2 or 4 Channel Amp?

[Lincoln LS 10+ year member]

I just upgraded my entire system, and now I want to upgrade my frontstage amp. It's currently an Audiobahn 6004T that will be bridged, but I'm looking to upgrade. The comps I have are CDT ES-620's, so I'm looking at putting out about 200rms a side. Should I go with a 2 channel, or should I get a 4 channel and bridge it? I'm looking at about $250 or so for the amp maybe $300. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks

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[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

for that much power your 2ch amp options will be limited, but there are tons of 50-75x4 amps that will work well. I think you'd get more for your money with a 4 ch as well being that a BIG 2 ch will probably be more expensive than a smallish 4 ch.

I made a similar change a while back.

I had a 100x2 running my comps, but found a 50x4 (180x2 bridged) amp from the same line on ebay. Bought it, sold my 100x2 for the same price. Basically doubled my component amp power at no cost.

 

[Lincoln LS 10+ year member]

Thanks N2. I didn't know if there would a problem with bridging them as far as stereo/mono goes or if that even makes sense.

 

[youngcoke]

get a mono amp

like alpine for about 400 at ebay

or rockford 1000bd for 350 at ebay

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

get a mono amplike alpine for about 400 at ebay

or rockford 1000bd for 350 at ebay

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif

I would highly suggest NOT getting a mono amp to power the frontstage.

To your question Lincoln; No, there are no problems bridging the amplifier. Just run the Left signal to one pair of bridged channels and the Right signal to the other pair of bridged channels.

 

[Lincoln LS 10+ year member]

Thanks Squeak. For some reason, I thought it might be more difficult than that. I don't know what the whole mono amp thing is about either.

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

2 chanel ftw.

 

[XTRProBoy 10+ year member]

I don't know what the whole mono amp thing is about either.

Nearly all mono amps in the car audio world are designed with the intent of being used to power subwoofers. Most are engineered for high current operation into lower impedances to put maximum power into subwoofer(s). Most are also Class-D and they have limited frequency range* (most top out at about 250Hz)--the purpose of this is because a D class amp is more efficient despite it's limited frequency response. Since only low-frequency response is required for subs, and high power and high efficiency is desireable, those are the amps most people choose to power sub(s).

For your application (powering front speakers), as mentioned above, you will not want to be looking at mono amps at all.

*There are variations on class D designs that are full-range and used in stereo applications but I won't get into that as those are not that common.

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

2 chanel ftw.

For the reasons very clearly outlined below I strongly disagree...

for that much power your 2ch amp options will be limited, but there are tons of 50-75x4 amps that will work well. I think you'd get more for your money with a 4 ch as well being that a BIG 2 ch will probably be more expensive than a smallish 4 ch.
I made a similar change a while back.

I had a 100x2 running my comps, but found a 50x4 (180x2 bridged) amp from the same line on ebay. Bought it, sold my 100x2 for the same price. Basically doubled my component amp power at no cost.

Very well-stated and right on the money. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/thumbsup.gif.3287b36ca96645a13a43aff531f37f02.gif

 

[Lincoln LS 10+ year member]

I realize the mono amps are to power subs. I meant I didn't know what Youngcoke was talking about as far as using one to power components. Thank you everyone for your input

 

[.::DuD3::. 10+ year member]

Nearly all mono amps in the car audio world are designed with the intent of being used to power subwoofers. Most are engineered for high current operation into lower impedances to put maximum power into subwoofer(s). Most are also Class-D and they have limited frequency range* (most top out at about 250Hz)--the purpose of this is because a D class amp is more efficient despite it's limited frequency response. Since only low-frequency response is required for subs, and high power and high efficiency is desireable, those are the amps most people choose to power sub(s).
For your application (powering front speakers), as mentioned above, you will not want to be looking at mono amps at all.

*There are variations on class D designs that are full-range and used in stereo applications but I won't get into that as those are not that common.

very well put. rep for joo //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

I realize the mono amps are to power subs. I meant I didn't know what Youngcoke was talking about as far as using one to power components. Thank you everyone for your input

i dont think he knew either //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif