Questions on 2ohm v 4 ohm and any opinions.

[sizmtrz]

Hello, this is my first post in this forum. Im upgrading my audio in a 2016 Jeep wrangler JKU. I posted this in the jeep forums, but not getting a lot of traction. SO I joined here to get info from the enthusiasts. please recognize, Im just looking for volume with commensurate bass and clarity when my tops off. Thanks everyone.

So, in my wifes JKU i upgraded with a Soundstream Piccaso 5 channel (60x4 + 250x1), Kicker coaxials (40CS654), and a Fosgate ( Prime R1-1X10) sub.

For $400 worth of equipment, I was very impressed. Not as much volume as the factory Alpine premium sound, almost no midbase, but 100% better subwoofer performance, and $600 cheaper.

Fastforward to today, I just picked up my JKU, my plan, learning hopefully from our first experience and with a goal of more volume, noticable midbase (i listen to mainly death metal), and tighter sub performance. Plan that same Soundstream amp but bridged to 2ohms ( 80x4 and 350x1) is Polk separates ( Polk Audio DXi6501) in both locations and a JL prefab sub (either the ported 6.5 or 8 "microsub" or sealed 10 or 12 "powerwedge") mounted to the tailgate.

On to my questions.

1)How do you bridge the amp to get the 2 ohm load and do I need 2 ohm speakers? (i use all the cool words i read, but really have no clue when it comes to electrical stuff.)

2) the seperates handle up to 100 rms and the sub, up to 400 rms. is it good, bad, inconsequential, to power them just under their max RMS loads?

3) anyone with experience with any of these products please share you opinions and experience.

Thank you for the help!!

Click to read more...

 

[cthedinger 10+ year member]

Check out this wiring wizard

Subwoofer Wiring Diagrams

You can run them at there RMS just make sure the gains are set correctly.

 

[sizmtrz]

Thanks. Am I reading it right that the only way to get a 2 ohm load is to run 2, 4 ohm speakers in series per channel? running 8 speakers from the 4 channels?

New question, what is sensitivity? Every speaker had a db number sensitivity. I assume the higher the better?

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Thanks. Am I reading it right that the only way to get a 2 ohm load is to run 2, 4 ohm speakers in series per channel? running 8 speakers from the 4 channels?
New question, what is sensitivity? Every speaker had a db number sensitivity. I assume the higher the better?

No. it's just a number taken at 1 watt. Normally they are taken at frequencies you won't even play

 

[sizmtrz]

Thanks Los. So its kind of an efficiency rating? Like a speaker with a 95db sensitivity will be louder that a speaker with an 85db sensitivity at the same power levels?

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Thanks Los. So its kind of an efficiency rating? Like a speaker with a 95db sensitivity will be louder that a speaker with an 85db sensitivity at the same power levels?

At a very low power level. Big beefy woofers are heavier so they won't get going until more power when the softer woofer fries. But again once you start putting power down the motor force of the better woofer will start to do its thing.

Basically it's not a spec to judge off of.

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

Thanks Los. So its kind of an efficiency rating? Like a speaker with a 95db sensitivity will be louder that a speaker with an 85db sensitivity at the same power levels?

That 'sensitivity' rating is pretty much worthless in the realm of car audio. It is not measured but calculated based on that driver's parameters. That can be somewhat useful when designing PA systems or a "full range" bookshelf type speaker system (one 8" driver + tweeter type thing) but for the most part ignore it. Sufficed to say, any 60-80W rated "big box store" brand Alpine, Kicker, Infinity/JBl, RF, Polk etc. etc. etc. should be about the same. Just look at them really, comparable size and price drivers will perform about the same give them a listen in person to see which sounds best to you..... at the end of the day it'll come down to personal preference. Avoid soundstream speakers, they sound terrible. I'm not impressed with their amps either, but for your needs it should get you by.

Most important, good sound is like a business it's all about location! Good locations for your component speakers will give you far better results than just throwing more and more power and expensive brands at things in poor factory locations. If you can buy or build custom kick panels or door pods to aim the drivers at your listening position you'll get a lot more real-world output. Some care in completely sealing the back wave from the speaker from the front wave in your door (or other mounting location) and proper sound deadening is what you will need to get the midbass you crave (that plus proper crossover settings between mids and sub(s)).

Dropping impedance on the amp will lower overall sound quality and amp efficiency (low efficiency = more heat which may become a problem). I'd encourage you to browse some of the build logs until you find a few ideas on how poeple get their doors nice and tight at the very least. Most folks just work around factory locations, and without time/budget that's where you might be, so at least do that right and you'll be happy you spent the money and time.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

I still want to know how lower impedance will hurt SQ? I guess Focal really messed up the K2 powers making them 2ohm

Get over that ****. Yes it will raise THD but nobody will hear it.

 

[sizmtrz]

Thanks for the intel hispls. I appreciate your comments on the SS speakers and amps.Can you offer a better option in that price range? When buying that amp for my wifes jeep, the simplicity of having a single amp and the amount of power were big factors, not to mention the name. 20+ years ago I remember Soundstream being one of the coveted names in car audio, Along with Orion and Precision Power. So name took me a long way. Speaking of... Precision Power appears to have a 5 channel in the power range I'm hoping for (100x4 + 400x1) Is there any models or brands that you, or others recommend as solid performers in the budjet price range?

And yes, At least for now, interior space, and the fact that its a lease, I am limited to factory locations. (dash, soundbar attached to the roll bar overhead and down firing) My plan it to mount the small shallow sub box directly to the tail gate. Honestly, I'm sure I will be happy with what I can achieve in the factory locations based on how impressed I was when I turned up the volume of the Factory Alpine premium sound on the one I test drove. The one I bought is not alpine equipped.

Again, thanks for the help!

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

PPI and soundstream are basically the same company.

And there is nothing wrong with factory locations as long as the speakers are playing within their bandwidth. They will have a wide dispersion pattern

 

[kcr357 10+ year member]

Series will get you 8 ohms, parallel will be 2

Thanks. Am I reading it right that the only way to get a 2 ohm load is to run 2, 4 ohm speakers in series per channel? running 8 speakers from the 4 channels?
New question, what is sensitivity? Every speaker had a db number sensitivity. I assume the higher the better?

 

[kcr357 10+ year member]

And you can get 2ohm coaxials, there arebt a lot but a handful of companies make them. Infinity reference are very good for the price