Amplifier Connection Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 166
Likes: 3
From: Meridian ID
Amplifier Connection Question
I am in the process of installing a new stereo system in my 2007 Coupe and had a question on the best way to connect my front component speakers to the amp.
I have a 5 channel Kenwood amp that I am using to drive the front component speakers along with a rear subwoofer box. My question is do I bridge two of the four outputs from the amp and use each one to drive the components as a set or would it be better to drive each of the front components individually with an output from the amp and use the amp settings as the filters for the speakers?
At this point I am not running anything in the rear speaker locations.
Thanks
Gary
I have a 5 channel Kenwood amp that I am using to drive the front component speakers along with a rear subwoofer box. My question is do I bridge two of the four outputs from the amp and use each one to drive the components as a set or would it be better to drive each of the front components individually with an output from the amp and use the amp settings as the filters for the speakers?
At this point I am not running anything in the rear speaker locations.
Thanks
Gary
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 166
Likes: 3
From: Meridian ID
Curt, How to hook it up wasn't the question. What I was asking is which would sound better, running the front components as a set or splitting them and running them as individuals using the amp as the crossover? I have four channels available on the amplifier to run the front speakers and was just wondering which way of connecting them would sound better or if it really wouldn't make much difference.
Thanks!!
Gary
Thanks!!
Gary
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 181
From: Lockport IL
That will teach me to have a cpl drinks after work and hop on the web lol.
True audiophiles will prob say go with a proper active setup. There is a bunch more to the answer though. I dont compete, good equip with passives sounds just fine to me. Look up active vs passive xovers. There is a lot to read.
True audiophiles will prob say go with a proper active setup. There is a bunch more to the answer though. I dont compete, good equip with passives sounds just fine to me. Look up active vs passive xovers. There is a lot to read.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 8
From: Issaquah WA
Ideally, running one of the channels to each driver, along with a good active crossover, will allow the most flexibility for tuning, and let you compensate for any issues in layout of speakers in the car.
That being said, if you're planning on using crossovers built into the amp, you're still going to get the most flexibility in individually amping the drivers, but the overall sound difference will probably be minimal.
The component speakers have a crossover that's probably well tuned for the drivers, and on the Vette's door, the drivers are fairly close and shouldn't present any big issues to overcome in the tuning. You'll get more output from the amp bridged.
That being said, if you're planning on using crossovers built into the amp, you're still going to get the most flexibility in individually amping the drivers, but the overall sound difference will probably be minimal.
The component speakers have a crossover that's probably well tuned for the drivers, and on the Vette's door, the drivers are fairly close and shouldn't present any big issues to overcome in the tuning. You'll get more output from the amp bridged.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
As long as the speaker RMS rating is able to take all or most of the power that your amp would put out bridged, then I'd just use the passive crossover.
If the speaker rating is barely able to take the amps single channel power, then I'd go active. Just be aware of the filter capabilities of the amp, many can't be set at the proper frequency to properly do active components (you'll need to set high and low pass in the 2k-5k range).
If the speaker rating is barely able to take the amps single channel power, then I'd go active. Just be aware of the filter capabilities of the amp, many can't be set at the proper frequency to properly do active components (you'll need to set high and low pass in the 2k-5k range).
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Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
If you bridge the amp you'll have to turn the gain down a bit to prevent distortion of the speakers, but you will get absolutely everything out of the speakers that they can give.
If you want to go active you'll need an external crossover, the amp specs only show a range of 50-200Hz
If you want to go active you'll need an external crossover, the amp specs only show a range of 50-200Hz
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 166
Likes: 3
From: Meridian ID
Thanks Everyone!
I went ahead and bridged the amp and used the crossovers that came with the component speakers.. Just buttoned it up last night so haven't had much time to tune it but it sounds pretty good so far!
Gary
I went ahead and bridged the amp and used the crossovers that came with the component speakers.. Just buttoned it up last night so haven't had much time to tune it but it sounds pretty good so far!
Gary