Amp for speakers : How much better is it?

[blazergt 10+ year member]

I am looking for ways to get the most out of my system. I have alpine speakers all around and was thinking about looking into an amp to power them. They are already loud enough though (I don't feel like going deaf) so will it make a big difference in sound quality?

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[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

It will make a HUGE difference in sound quality. The "power" from the HU *****, plain and simple. Even a tiny real amp will make a huge difference.

 

[blazergt 10+ year member]

Anyone have a suggestion on what to get? My speakers give a nominal rating and peak power rating. Im guessing i need an amp that puts out something right around the nominal but not over the peak?

Speakers -

**Front - Alpine SPR-17C

Interface Connection: Male Quick Disconnect Terminal

Overall Max Frequency Response: 27 kHz

Sensitivity: 87 dB

Speaker Configuration: Midwoofer and Tweeter Combo

Maximum Input Power Rating: 300 W/channel

Overall Min Frequency Response: 67 Hz

Type of Speaker: Multi-Element-- 2-Way

Nominal Input Power Rating: 100 W/channel

Nominal Impedance: 4 ohm(s)

**Rear - Alpine sps-500

Sensitivity-87dB /W(1m)

Impedence-3.6 Ohms

Frequency Response-80Hz - 22kHz

Power Handling Capacity (Peak)-170 Watts

Power Handling Capacity (RMS)-55 Watts

CEA-2031 Power Rating-55 Watts

 

[Motley 10+ year member]

You could get a 4 channel amp, with like 100x4 RMS at 4Ohms. Should be good with all your speakers. Look at the Alpine PDX amps.

 

[Rashaddd 5,000+ posts]

It will make a HUGE difference in sound quality. The "power" from the HU *****, plain and simple. Even a tiny real amp will make a huge difference.

x2...I mean holy **** when I put in my first mid/highs amp...it sounds incredible compared to going off the HU, even on not-so-great speakers

 

[blazergt 10+ year member]

x2...I mean holy **** when I put in my first mid/highs amp...it sounds incredible compared to going off the HU, even on not-so-great speakers

Really? I guess that and sound deadening are my next step. I have a lot of road noise and my exhaust is upgraded to...What are the best spots to go over in the car without getting to crazy with it?

 

[slappinX 10+ year member]

Really? I guess that and sound deadening are my next step. I have a lot of road noise and my exhaust is upgraded to...What are the best spots to go over in the car without getting to crazy with it?

the whole floor and doors

 

[blazinb2000 10+ year member]

There is absolutely no comparison between speakers ran off the head unit power versus the same speakers ran off an amplifier.

 

[Doola36 10+ year member]

For the first time I ran a Jl Audio 300/4 to my door speakers in my truck and the sound was so clear and loud. I was using some Infinity Kappa speakers at the time. But once I sound the 300 the sound was horrible. You will notice a big different in your music. So I am back to factory with some CDTs and I am going to find a smaller amp to push the door speakers.

 

[blazergt 10+ year member]

For the first time I ran a Jl Audio 300/4 to my door speakers in my truck and the sound was so clear and loud. I was using some Infinity Kappa speakers at the time. But once I sound the 300 the sound was horrible. You will notice a big different in your music. So I am back to factory with some CDTs and I am going to find a smaller amp to push the door speakers.

Once you sound the 300??? I don't get that sentence

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

^^^Yeah, about 50% of the post made exactly no sense whatsoever.

 

[mcsoul 10+ year member]

I am looking for ways to get the most out of my system. I have alpine speakers all around and was thinking about looking into an amp to power them. They are already loud enough though (I don't feel like going deaf) so will it make a big difference in sound quality?

Think of "going deaf" as a side effect of a life

lived to it's fullest. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[Alpine50 10+ year member]

If you have the new type "R" co-ax's the 6.5" 's will handle 100 rms.Those are some intense speakers.I have 4 6.5" "R' co-ax's and a set of "R' components[6.5"].If you are going to run it the way I do,I have the PDX 150 x 4, Alpine amp.If you are just going to run the 4 co-ax's the the 100x4 PDX will be perfect.You will be amazed.Deck power might have been 'ok' with some 'S' co-ax's.I'm sure with your 'R' 's you didn't get very much out of 18 rms.When I am on the freeway at 80 - 85 mph with all the windows in my 2003 Altima down,you cannot hear anything but music with my set-up,no wind no diesels....you get the point..even the Alpine F550 4-channel amp-$235.00[approx on the internet] 90 rms @ 4 ohms will do the trick just fine!!Good Luck. Alpine50

 

[blazergt 10+ year member]

Thanks! I cant wait to get it all hooked up. I still need to pick an amp and get some sound deadening.

 

[garrettpf 10+ year member]

Did I miss something? What head unit do you have? And remember the difference between Peak(or max) power and RMS. RMS is what you want to look for as it is a better reference.

I think doola was trying to say that the JL amp made such a differnce that he was goign to upgrade some other compnents as well (i guess anyway).

Also keep in mind that you can run 300watts rms to speakers that can only handle 80. You just don't need to turn the gain up far before you get distortion. So it is not a bad thing to get an amp with more power. And if you ever upgrade speakers then you have an amp for em already. But then again, the more power the more money.

Somthing around 100 to 150w rms x 4 should do you just fine.

Tell us what you ahve for a HU (head unit).