Hey folks, time has come for me to install my audio setup in my 2k max.

The setup was previously installed in a mazda protege 1995 so I am very aware of the labor involved in this.

The setup :

HU : Eclipse CD4000
Components : 6.5" CDT HD-62 (180 wRMS @ 4 ohm)
Tweeters : 1" CDT DRT-25
Amp : Ed 9.2x (2 x 200wRMS @ 4 ohm)
Wiring : 4GA ground / power | 12GA for speakers

My project is seperated in two phase :

Phase 1 : Install the above setup ; Autumn 2010
Phase 2 : Subwoofer + Amp integration ; Spring 2011

On the other hand, the Max is quiet different than my previous car and I have few question :

Harness OEM to Eclipse ok
Eclipse Ipod integration ok
Dash kit ok
Wiring Power / Ground ok

My main concern is about the topics below :

Crossover integration ?
Wiring Speakers & tweeters to crossover ?

Previously, the Amp and the crossover were in the trunk. That said, it also means plenty of wires in the car, which is no really a problem. As for wiring the tweeters, I don't see any issue either. Rather, wiring the speakers is my biggest concern as the OEM GA size is 18 and I need 12 for my HDs. The OEM wire can handle 60-70wRMS, which is obviously not enough for my setup =] .

Don't get me wrong, I've read tons of info on the org and searched for hours (maybe not enough..) - Has anyone ever changed its OEM wiring to something bigger? If so, was it an easy job? Most of time it's a PITA but it's worth the effort...

Sorry for the long text, I believe more is better than less.
Ben

 

How about just running new wire from the back of the HU to all 4 corners?

 

I can't - this kind of setup involves RCA in the process, which "simplify" the HU integration but complexify the wiring part, especially with the components.

Long story short, both wires from components and tweeters must connect in the crossover and then in the Amp. The only interaction with the HU is from the RCA and the Remote.

Again, I do need to re-wire the Max, components & tweeters. So far, I didn't find someone who has done this (and I am still searching!).

Ben

 

Many people have rewired their max's. Many w/ bose have completely removed EVERYTHING bose and started from scratch

 

So then run your RCAs from the HU to the amp. Speaker wires from speakers to crossovers. Yes, many, many people in the hundreds if not thousands on here alone have had it done. It IS how things are done.

OEM is perfectly fine for your setup. Would I change it ? Yes, Im **** like that. But it is fine.

Who in the WORLD told you those speakers need 12Awg speaker wire ????

Who also told you OEM wires are good for 60-70 watt ? At what length ? You can power a pretty beefy amp right next to the battery with 8Awg, but I would highly recommend not doing such a thing to the trunk. Get the idea ? Length is relevant.

How much real world power do you think you are getting out of your eD amp ?

 

From what I've read on the .org, the OEM 18awg isn't sufficient to hold more than 70wRMS. Fake or real I don't know, but I can't take for granted that it will. Maybe 14awg would be ok...so basically you're saying 12awg is overkill, right?

The actual length is between 25' and 30' as for speakers (not measured yet). I have 4awg as for ground (5') and power (30').

Additional question : I've been told all speakers wires must be equal length, is it true?

As for the eD power, I can tell you I have previously toasted a set of HD-62's with the same amp. Does it pull a real 2 x 200wRMS @ 4ohm? Some companies underrate their product as other overrate them, I wouldn't be confident to make a commitment, but it certainly pulls at least 180wRMS @ 4ohm. However, I had them replaced under warranty (HD's) and I tuned them with an oscilloscope instead - no issues so far.

FYI, I've had this setup in my previous car with 12awg + HD's + eD and it was perfect. Overkill? Probably.

 

WTF do you have 30' of power wire for?

 

Considering I needed 23' in my previous setup in a much smaller car, I figured I'd need more (no s*** sherlock) . I'd be more than happy to know the correct length thus

 

All I know is that I used less than 20 going from my battery, through the firewall, and into my trunk

EDIT: probably less than 15. Just measure the total length of your car, and you should need about that much. Unless you plan on running in circles

Saved you some time-according to wiki your car is ~16ft long. You should need no more than 20ft of wire

EDIT 2: pearlmax can go in to more detail than me on this. IIRC its best to have the shortest amount of footage so there is less resistance on the energy going to your amp.

Call me out if I am wrong pearlmax

 

You my friend have been mislead in many ways. 18Awg can only handle 70watts ? lol So whether 20 or 200ft it has the same value ?

Because it 'toasted' your previous set means nothing. You do also realize musical power is not near what 'rated' power is, correct ?

30' of power wire ??? Is this a MACK or a Maxima ? Under 20' is well more than sufficient. Why your former Mazda 'needed' 23' is well beyond me.

 

Nope, you're good.

 

You said the 18awg (oem) would be correct - Please provide me either a chart or a formula that can help me understand this statement as ALOT of people do upgrade wires when it comes to upgrading components.

Yup, these are not focals but I'd be very surprised to acknowledge that CDT are throwing out false information (they told me to upgrade wires) especially when I don't buy wires from them. Again, charts & formulas are more than welcome my friend!

On the other hand, what is the counter-effect of having an overkill awg size? Ofc money, but what else?

As for the wire power length, thanks for the information.

FYI, I am still searching and seeking information as much as I can, thanks for the help.

 

Well one reason many people upgrade wiring, in bose at least, is because there is a spider of web of wire and bose sucks ***, compared to what can be had. So an easy way (not exactly easiest) is to trash all of the bose and rerun all of the wires. As for knowing what size is best, Im going to leave that to pearlmax because I dont completely grasp the concept.

EDIT: go read all of this
http://www.audioholics.com/education...er-cable-gauge

 

Interesting article, Tiger.

From what I've read, I wasn't wrong as for the length vs awg size. Considering I want to have equal length speakers wire and considering power wire must be apart of the speaker wire in order to prevent wire sound distorsion, 25 feet sounds okay...

Referring to the chart, either 14 or 12awg would do the job, correct?

 

it would do the job. might be a little overkill. Wait till pearl responds. Hes the f-n man on audio

 

You don't need equal length speaker wires.

16 ga is plent for your application, 200 is way too much.

15-20' of power wire should be fine.

For wiring, if you're going to mount the tweeter in the a-pillar, it's very simple to drop wires down from there, then you can trace the speaker wire in the door to the kick panel to tap it for the midbass. Then you're all set, just mount the crossover somewhere in the kick panel/dash/firewal area.