how do i amp 4 speakers and sub? do i need an amp for each?

[gforce811]

i'm on a tight budget and i will need an amp for my speakers and sub. i know of 4 channel amps handling speakers and mono amps handling subs, but would i need both? or is there one amp that can handle speakers and a sub altogether?

thank you much for your time.

[threedd97]

You'll need something like a 2 channel or 4 channel amp for the door speakers and an amp for the subwoofer (this would be the better way to do it). I've had friends run Kove 12"s, 4 doors and 2 tweeters off a 5 channel amp before. I doubt it got the sub to it's RMS rating, but it sounded pretty good and got the job done, I just wouldn't recommend it like that.

[gforce811]

so, just double checking, but if i wanted to save money right now I could get a 5 channel and amp everything, then when i get more money I can get a separate amp for the sub and do it that way?

thanks again.

[Drewet88]

before you get off the subject of amping 4 speakers can anyone tell me how to do it.
I want to amp my tweeters and 6X9's and my sub, (different amps for the subs and speakers)
I don't understand how you do it because the speakers have to be hooked up to the head unit (right??) so what wires hook up to the amp?

[Benjamin2005]

you will have to buy an amp wiring kit, autoleads do a good set. You will get...

* A thin (usually blue) lead (REMOTE)
* A thick (usually red) lead (POWER)
* A double-leaded lead (usually blue) (RCA/PHONO)
* Speaker wire (usually gold - can depend on set)
* A black wire (EARTH)

When you buy the amp it should come with instructions for wiring. The power lead connects from the amp (positive terminal) to your battery - (you will have to route the leads under your carpet.) The earth goes from your amp to a suitable earth (i.e. any bare metal on the chassis - remember your earth has got to be as good as your positive!) The remote wire will run from your amp (should be labelled remote on amp connection) to the remote on the back of your headunit - this is almost certainly a blue wire and shouldnt be connected to anything else (the remote tells the amp when to switch off.) The speaker wires go from your speakers / sub to your amp. The phono/RCA leads will plug into your amp and need to be plugged into the pre-outs at the back of the head unit.

HOWEVER it is very important not to run the RCA and remote leads alongside the power through your car. you must run the RCA leads and remote down one side and the power down the other as the power lead is carrying current and the RCA and remote leads carry signals and which will be affected if the power lead is directly next to them - giving you distortion.

Good luck!!

posted - by charlotte!!

[Jet-Lee]

I could tell ya how to use one 4 channel amp and power your subs and all 4 regular speakers with surprising clarity. However, your passengers won't like it, but who cares about them?

EDIT: Your remote wire carries power just like your power wire. It is just not as heavy duty, as it doesn't carry the source but merely flips a switch, so to say.

[Drewet88]

Why wouldn't the passengers like it?
Doesn't really matter, as long as I like it.

[Jet-Lee]

Originally Posted by Drewet88

Why wouldn't the passengers like it?
Doesn't really matter, as long as I like it.

It focuses all the speakers on the driver. To you, it sounds like the music is inside your head. To everyone else, it's one sided.

[Drewet88]

who cars. they'll get use 2 it. and if they're nice i'll let them sit in the driver seat and listen.
what/how do i get started.

[wojtas]

You are best off using two amps, one for the speakers and one for the sub(s). You can do this for under 100 dollars if you are smart about what you buy. Use a distribution block to split the power wire coming off the battery, run a remote wire to the first amp then off that same terminal on the first amp, bridge another wire to the next amp. Ground each amp seperately, and run a splitter across both leads on the rca cable. This will give the power of each amp to each speaker. The most expensive part will be the amp.

[Drewet88]

Alright sounds good. I still don't understand how I hook up my voice speakers to the amp. O and can I use the amp to hook up some cooling fans or will I need another form of power?

[wojtas]

You cant use any anp, u need to use an amp with "speaker level inputs." That is y it will b so expensive. When you get it, u can just run speaker wire from the amp to the speakers. What do u need cooling fans 4?

[Jet-Lee]

Originally Posted by wojtas

You cant use any anp, u need to use an amp with "speaker level inputs." That is y it will b so expensive. When you get it, u can just run speaker wire from the amp to the speakers. What do u need cooling fans 4?

Or he could just use a line output converter, gives much better quality, as the high inputs SUCK.

You shouldn't need cooling fans, unless your pushing a lot of power close to the amps limit.

If you're really interested in what I said, it costs $10. I don't charge $10, that's how much the schematic costs from the company, but well worth it.

Lemme know, dude.

[wojtas]

Good call, u typically cant find an amp with speaker level inputs with a high output anyways.

[Drewet88]

O. I guess I wont need cooling fans then.
My friend told me if I don't have cooling fans everything will overheat and fry.
My friend was trying to get me to basically hook mine up how he got his done (@ pacific stereo) with a false bottom where everything is hidden and the speakers blended into the back of his trunk and Pacific Stereo told him he would need cooling fans or everything would fry.

I think I'm going to use two seperate amps (mostly for looks)

So for the speakers I hook them up like normal (to the head unit) and then run another wire from the speakes to the amp?