Hello,

I have read through most of the audio builds as well as searched on this topic (mostly find the answer to where to mount the crossovers).

I am basically doing an audio install myself. It is my first time attempting it but it has gone pretty smoothly.

I am ready to install the speakers as well as run the speaker wires tomorrow, but I am a bit lost as to where or how to run the cross over wires.

Right now I know that the speaker wires is going to go from the amp to the speaker (given) but where exactly do the cross overs fit in to the equation? I was assuming that the amp wires go to the crossover and from the cross over to the speaker?

Or is it that the wires go from the amp to the speakers, then another set of wires from the speakers to the cross overs.

Thank you for any help.

 

bump for looking for the truth about stereos......btw lakers in 4

 

Wires go from amp to crossovers to speakers.

 

Amp -> Crossover -> Midbass and Tweeter

Your crossover will have a minimum of three inputs (6 terminals). 1 for Input (from amp), 1 for Speaker (to midbass), and 1 for Tweeter (to tweeter).

 

should the crossover be placed somewhere near the speaker? or is by the amp fine?

 

That makes a bit more sense. But when I ordered my speaker wire from elemental design, they said that I needed more wiring because the way they explained it was different.

Amp --> Speaker --> Cross over?

 

Its definitely Amp -> Crossover -> mid/tweet.
When you get the pieces in your hand it will be self explanatory.

 

Thank you for the information.

This is definitely making my first install much easier. The hardest part is ordering parts since you will either end up with too much or too little. It sucks that I have too much of the more expensive parts (dampening and 0gauge wires) and not enough distribution boxes and terminal rings.

Also another question. Do you guys recommend putting something on the end of the wires or just screw down the stripped wire?

 

good ? been wondering that myself. Seems like it wouldn't matter much but never know.

 

There is no benefit to either, wherever the crossover can be mounted to suit your needs.

 

What components did you order?

I have used spade terminals, but I prefer just bare wire. The fewer solder and/or crimp connectors in the path the better. I think what it really comes down to is what looks more aesthetically pleasing to you. The spades usually look cleaner, but are more money and work.

 

I have (2) Elemental Design Nine 2x (2) Elemental Design 11k subs Polk SR6500 Components.

 

dude i can help u

did audio installs for years!

 

I'm sure the manual for the Polks will have a very nice picture to show how the crossover gets wired up. Don't let the whole thing overwhelm you.

 

Thank you guys again for all the help. I am going to finish up the wiring tomorrow if the weather holds up.

I was also wondering though, for the ground off the amps, does it require another distribution box? The wiring is 100% hidden so I don't really mind if it looks a bit messier, but I was wondering if it has negatives compared to using a distribution box in reference to power loss, or poor grounds.

 

Just be sure to ground them at the same place. And keep it as close to the amps as possible. Distribution block is not necessary. Remember to sand away the paint (even if it doesn't look like it's painted).