hmmm, new to audio

[Rx79394]

I am looking to buy some amps for my cheap system and hopefully upgrade later. The amps I am looking at are the Kenwood Excelon X40 4 channel or some Rockford Fosgate Punchs. I would like to get two four channel amps therfore If I ever upgrade to components then I won't have to run the tweeters off of the HU.

I would be either getting 2 of the Kenwoods or 1 of the Rockfords 4 channel and then a 2 channel Rockford

Now here are my questions.

1) Would you get the 2 Kenwoods or is it worth the extra 100 for the Rockford's?

2) If I get the Rockfords should I just get 2 4 channels and spend the extra 30 dollars?

3) If I get the Rockfords should I run with the cheap(er) 2 channel amp therefore I only have to Justify only spending 50 more compared to the Kenwoods?

2x Kenwood

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=17653

Rockford Fosgate

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=19333

with

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=19331

or

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=19330

Here is the system for the amps. I am pretty set on the sub I will be using

Door Speakers (Own already)

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=17416

Rear Speakers (Own already)

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=18574

Sub

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=12512

or

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=18625

Click to read more...

 

[shaneb 10+ year member]

None of those links worked...

What are the model numbers to what you own, and what is your amp budget, I'll find ya what you need.

 

[Rx79394]

Fixed in original post... The amp links should work along with the planned system momentarily. Thanks for all the help in advance!

 

[chrisw91 10+ year member]

from the ratings, the kenwood amp looks best. the rockfords seem overpriced, but maybe they are more reliable? not sure. but i would get the kenwood. and for the sub get the first one, cause it handles more power. not sure what that second one would be able to do with just 150 watts. so go with the first one

 

[outspoken 10+ year member]

i may have read wrong, but if you ever do get components, you would not need to run the tweets off the hu, the tweets and mids come out of the crossover and the left + and left - of the amp (per channel) go to the crossover, if that makes sense... the only reason you would need a 4 channel is to run active....

 

[chrisw91 10+ year member]

i may have read wrong, but if you ever do get components, you would not need to run the tweets off the hu, the tweets and mids come out of the crossover and the left + and left - of the amp (per channel) go to the crossover, if that makes sense... the only reason you would need a 4 channel is to run active....

true that. are you planning on getting components for the front and keep the 6x9's in the rear? or are u gunna ditch em? cause if u only have the front two look into a two channel amp

 

[Blue Fury 10+ year member]

Ive got a visonik 204xt for sale thats about half price. Ill pm you pics and a price later if you want them. lmk

 

[Rx79394]

from the ratings, the kenwood amp looks best. the rockfords seem overpriced, but maybe they are more reliable? not sure. but i would get the kenwood. and for the sub get the first one, cause it handles more power. not sure what that second one would be able to do with just 150 watts. so go with the first one

Yea, the statistics look better on the kenwood for sure but I was seeing what everyone's opinion on the brands and build quality is.

i may have read wrong, but if you ever do get components, you would not need to run the tweets off the hu, the tweets and mids come out of the crossover and the left + and left - of the amp (per channel) go to the crossover, if that makes sense... the only reason you would need a 4 channel is to run active....

I'm sorry but I can't understand this at all. Do you mind rephrasing this because the wording is throwing me off. I think you are trying to say that you wire the components and tweets so they both can run off of 1 channel?

~Thanks

true that. are you planning on getting components for the front and keep the 6x9's in the rear? or are u gunna ditch em? cause if u only have the front two look into a two channel amp

I would keep the 6x9's in the rear for passengers and for rear-fill.




I was thinking the 2 four channels because if I do get components I would need a total of 7 channels correct with one of them being for the sub. Well the kenwood can be bridged to 2x200w and that is what I was planning on doing for the sub and then I would have another channel that is usable (I only plan on using 1 sub). But I don't know how it would benefit me now I look at it.

 

[chrisw91 10+ year member]

no, you will only need 4 channels to run four speakers. even if you have components. because the components come with crossovers which disperse the power to the mid and tweeter. this is what one looks like http://img.alibaba.com/photo/51093348/Passive_Crossover_for_Car_HIFI_.jpg

and for the woofer, i would look into a class D amp. what is your budget? do you plan on getting more subs later?

 

[outspoken 10+ year member]

yes, one channel per side when running components passively(think of the tweets and mids as one, with the supplied crossover) i wont confuse this anymore with talk of running actively... also just a suggestion, but if it was me i'd first put the focus on a front stage, then substage, and screw the douchebags in the backseat, i don't even sit back there so who cares what it sounds like...

just my $.02

 

[Rx79394]

no, you will only need 4 channels to run four speakers. even if you have components. because the components come with crossovers which disperse the power to the mid and tweeter. this is what one looks like http://img.alibaba.com/photo/51093348/Passive_Crossover_for_Car_HIFI_.jpg
and for the woofer, i would look into a class D amp. what is your budget? do you plan on getting more subs later?

Ah ok I get how the components work now.... both the tweeter and the woofer take 1 channel on the amp.

I plan on only using 1 10" sub and most likely that JL since I heard it in person and it sounds awesome

As for budget concerns. I am looking to spend up to 250 per amp.

But here is the kicker.. It is going to be installed in a very easy place to see but easily hide able... so I would like the two amps to look very familiar and preferably be the same...

Now here is a question about the class D. After some quick research I heard they are not the best for music reproduction (meaning distortion?). This concerns me since I am more of a sound quality person then a total volume type of person.

 

[outspoken 10+ year member]

i doubt highly you will "hear"any difference in sound from a class d, a, ab, or t...

 

[chrisw91 10+ year member]

just to make it clear, where it says woofer on the crossover, that doesnt meant the 10" subwoofer. it means the mid bass woofer that comes with the components. didnt want you to be mixed up.

class D amps are for amplifying alot more power, and at the same time doing it alot more efficiently than with a multi channel amp. so their sole purpose is for subwoofers.

 

[Rx79394]

double post

 

[Rx79394]

yes, one channel per side when running components passively(think of the tweets and mids as one, with the supplied crossover) i wont confuse this anymore with talk of running actively... also just a suggestion, but if it was me i'd first put the focus on a front stage, then substage, and screw the douchebags in the backseat, i don't even sit back there so who cares what it sounds like...
just my $.02

LOL...

Alright I have a firm grasp on the components now.

As for the focus on the front is what concerns me is that I can really notice a huge difference when the rears are not getting full power via my head unit and I heard that is only a problem with coaxial and not of a bigger deal with the components since everything is recorded with in 2 channels (or something along those line) and not 4. Is this Correct?

It's just that if I get 2 four channels then why not power the rears as well since I have the usable power or if I am happy with the power the subs are receiving.