Putting in CD Deck, Simple question, hard to find answer!

[Whistlin'87GN]

Ok, heres the deal, Im looking to upgrade from stock to a good cd player, I have decided on the Pioneer DEH-P4400. I was talking to a friend who worked at Circuit City (im not going to let them install it) and mentioned it was an ungrounded system. This is what I read in the owners manual and it seems this is a problem. They said they would have to re-wire the speakers because of this. I also talked to a friend who knows stereos fairly well and he said, he didn't know exactly, but he knew this was a problem.
So what do I do? I've read all the stickies, searched, read through most of the posts, and have found nothing at all mentioning this. Am I overlooking some simple fact, and being a complete moron, or do I simply have to re-wire the speakers. I myself know very very little, really nothing at all, about stereo systems, I'm good with wiring, but don't understand stereos. My friend who has installed his own stereo system and some others, said he would help me install the deck, and do whatever else is necessary if we have instructions, or at least know what to do.
So I am asking you, stereo gods, what shall I do?
-Jeff

 

[SilverSleeper]

ungrounded? is that the term in the manual?

From what I understand, all new head units (with the exception of some really cheap junk) have seperate grounds for each speaker.
For example, the left rear output has 2 wires, a pos and a neg. Those wires run directly to the speaker and back.
Now, years ago, some cars used common ground systems. You would run 1 wire to the speaker for a pos, and the speaker would be grounded to metal (hence common ground term)
Cars havent used those in a long time though.
Thats about the only thing I can think of that they might be referring to. TB's are not common ground, thats for sure.

I went to their website, and it wouldnt let me look at a manual for it without registering. But, from the specs, it doesnt say anything about a different wiring system.

Maybe some of the other guys know more.

 

[David65]

Yeah, I think SilverSleeper is right. You used to have 1 output lead for each speaker. Return path was through the vehicle body. That Pioneer is probably like mine and has 2 leads per speaker. I've heard it referred to as a "floating ground output". You don't want to connect either lead to ground or bad things will probably happen.

David

 

[Whistlin'87GN]

I read it in the 87 Buick Regal manual that all delco systems had ungrounded speakers. Thats why Im confused.
So TB's dont have to have anything done to it?
-Jeff

 

[MeanBuicks]

I installed a Pioneer DEH-P47DH in my GN about a year and a half ago. It was straightforward; two wires for each speaker. I still have my four front original Concert Sound II speakers installed so I simply doubled up on those. In the rear I installed two Pioneer 6 X 9 speakers. Works great!

The only notes regarding speakers in the manual are as follows:

Speakers connected to this unit must be high-power types with minimum rating of 45 W and impedance of 4 to 8 ohms. Connecting speakers with output and/or impedance values other than those noted here may result in the speakers catching fire, emitting smoke or becoming damaged.

Sounds like a KISS concert.

 

[SilverSleeper]

Originally posted by MeanBuicks


Sounds like a KISS concert.

Been there!
Its missing the spitting blood part though..lol.