Need some advise on an amp...

[aldive]

I am about ready to upgrade my sound system; I am tired of having no display on the HU.

A question for you guys: When I go with an amp, do I want/need a 4 channel one to drive all the door speakers or do I want/need a 2 channel one for just the front speakers. I do not plan to have a sub.

Thanks….

 

[justin's_94]

I would go with the four channel amp, just because that means more power to each speaker. Just my input.

 

[Jason94sport]

Well what do YOU want. Do you want to run only the front speakers, or do you want to run all 4. Running all 4 makes alot better sense. You do have 4 speakers after all.

 

[leenjen]

you can run all 4 speakers off of a 2 channel amp. the amp will then run @2ohms stereo which means plenty of power to all 4 speakers. 2 channel amps are cheaper.
either one will work fine, but i definately think you should have the amp drive all 4 instead of just the front.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by leenjen
you can run all 4 speakers off of a 2 channel amp. the amp will then run @2ohms stereo which means plenty of power to all 4 speakers. 2 channel amps are cheaper.
either one will work fine, but i definately think you should have the amp drive all 4 instead of just the front.

Please explain the procedure to drive 4 with a 2 ch amp; I am illerate in such matters.

Than you in advance.....

 

[leenjen]

wire the front left and rear left in parallel on the left channel to create a two ohm load. do the same for the right side. that will give you a 2 ohm stereo load.

 

[aldive]

Thanks for the advise.

Another question: what size amp would you recommend in a 2 ch to drive all 4 speakers?

Thanks........

 

[leenjen]

what kind of speakers?

 

[mattmm]

The only dif of 2ch and 4ch is that you lose the fadeing ability eather left to right or front to back. also cost. I have a very large stereo but i don't have an amp running my door speakers i just upgraded my deck. Tthe new decks run around 35-50 watts per ch that is more than enough. Have fun with whatever you get.

 

[99explorer5.0]

If you get a really ****ty amp it might not be stable at 2 ohms and it might shut off on you. I had an amp back in the day that would overheat and cutout becuase it wasnt stable at 2 ohms. Go with a 4 channel that way you can adjust the sound better.

 

[RammaR]

Running a 2 channel amp for all four speakers is the cheapest route. Typically if you use a good 2-ch amp thats rated at say 2 x 50 watts (RMS) at 4-ohms, and then wire it to a 2-ohm speaker configuration you will effectively doulble your amps power --- Meaning 2 x 100 watts (50 per speaker) instead of just the rated power of 25 watts per speaker. To get the same performance you'd have to buy a 4 x 50 watt amp which will cost much more than the 2 x 50 watt one. Almost like free power! The thing you give up is fader control - you each side will act as a complete side. There won't be any front to back control.

You just need to ask yourself, "Is it worth a $100 to $200 more to keep the fader control?"

You might think about going with a 2-ch amp of a better brand like a Rockford and still end up paying less than an off-brand who know's what your gonna get 4-ch one.

Good luck!

 

[RammaR]

I just re-read your first post and thought you might not need an amp at all. If your replacing your HU because the lights went out on it, you could just buy a high-power head unit that would drive the factory speakers fine. That would also let you keep the fader control if you get a 4x25 or 30 rated HU. Won't sound quite as good as an amp... but you might not be able to tell too much with the factory speakers.

How much do you want to spend? just a couple hundred? get a good HU only.

if your budget is closer to $1,000... get a good HU (because the amp won't make the lights come bacK), upgrade the front and rear speakers, and get the amp.

But if you've got HU problems now, start there, get a good one and build on it later.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by leenjen
what kind of speakers?

Speakers are Pionerr 3 way 6 x 8.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by RammaR
I If your replacing your HU because the lights went out on it, you could just buy a high-power head unit that would drive the factory speakers fine. That would also let you keep the fader control if you get a 4x25 or 30 rated HU. Won't sound quite as good as an amp... but you might not be able to tell too much with the factory speakers.

How much do you want to spend?

But if you've got HU problems now, start there, get a good one and build on it later.

What HU do you recommend with this power output? I want one that will play MP3.

I will spend as much as needed.

I like your idea of a good HU and then add an amp later,

What power output amp do you suffest?

Thanks,,,,

 

[leenjen]

there is no such thing as a headunit that puts out that kind of power. they might say 50X4, but dont believe that. it would get incredibly hot. and look how small it is next to the amp.

about the amp not being stable to 2 ohms....
this is 2 ohms stereo, which creates a 4 ohm load overall. every amp made today is capable of that. if we were talking about 2 ohms mono, then you would have to make sure it is stable.

with those pioneer 3 ways i think a good 50X2 amp would do fine. or you could spend a little more to get a 50X4, but do you ever use the fader? most people dont.

 

[leenjen]

if you use the headunit to power them, they wont sound as good. i had the headunit powering my pioneer 2-ways (which dont need as much power as the 3s) and the sound was "tinny" with bad midbass response, due to the lack of power.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by leenjen
with those pioneer 3 ways i think a good 50X2 amp would do fine. or you could spend a little more to get a 50X4, but do you ever use the fader? most people dont.

Thanks for the info. So you are saying an amp is all but essential?

What brand 4 ch amps would you recommend? I do use the fader a lot.

Also what MP3 HU do you recommend?

Thanks....

 

[leenjen]

i found a couple good amps for you:

Lightning Audio B2002: 2X100 @ 2 ohms: $117.99
Lightning Audio B3004: 4X50 @ 4 ohms: $139.99

both will provide 50 watts to each speaker, but the 4 channel will allow you to fade front/rear.

 

[leenjen]

kenwood makes the best mp3 headunits. they were the first to make an in dash mp3 headunit.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by leenjen
kenwood makes the best mp3 headunits. they were the first to make an in dash mp3 headunit.

What should I look for feature wise? Any model recommendations?

Thanks....