Big difference?

[89montero 10+ year member]

I'm in the process of putting custom audio in my 89 montero. I now have a clarion DXZ765MP head unit and four alpine sps-17c2 full range 6.5" speakers.

I want to get an amp for the speakers as well as a sub/amp setup. I can only get one right now, and I'm debating with one I will benefit from more.

I wanted to know if an amp for the speakers will make my sound noticeably clearer. Right now my speakers are powered off the HU and even at low volumes it seems like they could be better.

I really like the JL 300/4, they seem pretty good but does anyone have any first hand experience? I want a clean, crisp sounding system and don't really need something that the whole neighborhood will hear, although I do like loud music.

Click to read more...

 

[phyphoestilic 5,000+ posts]

budget? and I'd spend money on amp for speakers before sub/amp, cuse than ur gonna only hear bass and no music.

 

[96GTIVR6 10+ year member]

I'm going to reccomend amp for subs first, it will make a bigger difference especially with those speakers. Also I'm pretty sure that that deck has built in crossovers so it will allow him to tweak the signal to the speakers to minimize distortion. Unless he listens to it wide open all the time it should sound fine until he has the money for a 4ch.

 

[phyphoestilic 5,000+ posts]

I'm going to reccomend amp for subs first, it will make a bigger difference especially with those speakers. Also I'm pretty sure that that deck has built in crossovers so it will allow him to tweak the signal to the speakers to minimize distortion. Unless he listens to it wide open all the time it should sound fine until he has the money for a 4ch.

he doesnt have a sub yet

 

[89montero 10+ year member]

The JL 300/4 is a 4 channel. I don't have a sub. I want to know if an amp makes a noticeable difference in sound clarity even tat low volumes because I'm not too impressed with these speakers even at low volumes, and I'm comparing them to the tiny speakers that came stock on the vehicle 17 years ago. I'm thinking they are just too big for my HU to power, but this is my first experience with custom audio.

 

[headless 10+ year member]

Short answer: Yes; you need a real amp to power the 4 6.5's and it will make a noticeable difference. Head unit power that may say 4x50w is more along the lines of 4x15w of clean RMS unclipped power...just not enough.