OT?? - Amps - How many channels??

[M@rt1n]

Hi guys,

Okay, three questions if I may.....

1. If I were to get an amp in my car, would I have to run ALL the speakers from it or can I run some from the HU and some from the amp??

2. If I want to run all the speakers from the amp, I.e. 2 in the doors, 2 tweeters on the dash, 2 in the back and a sub; how many channels would I need on the amp, and what is the best way to wire them up?

3. If I had a (for example) 3000w amp, but my speakers were only 800w, could I need something to 'cap the power' (I've heard of a power cap, but I'm not sure if it "does exactly what it says on the tin!!")

Many thanks in advance,

Martin

 

[Matt]

If you get a powerful headunit use that to run the front speakers - is the easiest option too. for rears and a sub get a 4 channel amp and bridge 2 channels for the sub.

 

[M@rt1n]

So if I wanted one sub, bridge two channels. So if I want two subs, I would use one channel per sub???

Cheers,

Martin

 

[Matt]

yeah, but you want quite alot of power for the sub, if you wanted 2 I'd go for a 6 channel. I found this one and later saw that Buzz has it, it's a great amp for an amazing price.
http://www.dvbcaraudio.co.uk/product/JBL_GTO-755.6.html

 

[Darren]

and a power cap doesnt actualy cap the power it stores the power for the amp so when a big bass note hits on the sub the amp takes the power from the capacitor and not the car battery directly so no dipping of the lights in the car

 

[Tom]

Power caps make money for the people selling them, they have no other use at all. They store no useful power at all.

It is quite safe to have an amp thats 2x or even 4x the RMS rating of the speaker its driving. You're less likely to do damage with a more powerful amp.

 

[LooseCannon]

dont use hu, id say - just hook all up to good amp. and i wouldn't bother with rear speakers (if youre referring to standard ones) - heck, sub will drown it out mostly anyhow...

 

[Ian]

What'd be the reason for my music cutting out when the volume is turned up high?

Battery should be fine in my diesel, and yes, it's earthed as best as possible.

It only does it when some bass kicks in..

 

[Matt]

the amp could be overheating, possibley a safety cutoff, maybe a loose connection . I used to get this problem, quire irratating.

 

[Tom]

Ian, either you're expecting too much from an under powered amp or running a load thats wrong for the amp or the amp is faulty or you've got wiring problems.

 

[Anonymous]

Everytime someone says "loose" i get paranoid. And it's not because i'm a slutty woman.

Ian - Not very good at these...but maybe its your earth? (i hope that makes sense) :-D

 

[Dan]

i used to get that problem, i recently upgraded my HU to one with a more powerfull RCA preout, that seems to have stopped it, and its rather loud now, and very clear thanks to my new component speakers.

 

[Buzz]

a JBL 755.6 is no good for running 2 subs imo, as i think bridging for 3 chans gives 3 different rms figures

its PERFECT for running 2 pairs of speakers, and then bridging the last 2 chans to run a single sub though.

Buzz
The champion of the Bravo 1.4, and owner of a Bravo 1.8

Member Page

 

[Buzz]

just realised i didn't actually answer the first post at all there...


1. If I were to get an amp in my car, would I have to run ALL the speakers from it or can I run some from the HU and some from the amp??
You can mix and match, but you get the best sound if you run them ALL from an amp.



2. If I want to run all the speakers from the amp, I.e. 2 in the doors, 2 tweeters on the dash, 2 in the back and a sub; how many channels would I need on the amp, and what is the best way to wire them up?
To Do all this with a single amp would need a 6channel amp. Many of us have had good experiences with the JBL 755.6 amp. It costs a mere £120 and is all you need to run what you want. (i say mere when compared with others that are £500+) Its such a good amp, i'm putting it in my next car too....



3. If I had a (for example) 3000w amp, but my speakers were only 800w, could I need something to 'cap the power' (I've heard of a power cap, but I'm not sure if it "does exactly what it says on the tin!!")
No. a cap, is a capacitor. its just like a battery that holds charge for very short times, and is supposed to help with peak 'bursts' of power because they discharge very quickly. They aren't really necessary in any build i've ever seen, and i've seen ALOT...

Buzz
The champion of the Bravo 1.4, and owner of a Bravo 1.8

Member Page