have an aftermarket HU w/ RCA outputs - i.e., you could cut into the speaker wires on your deck now and use those instead of an RCA input. after inputing the signal this way though, it must be output somewhere - in this case, it has to go to an amp as there are only RCA outputs - I don't know of too many speakers with RCA inputs

the reason for both arer because you hook the 12v lead up to an always hot line, be it the amp power or direct wire to the battery. the turn on lead therefore, tells the eq when the car/stereo is actually being used and for it to turn on itself. usually, there is also a delay or 'soft' turnon built in there so the moment u turn on the car, you aren't blasted out.

 

[computer]

Thank you, sorry but I'm still not clear on if this EQ must be used with a separate amp or if it can be used with a stereo only. If the stereo/HU has RCA in and out jacks, then it can be used with that setup?

Back in my day, if you hooked something up to the 12v line, it was always drawing current and would be a battery drain. So you only used the remote turn-on type of connections so a device would only be on when you turned it on via the ignition key being "on" or on "accessory". Are you saying this is not the case now and both the red 12v line AND the orange "CAR ST. ACC B+" wire has to be hooked up?

 

[Dead3ye]

Originally posted by: computer

Originally posted by: Dead3ye
I hate to sound pompous here, but I'm right. I've installed more car stereo systems on my own time than I would care to admit. No, I never did it for a living like at Circuit City or somewhere like that.

If those are your only connections, you will need a separate amplifier. This EQ you have will let you connect to any HU out there, even factory units. The fact that it has line level and speaker level inputs allows this.

You could connect up to three separate amps, one for the front, rear, and sub. Or you could get a 4-channel amp to connect the fronts and rears.

The orange wire is the remote turn on. Usually after market HUs will have the remote turn wire output, some factory units will as well. When you turn off your HU, the EQ will turn off. Your amps and possibly a automatically retractable antenna would connect to the same wire.

I'll poke around and see if I can come up with a generic drawing...

I'm a bit confused on this line: "If those are your only connections, you will need a separate amplifier. This EQ you have will let you connect to any HU out there, even factory units. The fact that it has line level and speaker level inputs allows this." Did you see the diagram of the connections in my post above? Are you saying if the connections in that diagram are my "only connections" I need a separate amp, or the latter the EQ I have will let me "connect to any HU out there, even factory units."?

On the remote turn-on, does that AND the red 12v wire have to be connected or just the remote turn-on wire is enough? Both seem redundant.
Thanks.

Yes I saw your diagram. Let's separate my bolded quote above.

"If those are your only connections, you will need a separate amplifier."

The connections you have in your diagram tell me that you are gonna need an amplifier, period. Let's not confuse this anymore. You need to get a amp if you use this EQ.

"This EQ you have will let you connect to any HU out there, even factory units. The fact that it has line level and speaker level inputs allows this."

This is a separate statement. Your going to be able to connect this EQ to ANY head unit because of it's inputs. You are going to still need to get an amplifier no matter what HU you use.

You need to connect to red wire to a 12 volt source, one that is on all the time. If not the EQ will not work.

You need to connect the orange wire to the remote turn on off the HU. If the HU does not have one, connect to a 12 volt line that turns on and off with your ignition. If you don't connect this wire, the EQ will never turn on. Do not connect this wire to a constant 12 volt source. If you do, the EQ will never turn off and kill your battery when the car is not running!

I can't make this any more simple. Good Luck.

 

[computer]

I gotcha now, thanks.

 

[computer]

(Disregard)