amps - channels??
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From: Woodbridge VA
amps - channels??
I am not sure how the channels in amps are distributed. Say I have a four channel amp, how many components can I drive with that? Sorry for the dumb question.... :confused:
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Windermere FL
Re: amps - channels?? (95DropTop)
Each channel represents a location for a speaker. Seperates usually take a single channel of sound and split it with a passive crossover, making one full range frequency channel into two channels, one for the tweeter and one for the midrange. So if you have a 4 channel amp, you can run 4 mids and 4 tweets off it. Sometimes people want to run the mids and tweets seperately with their own active crossovers and an amp channel for each. This is unnecessary and often sounds worse than the passive route as the speaker maker is pretty good at identifying the ideal crossover frequency for their speakers. If you do seperates, 50w per channel continuous is the minimum amp size you want though ideal would be 100w per channel. Hope this clears it up.
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From: Woodbridge VA
Re: amps - channels?? (92TripleBlack)
Thanks tripleblack, you are the man. So if I am running a 4 channel alpine 60w per channel to 4 component set speakers (2 front 2 back), will that sound okay. Also, I know powered subs aren't all that great, but I have an 80w powered sub with another sub as a slave and don't know if I will need an amp on top of the one in the sub. Sorry, one more question - this is the good one - how much better are component speakers than regular speakers? Sorry for all the questions but I am new to the stereo world. :cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Windermere FL
Re: amps - channels?? (95DropTop)
Don't know the brands on the subs so I can't comment. Powered subs that are all in one units like bazookas aren't the best sounding but are easily removed so they still have their place. Good seperates go for $300 up. I mean up. Most are under or around $4-500 but some go over $1800 a pair. I would listen to a few different brands and get the ones that sound best to you. 60w is on the low side but acceptable for components. If you want to see retail prices and good writeups on capabilities, try the boston site http://www.bostonacoustics.com
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From: Woodbridge VA
Re: amps - channels?? (92TripleBlack)
This is the system I picked up. Actually bought it from a CF member:
This system was installed in my C5 convertible in 1999. The car is coming off lease in 1 month, and I had it removed and wish to sell it. The head unit is Alpine with detachable face and remote control. It is a passive tuner/CD. The amp is a 4 channel Alpine, 60 watts/channel (clean)...powering component Boston Acoustics, 6 1/2" pair in the front, and 5 1/2" pair in the rear. There are 4 sepatate tweeters. Finally, an 80 watt Bazooka sub, and a second passive Bazooka sub.(a slave) It all fits neatly into a convertible, and includes the dashboard adapter to professionally convert the GM double DIN space to fit the Alpine. Originally cost $2000.00, I'm comfortable letting it all go somewhere in the $600 ballpark. I have many pictures I can e-mail.
This system was installed in my C5 convertible in 1999. The car is coming off lease in 1 month, and I had it removed and wish to sell it. The head unit is Alpine with detachable face and remote control. It is a passive tuner/CD. The amp is a 4 channel Alpine, 60 watts/channel (clean)...powering component Boston Acoustics, 6 1/2" pair in the front, and 5 1/2" pair in the rear. There are 4 sepatate tweeters. Finally, an 80 watt Bazooka sub, and a second passive Bazooka sub.(a slave) It all fits neatly into a convertible, and includes the dashboard adapter to professionally convert the GM double DIN space to fit the Alpine. Originally cost $2000.00, I'm comfortable letting it all go somewhere in the $600 ballpark. I have many pictures I can e-mail.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,178
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From: Windermere FL
Re: amps - channels?? (95DropTop)
Good setup. I'd reverse the mounting of the speakers. Put the 5.25 in the front as there is little space there, and the 6.5 in the rear with MDF. The only weak point may be the subs. Its up to you what you want to do. Here's a link to my box which I am going to redo now as I have decided that I will go a little further with the mods. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=193712
I am going to build custom boxes for 6.5 in the front and purchase a set of Focal or A/D/S seperates for the front moving the 6.5 bostons to the rear in the original openings and move the other set to my jeep. This will free up some space in the box as I don't have the two seperate speaker chambers to worry about. I hope to get an IDMAX 12 back there and eventually also be able to uncover the rear storage compartments. But first the DANA 44 4.09 rear.
;)
I am going to build custom boxes for 6.5 in the front and purchase a set of Focal or A/D/S seperates for the front moving the 6.5 bostons to the rear in the original openings and move the other set to my jeep. This will free up some space in the box as I don't have the two seperate speaker chambers to worry about. I hope to get an IDMAX 12 back there and eventually also be able to uncover the rear storage compartments. But first the DANA 44 4.09 rear.
;)
