i dont have the slightest clue on what amplifer to buy. I am looking into getting 2 Pioneer TS-W3004SPL subs. And i am looking around for an amp or two and i am getting all confused with the wordings of them. some say mono some say 2 channel some say 4 channel. a quick explanation would be helpfull. and any suggestions on what amp would power these sub good.



scionlife89

 

I suck at posting

 

Mono=1 channel amplifier...good for subs

2 channel=has 2 channels, can be bridged(combined) into 1 for sub duty or used to power comps

4 channel=has 4 channels, can be bridged(combined) to 2 channels for more power or have 2 channels run component speakers and the other 2 bridged to power a sub.

As far as powering two of them, you'd probably want something that did around 2000 watts. Maybe a hifonics brutus 2500d or something like that. Check out eBay for cheap prices on them.

Also, you're going to need an amp that will do it's power at 1 ohms or 4 ohms...since that's what you can wire those 2 woofers to.

 

to explain it simply, without going into too much detail,

On an amp, the number channels are the amount of output channels that can be run to a speaker, under normal load (ohms). Most car speakers are designed to run at 4 ohms

For example, a 4 channel amp is designed to be run to four speakers under a 4 ohm load - one speaker per channel, at a given frequency. A two channel would be designed for 2 speakers per channel, at a given freq. A mono would be one.

Now, you can run *more* (or less) speakers than what the given channels are. For example, you can hook four speakers up to a 2 channel amp, or you could hook one speaker up to a two channel. But then you are getting into different loads, which changes the power output of the amp. Bridging does the same thing (combining the output of multiple channels into fewer, example bridgng a 2channel amp into one).

What will you be amping? just the two pioneers, or all your stock speakers, PLUS the pioneers.

 

i dont really know what i want to do yet. what are the advantages of just wiring the 2 subs vs the 2 subs and all the stock speakers. Sorry, i dont know too much about the whole car audio thing yet.



scionlife89

 

the advantages of wiring just the two subs are, you would need a less powerful amp, and it will cost less. the disadvantage is that the rest of your speakers will be un-amped, and won't sound as clean as if you were powering them with an amp.

THe advantage of amping everything is that you are providing clean power to the speakers (stock headunits do not have very efficient/clean buili in amps).

The disadvantages are you need either a more powerful amp (often that goes hand in hand with a bigger physical sized amp, meaning mounting space) or you need multiple amps.

If I were you, I would probably go with a good quality 4 channel amp and run it in 3 channel mode. What this means is: run one channel to each of the front speakers (channels one and two), and then bridge (combine) channels 3 and 4 into one channel, and run that to your subs. Leave the rear speakers either unamped (leave them powered by the headunit) or do not run any sound to them at all.

I suggested this because you sound relatively new to getting into car audio. There are a *lot* of variables when it comes to car audio, and until you become familiar and comfortable with them, or you decide you want to compete, it's best to keep things simple. It's very easy to go overboard on car stereo equipment.

The other option is a good two channel amp, powering the front two speakers, and a monster monoblock amp for the subs.

 

now what wattage would i want to get in a 4 channel amp, like what examples of brands and model numbers would i want to use. thanks again you guys




scionlife89

 

JL Audio, Diamond Audio, Hifonics, Elemental Designs and there are many more! You can get a Subplug 4 on ebay that will totally bi-pass the power from your stock stereo and it has 2 sets of RCA outputs for amplifier(s) I am in the process of putting together a system with an amp running the stock speaker locations and then an amp to run the sub(s). I think I would start and upgrade the stock speakers first since the make the most music or do the subs if you want to loose your hearing You may also want to run components speakers.




John

 

get a mono Infinity Refference Series 1210A... exxpensive.. but oh so worth it.. (might be bad with fragile subs, as has been demonstrated many times in my trunk).

 

Very Nice amp, but if you have bad subs=poopie

 

it goes BOOOM verry smoothly with my DVC Kappa Perfects.. i am however always scared about frying my alternater...

 

this would be a great amp at a good price for the 2 12's you're talking about.....
http://www.woofersetc.com/product.as...5&1=296&3=3577

it would push 2000 watts into 1 ohm which is what those subs can be wired to in parallel/parallel......since they handle 2000 max, 750 RMS....1000RMS to each of them won't be detremental.....

 

what are the disadvatnages of getting a cheap $50-60ish amp from ebay if i just want to power an average 8" sub in my tC? i don't like to have my music turned all the way up (i value my hearing) so i just want a little more oomph so i really don't need something fancy so would a cheap ebay amp do it or should i really invest in a more expensive amp regardless?

 

^^^ that belongs in a completely seperate thread

 

Get a MA Audio amp on eBay, a good company is sonic electronix or hifisoundconnection, the both sell that brand and they are good amps for the price. Always remember that you can spend thousands on stereo equipment so at first keep it simple.



John

 

I am in no way affiliated with this eBay seller but just wanted to pass this Great Deal to whoever reads this. It isn't as big as the other amps posted but is an awesome deal for such an awesome amp.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...784266664&rd=1