Theoretical Setup

[ryanfreeland 10+ year member]

Okay, I want to run this setup by you guys to make sure it makes sense before I buy all this stuff. Right now I have a set of Polk DB6501 components (100RMS/300 peak) in the front and a set of Alpine Type-S 6x9's (85RMS/260 peak) in the back. Everything is being run off the head unit right now, but the next big upgrade is powering these speakers by a 4-channel amp, specifically the Crescendo 1000C4. My head unit is a Panasonic CQ-C7301U.

When I redid the front speakers, I ran new 20 gauge wire through the doors to the head unit. Here's the theoretical new setup:

Power: 4AWG from battery down the passenger side to amp (in the trunk) and 4AWG ground wire.

Signal: RCA cables from HU down through the center console into the trunk.

Now I have 2 major questions:

1. The Crescendo puts out 125w @ 4ohms per channel, and I know its better to overpower speakers than it is to under power them. (the fronts are seriously underpowered now). Right now the back speakers are a lot louder.. will I be able to adjust the gain controls on the amp to equalize the volume difference?

2. What gauge speaker wire should I run to the speakers? I don't mind running lower than 20 gauge to the rear speakers, but the fronts are going to have to stick with 20 gauge for at least the few last feet because that smaller wire is the only thing that would fit through the door loom/grommet.

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[MikeyF 10+ year member]

It is NEVER, I repeat, NEVER better to over power a speaker, than underpower it. That makes no sense at ALL. With a 4channel amp, you will have a gain knob to control the first and second channel, then another gain knob to control the thrid and fourth. It all depends on the speaker wire size. I have heard some people swear that using 16g is fine, while others use 12g and that is it.

 

[ryanfreeland 10+ year member]

It is NEVER, I repeat, NEVER better to over power a speaker, than underpower it. That makes no sense at ALL.

Actually, it does make sense. Less wattage = less headroom. Less clean headroom = clipping when the amp is turned up. And even so, the "125w" that the amp puts out is probably an exaggeration anyway. My head unit's amp is rated as "50w" but probably puts out 22w or so.

 

[misfit138 5,000+ posts]

Having more power on tap than you actually need is always a good thing. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif