YACAT: Want to put a sub in my sister's 2001 Civic and keep the factory HU.

[Shawn]

Her stereo sounds really dull and I already have a sub and an amp just laying around so I thought I'd give it to her. I'm not going to have her spend money for a new head unit or speakers so I just want to hook it up to the factory stereo.

I know that you can connect the factory speaker outputs to the high level inputs on the amp but that's only if you want to use the amp to power the speakers. How would I connect the amp if I still want the head unit to power the speakers? Could I just tap into the rear speaker wires? Wouldn't this steal power from the speakers? Is there anyway around this? Thanks!

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: Shawn
Her stereo sounds really dull and I already have a sub and an amp just laying around so I thought I'd give it to her. I'm not going to have her spend money for a new head unit or speakers so I just want to hook it up to the factory stereo.

I know that you can connect the factory speaker outputs to the high level inputs on the amp but that's only if you want to use the amp to power the speakers. How would I connect the amp if I still want the head unit to power the speakers?

Same way

Could I just tap into the rear speaker wires?

Yup

Wouldn't this steal power from the speakers?

Marginally and indirectly. That is, not enough to worry about. Honda uses the same decks in many cars and they all have power for rears. They just don't install speakers but the power's there.

Is there anyway around this? Thanks!

Around what?

 

[RagingBITCH]

Yea, just tap the rear speaker wires. The rear speakers are just for fill anyway, who cares if it steals "marginal" power anyway. That's what I did in my Accord.

 

[Shawn]

Well she already has rear speakers. I was just thinking that tapping into them would degrade the sound even more.

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Yea, just tap the rear speaker wires. The rear speakers are just for fill anyway, who cares if it steals "marginal" power anyway. That's what I did in my Accord.

Ok then, thanks.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: Shawn
Well she already has rear speakers. I was just thinking that tapping into them would degrade the sound even more.

Oh yeah. Just throw those in the gutter.

Or save them for when she sells the car.

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: Shawn
Well she already has rear speakers. I was just thinking that tapping into them would degrade the sound even more.

Oh yeah. Just throw those in the gutter.

Or save them for when she sells the car.

well assuming you spend 150+ on some front components.

 

[SearchMaster]

I recently bought a Bazooka tube for the same purpose (~$90 from Circuit City). It has a 50 amp sub built in....I'm sure I'll be flamed out of existence, but I am thrilled with it. It's an easy installation, it provides EXACTLY the punch I was looking for, and it takes a lot of load off the existing speakers so they are able to deliver midrange more accurately. I wasn't looking for something to rattle the cars next to me. The existing speakers (non-factory) had near zero bass response, so to get any punch at all I'd have to turn the bass up to distorting levels. Now I can keep the bass levels normal but the Bazooka still does its job.

I would definitely recommend it for what it seems you're seeking. It's not an audiophile's dream but you'll be surprised how much better it will make the existing system sound.