A car audio amplifier will improve the sound of your car audio system, no matter what volume you like to listen to your music at. Amplifiers can be used to power full-range speakers, reproducing the highs and lows with excellent power and clarity, or they can be used to power subwoofers for profound and beefy lows. However you want to use your amplifier, there are some important things to consider and plan before you start installing it.
Location
An ideal location will combine several elements, including security, convenience and aesthetics. In most cases, it's a good idea to place the amp in a location that isn't readily apparent to outside observers, so it's less of a target for thieves. Obviously, if you want to show off your car audio system and amplifier, that's a moot point. Convenience dictates a location where the amp is easily accessible for adjustments, and is close to power and speaker connections. If you want to show off your amp, aesthetics are important--you want the amp to look good.
In most sedans, the trunk fits the bill very well as an amp location. Trucks present more challenges, but behind or below the seats is often a good location. An SUV doesn't have a trunk, so mounting the amplifier under the seat is often the best location to place the amp.
Selecting Proper Wiring
The wires connecting into and out of your amplifier perform the important functions of carrying power, providing input signals and sending signals to the speakers. Poor quality wires and cables, or wires that are too thin, can degrade the amplifier's performance.
For power cables, use eight-gauge wire at a minimum. If the amplifier has an RMS wattage output of over 250 watts, step up to four-gauge wire. Consult your amplifier's manual for recommendations, and remember that it's never bad to use thicker wire (lower gauge number).
Input RCA cables that carry the signal to your amplifier should be of good quality and shielded for automotive use. Gold-plated connectors transfer signal more efficiently and resist oxidation.
Speaker wire follows the same principle as power wire--the thicker the better. For most auto applications 14-gauge speaker wire is an excellent choice. If powering a large subwoofer, step up to 12-gauge wire.
Routing the Wiring
There are three sets of wires that you'll need to route to install your amplifier: power and ground, input wiring and output wiring.
The power and ground wiring provides the 12-volt signal path that's necessary for the amplifier to operate. A power cable will need to be run from the battery to the amplifier, and a ground cable from the amplifier to a grounding point on the car body. To run the power cable from the battery to the amplifier you'll need to route the cable through the firewall and then to the amplifier location. Look underneath the dashboard for spots where cables are routed into the car's interior from the engine compartment. In many cases, you can also push your power cable through one of these openings as well. In cases where you can't, a hole can be drilled through the firewall, and the cable passed through a rubber grommet you install in the hole. Once in the car interior, remove the scuff plates by the door and roll back the carpet--lay the power cable underneath the carpet alongside the door, and route it back to the amplifier location. If the amp's in the trunk, you can usually find a small opening underneath the rear seat that provides access.
The input wiring usually consists of a set or more of RCA cables attached to the back of the car stereo, and then routed to the amplifier. Feed the cables behind the dashboard and then down into the kick panels. From their run the cables underneath the carpeting, using the method described above.
Output wiring is the speaker wiring that runs from the amplifier to the speakers or subwoofer. If you're attaching the amplifier to a sub, the task is simple and clearcut, as the sub is usually very close to the amplifier. In cases where you're running speaker wiring to speakers in the car, you'll need to use the same principles outlined above--roll the carpet back and work your wiring to its destination underneath the carpet.
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