A few simple amp questions

[jiimi]

Ok, i have a few simple amp ???s please help me withy my ignorance

1. What is the total wattage when it reaches my speakers? say my HU puts out 22 watts rms and i hook it up to a 4x50 amp, is my total wattage now 72? or just 50?

2. MY HU only has one set of RCA jacks, can i get a Y splitter so i can run it to a 4 channel amp? Does it cut the power in half comming from the HU

3. OR can i use a 2 channel amp in Stereo and just run each terminal to 2 speakers, Im guessing that it cuts power to each speacker. SO if its a 2x100 can i use it as say 4x50? or is that not even an option?

4. Would i be better off using one of those speaker wire to RCA jack adapters and then to an amp?


Thanx for any help, Im trying to get the maximum use out of my ghetto rig. Im not opposed to spending money and getting the proper stuff just trying to use what i have. Also trying to learn more for the future. THnx

 

[B94Sport]

1. If you hook your HU up to an amp, you do not add their wattages together. Hooking it up to a 4x50 amp means that you get 50 watts per channel... The only way you will get more is if that particular amp is rated at a lower voltage than your truck runs at, and it has an unregulated power supply. ie, my system is rated at 2020 watts, but with the voltage it is receiving from the battery, it is more than that... At least 2200.

2. Yes, you can get a Y-splitter to run the one set of RCA jacks to a 4 channel amp. This is what I had to do with my first system. It does not cut the power in half.

3. You could run a 2 channel amp like that, but you have to be careful. First off, wiring the speakers together (You're obviously going to want to do front and rear left together and front and rear right together) changes the impedance... Most likely, if you want any kind of power, you will have to wire them in parallel, which drops the impedance (probably to 2 ohms, since these speakers are normally 4 ohms), and you have to make sure your amp can handle the lower impedance. Second, yes, it will drop the wattage to each speaker by at least half, but that is only assuming that the impedance remains the same. Lower impedance = higher wattage.

4. I am not totally sure on this one, but I would say you should use the speaker wire to RCA jack adapter. I believe (again, I am not sure) that RCA cables provide a cleaner signal.

What kind of amp did you plan on using?

 

[jiimi]

Im not sure what amp, I don't really plan on using one now, Im just trying to set things up so it will be easier down the road.

I need to go back and rewire my HU, I did a sloppy job of connecting everything, coudlnt use any adapters so i had to splice and guess. Everything is just twist tied together now. I also pland on bypassing my factory amp. I plan on putting quick dissconnects between everything to make things easier.

Now that you have answerd my questions i can start planning.

Currently i have a basic HU by pioneer, not fancy but does what I need. 4, 5x7s which sound ok but nothing great, and a crappy rampage amp and some no name bandpass sub. Very ghetto.

This is gonna be my plan of attack, as i get money.

1. Rewire everything, quickdissconnects, bypass factoryamp. IF get ambisious enough rewireing directly to the door.

2. Replace door speakers either with good 6 1/2, or 6x8s or a combination. But im actually gonna listen to them in a store instead of just buying a box, and see what i like better.

3. buy good sub and good amp. I think im gonna get a ported box. I know i have alot of trunk space, but i need it all, i do alot of hauling stuff where i need the room. And im not always in a place where i can just take out my box.

4. Either get another amp to power door speakers, Using the Speakerwire to RCA adpter, or put a pair in the kick pannels, either way i will need another amp. Maybe amp the kick pannel and rear ones and leave the door ones the same. I dont' know, its a long way donw the road.

Thnx for all the help, most of my questions were either or so if one didn't work could i do the other. Thanx again for the help.