Stock Wiring

[UT01MP3]

Guys, gals, undecideds,

I just bought my MP3 2 weeks ago and the passanger side rear speaker was blown out by the previous owner so I figured, hey I have a pair of Planet Audio 6x9s I can throw in the holes, they're not top of the line but there equal to what's back there already. So I pull out the rear speakers and almost start to cry, why would Mazda create a car that's supposed to have premium sound and then run 20 gage wire? I mean come on... So now I'm looking at rerunning all my speakers wire and was just wonder, since I can't seem to find any thing on the net, at what load would I need to go beyond 12 gage wire, as that's what I'm looking to run?

 

[1sty]

So I pull out the rear speakers and almost start to cry, why would Mazda create a car that's supposed to have premium sound and then run 20 gage wire? QUOTE]

Becuase 20 gauge will easily handle the 15 watts rms the kenwood deck puts out. Unless your running a seperate 50 watt rms/channel amp, there is no need to upgrade the wiring.

A quote from www.mobileaudio.com FAQ section:

"In most cases, 16 or 18 gauge should be sufficient, with the possible exception of high-power subwoofers. According to an example by Jerry Williamson, using 18 gauge instead of 12 gauge would only result in a power loss of 0.1dB, which is essentially undetectable by humans."

 

[UT01MP3]

Thanks, good to know. I'll just wait till I go amplified then to rewire. Then I'll probably still just run 12, it's not like it's expensive. Guess I also need to find out where I'm picking up the interferance, it's only really noticable at low volume but it iritates me none the less.

 

[1sty]

what type of interference?

 

[UT01MP3]

what type of interference?

I pulled up the FAQ from the link you posted in your reply. Seems to have all the steps I need to figure it out. Basicly there's a high pitched whine when I accelerate based on the RPMs of the engine. So looks like it might be a gounding issue. Guess that's what I get for using the factory ground.

 

[1sty]

What is in the system?

 

[UT01MP3]

What is in the system?

Well basicly I have a Blaupunkt Casablanka Headunit hooked to the stock wiring, and kenwoods up front Planet Audio's in the back... the previous owner took the z919 and the sub when they traded in the car. Very basic setup, haven't hooked up any amps or any thing yet.

 

[1sty]

WIth just a radio, you should not be getting any noise. Try a new ground for the battery and if possible put in another deck to be certain your's isn't junk.

 

[UT01MP3]

I can throw a Pioneer in it easy enough... the sound was worse with the piece of junk the previous owner threw in it to fill the hole in the dash. I'm thinking it's the ground, guess I need to find a nice spot on the body to run some wire to.

I also don't remember any noise before I pulled the head unit out of my Saturn.

 

[1sty]

I can throw a Pioneer in it easy enough... the sound was worse with the piece of junk the previous owner threw in it to fill the hole in the dash. I'm thinking it's the ground, guess I need to find a nice spot on the body to run some wire to.

I also don't remember any noise before I pulled the head unit out of my Saturn.

Essentialy, its almost impossible to have noise in your setup. I would check the battery ground and then check all connections behind the radio and at the speakers.