Go with 6 channel or 4 channel?

[Sguirrelfeather]

I've got an Excursion which came stock with six speakers....two front, two middle seats, two in back row. Replaced them with Component JBL GTO-509C speakers and was running two amps. Well, one amp has a serious problem with the left channel, so I unplugged the far back speakers and am just not using that part of the amp. Now looking to replace the amps so I can get the rear set back up and running.

So, one option is to get a six channel amp. Benefits are direct control of each set, better fine tuning, etc. Downfall....cost. **** they're expensive! Another option is to get a 4ch amp and a 2ch amp, kinda like I have now. Seems kinda silly. Third option would be to get a four channel amp which can put out, say 75W at 4 ohms and 150 at 2. Wire one set straight (say the front), and then wire the middle and back sets in parallel to the other channels so that they can be powered with more wattage since there are two speakers....the thinking being that me being in the front, I won't notice any subtle differences with the far back speakers being driven the same as the middle speakers, and that I can reduce the number of amps.

Is this a reasonable plan, or am I way off base?

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[Sguirrelfeather]

No one? Oh, and I corrected myself above...had said wired in series, but meant parallel.

 

[ace_800 5,000+ posts]

No one? Oh, and I corrected myself above...had said wired in series, but meant parallel.

I just listed a 6 channel at a good price.

 

[Sguirrelfeather]

Unfortunately I'm only in the research stage.....I'm broke af right now.

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

Generally I think the 4 ch with the two rear sets on two channels is a good option.

The only concern is that the 3 ohm speakers are going to stress a lot of low-mid quality amps (at 1.5 ohm stereo). You may run into over-heating issues at extended high volume use.

Don't know why two amps would seem "silly" though. That would give you the most options, allow the amps to run as comfortably as possible, probably give you the most adjustability. Drawback would be cost, obviously, and a little more complex installation.