Do I need an amp?

[ssnxp]

Hey, I just got my first car a few weeks ago and I was hoping you guys could help answer a few questions. I have a 06 Honda CRV EX.

1. Stock, there are 4 speakers and 2 tweeters. I'm planning on just replacing the 2 front speakers and possibly the tweeters if needed.. is this ok, or should I replace the passenger speakers too?

2. I'm getting a new HU with something around 18W.. pretty weak. I'm not getting a woofer though, so do I really need an amp? Would it help the new speakers alot? What if I got the rear speakers too?

That's all I can think of right now, thanks.

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[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wave.gif.002382ce7d7c19757ab945cc69819de1.gif Welcome to the forum. Hope you enjoy your time spent in our little corner of the car audio world. Now to get to your questions:

1. Stock, there are 4 speakers and 2 tweeters. I'm planning on just replacing the 2 front speakers and possibly the tweeters if needed..

If you replace the stock midwoofer then you may as well go on and replace the stock tweeter as well since it will likely not sound terribly good in conjunction with a higher-quality aftermarket speaker. The most common method is to go with a component set (which is a midwoofer and a tweeter with their own outboard dedicated passive crossover network)You do not absolutely have to have an amp to drive aftermarket speakers but the sad truth is amping them will yield the most positive results. Almost all modern head units, regardless of price range and quoted specs, will provide around 15~18 clean, unclipped watts per channel which is, like you said, pretty weak. Again - best results will be achieved with an amplifier but they are not absolutely necessary. It comes down to how much you wanna spend and if you can ultimately be satisfied with the sound of your speakers being driven by the smallish internal amp in the head unit.

is this ok, or should I replace the passenger speakers too?

It all depends on how much importance you place on rear sound. The overwhelming majority here on the board will tell you that rear fill is an unnecessary extravagence at best and a complete waste of money at worst. Personally I do not reside in that particular camp as I like not only rear fill but amplified rear fill but it really boils down to a matter of personal preference.

2. I'm getting a new HU with something around 18W.. pretty weak. I'm not getting a woofer though, so do I really need an amp? Would it help the new speakers alot? What if I got the rear speakers too?

It would appear that most, if not all, of this was addressed in the first portion of my response. Any more questions please do not hesitate to ask and someone will try and help as best we can!

 

[azngotskills 10+ year member]

1. Stock, there are 4 speakers and 2 tweeters. I'm planning on just replacing the 2 front speakers and possibly the tweeters if needed.. is this ok, or should I replace the passenger speakers too?

2. I'm getting a new HU with something around 18W.. pretty weak. I'm not getting a woofer though, so do I really need an amp? Would it help the new speakers alot? What if I got the rear speakers too?

1) You can just get a component set for the front (2 mids, 2 tweeters, and 2 crossovers). Replacing just the mid might be more difficult due to how the speaker might be set up the rest of the factory system. Replacing the rears is up to you, but I suggest just get the front components installed and take a listen, if you think you need rear speakers then get them.

2) I would highly suggest getting an amp for at least the front components, if you dont amp the front components you probably wont notice a difference from the factory speakers. You would need a 2ch amp for just the front speakers, if you also get rear speakers you could get a 4ch instead or just run the rear speakers off the head unit. Components generally need more power than the rear speakers, so amping the front components first should be your priority.

Its really your choice on how you want to run everything.

 

[azngotskills 10+ year member]

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif props to Prowler....you type faster than me

 

[ssnxp]

The channels refer to how many speakers/subs i can connect to it, correct?

If I wanted 4 speakers and 2 subs, I would need a 6 channel amp, right?

The thing is, the front speakers and tweeters are just a start. I may want to upgrade the rear speakers and add subs later on.. Should I go for the 6 channel amp to be safe?

My CRV has a rear well kind of like a trunk of a car. I was thinking of putting a sub in there, because that would be the only place where the sub wouldn't interfere with space. Would that kill the sound, it being covered up like that?

Thanks again.

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif props to Prowler....you type faster than me

Years and years of online chatting has seriously helped my typing skills. Remember: I met my wife in a Yahoo! chat room almost 6 years ago.... //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif But thanks. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

The channels refer to how many speakers/subs i can connect to it, correct?

Sortof - it is more specifically the total number of output channels the amp in question has. Dependant on the way it is configured it may or may not be an accurate representation of how many drivers are connected to it. Case in point - I have a 4ch amp driving 6 speakers and currently there is a single channel amp in my bedroom driving two 10" subs. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

If I wanted 4 speakers and 2 subs, I would need a 6 channel amp, right?

See above

The thing is, the front speakers and tweeters are just a start. I may want to upgrade the rear speakers and add subs later on.. Should I go for the 6 channel amp to be safe?

Since later system expansion for you right now is little more than a "maybe" it would be tough to recommend anything specific for you right now and have you go spend your hard-earned dough on something that may not suit your needs later down the line. The component sets that azngotskills and I were speaking of previously have four separate drivers but only require 2 amp channels to properly power them as the only thing that gets connected to the amp is the crossover network. The crossover then separates the frequency range and sends the appropriate notes to the proper drivers.

My CRV has a rear well kind of like a trunk of a car. I was thinking of putting a sub in there, because that would be the only place where the sub wouldn't interfere with space. Would that kill the sound, it being covered up like that?

No more so than those of us that have actual trunks and the subbass frequencies have to travel through the backseat and whatnot to get into the cabin where the passengers are. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Thanks again.

You're welcome! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[azngotskills 10+ year member]

^^^Agreed....If you were thinking about adding more components to you system like subwoofers in the near future, i would just wait. If I had to do it all again, i would pick everything piece by piece until I got everything figured out. You would then see what kind of power you would need, how many channels, and what kind of installation accessories you need. Car audio can become every expensive so spend money wisely, expecially if you want to do it right one time. I dont think waiting and planning out everything can hurt, your thoughts can always change one way or another.

Sorry about the rambling, just thinking back about how I would have done things differently //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[ssnxp]

Thanks for all the help. As of now I'm planning to get

1. A HU, not sure which yet.

2. 4channel amp

3. 2Tweeter/2Speaker set

Any recommendations on these? Again, thanks =)

 

[azngotskills 10+ year member]

Without telling me budget, features you want, and music preferences (good quality SQ budget system)

HU: (~$330)

Pioneer 880prs

Speakers: (~$240)

Rainbow Soundlines 265 (PM member 6spdcoupe)

Amps: (~$100-$200)

Aura Amps

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=269-160

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=269-162

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=269-164

(depending on what power needs you will have, could go with 1 or 2 amps)