4 channel amp's

[AJ]

I want to get a cheap 4 channel amp.  At the moment i only need to power my two rear deck speakers (infinti kappa 63.2's? i think)  they want 75w rms, but i dont' want to run them that hot.  Later i will be using the other 2 channels for the front two speakers, but i'm keeping them stock for now.

Do you think it is a good idea to get a 4 channel now even if i may not use the extra 2 channels for 6 months. Or should i just get a small cheap 2 channel and get another for the fronts at a later date.  

I'm not great with all this car audio stuff, so help me out!  thanks.  -AJ

[gregshin]

trust me get the 4 channel amp now...

[fadenb]

AJ one of the best things you can do is buy a 4 ch amp. you said that you dont want to run 75watts rms that your speakers need?  you can run 50watts rms and at a min. and still maintain the quality of your speaks, anything less you can damage your speakers by not controling the movement of your speaks(under power/distortion)  their are alot of amps out there but make sure you buy one that is a class ab or even dclass(rare in 4ch) plan on spending $3-500. jl audio has a great amp 300/4 i use this in my95 it runs 75rms, perfect for your infin. also alpine mrvt407 great sound on both but look around any ??? contact me. car audio is my 2nd passion also my job my motor comes first

[idunit]

Yes go with a 4 channel.  Your doing something pretty basic.  If you used 2 two channel amps you could adjust the staging a little better but then you have to use distro block and it just becomes more of a pain then you need.  On another note, 4 channel amps are only available in AB.  Class D amps are all monoblocks and the waveform created from a class d would create such distortion in high frequencies that none of them play much over 100hz if that high.  Most cut off at 80hz.

[RoNx777]

I jus got a Rockford Fosgate Punch 400.4 (4 Channel) to push the highs, the amp is capable of 100 WATTS RMS x 4 but im not pushing it that hard. And the system kicks!!!


(Edited by RoNx777 at 12:21 pm on Jan. 15, 2002)

[RoNx777]

Did you say you gonna push the rear deck speakers w/ the 4 channel and get another 2 channel for the front??? If dat so it dont really make sense y not jus run all four w/ the same amp and push some subs with the 2 channel???

[my240likenoother]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from fadenb on 5<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>4 am on Jan. 15, 2002
AJ one of the best things you can do is buy a 4 ch amp. you said that you dont want to run 75watts rms that your speakers need? you can run 50watts rms and at a min. and still maintain the quality of your speaks, anything less you can damage your speakers by not controling the movement of your speaks(under power/distortion) their are alot of amps out there but make sure you buy one that is a class ab or even dclass(rare in 4ch) plan on spending $3-500. jl audio has a great amp 300/4 i use this in my95 it runs 75rms, perfect for your infin. also alpine mrvt407 great sound on both but look around any <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'> contact me. car audio is my 2nd passion also my job my motor comes first
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
that JL amp may be too much i put one in my frind car and hes &nbsp;running 6x9's in the rear and 5.4 in the doors and he blew the boston acoustics rallys so we put the pro's in and they r loud much more that 75 watts running them it about 200 a chanel with the gain down

[RoNx777]

Hum...I have Pioneer's and they work fine with my RF Punch.

[gregshin]

remember this tho bro...you get what you pay for...i am not gonna say what NOT to get....but if you want great sound ur gonna have to pay at least $250 for a decent 4 channel amp...remember to ask around before you &nbsp;buy and do your homework

[West]

Help me out here... I know cars, but nothing about car audio. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

What is the benifit of running an amp on the 4 speakers in the car? I am about to install some Infinitys as well so I would like to know to see if I should get an AMP too.

I have ran one on the sub before but I thought it was just so I could use the sub.

[fadenb]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from my240likenoother on 10:20 am on Jan. 15, 2002
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from fadenb on 5<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>4 am on Jan. 15, 2002
AJ one of the best things you can do is buy a 4 ch amp. you said that you dont want to run 75watts rms that your speakers need? you can run 50watts rms and at a min. and still maintain the quality of your speaks, anything less you can damage your speakers by not controling the movement of your speaks(under power/distortion) their are alot of amps out there but make sure you buy one that is a class ab or even dclass(rare in 4ch) plan on spending $3-500. jl audio has a great amp 300/4 i use this in my95 it runs 75rms, perfect for your infin. also alpine mrvt407 great sound on both but look around any <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'> contact me. car audio is my 2nd passion also my job my motor comes first
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
that JL amp may be too much i put one in my frind car and hes running 6x9's in the rear and 5.4 in the doors and he blew the boston acoustics rallys so we put the pro's in and they r loud much more that 75 watts running them it about 200 a chanel with the gain down
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

thats to bad you blew the rx57 but great that you have the pros. &nbsp;the rx57 power rating are 20min-70 watts peak so it makes sence since that they blew. jl puts 75x4 rms. &nbsp;as for the infiniti they can &nbsp;easily handle it. but proseries kick ass

[JeffNJ]

More importantly than the number of channels, he mentioned wanting to get something relatively cheap. &nbsp;I think Optimus (RadShack) makes a perfectly respectable amp, and you can get a 100x4 for $199 not on sale or half that if it is.

For home audio, buy the best. &nbsp;For car audio, with your engine revving, the pavement zipping, and the wind blowing, you can't hear each and every tiny little nuance a nicer amp promises to deliver anyway. &nbsp;Optimus amps don't sound bad at all, and they don't cost an arm a leg.

