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EP3 Speaker Wiring question, determining pos and neg speaker wires

Old 01-18-2013, 05:57 AM
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Default EP3 Speaker Wiring question, determining pos and neg speaker wires

Like the title implies.. I am going to put some aftermarket speakers in the doors and rear of my 2002 civic si (EP3). I plan on using the stock wiring for the speakers. The problem is that the oem connectors for the factory speakers have been cut off in the doors. How do I determine which wire is positive and which is negative? I do not have a ohm meter.. I have also tried searching for a wiring diagram, but haven't had any luck finding one for this car. I don't want to accidentally wire the speakers out of phase, causing bad sound.

Thank you to all who take the time to read this and help.

Patrick
Old 01-18-2013, 06:55 AM
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Default Re: EP3 Speaker Wiring question, determining pos and neg speaker wires

http://www.installdr.com/Harnesses/HA-Wiring.asp

Checking phasing is easy, connect speakers, turn system on, use balance control to balance all the way left, then right, if bass response is better when all the way left or right then when in the center, you are wired out of phase, switch the wires on the left or right speaker, it makes no diff. which one to get back into phase. 94
Old 01-18-2013, 06:43 PM
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Default Re: EP3 Speaker Wiring question, determining pos and neg speaker wires

Left Front: green/black[+]
light green [-]

Right Front: green/yellow [+]
grey/red [-]

Left Rear: blue/white [+]
blue/black [-]

Right Rear: Pink[+]
Blue/yellow [+]
Old 01-18-2013, 07:49 PM
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Default Re: EP3 Speaker Wiring question, determining pos and neg speaker wires

Thank you for your input guys. I'm assuming the link that fcm shared is referring to the wires behind the head unit, which seem to vary from the colors of the wires that xreaverx posted. The wires must be different in the doors and side panels compared to in the dash?
Old 01-19-2013, 12:09 PM
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Default Re: EP3 Speaker Wiring question, determining pos and neg speaker wires

They should not be a diff, between the radio plug colors and the wire colors at the speakers.

The Install Doctor may not be up to date, check the wiring colors at the speakers and go with what matches.

However, I am sure both the right rear speaker leads are not pos.(+) leads no mater what color they are, "Right Rear: Pink[+] Blue/yellow [+]" 94

Last edited by fcm; 01-19-2013 at 12:26 PM. Reason: typo
Old 01-20-2013, 04:35 PM
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Default Re: EP3 Speaker Wiring question, determining pos and neg speaker wires

Point taken, thanks for your help. I'll just make sure that I wire all of them the same when I go to switch the speakers out.

On a side note, I drive a 2002 civic si with stock tweeters by the side mirrors. Do I have to worry about burning them up with the upgraded power of the new alpine headunit? Should I disconnect them? I plan on using all of the stock wiring in the car to avoid having to run all new. Thanks again.
Old 01-20-2013, 04:52 PM
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Default Re: EP3 Speaker Wiring question, determining pos and neg speaker wires

You have a few options...

You can leave the stock tweeters, [do not worry about blowing them] see if you like the sound, if not, option two, disconnect them.

Option three assumes you are installing 2way coax in your doors, you could leave the stock tweeters and disconnect the tweeters on your coax and see how that sounds.

If nothing is installed yet, stock HU and speakers still installed, try installing just the new Alpine HU with the stock speakers, you will be surprized at how good stock speakers sound once they have a little wattage pushing them. 94
Old 01-20-2013, 05:25 PM
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Default Re: EP3 Speaker Wiring question, determining pos and neg speaker wires

I do know that just upgrading a HU makes a heck of a difference on stock speakers, but I do have 4 alpine type-s 6.5" laying around, so I plan on dropping them in. I'll try running the stock tweets just to hear them, I just didn't want to destroy them.. Lol. Any issues with leaving both sets of tweeters connected?
Old 01-21-2013, 01:21 PM
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Default Re: EP3 Speaker Wiring question, determining pos and neg speaker wires

There should be no issues.

Mounting the Type S in the doors may be a problem, stock mounting depth is 2" the Alpine are 2.25", you will most likely either have to use a spacer or cut a hole in the back of the speaker housing big enough for the speakers magnet. 94
Old 01-21-2013, 06:34 PM
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Default Re: EP3 Speaker Wiring question, determining pos and neg speaker wires

I did read a write-up on that. I have some 1" spacers laying around also, so I should be set from that standpoint. Thanks again for all your help, much appreciated.
Old 02-14-2013, 06:41 AM
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Default Re: EP3 Speaker Wiring question, determining pos and neg speaker wires

Sorry to wake a thread up from the dead.. I finally got everything installed and working correctly, but I'm having issues with the mid-highs and highs sounding harsh/rattley.. I have tried disconnecting the stock tweeters by the door mirrors, but this did not help. Maybe the 2-way alpine type-s tweeters are aimed poorly? This is what they call phasing correct? I have tried using the time correction feature on the HU (Alpine). I measured the distances to the speakers and entered them.

I also have the same speakers in the rear quarter panels, relatively close to the drivers seat actually. What should I try to do next? I actually have no idea which way to "aim" the tweeters. I just want good sound quality... It sounds pretty muddy right now.

I've also tried dialing back the highs with the equalizer, but that didn't really help my situation. I primarily listen to rock/metal if that helps.

Thanks a ton.
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