Big difference in running comps. in MONO than STEREO?

[Spud2388 10+ year member]

I'm in the process of changing my system around, and am at the point of my component amp. I have a pair of CDT CL-62's (170 x 4 @ 4 ohms). I've been looking around, and all the amps that I really like and have heard great reviews on are all 4 channel amps, which means I would have to bridge them. This brings me to my question. Is there a big difference between having your components runing in MONO than STEREO? I know stereo allows different sounds to go to either side, and mono sends the same to both sides, but is it really noticeable?

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[MrSector9 10+ year member]

yes.

 

[wilzyx 5,000+ posts]

I'm in the process of changing my system around, and am at the point of my component amp. I have a pair of CDT CL-62's (170 x 4 @ 4 ohms). I've been looking around, and all the amps that I really like and have heard great reviews on are all 4 channel amps, which means I would have to bridge them. This brings me to my question. Is there a big difference between having your components runing in MONO than STEREO? I know stereo allows different sounds to go to either side, and mono sends the same to both sides, but is it really noticeable?

as long as you use seperate rca's for the front and rear channels bridging a 4 channel amp to 2 channels will keep your speakers playing in stereo.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

The way you would be running them with a bridged 4 channel, they will still be in stereo. You run the right side signal to the frony channels and bridge them to the right side speakers and do the same with the left side on the rear channels. I have something very similar in my car with 2 2channel amps rather than a single 4 channel.

There are a ton of good 2 channel amps out there. Find one of the 4 channels that you heard good things about and get a 2 channel from the same makerin the same model line. It will have all the same things good about it.

 

[Spud2388 10+ year member]

Ok, I think I understand now. I would run a pair of rcas from the 'left speakers' on my hu to the front 2 channels on a 4 channel amp, then I would run a pair of rcas from the 'right speakers' to the rear channels of the amp, and then I would bridge the front channels and go to the left speakers, and bridge the rear channels and go tot he right channels. Right?

If thats right, could yall recomend me some solid amps to run my CDT's with under $225?. Their 170w rms.

I was thinking an ED nine.4, which would match my nine.1 I'm going to buy, but if there's better for the money, let me hear it. I'm looking for clean, solid power, new or used (as long as its in excelent shape), ebay, here on the classifieds, wherever.

 

[req 5,000+ posts]

bridging a 4 channel amp to a pair of components is really stupid, unless you have the amp to begin with and thats your only option. a 2 channel version will give you the same power to the components as bridging the 4 channel (normally) and will cost alot less.

why not just buy the 2 channel version of that same amp? then you will be fine //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

What req said. I hinted at it in my earlier post.

 

[Spud2388 10+ year member]

I understand what your saying, but most of the decent 2 channel amps only have enough power at 2 ohms, and my speakers are 4 ohms, thats what's getting me.

 

[req 5,000+ posts]

and you are getting CDT's? i wouldnt even think about giving my old CDT CL62's more than 100w RMS @ 4ohms. they get quite freggin loud at 85 watts each my friend.

 

[Spud2388 10+ year member]

I already have them, right now they're running off a Hifonics zx6400, and the quality just isnt there (i know...hifonics). So you think around 100w from a decent/nice amp is the same as 170w from a mediocre/poorish amp?

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

I don't know what's "stupid" about it.

Why use an amp that's 150x2 at 4 when you paid for 300x2 at 2 when you can buy a (most likely) cheaper 50x4 and bridge it for 200x2.

I replaced my 100x2 for a bridged 50x4 and I couldn't be happier.

 

[tein_69 10+ year member]

if i have a 2 channel amp and want to use it for my subwoofer , do i have to put it in mono? or i can just wire the subs to 2ohm per channel and have it in stereo and still have a decent bass ???by the way is a orion 800 2ch amp (1600watts-peak)and is 400x 2 at 2ohm stereo and 800 x 1 at 4ohm bridged -mono

 

[PeachPits 10+ year member]

Oh wow, Please don't send stereo sound to the sub... You want identical sound going to each voice-coil or your sub is.. fighting with it's self. MONO or you'll be back here asking why you're sub sounds like it's farting.

What sub is it? If you are doing MONO, which you MOST DEFINITELY should, and it's dual voice-coil- you will have a final impedance of either double or half the impedance of one of the coils. (Depending on how you wire it.) 800watts x1 @ 4ohms will be fine with a DUAL 2OHM sub. You'll be getting 800watts. Don't try to run that amp at 1 OHM bridged, it'll break/not play. Make sure you wire it correctly.

Stereo + Sub = Bad.

- Pits