Amplifier wiring diagrams
How to add an amplifier to your car audio system
Some people think that installing an amplifier in their vehicle is hopelessly complicated and best left to a professional. That's an option, sure. But Crutchfield has been helping people realize they can do it themselves for over 40 years.
To that point, here are diagrams for a couple of typical amp installations to help you see how all the separate components fit together to form a car audio system.
The first diagram shows a total system upgrade using an aftermarket receiver, two amplifiers, and a subwoofer. The second is more specific. It shows you how to add a subwoofer to a factory system.
How to wire a full car audio system
This wiring diagram shows how a full-blown car audio system upgrade gets wired in a car. The system depicted includes new speakers, an aftermarket receiver, a 4-channel amp for the front and rear pairs of full-range speakers, and a mono amp for a subwoofer.
The extra gear you'll need for wiring the amps includes:
Capacitors aren't usually necessary in a car stereo installation but we included one here to show how it would get wired into a system.
How to add a subwoofer to a factory stereo
A lot of folks want to add bass to their system without replacing the factory radio, either because it looks good or is impossible to replace. The following wiring diagram shows the additional wiring you'll need to add a subwoofer to a factory system.
Start by getting a subwoofer amplifier or powered sub with speaker-level inputs. You'll need these items for the installation and to give it that professional touch:
- Use wire taps to get signal
- An Add A Fuse connector plus a 2A to 10A fuse to get the amp's remote turn-on voltage
- An amp wiring kit and some speaker wire
For further help understanding how to install your sub, check out our short videos How to add a subwoofer to a factory stereo and How to install a powered subwoofer.
Start building your system today
Now that you've seen how all the components and parts fit together, you can knowledgeably shop Crutchfield's extensive selection of car audio gear and start building your system.
Give us a call at 888-955-6000 and an Advisor will help you get what you need. If you want to learn more about installing amplifier systems, check out our Amplifier Installation Guide.
Jason from Edmonton
Posted on 11/27/2022
I have a 2004 Sebring and I just added an aftermarket BOSS head unit. I have a 500 watt sub amp and a 10" 1000 watt shallow sub that I removed from my truck that I sold. I plan on adding that as a starting point but eventually upgrading all the speakers, and adding two subs. What is a typical alternator output requirement for this kind of upgrade?
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield
on 11/28/2022
Dylan from Fairbanks, AK
Posted on 10/29/2022
You forgot to add the most critical information about the amplifier wiring - the power wire and ground wire must be identical if possible, at the very least they need to be the same gauge wire, preferably ofc with silver coat or something comparable
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield
on 10/29/2022
Patrick from Maricopa, AZ
Posted on 8/26/2022
Buck, I have a Kenwood HU that has 6 RCA jacks with 4 going to a Kicker 4 channel amp and 2 going to a 12 inch powered subwoofer in a Titan. The 4 channel and the subwoofer both need 8 gauge power wires. Should I run a (4 gauge?) to a distribution block and then an 8 gauge to each amp? What amp rating fuse do I need for the 4 gauge wire close to the battery. Do I need to run a fuse close to the distribution block for each 8 gauge wire to protect the 4 channel and sub individually ? The sub said to use a 20 amp on the power and the 4 channel 40 amp. Thanks!
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield
on 8/29/2022
Richard from Fort Worth
Posted on 5/17/2022
I just purchased a 5 channel amp from Crutchfield and I am keeping my stock stereo. When using the high level inputs, is it okay to use rear channel speaker wires for all required inputs? My stock stereo is only a 4 channel so I have to use the rears for channels 3 and 4 plus the subwoofer. It would save some hassle if I could jump them 3x instead of running wire all the way from the front of the car for input and then running another set of wires all the way back up to the front speakers for output.
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield
on 5/19/2022
Chris Hansen from Vaughn
Posted on 4/3/2022
If I only have two sets of rca's out of my stereo and am running an jl audio m800/8 should I just run it in 4 channel in mode, or y off rca's to fill up all 8 inputs? I am using all 8 channels out of amp.
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield
on 4/4/2022
Chris Hansen from Vaughn
Posted on 3/26/2022
Running all jl audio equipment. Just asking about rca hook up. Running head unit mm50, has two pairs rca out and one pair sub out. Amps are m800/8 running 6 pair 6.5 m3 and one m10ib5 second amp is 750/1 running one 10w7. Third amp is 600/4 running pair m880-ccx and one m10ib5. Plan was to run one set to m880 second set to 600/4 and third sub rca's to 750/1. Is this the best way? I have heard it's better to run all 8 channels into the m880 but is it worth splitting them up with y's?
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield
on 3/29/2022
Chris from Anchorage
Posted on 10/7/2021
Hands down MOST POINTLESS DIAGRAM!!
Christian Aitchison from Belgrade
Posted on 9/26/2021
Question about tapping into the factory stereo wires. Are you only tapping into the rear speakers or all the speakers? Also do you plug in the the wires back into the stereo after connecting the line output converter?
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield
on 9/28/2021
R.J. from Syracuse, NY
Posted on 9/8/2021
I am looking to replace the current Mach460 system in my Mustang with either components front and rear and 4 channel amp, or full range 6.5 and tweeter as well as sub(s) with mono amp. The question is while shopping what ohm load speakers should be purchased to create the most efficient and clean sounding setup? Part two of the question is wiring the 4 channel to those speakers, series, series-parallel or parallel?
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield
on 9/9/2021
Rodney Mullinax from Boron, Ca.
Posted on 8/16/2021
I have a 4 channel amp, (Blaupunkt) with a sub with a built-in amp, (Underseat JBL) I plan to run the 4ch to my 4 speakers and then the powered sub as well. Can I run a power block to split the power (4 ga. to 2X 8ga.)? Then split the remote turn on btwn them? Also run RCA's to the 4ch amp and run the 2 RCA out from the 4ch amp to the sub amp? Does this sound correct? Thank You
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield
on 8/17/2021