Do I need an Amp?

[zwbuntster 10+ year member]

I am replacing the sound system in my 1994 Acura Integra, and because I am a noob when it comes to car audio, I need some direction. I am looking at the Alpine CDA-9856 for the HU, but anywhere past there, I am kinda lost. I have been looking at components vs. coaxial and so on. My question here is, wuth that head unit, and keeping in mind I want clarity and good sound versus major loudness, do I need an amp to power the front 6.5's and rear 6.5's. For the sub, I am looking at an amplified sub also because of clarity, but I am wondering about the speakers. Any help would be great. Thanks

Click to read more...

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

For maximum clarity, yes I would suggest an amp.

 

[chucku 10+ year member]

It depends on your budget. I would buy a $200 set of front components and a 100 wattx 2 amp for them, forget about the rear. Get some $100 a piece subs and a 400 watt amp. Check out the local shops around your area and check out prices on the net. Read here awhile and reasearch before you buy. Good luck

 

[zwbuntster 10+ year member]

I was looking at something like the Alpine Component set in the front with the coaxials in the back and something like the Bazooka tube sub becuase I do not need that much bass. I think that has an amp built in so would I just power the fronts off a two channel? My budget is something around 700, with 270 of that being in Best Buy money.

 

[captainCrunch]

Don't waste your budget on rear speakers. Get a decent component set and nice four/five channel amp and a sub. I'm not sure out of those three things what you could get at best buy though. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

Maybe the amp? I'm not really sure what Best Buy is selling to be honest...but definitely save some cash and do not get rears. Even if you had an unlimited budget I'd tell you not to get rears. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[zwbuntster 10+ year member]

Well, also with that budget is the Head Unit, so I figured that I could buy that at Best Buy. So are you saying to not have any rear speakers at all or just use the stock ones? Also, if that is the case and the sub has an amp, then do I just need a 2-channel? Thanks again.

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

I think you'd be best off getting a Kicker ZX700.5. It'd be good for all 4 speakers and a sub. I'm not too fond of Bazookas. They get loud and all, and offer a good bang for the buck, but they're pretty muddy. Might want to look into a traditional sub and box. What kind of car do you have?

 

[dleccord 5,000+ posts]

your better off with no rears at all. but personal preference. 2 channels is good enough to run 4 speakers, front and rear, just no fader controls if you were curious.

 

[zwbuntster 10+ year member]

I think you'd be best off getting a Kicker ZX700.5. It'd be good for all 4 speakers and a sub. I'm not too fond of Bazookas. They get loud and all, and offer a good bang for the buck, but they're pretty muddy. Might want to look into a traditional sub and box. What kind of car do you have?

I have a 1994 Integra 2-door. I was thinking about the Bazooka because my neighbor had one in his Accord and now Ridgeline, and from what I have heard, it sounds pretty good. I am cinfused about the amp though. How would I run 4 speakers through a two channel? Thanks again for the help