Ok to run front and rear components in Parallel?

[Vecticus 10+ year member]

Is it ok to run your front and rear speakers in parallel on a two channel amp to get the most power for the least amount of $? Doesn't music play left and right channels only? If so I don't see how this would wouldn't work.

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[Why So Cereal? 5,000+ posts]

Yes, it can work and I've seen a good few people do it.

The main issue with it would be that this causes the front are rear channels to play at the same volume with zero processing to differentiate between them; which, if you were going for any kind of psycho acoustic front stage type deal where have a center image and can "see" each instrument across the stage, this would pretty much ruin your chances for that.

Otherwise, if you're looking to just have mids and highs that play over your bass so you can still "hear the words" then, yes, it could work...

@Spider Monkey, am I right?

 

[Vecticus 10+ year member]

[quote name='princ3cmo']Yes, it can work and I've seen a good few people do it.

The main issue with it would be that this causes the front are rear channels to play at the same volume with zero processing to differentiate between them; which, if you were going for any kind of psycho acoustic front stage type deal where have a center image and can "see" each instrument across the stage, this would pretty much ruin your chances for that.

Otherwise, if you're looking to just have mids and highs that play over your bass so you can still "hear the words" then, yes, it could work...

@Spider Monkey, am I right?[/QUOTE]

Ill be using components in the front and rear but they are a 150wrms set. I haven't found a strong 4 channel amp that pushes the clean power like those boston acoustics amp you mentioned in a previous post. I'm sure there is one or two amps out there in that price range but I have no idea where to look. Help me out prince!

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

Precision Power Black Ice BK800.4

The right way to do it is with a 4-channel amp or 2 2-channel amps so you have 1 channel of amplification per speaker/location. If you want to stick with a 2-channel amp run that on the front speakers and run the rears off the head unit, but you might as well spend a bit more and get a good 4-channel.

 

[maylar 10+ year member]

You'll have no control over front-rear fade and be at the mercy of whatever set of speakers has the best efficiency. Most of us don't want the rears anywhere near as loud as the fronts.

 

[Why So Cereal? 5,000+ posts]

Ill be using components in the front and rear but they are a 150wrms set. I haven't found a strong 4 channel amp that pushes the clean power like those boston acoustics amp you mentioned in a previous post. I'm sure there is one or two amps out there in that price range but I have no idea where to look. Help me out prince!

Budget? U could always run 2 2 channels or run rears on HU power.....

 

[Vecticus 10+ year member]

Budget? U could always run 2 2 channels or run rears on HU power.....

I was looking at the boston acoustic GT475 but seems like they would be wanting more juice. I was gonna do the Massive Audio components. I don't really have a budget it's more of...trying to spend the least amount of money if I can, ya know? LoL

 

[Why So Cereal? 5,000+ posts]

I was looking at the boston acoustic GT475 but seems like they would be wanting more juice. I was gonna do the Massive Audio components. I don't really have a budget it's more of...trying to spend the least amount of money if I can, ya know? LoL

Definitely understand that man lol what'd I'd suggest to you is to just buy one set of comps or at least only amp the front set for now and run the rears on HU power. Most people run more power to their fronts anyway and a lot don't even have rear speakers and seem to be happy with it. When I add my rears, they will be amp'd but attenuated to the point that you can just barely tell they are there. But anyway, here are your best options IMO.

1. Buy one set of Massive comps up front and a Boston GT2125 or 2200 for now and run stock rears on HU power.

2. But two sets of Massive comps and only amp the fronts and run the rears on HU power and amp them later if necessary.

3. Buy both sets of Massive comps or maybe one set of Massive comps and some lower line coaxs for the rear, and run something like a Boston GT4100 or I have a Boston GT42 I could sell u (or just going used period is good for saving cash)... either will do 100x4rms underrated. The difference between 100 and 150wrms on comps will likely not be noticeable with a good install.

