Speaker question on 70'

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Apr 29, 2003 | 05:26 PM

70454

Thread Starter

Safety Car

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 3,734

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From: Southeastern PA

Speaker question on 70'

I installed some extra speakers in the kick panel area for some extra sound. I took the extra time to solder all of the connections and I tucked the wiring up under the dash. When I went to fire up the radio it sounded like crapola. I had to cut the wires to the new speakers and continue to use the factory ones. What is the issue? Difference in Ohms? How can I power em' up?

Thanks in advance.

Apr 29, 2003 | 05:29 PM

vettfixr

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 1999

Posts: 9,206

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From: Sewell NJ

Re: Speaker question on 70' (70454)

Need more data. What kind of speakers. What size. Are you running the stock original radio? Did you wire them in series with the top speakers? Did you wire them in parallel with the top speakers? :confused:

Apr 29, 2003 | 05:35 PM

70454

Thread Starter

Safety Car

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 3,734

Likes: 2

From: Southeastern PA

Re: Speaker question on 70' (vettfixr)

I installed Alpine 35 watt 4x6 speakers and wired them inline (spliced) with the original radio.

Thanks.

Apr 29, 2003 | 05:53 PM

Simul8

Instructor

Joined: Oct 2002

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From: Hiram GA

Re: Speaker question on 70' (70454)

If your using the original radio, the dash speakers are 10 ohm. You probably put in 4 ohm. That will make your stock radio sound bad.

Apr 29, 2003 | 06:05 PM

70454

Thread Starter

Safety Car

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 3,734

Likes: 2

From: Southeastern PA

Re: Speaker question on 70' (Simul8)

Yes. But I think they were 8 ohm. I'll have to check the Crutchfield site for the specs. Is there anything I can add to correct the funk?

Apr 29, 2003 | 06:06 PM

70454

Thread Starter

Safety Car

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 3,734

Likes: 2

From: Southeastern PA

Re: Speaker question on 70' (Simul8)

You're correct. 4 Ohm.

Apr 29, 2003 | 06:25 PM

Jughead

Senior Member since 1492

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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...

St. Jude Donor '09

Re: Speaker question on 70' (70454)

You're lucky, I only have one working stock speaker. :sad:

Apr 29, 2003 | 07:31 PM

vettfixr

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 1999

Posts: 9,206

Likes: 17

From: Sewell NJ

Re: Speaker question on 70' (70454)

If you're running the original radio you probably don't have enough horsies in the unit to push the extra speakers. By running a 10 ohm speaker along with a 4 ohm speaker your getting a combined 7 ohms which will try to draw more power than a 10 ohm speaker. The power output of the original radios is marginal at best and most likely the amp just won't keep up with that load. Does it sound any better at very low volumes? If it does you're probably driving the amplifier into clipping when you turn it up. If you want to go with multiple speakers you probably will have to go with a newer head unit. The new units are designed to work into 4 ohm loads and most separate amps are stable down to 2 ohms. Sorry, but with radios in these old vettes there just aren't any easy answers. :chevy