RCA Y Splitter Off Head Unit or Right Before Amplifiers?

[Here2LearnThings]

Hi. I am planning out wiring for my system. I have a Pioneer head unit with Network Mode (high, mid, low RCA outputs). I am planning on running midbass and subwoofer amplifiers off the "low" output. The amplifiers do not have RCA outputs, just inputs. Which would be better:

1. Y adapter (one male to two female) on head unit "low" output, then two pairs of RCA wires ran to the back to the two amps

2. one pair of RCA wires to the back, then a Y adapter (one female to two male)

Thank you.

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[Bobbytwonames 5,000+ posts]

Are you going to run a 4 way setup? Highs, midrange, midbass, and sub?

 

[Here2LearnThings]

Yes, tweeters, midranges, midbasses and a subwoofer. The head unit will be used to low-pass at 250Hz and below for the "low". The midbass amp (Alpine MRV-T500) and subwoofer amp (Alpine MRV-1000) have built-in crossovers. Midbass will be high passed and the subwoofer amp low-passed.

Thank you.

 

[Bobbytwonames 5,000+ posts]

Three amps. A 4 channel (mid/high), 2 channel (midbass), and a mono amp (sub).

 

[Here2LearnThings]

Yes, that is correct.
MRV-F300 4-channel for "mid" and "high"
MRV-T500 for midbass "low"
MRV-1000 for subbass "low"

 

[Bobbytwonames 5,000+ posts]

Yes, that is correct.
MRV-F300 4-channel for "mid" and "high"
MRV-T500 for midbass "low"
MRV-1000 for subbass "low"

Do you have three sets of pre-outs on your headunit (HU)? Dayton DSP-408

 

[Here2LearnThings]

Yes, they can be set to "Standard Mode" (front,rear,sub) or Network Mode (high,mid, low). It crosses over at various frequencies and slopes. The high is high passed. The mid is bandpassed. The "low" is low passed.

 

[Bobbytwonames 5,000+ posts]

Yes, they can be set to "Standard Mode" (front,rear,sub) or Network Mode (high,mid, low). It crosses over at various frequencies and slopes. The high is high passed. The mid is bandpassed. The "low" is low passed.

Run one of these.

 

[1aespinoza 10+ year member]

1. Y adapter (one male to two female) on head unit "low" output, then two pairs of RCA wires ran to the back to the two amps

This option is better because you need 3 pairs of RCA cables. Tweeters, midrange, and bass. You then use a Y at the amps on the Bass run, then use the amp's x-overs.