You want to spend money for good music? &nbsp;Replace your home receiver with a Denon. &nbsp;At least there, you'll be able to enjoy it. &nbsp;=)

[gregshin]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from WeST on 12<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>7 pm on Jan. 15, 2002
Help me out here... I know cars, but nothing about car audio. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

What is the benifit of running an amp on the 4 speakers in the car? I am about to install some Infinitys as well so I would like to know to see if I should get an AMP too.

I have ran one on the sub before but I thought it was just so I could use the sub.


</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

A 4 channel amp that has a x-over &nbsp;hooked up to 4 speakers can give you the proper fading and sound stage desirable to a car audio enthusiast. Do you really need it? no but if you want to hear music the way it's sounds then invest in a decent amp. There are some great deals out there....also check out this place and talk to scott! www.thezeb.com

[idunit]

Not only will the amp giver better imaging and staging but it will also give more power. &nbsp;The music will be louder and cleaner. &nbsp;Do not get optimus. &nbsp;They are overrated. &nbsp;Go to www.nexxon.com and check the specials. &nbsp;Keep in mind these prices are shipped.

[gregshin]

wow that is HUGE site...i hope their customer service is a great as their web site content

[AJ]

whats wrong with going with a 2 channel and bridging ur front two speakers to one channel, and ur back's to the other.. I never mess around with left right control anyway.. and i don't NEED my fronts amp'd now, so i can use the two channel with the gain low to each speaker untill i get new front ones.. if i had 2, 2 channels.. what is different about that than having 1 4 channel?.. thanks so much for ur input so far, it has been helpful!.. keep it commin, thanks! (btw, just blew my rear amp today on accident,, so i need a new rear amp fast!.. and i'm getitng a nakamichi cd40z headunit.. if any of you want to comment on that as well, thanks!)

(Edited by AJ at 5:46 pm on Jan. 16, 2002)

[AJ]

ttt

[AJ]

idunit, what exactly is a distro block&gt;? &nbsp;i like the idea of getting 2 2channels.. but, i need to know what this distro block business is <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> thanks.

[idunit]

Well the distibution block is just a block of metal with holes in it. &nbsp;You have 1 large wire coming in (lets say 4 awg) then you have smaller wires coming out (lets say four 8 awg). &nbsp;So you come from the battery, through a fuse, to the block with your big wire. &nbsp;Then you use a smaller wire from the block to your amp. &nbsp;If running a pair of 2 channels you'd also have to run an extra set of RCA wires unless your amp has an RCA out on it. &nbsp;Most of the new one do and link an extra remote wire in.

[DSC]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from AJ on 5:43 pm on Jan. 16, 2002
whats wrong with going with a 2 channel and bridging ur front two speakers to one channel, and ur back's to the other.. I never mess around with left right control anyway.. and i don't NEED my fronts amp'd now, so i can use the two channel with the gain low to each speaker untill i get new front ones.. if i had 2, 2 channels.. what is different about that than having 1 4 channel?.. thanks so much for ur input so far, it has been helpful!.. keep it commin, thanks! (btw, just blew my rear amp today on accident,, so i need a new rear amp fast!.. and i'm getitng a nakamichi cd40z headunit.. if any of you want to comment on that as well, thanks!)

(Edited by AJ at 5:46 pm on Jan. 16, 2002)
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>If you made the front one channel you of course couldn't fade left to right (but who does that anyway) but would it sound right? you know how some cd's play sounds out of just one side and others out of the other side or some sort of effect like that...wouldn't that not work anymore either? It would just make it mono right?

[duderiffic]

In a 240SX (S14) the car is small enough that just a set of front speakers is plenty. &nbsp;Use a 4 channel amp to power up some very nice seperates in the front of your car and take your rear speakers out. &nbsp;Since when is music supposed to come from behind you anyways? &nbsp;I did this is my car on a whim and I absolutely love it!! &nbsp;The front stage is very convincing! &nbsp;

Jeff

[240 2NR]

Using a 2 channel amp to run four speakers you should retain L and R channels, but lose the ability to fade forward and back. &nbsp;I suppose you could run the fronts as one channel and the rears as the other, but it would sound funky since the imaging is so different front to back, as opposed to left and right.

If you have an S13 and are running 6.5's up front and 4x6 in back, that fade control will be pretty nice. &nbsp;However, if you are running comparable speakers all around (same size, power handling, quality, etc), then its not as much of an issue.

The other problem with running a 2 channel amp into four speakers is the increased load. &nbsp;So if you bought a cheap amp to get you by for the time, and run it into four speakers you run a better chance of ruining the amp and speakers due to the higher load (the amp will get hot from all the load and fail, or the signal will suck and ruin your speakers. &nbsp;I would be more speakers are blown due to poor signal than too much power, stock speakers excluded). &nbsp;A good amp that is stable at 2 ohms should be fine. &nbsp;But at that point, you might as well have gotten a decent 4 channel thats not quite as nice.

For a car I would say that a 35Wx4 is decent as long as you get a good brand quality amp and will probably be better than an Xplod or jensen at 50x4. &nbsp;Much more power than that is going to be pretty #### loud and not really worth it for a buget system.

In the end I would either wait or bite the bullet and get what your really want now. &nbsp;A good way to get a nice amp is to buy last years model. &nbsp;You can usually find good deals on a one year old quality amp, for the same money as a new cheap one. &nbsp;Or find a friend who has to have the latest stuff and buy their &quot;old&quot; one ( I think we all know someone like that).

Wow, this got pretty long. &nbsp;Hope it helped.

[gregshin]

dood just get the 4 channel amp...