decision of AMP for sound system

[my70stang]

ok, so when i got my car, the stock radio didnt work, there were no speakers, and the kick panels were just plain with no speakers...
so what im gonna get is a 12" sub, two 6x9", and two 5 1/4"...what size of AMP should i get for the best sound?

 

[351w_swap]

This depends on the power rating of the sub. Your stereo should be able to handle the speakers, but for really good sound, you can get a separate four way amp for the speakers. What sub do you have or do you plan to get? Contact one of the speaker stores like crutchfield and ask what amp to get to best match up with your sub.

 

[my70stang]

thanks swap, by sub is a 900 W, if u know what i should get, and, do i hook the regular speakers up to an amp as well?

 

[Psydwaze]

Personally I'm not a big fan of rear speakers. They tend to just muddy up the sound stage. The rear speaker holes can just be left open to allow better 'play-through' for the sub. If you're dead set on a 12" sub I would recommend going with 6-1/2" instead of 5-1/4". The 5-1/4's are a bit shy on mid-bass unless you get a somewhat spendy set.
A decent set of separates up front with a good clean amp will do a good job.
Just look for a decent quality, four channel amp with built-in crossover. As far as how much power, I think quality should be priority over brute force. I run a single 8" sub off a good clean 300 watt amp. Good clean sound quality, tight bass, decent lows, and loud enough cause hearing damage and annoy the people next to me at a stop light.

 

[ForceFed70]

The big manufacturers change their product lines so quickly that it's impossible for most of us to keep up.

There are large forums out there dedicated to car audio... I think you'll find more up to date information there.

 

[my70stang]

k thanks guys, is there any way i could just use one amp or should i have 2-3

 

[ForceFed70]

k thanks guys, is there any way i could just use one amp or should i have 2-3

It really depends on what you want to do.

Are you planning to amplify all 4 speakers as well as subwoofers? How many subwoofers?

There are many options available..

For a budget system I'd just buy a subwoofer and a 2 channel amp with about 300 watts of power.

For a medium range system, I'd buy a subwoofer and a 4-channel amp. Use 2 channels to run the sub, the other 2 channels to run 2 of the speakers (use the CD player to run the other 2 speakers).

For a more elaborate system (like mine). I'd buy a 4-channel amp just for the speakers (around 200 to 300 watts), and then buy another 2 channel amplifier to run the sub(s).

 

[my70stang]

yea, i think im going with ur second decision, that sounds like a good idea, run to to the woofs and 2 to the rear

 

[jbuening]

A few recommendations for an amp would be some of the old school amps. I'm running a Fosgate Punch 200ix amp that they rated at 100x2 but the birth sheet shows over 500w! Kicker makes a good amp, so does US Amps, and Precision Power (PPI). Soundstream is great but they aren't cheap. Audiobahn is more "show" than go, they are too worried about chroming the amps and not making a quality product. I guess it all depends on how much you want to spend and then we can go from there.

 

[mtbdoc]

I MOST STRONGLY suggest that you check out Elemental Designs which is a direct online manufacturer. Their products are superb, and you will not find a better bang for the buck out there. I am one satisfied customer with their products in my GTO...and going into the 'vert.

www.edesignaudio.com

 

[iskwezm]

k thanks guys, is there any way i could just use one amp or should i have 2-3

If your worried about spending money, you could try a 5 channel amp.I have been selling a few Soundstream 5 ch. amps and have had good luck with them.IMO you really dont need a "clean" amp on bass, most D (digital)class amps arent that clean because the frequencies they produce.The full range are AB design.

 

[CochinoFilipino]

For a budget system I'd just buy a subwoofer and a 2 channel amp with about 300 watts of power.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
For a more elaborate system (like mine). I'd buy a 4-channel amp just for the speakers (around 200 to 300 watts), and then buy another 2 channel amplifier to run the sub(s).

I like the fact that the 2-channel Amp is more versatile for future applications but is there another advantage to using a 2-Channel Amp (bridged) vs. Single-Channel Amp for a single-coil sub?

 

[stangonline]

If your worried about spending money, you could try a 5 channel amp.I have been selling a few Soundstream 5 ch. amps and have had good luck with them.IMO you really dont need a "clean" amp on bass, most D (digital)class amps arent that clean because the frequencies they produce.The full range are AB design.

In 2000, I did a setup for my car and used an Alpine V12 5-channel. It really sounded great and was simple. 1-amp = easy If you aren't trying to win any competitions, that's the way to go, IMO

 

[milner351]

I've never stumped the tech folks at crutchfield, I would go there for any stereo needs, set up, which components, even mixing with components you already have. I've always had a great experience with them, and several times they have things on sale that are not in the catalogue. Give them a ring.

 

[ForceFed70]

I like the fact that the 2-channel Amp is more versatile for future applications but is there another advantage to using a 2-Channel Amp (bridged) vs. Single-Channel Amp for a single-coil sub?

There are other advantages, but not real big ones. A single channel amp will work as well. I just prefer a 2-channel amp because usually they can do everything a single channel amp can do and more. Especially when you consider that the single channel amps generally arn't much cheaper.

I guess 2 channel amps have a bennifit in that they can be used in a mixed-mono application where you can't do that with a single channel amp. Mixed mono isn't used a heck of alot tho..you'd need 3 subwoofers to do this(or 1 subwoofer and 2 regular speakers). But it can come in handy... it's how I have my 3 subs wired in my car.

 

[iskwezm]

I had my X-File 2000D amp wired at 1/2 ohm on 4 L712" Kickers and then 1 ohm on 3 JL112W6, thing never got hot or shut off