2 Amps or 1 Amp??

[AKA-Andrew 0]

Is it better to use 1 x 4 channel amp or 2 x 2 channel amps??

[Henny 0]

depends on the make of the amps and what type of speakers you're powering off them... ;)

[AKA-Andrew 0]

4 comps, prob the same, will prob be the same amps if go the 2 amp route

[Henny 0]

if you're running 4 sets of the same speaker, get a (good make) 4 channel amp which is designed for full range speakers (not one that's a BASS specialist type thing) Why buy 2x2way amps? you're only paying for double the packaging which you're gonna throw away, double the power connectors, casing etc etc etc... The major internals will be the same if it's the same range of amp whether you get 1x4way or 2x2way anyway so it then comes down to how much space you have to mount the things... 8)

[Bally 0]

I'd run seperate amp on comps & another amp for subs etc..

[Henny 0]

Bally, yup, that's what I'm getting at... ;)

 

Specialist Amps for different speakers, same amp for same speakers... 8)

[AKA-Andrew 0]

if you're running 4 sets of the same speaker, get a (good make) 4 channel amp which is designed for full range speakers (not one that's a BASS specialist type thing) Why buy 2x2way amps? you're only paying for double the packaging which you're gonna throw away, double the power connectors, casing etc etc etc... The major internals will be the same if it's the same range of amp whether you get 1x4way or 2x2way anyway so it then comes down to how much space you have to mount the things... 8)

 

This is what I wanted to know, really is just cos I can get a suitable 2 channel in good condition very cheap and to pick up another the same at a decent price isn't too hard. I do have a decent amount of space as its going in a Vento VR6, loads of space in the boot.

 

I've got a set of Infinity 6500cs, some people like them some not, and i can also get another set hardly used for £50 so prob will.

 

 

I'd run seperate amp on comps & another amp for subs etc..

 

Yep thats what i'm doing

[AKA-Andrew 0]

Bally, yup, that's what I'm getting at... ;)

 

Specialist Amps for different speakers, same amp for same speakers... 8)

 

so if i had different types of speaker i would want 2 amps?

[AKA-Andrew 0]

also would 2 sets of comps give me phasing problems?

[Henny 0]

phasing is to do with if the speaker moves out to make a specific part of the noise of if it moves in towards the housing... using 2 sets of component speakers won't affect your phases as long as you wire 'em up + to + and - to - on all 4 sets... It may make life a little interesting trying to get the sound stage set up nicely though, so don't stick your tweeters in the first position you think of, move 'em around a bit to find the position you prefer... 8)

 

By different speakers, I meant different types of speaker rather than manufacturer... ie, Sub, mid, mid-bass, tweeter. These will work better on amps designed for each kind of speaker rather than getting a sub and a tweeter (extremes for frequency range) powered off a single amp... 8)

 

oh, and I like the Infinity 6500cs speakers... 8)

[AKA-Andrew 0]

i get ya, the phasing thing came out of somebody elses mouth, still new to car audio, trying to catch up all the time

[AKA-Andrew 0]

the Infinitys would be getting powered by an Alpine MRV-T500.

 

It only seems to be the dub world who want to run 4 sets of comps, everybody else seems to think that one set in the front and some subs are perfect, they also seems to hate the infinity referance range, strange

[Henny 0]

Car audio is a bit of a black art 'cos of all the reflections and noise and stuff within a car... I'm still not that hot on what works and what doesn't within a car, but being a broadcast engineer in charge of 9 studios helps! ;) :lol:

 

Oh, and I run a set of components in the front and just a sub in the rear... ;)

[AKA-Andrew 0]

i'm sure it would, i have just basic understanding cos i did mechanical engineering at uni, we still did some electrical in the course though so we had an understanding of it.

[Kevin Bacon 5]

The people that prefer the 2 speaker + sub route are usually domestic audio fans aswell, so why would you want another set behind you when the program source is stereo (ignoring 5.1 surround for now)?

 

Bass is non directional at certain frequencies, so the sub can happily sit in the boot and not affect the sound staging.

 

For me, this is the simplest route and gives the most accurate stereo reproduction and it's my preferred method. All I need is one 4 channel amp, a pair of speakers, a sub and that's it.

 

People that like 4 speakers + a sub is fine, we all like our own things. Make your own mind up and don't take everything you read and hear as read. The car is an entirely different environment to the home, so you're never going to get the same sound as you would in a quiet house, so 4 speakers can give good results in a car.

[GIXXERUK 0]

excellent source of info

http://www.talkaudio.co.uk/vbb/showthre ... 8f&t=30101

[Bally 0]

depends on what you like mate.. I'd be happy with a decent set of comps, with a decent amp & sub.. hate having to much.. I like minimal setup with awesome affect...

 

watch this space!!

[mrbeige 0]

I run a component kit in the front and one sub in the boot off an Audison five channel. Front end running active i.e. 4 channels driving two tweeters and two mids.

 

Its up to you but the advice given by Kev and Henny is as good as you are going to get to be fair.

 

The only reason I went for a five channel is space and price, but given my time again I would have gone for two amps, one 2-channel and a sub amp.

 

I work for a SMC Sound and Vision in Shrewsbury (free ad. 8)) selling car audio equipment and fitting, and my advice is more often than not to plump for 1 component kit in the front + sub(s) in the rear with two amps. (unless its a Lotus Elise of course!!)

 

And my favourite line is....

 

"Why do you want to put speakers in the back? You wouldn't go to a concert and stand with your back to it, would you?" :lol:

[corradophil 3]

"Why do you want to put speakers in the back? You wouldn't go to a concert and stand with your back to it, would you?"

 

I got asked that many years ago and now run a 4 channel amp with components in the front and a sub in the boot. I'd never go bother going back to rear speakers again, despite the moaning I get from people on the back seat. :? Don't take that last bit the wrong way :lol:

[Kevin Bacon 5]

I've heard some very good results using rear speakers in a car inconjunction with a sound field processing head unit (bit like Dolby 5.1 but more car orientated). But likewise, just plain vanilla 2.1 for me :D

[mrbeige 0]

I've heard some very good results using rear speakers in a car inconjunction with a sound field processing head unit (bit like Dolby 5.1 but more car orientated). But likewise, just plain vanilla 2.1 for me :D

 

Funnily enough, my alpines are sound field processing head units....but I just use the Time correction for the fronts!!! 8)

[bristolbaron 10]

if you only have one set of infinitys you wont see much benefit in buying a second set, and another amp for the rear.

i'd recommend fitting the fronts and the sub, seeing how you get on and then maybe buying a decent set of midrange for the rear. tweeters in the rear would get lost, so I wouldn't bother fitting comps in the back.

[Henny 0]

In J-DUB I had a set of JBL components in the front and a pair of standard fit 6x4 two way JBLs in the rear with a sub in the boot... I found that most of the time I had the 6x4s turned RIGHT down so that they were almost inaudiable in the front... when I got H-YYU I decided I couldn't be arsed with the rears and I actually prefer the sound, and that's with a crappy pair of Kenwood 6" dual cone speakers 'cos I've not fitted my new MB Quarts yet... 8)

 

Horses for courses... try it and see what you think

[Leonard 0]

Nice Polk amp for sale in the classifieds :wink:

[Not_Aircooled_or_Taxfree 0]

Hello, interesting thread I personally would go with the advise of Mr Beige, have an amp per job 1x for the sub and 1x for the mid and treble speakers. But if you are going to all this effort for some good ICE don't skimp on the speaker cables get good ones, they don't have to be pretty but the thicker the better! (remember how much space you have in the car to pull them through)