[tigergto]

Engine-Ear I have a question. My 71 came with an aftermarket radio and 2 rear aftermarket speakers. I installed an original AM/FM radio and replaced the old speakers with 10 OHM speakers. The front speaker is disconnected. Should I have the 2 rear speakers wired in parallel or series? I currently have them wired in series.

[Bill Hanlon]

To stay on the safe side with your OEM radio your 10 ohm speakers should be wired in series.

Some speakers only have one wire connecting to them and use the metal frame of the speaker to attach to the metal frame of the car for the ground circuit. If your speakers are this type you cannot make them wired in series without modifying the speaker itself.

[Engine-Ear]

Originally Posted by Bill Hanlon

Some speakers only have one wire connecting to them and use the metal frame of the speaker to attach to the metal frame of the car for the ground circuit. If your speakers are this type you cannot make them wired in series without modifying the speaker itself.

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

...I was wondering what the result would be if I wired the two 4 ohm speakers in series and used them with my factory AM unit? How could I make up the other two ohms?

Assuming that the speakers' minus sides are isolated from the speaker frames, you could connect them in series. The other two ohms need be made up. Again, the "20% Rule" applies.

[Greg Reid]

Bill, Jayhawk and Matt, thanks. As I mentioned, I have been wondering about this for a while now...

Originally Posted by Engine-Ear

Assuming that the speakers' minus sides are isolated from the speaker frames, you could connect them in series. The other two ohms need be made up. Again, the "20% Rule" applies.

I'm assuming you meant to type need 'not' be made up?
Making that assumption I gather that my two 4 ohm, twin post speakers could be wired in series with the first post as the input and the final post grounded.

[Engine-Ear]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

I'm assuming you meant to type need 'not' be made up?

...to be WRONG! Uh, YEAH... definitely NOT.

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

Making that assumption I gather that my two 4 ohm, twin post speakers could be wired in series with the first post as the input and the final post grounded.

Just make sure with an ohm-meter that neither speaker wire terminal has continuity to the speaker frame.

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by Engine-Ear

...to be WRONG! Uh, YEAH... definitely NOT.


Just make sure with an ohm-meter that neither speaker wire terminal has continuity to the speaker frame.

In other words, make sure they don't wind up in parallel....and if so, isolate them from the body of the car. Understood.

[Engine-Ear]

Originally Posted by tigergto

Engine-Ear I have a question. My 71 came with an aftermarket radio and 2 rear aftermarket speakers. I installed an original AM/FM radio and replaced the old speakers with 10 OHM speakers. The front speaker is disconnected. Should I have the 2 rear speakers wired in parallel or series? I currently have them wired in series.

I would make sure the radio has the front/rear speaker fader and run a 10 (or 8) ohm speaker in front and one of the 10 ohm speakers in the rear.

Be sure to read and understand both Bill Hanlon's and LASJayhawk's posts above - from their posts, the single-wire speaker connection and the always-flowing current are important things to remember.

I will also add (I missed it if someone posted it already) that the radio will tolerate an 8-ohm speaker where a 10-ohm unit first existed. That is a 20% change.

[tigergto]

Originally Posted by Engine-Ear

I would make sure the radio has the front/rear speaker fader and run a 10 (or 8) ohm speaker in front and one of the 10 ohm speakers in the rear.

Be sure to read and understand both Bill Hanlon's and LASJayhawk's posts above - from their posts, the single-wire speaker connection and the always-flowing current are important things to remember.

I will also add (I missed it if someone posted it already) that the radio will tolerate an 8-ohm speaker where a 10-ohm unit first existed. That is a 20% change.

I should be ok the way I have it wired. They are 2 post speakers and the radio is an am /fm stereo. The front speaker is disconnected so having 2 back speakers is the same as 1 front and 1 back. I keep the fader in the middle to get equal output from each speaker. If this is not correct please let me know.

[Engine-Ear]

Originally Posted by tigergto

I should be ok the way I have it wired. They are 2 post speakers and the radio is an am /fm stereo.

...with an ohm-meter that neither speaker wire terminal has continuity to the speaker frame.

Originally Posted by tigergto

The front speaker is disconnected so having 2 back speakers is the same as 1 front and 1 back. I keep the fader in the middle to get equal output from each speaker. If this is not correct please let me know.

Yes, IF you run wire that would normally connect to the FRONT speaker to one of the rear ones, and then the rear speaker wire to the other rear speaker.

[tigergto]

Originally Posted by Engine-Ear

...with an ohm-meter that neither speaker wire terminal has continuity to the speaker frame.



Yes, IF you run wire that would normally connect to the FRONT speaker to one of the rear ones, and then the rear speaker wire to the other rear speaker.

This may be a stupid question but I want to make sure I'm doing it right. Do I test it by putting 1 end of the meter lead on the radio post and the other lead on the speaker frame?

[Engine-Ear]

Originally Posted by tigergto

This may be a stupid question but I want to make sure I'm doing it right. Do I test it by putting 1 end of the meter lead on the radio post and the other lead on the speaker frame?

Sorry for the delayed reply.

Yes. Have a look at the attached pics. (Saves me thousands of words! )

BTW, the Fluke Model 12 (or 10 or 11) are really good meters for the money.

[bullheimer]

i'll throw this out there too. i only have the one hole in my 62 buick right in front of the passenger and am trying to answer the above question as far as location myself. i'm thinking maybe forget the dash speaker all together and just go kick panels and package tray, but still. some of you look like this might be an answer for you, or at least an option. you could just put one speaker in there too i spoze.: and and

oh yeah, in case you are wondering this stock speaker is out of 72 camaro and stock looked like this: sorry about the 8 month delay. this thread was linked into a newer one @ radidios and., i dont remember wtf the radio was, if it was stock or not. sorry. i think it was, but i'm not sure. i prolly have a pic. if anybody cares pm me. ill look then