High Level Vs Low Level Inputs

[edjof17]

Before installation, the tech asked me if I wanted High or low level inputs. What is the difference? I already have a factory sub in the truck, does it matter what the input levels are?

What type of factory system do you have?

BASSTECH
BAZOOKA MOBILE AUDIO
1-800-THE-TUBE
Technical Support / R & D
tubetech@bazooka.com

[edjof17]

I have the Rockford Fosgate system from the factory in my Nissan Xterra. The head unit also has the Rockfor F. emblem so I'm not sure if it has extra wires for output. The system also comes with a sub in the left rear panle facing right.

I don't really no what High vs. Low level inputs are. I had my Bazooka installed by Circuit City on my old truck, I think they basically tapped the rear speaker wire, as the Bazooka responded to the fade and bass adjustments on my old head unit.

In any event, I would like the best setup as the techs at Circuit City are asking me to choose which level input (he sugested high leve), but at the time I wasn't (as this cost more for installation) sure how to respond. So I'm seeking advice from a nuetral third party.

[Ten_Inch_Alpha]

edjof17,

I have a 2001 Nissan Xterra with the EL-10A... I am using the high-input tapping the rear speakers. Radio is the stock single CD head unit.

I will recommend the high vs low. Audio is very clean!

Getting a 10" is overkill but I love it!!!

my $00.02

[lamontjames]

a high level input is the actual output that goes into a speaker, you can actually drive a speaker with the high level...the low input cannot drive a speaker ,it is a very small signal which is designed to be put into amplifier inputs...i guess you can think of the high level as the amplified signal and the low as the unamplified signal....the out p ut of a stereo vcr and stuff like that is low, out puts such as head phone o utputs are high because they are designed to drive speakers.
if u have low inputs you should use them because i think they are better quality signals, high inputs can degrade the sound because not only are they providing input to the bazooka, they are also driving speakers at the same time.
most factory systems head units dont have low outputs, thats why most installers just tap into high speaker level out put, also, they would have to run a wire from the head unit to the bazooka in the rear to tap the low inputs but they can just tap the wires that go into the speakers for the high inputs.
in conclusion i would say low is always better because the signal is cleaner but if you dont have lows you have to use highs unless you buy one of those high to low line level converters.

[GSteg]

the reason why people prefer low input over high input is because of the noise that might be introduced into the system. a high-level will have weaker signal than a low-level. if you go with a high-level converter, most likely you'll have to adjust the gain higher. the higher the gain is set, the harder the amps works and can pick up ground noise easily. thats why some people actually get line drivers because their voltage is usually higher than aftermarket preouts that the gain on the amp must be set very low to accomodate the high voltage. so now the gain is low, meaning less noise will be introduced.