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Head Unit Outs

post #1 of 5
Thread Starter 

Hi all,

 

Quick DIY question...that will create questionable sound quality, but I'm listening with my motorcycle helmet so I can't be too choosy. 

 

Can I wire the Speaker Out wires from a standard motorcycle radio (two speakers, front left and front right) into a 1/8" Mini-Jack that I can plug a standard set of headphones into?  I found a nice, cheap, waterproof radio that I can mount to the bike but it's designed for speakers and I've got a wired helmet (with a amp/comm system with a 1/8" Mini-Jack In for audio).

 

If I can use it, is there a trick to which wires go where?  I've got the technical skills (soldering, wiring, etc) but I'm not sure about the out vs in signal.

 

Many thanks!

David

post #2 of 5

 

Should be quite possible, it should be a case of wiring out left and right to the respective points (tip and ring, not sure if it's in that order of the top of my head) on the TRS socket and tying the grounds together and taking them to the sleeve connection.

 

I would imagine though you will need resistors on the output or a similar method to reduce power, resistors is not really ideal, there may be something better to use.

post #3 of 5

It will depend on the output of the head-unit, there's a chance it will not work. If the speaker outs don't share a common ground(bridged amps, etc.), then you will not be able to connect the outputs together, as in the ground of a 1/8 socket.

 

post #4 of 5
Thread Starter 

Thank you both.  It looks like the pairs of wires for the speakers both have a Black colored wire...and while I know that this proves virtually nothing, it at least gives me hope that they share a common ground.  I think I'll go ahead and order it and keep my fingers crossed.

 

Again, many thanks for the assistance,

David

post #5 of 5

You have to determine whether the outs from the radio have a common ground. The chances are good that they do, although automobile equipment does sometimes use a bridged configuration to get more volume from the low battery voltage.

 

You need a multimeter with a continuity test feature, a setting that makes a sound when the probes are touched together. This is usually the lowest resistance range.

 

Touch one probe to one of the output wires on one channel. Try the wires on the other channel with the other probe. If you get a sound from one you have identified the grounds on either channel. If you get no sound try the same test using the other wire on the first channel.

 

If you have discovered that the outputs have a common ground then you can wire them both to the sleeve (shaft) connection of the jack socket. Tip is left signal, ring is right channel signal.

 

You said your helmet has an amp. This will have a high input impedance so resistors are not required. All you really need is to connect everything up and set the radio volume to a level which gives you a good range of adjustment on the helmet amp without excess hiss (too low) or distortion (too high). Start with both volumes set low so you don't damage either your ears or the equipment.

 

If you don't discover a common ground, things are a bit more complicated and a lot more long-winded to explain, you'd be better to ask for some help from someone knowledgeable who can look at the equipment. Don't proceed any further without some more input, because it's entirely possible to destroy the radio by connecting the outputs together if they are not suited to the arrangement.

 

w

 

 

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