 

[Vecticus 10+ year member]

Definitely understand that man lol what'd I'd suggest to you is to just buy one set of comps or at least only amp the front set for now and run the rears on HU power. Most people run more power to their fronts anyway and a lot don't even have rear speakers and seem to be happy with it. When I add my rears, they will be amp'd but attenuated to the point that you can just barely tell they are there. But anyway, here are your best options IMO.
1. Buy one set of Massive comps up front and a Boston GT2125 or 2200 for now and run stock rears on HU power.

2. But two sets of Massive comps and only amp the fronts and run the rears on HU power and amp them later if necessary.

3. Buy both sets of Massive comps or maybe one set of Massive comps and some lower line coaxs for the rear, and run something like a Boston GT4100 or I have a I could sell u (or just going used period is good for saving cash)... either will do 100x4rms underrated. The difference between 100 and 150wrms on comps will likely not be noticeable with a good install.

That sounds like a plan. I'm deadening the doors anyway so yeah...what is the point of upgrading the rears so soon if at all. How much you want for the GT45? I like the specs other than the 5v input and the fact it has no x-over or input control. I wanted to run a AudioControl Overdrive Plus 2-channel line driver at Crutchfield.com I'll just check the audio cable with a MM before buying it.

 

[Why So Cereal? 5,000+ posts]

That sounds like a plan. I'm deadening the doors anyway so yeah...what is the point of upgrading the rears so soon if at all. How much you want for the GT45? I like the specs other than the 5v input and the fact it has no x-over or input control. I wanted to run a AudioControl Overdrive Plus 2-channel line driver at Crutchfield.com I'll just check the audio cable with a MM before buying it.

The 5v thing just refers to how high of an output it CAN take not what it needs. It's a plus not a restriction

It also does have xovers and inputs control (if u mean gain)...not sure where u looked lol..

I have it listed for 165 shipped obo

http://www.caraudio.com/forums/amplifier-classifieds/541184-boston-acoustics-gt42-4-channel-amp.html

 

[zako 10+ year member]

Is it ok to run your front and rear speakers in parallel on a two channel amp to get the most power for the least amount of $? Doesn't music play left and right channels only? If so I don't see how this would wouldn't work.

The true stereo sound was meant to reproduce a sound stage that's in front of you. Having rear speakers is not consistent with that notion at all. Most audiophiles either

1. Don't use rear speakers

2. Attenuate their output until they do not draw the stage to the rear

3. Use some kind of surround sound processing (Logic 7, Dolby Logic, etc)

In all of these three cases, you don't need much power going to the rear speakers. Having them running off stereo deck's power is a good enough compromise. If you want to do things right, get a 4-channel amplifier. The price difference between 2 and 4 channel is not much. Also note that, running 2-ohms will place more load on your 2-channel amplifier. Class D amplifier might deal fine with it. A lot of Class A/B will run pretty hot and will need a well thought out install with the heatsink facing upwards and some free space around it for good air circulation.

 

[Vecticus 10+ year member]

The true stereo sound was meant to reproduce a sound stage that's in front of you. Having rear speakers is not consistent with that notion at all. Most audiophiles either
1. Don't use rear speakers

2. Attenuate their output until they do not draw the stage to the rear

3. Use some kind of surround sound processing (Logic 7, Dolby Logic, etc)

In all of these three cases, you don't need much power going to the rear speakers. Having them running off stereo deck's power is a good enough compromise. If you want to do things right, get a 4-channel amplifier. The price difference between 2 and 4 channel is not much. Also note that, running 2-ohms will place more load on your 2-channel amplifier. Class D amplifier might deal fine with it. A lot of Class A/B will run pretty hot and will need a well thought out install with the heatsink facing upwards and some free space around it for good air circulation.

Thanks a bunch for your input. So the best thing for me to do is buy a 4 channel amp to run my components active. I'll do some 6x9's off the HU power in the rear. You guys have all been great help. I'm so glad I joined this forum.

 

[Louisiana_CRX 5,000+ posts]

or @SpiderMonkey