4 channel amp questions...

[K_Watson 10+ year member]

Sorry for the noob questions, I am still learning.

I want to get a 4 channel amp later this year but my head unit only has 2 sets of RCAs and the subs are using one.

1. Is there a difference in the sound/signals coming from the headunit (front vs rear) if fade and balance are both 0? (Kenwood KDC-MP245)

2. Can I feed a 4 channel amp off one set of RCAs (front in this case) or should I use speaker level inputs?

3. If I use speaker level inputs, and I turn the amp off with a switch, will the headunit still power the speakers through the amp? (I some times listen to the radio with the car off and won't want the amp drawing power then.)

4a. If I use RCA's do I just tape off the speaker wires at the harness?

4b. Does it hurt a headunits internal amplifier to have an infinite load?

Thanks!

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[UnderFire 10+ year member]

1. Depends what the headunit is, Model and Manufacturer?

2. You can definitely, some people just plug one in per side, but I use y splitters.

3. No it won't, don't know what to tell you there.

4a. I did.

4b. I don't think so.

 

[K_Watson 10+ year member]

1. Depends what the headunit is, Model and Manufacturer?

Kenwood KDC-MP245

 

[UnderFire 10+ year member]

Kenwood KDC-MP245

It specifies that the rear is the sub channel, so I'm assuming that when the HU's eq is changed, the rear channel will receive more of the bass frequencies.

As for listening to the radio without using the amp, there isn't really any need to, when the amp is at low volumes, like just enough to hear it, it will only be drawing (maybe) 5-10 amps, could be less, which would take quite a while to drain the car's battery.

 

[K_Watson 10+ year member]

It specifies that the rear is the sub channel, so I'm assuming that when the HU's eq is changed, the rear channel will receive more of the bass frequencies.
As for listening to the radio without using the amp, there isn't really any need to, when the amp is at low volumes, like just enough to hear it, it will only be drawing (maybe) 5-10 amps, could be less, which would take quite a while to drain the car's battery.

The KDC-MP245 has selectable modes for the rear channel outs, it can be selected between rear out and sub out via menus.

 

[UnderFire 10+ year member]

The KDC-MP245 has selectable modes for the rear channel outs, it can be selected between rear out and sub out via menus.

Then there should be no difference between rear and front, only thing that would effect it is the fade.