Guys,

I have read all the posts I could find on this subject and just want to get clarification on what I am going to do first and ask for one last opinion from you audiophile guys. Please don't tell me the headrest speakers are junk and I should redo the complete car. I am not interested in external bass units etc. I like the speakers in the headrests at highway or cruising speeds...



I have a stock 1989 convertible with presently a stock stereo. I also have the Headrest speakers and will keep them with the headrest speakers controls.


To make this work with a new non stock stereo I will need to

1) Put in line a line level converter converting the high end signal out of the head to a line level that can be handled by the stock amp between the stereo and the headrest speaker controls.

2) If I want more power to the speakers in the headrests I would then put a small aftermarket amp between the stock amp and the headrest speakers.

Would this work or do I have this in the wrong order or need to do something additional?


Mike B
89 Ragtop

 

anybody?

 

i spent hours trying to wire mine. the wire colors at the amp did not match my wiring diagram. I gave up and wired them directly to the head unit I think the quality suffers as a result

 

The only thing you have to do is supply signal to the rear channels with a harness adaptor and jumper 12vdc to one wire (unused on the adaptor) to turn that stock amp on. I think it was the brown/red wire on my car.They work like stock in mine.

 

I was having a hard time figuring it out. So I am glad you ask. I don't wish to steal the thread and this question is on the same subject. If a NEW head unit with a NEW amp was to be installed, What would I have to do to keep the headrest controls? A wireing diagram for the control would help.

 

my problem stems from the **** i bought the chassis form, he hacked the hell out of the wiring.

 

I covered my vert headrest speakers with pimp sheepskin.
Can't / wouldn't wanna hear those *****-*** 3.5" midgets anyway.
Besides, the hotties love my lux seat skins. They always leave that "special scent" behind on the seats after a hot roll.

 

EEewwww..I'm trying to EAT here!

 

 

Kevin Landers is correct, however the wires on my S5 were blue/white if I recall correctly. If you will search and download the wiring harness diagram that was posted (by Icemark again if I recall correctly) it will show you which wire you need to jumper. I used the diagram and then toned the cable out with a multimeter doing a continuity test. I got my Wiring Harness from Crutchfield and as soon as I jumpered the power for the amp which powers the headrest speakers they worked just like with the stock unit.

I wouldn't recommend bothering with another amp for these speakers as you will probably be surprised at how much work is involved for very little gain (and probably blown speakers.) You will also probably be surprised to hear how much of a difference a good head unit makes in regards to the sound quality in these speakers.

 

Yep, there are truly morons in this site.

Too bad they really don't have anything Intelligent to add, but good for comedy relief I guess...

 

If it was easy and diagrammed out clearly for amateurs, with wiring and recommended components, I might like to add volume controlled headrest speakers to my Bose factory system.

The headrest speakers were the only good thing Pontiac put on my dinky old Fiero; good audio at speed with road and wind noise. Should have a similar effect on an Rx.

Has anybody done a good Rx setup they would share?
Thanks

 

I understand that I need to turn on the amp by jumping the wire, but I remember folks talking about modern stereo units send out high end signals that will burn out the headrest speakers amp quickly. I believe Icemark was one of the folks saying this.

I was looking to do it the clean way to protect the amp by putting in a line level converter converting the high end signal out of the head to a line level signal that the amp can take.

Am I wrong on my thinking?

 

shouldnt this be in the "audio section"?

 

maybe this will help:

part2

 

Thanks Mark, already had that schematic seeing that it's out here many times over and can be found by doing a search.

I was hoping for some electronics wisdom from you, being that you could write the book on Rx7 electronics...

 

ah you want real info...

remind me are you trying to kep the AE system in the loop or not?

 

I want to replace the head unit, but keep the controls and amp for the headrest speakers.

You had mentioned at one time that the amp couldn't handle the power coming from modern head units. I was thinking of putting in line before the amp a line level converter converting the high end signal out of the head to a line level that can be handled by the stock amp between the stereo and the headrest speaker controls.

I'm just looking for confirmation from the experts that what I am proposing would work or am I all wet?

 

On topic, Ice, is the 89 non airbag the same scheme. I have to recreate the plug at the headrest amp - prior *(&%$(*^% owner got sidecutter happy.