any one have any quick ways that I can run all six speakers off a 4 channel amp? I have the kenwood excelon xxv-01d head unit ( very cool ) and the kac-x541 excelon amp. I wanna run the 6.5" front door set, the 5.25" rear set, and if possible the 4" dash set. I have the option of turning off the built in deck amp or leaving it on, but the manual says turning it on will weaken the signal that goes to the r.c.a. preouts, so I am not sure what options I have? also how are the spakers wired from the factory, are the dash and door speaker wires shared or does the factory deck have six sets of speaker wires coming out. I have the option of paying a friend of a friend to install my gear, and he installs for one of the best shops in sav. but I know I can install a stereo and the basic set-up of a stereo amp and speakers. but If I wire up the 4" speakers off of deck power will they sound weak, or will it give a good balanced sound? I don't wanna buy a amp for 2--- 4" speakers cause I fear a weak alternator once the subs go in. I think three amps would be pushing the alt. to its limits. Any suggestions? ? ? ?

 

That amp will handle 2 ohms so you can probably run the dash and rears in parallel and be just fine. You want the front doors to be separate so you can adjust them to be the predominate source so your staging will be correct. The dash speakers will dominate the sound if you don't. You can also run the dash speakers from the head unit so you'll have more control over each set of speakers. Trust me you don't need a lot on the dash to get the sound going. I don't think you need a third amp but I don't think you'd have a problem if you did. The amp only draws what it needs to power the speakers so if your volume level determines the demand on the alternator.

 

the kenwood speakers I have should be four ohm, I have the kfc-x130 ( 5.25") and the kfc-1079ie (4") and am lookin at getting the excelon 6.5" for the door, can't remember the stock # but it is the dual mags. I think I wanna try running the 4" 's off of deck power first. If that doesnt do it I will run the dash and rear in parallel , it just seems like a bit of running wires back and forth through the car. but I am glad you brought up the staging issue, I am a bit of a i.c.e. novice and it completely slipped the mind. thanks

 

The dash and doors are all ready wired together, so if the amp can handle the 2 ohm load of 4 ohm speakers I would say go for it, and then run the rears off the last 2 channels.


John

 

The major problem with doing that, other than a severe lack of control, is that you have to tap into the factory wiring. To me it's just as easy to lay new wire that's better quality since you have to take things apart to run power for the amps. Plus if you leave everything intact from the factory it's very easy to drop the old stuff back in when it's time to trade-in or sell.

 

so I should run new wires for the four inch speakers to the back of the deck and just hook them to the deck power front speaker wires on the harness?

 

sorry, I meant run the new wires from the 4" speakers to the rear speaker wires coming out of the kenwood harness on the deck OR am I just lost

 

Yes either way. Since you are only going to be running the dash speakers with the HU, it doesn't matter whether you use the front or the rear. I think the determining factor is how you want to contol with your fader. If you hook to the front and want less sound in the rear, you are fine. If you hook to the rear and want less sound in the rear, you lose dash too.

 

thank you . it has been helpful. I may try it both both ways before buttoning up the dash and calling it done. I am curious how the rear speaker wiring to dash speaker setup will work. mainly because until i stick some boom in the back- this thing is gonna have more highs than I know what to do with . I almost bought components for the doors until checking out the one at the dealer and discovering those dash speakers tucked away. I need some bass now, and rims, and springs, and leds, and a grill, and a header and exhaust and on and on and on .......

 

Good Question Trainman!!!!! That was going to be my next question. I am using a Alpine V power 4 ch amp and will be do the 6.5 doors and the 5.25 rear first both two way speakers. then if that dont work I will add the 4" two way dash off of the head unit. So the next question is do We need bass blockers for the dash speakers???? On my amp I have the Hi and low pass filters for the front and back set up.

 

I'd suggest it. 4" speakers aren't going to handle frequencies as low as the others very well.

 

any suggestions on which frequencies to use. crutchfield has numerous choices, or should I check to see what the speaker range is first. if so it will have to wait till the weekend when i get home. hey chadfo. I see you were on the site at 4:20 in the morning. dude thanks for the help but please get some sleep. I thought only railroaders were up 24-7.

 

Hey Trainman.... Railfan or Train Crew????

 

i have the fronts and dash in parallel
you don't want the dash speakers wired with the rear. cause 1 it's MUCH more wiring. and why would you want the rear sound level to also control the dash speakers?

 

train crew ... and we call them f.r.n's f**ckin rail nuts . Seriously we go by people and 50 m.p.h and they are literally 2-3 feet from the end of the crossties taking "close-up" pics. one day there is gonna be a bad accident for a good picture. It is one of those things you don't want on your conscience for the rest of your life. I understand the fascination cause I love my job and trains are awesome examples of what power can do , but that is just it ... they are very dangerous and very heavy and that flange on the wheel is awfully small. I will get off my soap box now. sorry, but I am a third generation railroader and
I have heard this my whole life.

 

sorry hotbox05 didn't see your post, but I was gonna play around with it. butafter thinking about it I am just gonna run them through the front deck power with some bass blockers and call it a day

 

Just what I said at the beginning of the post!

John

 

well kinda, I am gonna use the deck power speaker wires for the speakers on the dash and then use the rca preouts to the 4 ch. amp to power the four speakers in the front doors and hear cargo area.

 

Ok, There is a few ways to do this and each is ok as long as the amp can handle the load. Pics would be nice when you get done.


John

 

I will post them but i wont install anything until I am done in atlanta, which is three more weeks, this hotel is in one of the worst areas, several cars have been broke into around here. crackheads taking advantage of lonely cars at a railroad hotel..