ok, so I'm trying to install a friends headunit. its an old used sony cdx-5040 and instead of having speaker wires, it has only line outputs. one for the front and one for the rear. how do i connect the speakers without using any amps? I know you can get a converter to hook up an amp to a headunit without those outputs, but what about hooking up speakers to a stereo with only those outputs? thanks for any help
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you're going to have to use an amplifier. Line level outputs are low voltage, usually 2-4volts. Speaker level signals are higher voltage. You're buddy can get a cheap amp and it'll usually sound better than running off of deck power anyways.
-Chris
Really? So it is impossible to do without an amplifier? This kid is not going for top notch sound quality, he just bought this head unit for 10 bucks and is trying to put it in just to have a cd player. But I guess it's a better idea just to get a different headunit then to buy an amp. So there is definitely no way to do it without an amp?
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Nope, even if you cut the end off an RCA cable to get the positive and negative wires, you most likely wouldn't even be able to hear the speakers playing at full volume. I would bet you could get a cheap amp for less that a mid level deck, and it will sound a lot better.
-Chris
well ok then, thanks for the help man
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