I've hunted for this but not found an answer here.

I have a 12 R55 S and am planning on adding an amp and sub to my Harman Kardon (HK) system. I'd like to know the easiest (closest) place to get full range signal to the rear of the vehicle.

My amp has a switch for input sensitivity:

Low-Level: 150 mV - 4 V
High-Level: 400 mV - 11 V

I understand the rear speakers may have a crossover at 40Hz or some other point.

I understand that the HK amp is located in the rear of the vehicle.

I would expect there is full-range, low-level signal feeding the HK amp at the rear.

I would like to tap this full range low level wire and feed it to the RCA input on my amp. I figure I can set my amp to 'high' as the HK signal may be above 4V max.

What color/position wires do I need to tap at the HK amp to do this?

Do I just take a set of RCA cables, cut them, and splice the bare ends to the taps?

Else, do I have to take speaker level signal and use a LOC to convert down?

 

Not sure if this applies to the Gen 2 HK system, but there might be some useful info here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post3604109

Post 34 of this thread describes how a 6channel amp replaced the the HK amp in an R50. There are also links to the pin out diagrams for the two HK plugs.

 

This will make it very easy:
https://www.integralaudio.com/index....t-harness.html

 

Thanks for the suggestions.
I've seen that harness splitter that connects to the driver footwell.
I still don't know if it is converting speaker or RCA signal. I suspect it's RCA at >4v. If that's the only place I can splice, I guess I will be cutting a set of RCA cables to tap in.
I presume the signals are volume controlled, not constant?

 

As a follow-up, I got by IA box installed.

I tapped the front speakers from the driver footwell. I used Red wire taps with spade connectors. Don't use Blue wiretaps as they are too large a gauge to pierce the signal wire insulation. Wasted an hour getting intermittent signal that way...

No LOC is needed. Just tap directly from source to the RCA wires.

I ended up intentionally swapping negatives on the Left and Right speaker wires to supply the SW amp (+R/-L and +L,-R). If I recall correctly, that provides a mono source.

I tried using conventional +/- on each (for a stereo signal supply to the amp) but the results were very wonky when balance was adjusted off center.

I ended up choosing low signal input and max range (8v). Gain on my RF PBR500X1 amp is at maybe 1/4.

Remote level control is a necessity. I tend to vary from near zero to 3/4 depending on source and music type.


Overall, the improvement in low end is pretty nice. I have the box crossed relatively low (~70Hz) and the bass on the HK unit set to -3.

 

Hi all,
so I'm looking to add in an aftermarket Amp to power a small sub and this is what I BELIEVE to be the details for a simple how to for the Hi-Fi/HK and perhaps even the basic 6 speaker basic system...
can anyone correct me if these details are INCORRECT?
I have done a lot of reading and some posts say this only and some say that only, so I figured I'd write one up so its all in one small simple post.

MINI R55/R56 Wire Taps for Aftermarket Amp (Subwoofer) needs

Power and Ground, to aftermarket amp, can be run easily and do not need to tap into any factory wiring. Refer to Integral Audio amp install instructions on how to run power wire from battery compartment.

For the Remote wire and 4 speaker wires, you will need to tap into factory wires.

Connectors
In the left footwell, behind the plastic kick panel by dead pedal, are 2 connectors.
A big black one (X15) and
white one (X9331), behind this black connector.

Remote Wire Signal
The factory wire you want to tap into, for a Remote wire signal, is in the black (X15) connector and is PIN #1 (black, 18AWG) wire

Speaker Wire Signals
The front speaker wires you want to tap into, to run to aftermarket LOC (for RCA conversion) OR directly to AMP’s High Level wiring, come from the smaller white (X9331) connector.
Front, Left + is Pin # 5 (Black & Brown)
Front, Left – is Pin # 6 (Black & Violet)
Front, Right + is Pin # 3 (Yellow & Brown)
Front, Right – is Pin # 4 (Yellow & Black)

NOTE: For the sound signal wires, it is recommended to use the (raw or full) signal that is put into the factory AMP as opposed to the wiring that comes from the factory AMP, as that signal is processed and doesn’t offer full signal. SO I BELIEVE it is best to use the sound signals in connector X9331.

 

I got the sub and amp installed, in my R55. I have no idea why I didn't do this earlier, since I had all the gear just laying around in a bin in garage. All wires going TO the amp are hidden and functioniung perfectly.
Tthe 10" Pioneer slim sub sounds very nice with the front JL speakers and rear factory speakers. I'm not after booming bass, but just a bottom filler + 20%. Super super impressed with this stereo system now.
Tapped into X9331 connector's pins 3, 4, 5 & 6 for front speaker + & -'s and X15 connector's Pin 1 for "remote turn on" signal was a bit tight. tuned the amp for my desires and boom. I also ran the EBC **** (just have to mount it) and thats super convenient!
this kids (dogs) hauler is gonna rock now (when the doggies aren't in it).

 

Pictures of the install......

 

Nothing fancy to see actually.
Im not hiding the amp or wiring, in the back seat foot well area as it's covered over by a dog bridge. So it's messy in that area but very nicely hidden under the plastic door sill trim and through rubber grommet of firewall by batt.

 

the batt + wire comes out above this right side footwell module and I routed wire down by it

batt + wire through existing grommet, just have to cut a hole in it.

routed wires under carpet. negative wire eyelet connected to this 10mm grounding bolt that had nothing grounded to it.

sliced "door" opening in rear seat footwell pannel to allow these 8ga wires to exit cleanly and under the removable carpet piece

routing of + wire

 

Can you post a pic of the final install?

 

As in the wires and amp and how they are sitting in the Footwell behind drivers seat? Sure but it's messy as I'm not trying to keep it organized since it's hidden, due to a dog bridge from back or front seats to folded down back seats.