Should I go with one 4 channel amp or two 2 channel amps?

[kingsxman 10+ year member]

I want to power my front and rear speakers. My fronts are Infinity Referece 5 1/4 components (75 watts) and my rears are Alpine 6x9's. I have 2 older Hafler amps that I used for a few years in an older system. (Hafler Mse100tn 50 watts x 4) and (Hafler Mse40di which is smaller..not sure of wattage). I am debating on using these 2 amps to drive my speakers. Fronts with larger and rears with smaller. My other option is buying a 4 channel Alpine MRV-345 4 channel amp instead.

The obvious advantage of using the amps I already own is there is no financial invesment. THe negative is the pain of installing 2 amps instead of one..plus I dont get something "new". Since I'm a relative "novice" at installs I have a hard time finding spaces for the amps in the trunk. I already have a larger sony amp mounted on the back seat for my sub.

THe Alpine would obviously cost more..but be easier to install and potentially sound better. Any suggestions to sway me either way? If it helps...the $$ I'd save by using what I've already got would probably by a piece of gear for my home stereo.

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[creater 10+ year member]

i would just run 2 different amps since the speakers in front and the speakers at the back arent the same...

if that makes any sense

 

[kingsxman 10+ year member]

I never thought of that. Is it more important to match amps if the speakers are of the same manufacturer? I hadnt heard that before but it makes sense.

 

[bikejunkie223 10+ year member]

I'd buy a nice 2 channel for the fronts, or use the one you have, and run the rears off deck power. Rear fill isn't really needed if your front stage images right. Of course, some like rear fill, so if that's you, feel free to disregard this post.

 

[iagrdshaka 5,000+ posts]

I would just give the fronts an amp to power them and take out the rear speakers. But thats just IMO

 

[tplaya07 10+ year member]

I would also just amp the fronts and either take the rears out, or run them off HU power. If you really want the rear speakers amped, why not just bridge the bigger 4-ch for the fronts (should give you 100x2, right?) and run the smaller amp for the rears.

 

[kingsxman 10+ year member]

The amps I own now are both 2 channel. The 4 channel would be an amp that I would "consider" buying to drive BOth sets of speakers. Would deck power even be enough to hear the rears?

You guys are making me think.... .

 

[Logikalliquid 10+ year member]

I never thought of that. Is it more important to match amps if the speakers are of the same manufacturer? I hadnt heard that before but it makes sense.

Theres no reason to use a separate amp because one set of speakers is built by someone else if they are still within the capabilities of the amp.

I'd buy a nice 2 channel for the fronts, or use the one you have, and run the rears off deck power. Rear fill isn't really needed if your front stage images right. Of course, some like rear fill, so if that's you, feel free to disregard this post.

x2. I say go with a 4channel if you must amp your rears. I have a cadence Q400 sitting around I'd let go for a lot cheaper than that alpine.

 

[Eugenics 5,000+ posts]

buy an amp with staggared power? the jl 450/4 comes to mind 150 to fronts 75 to rears? theres a few others i know