5thGenRams Forums

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

2021 Harman Kardon Subwoofer to Amplifier wiring and ohms

ducatimic

Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2021
Messages
5
Reaction score
4
Hello everyone. 2021 Rebel with the 19 speaker Harman/Kardon system. I am replacing speakers while keeping the factory HK amplifier, and what I cannot determine is the accurate subwoofer to amplifier wiring configuration. I understand there are 3 voice coils on the subwoofer, each at 2.2ohms, so the assumption is a series wiring configuration with a total resistance load seen by the amplifier of roughly 6 ohms. What I cannot determine is if they are wired in series at the subwoofer.. so 3 sets of wires (6 wires total) connected in series there going to 2 wires to the amplifier. OR, if there are 3 sets of wires running all the way to the amplifier and it sees 3 independent subwoofer channels at 2.2 ohms each. I called Harman.. nothing.. they referred me to their OEM division, United Radio Automotive that makes the amps. They asked me if it was a Mark Levitson amp (which I don't know) and apparently it is so new they don't have that level of detail for me. I don't know how that is possible as they made it, but whatever. With an estimated 200 watts to the subwoofer, 3 independent channels would net roughly 70watts per channel. Assuming the second situation is possible, could only 2 of the independent channels be ran (say on a dual 2 ohm sub) and just leave the third channel disconnected?

Unless! Anybody have a super thin triple 2 ohm voice coil sub laying around? :)

Thank you in advance!
 

ducatimic

Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2021
Messages
5
Reaction score
4
Will this help?
View attachment 90019
Sorry for the fuzzy pic. The wiring diagrams are Windows Internet Explorer based, and zooming in or out from default size messes with them.

Steve
Perfect! and yes, the brilliant EE that designed this amplifier made it as difficult as possible. Why sum the channels up inside of the amplifier? 3 channels, 2 ohms each, at only 70 watts. Just silly. Thank you for the data.
 

beanz690

Active Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2021
Messages
30
Reaction score
7
Following...
Any updates? Also interested in knowing what you will be replacing the sub with. Please let us know how it goes with ANC.
 

ducatimic

Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2021
Messages
5
Reaction score
4
What speakers are you swapping in?
Well, I have a Fosgate P3SD2-10 laying around I'm not using, so I'm going to see what it would sound like getting 2 of the 3 channels from the amp since they are 3 independent channels expecting to see a 2 ohm load, and totaling roughly 140watts (if HK is to be believed they push 200 total to the factory sub). I have a feeling it is going to stink due to the gigantic audible EQ spike built into the factory signal, so I will likely then add a Kicker KEYLOC, flatten the signal, add a small monobloc amp and push the P3 the way it was designed to be without the nasty factory signal.

Of note, am I crazy, or does adjusting the "bass" level within the factory system only have an effect on the door 6x9's? I turned it way down and the OEM sub sounded exactly the same as at neutral. For shame Harman/Kardon, for shame.. :)
 

ducatimic

Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2021
Messages
5
Reaction score
4
Following...
Any updates? Also interested in knowing what you will be replacing the sub with. Please let us know how it goes with ANC.
Curious... do you know if the ANC utilizes the sub too? If so, then that will add a whole new layer of complexity to this once ignorantly considered to be a simple plan.
 

ducatimic

Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2021
Messages
5
Reaction score
4
What speakers are you using to replace factory ones?
I used some CDT Audio 6x9s and tweeters for the doors, and Polk Audio 3.5's for all 3 dash locations. CDT was just running a massive sale that made their products much more affordable. We'll see how they last. Also sound deadened the doors, especially the rear doors as those sound like a 2010 Toyota Corolla trunk, aka tin can. Pretty sad at the Rebel trim that the rear doors have so little factory sound deadening. The midbass took a huge jump up in performance over factory, and the mids/highs are much more detailed. With keeping the factory amp, SPL won't see a major jump but at least it sounds better now. That nasty massive db spike in the factory eq for the subwoofer is driving me insane. Such an unnecessary cheat to make it sound like it has more bass than it does.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Top