Triple amp configuration...

[Sebaslegrand 10+ year member]

Hey guys,

I need your knowledge on a question I can't seem to answer. This is my problem.

I have a 4-channel amplifier, 1 pair of 2-way coaxials and intend on getting another pair soon.

I recently got a new car that has place for 1 speaker per door (even rear doors) so that's 4 speakers. I want to put 4 in there, plus 2 on the rear deck, and a 10'' sub in the trunk.

I have a problem with how to configure this properly. Bear with me, my knowledge of these things is very limited, as much info as possible would be greatly appreciated. The option I see that is the most feasible is this :

- Plug all 4 door speakers on the 4-channel amp

- Plug the sub in a Monoblock amp

- Plug the 2 rear speakers (1 pair) on a 2 channel amp

This is where I'm screwed. How do you install 3 amps together, is there any other better solution? I cannot and do not want to sell my 4-channel amp I already have so this is out of the question, I had bought it for the car I had previously to this new one, so I'll be putting it in this one instead.

Speaker, sub and amp brands don't matter in the equation, as you'd probably kill me or laugh your life at what I chose since I don't know as much you guys. Anyways. This is just my first kit. In future years, I'll learn more and get better stuff.

So yeah, back to question, how do I go about doing this?

My car is a 2000 Saturn LS2, if that matters.

~ Thanks!

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[maylar 10+ year member]

To answer your question directly, it's no problem feeding more than one amp from a single set of RCA's if that's your concern. You simply split the signal with a Y cable. Also, some amps have preamp outputs, enabling daisy chaining without splitting the input.

However, you might wanna reconsider your plan.. First piece of advice: amp the front speakers, not the rear. Secondly, if you're gonna use a sub anyway, there's no need for both rear deck and rear door speakers. They're just for rear seat passengers and / or rear fill.

So... feed the rear door speakers off the HU rear channels, amp the fronts and use the amp's rear channels for the sub.

Or... if the 4 ch amp isn't enough for the sub, you can amp all 4 door speakers like you said.

 

[Sebaslegrand 10+ year member]

Ok so what about the splitting, any advantage/disadvantage I should know about doing that??

And I do want to keep my rear deck speakers, I really like the effect they have to my listening experience, and I want to have em' WITH the sub.

So yeah, I need an idea of how to configure this... I made this failure of a diagram if you could use paint and demonstrate how to connect these things or even after multiple solutions?

Thanks guys!

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

No way would I drop that much money into a bunch of coaxials when you can have much much better sound out of a single set of comps in the front... But whatever floats your boat...

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

problem is ,if you do not enclose the rear deck speakers from the subs they will work more like passive radiators and get jacked up pretty quick .so if you want to use them enclose them.also splitting the rca's with a y will also break down the signal,which is not good.if you don't have outputs on the amps then i would suggest getting an equalizer.also you really dont need the 2 channel amp ,just run the frt and rear deck off the same 2 channels at 2 ohms and the rear doors off the other 2 channels at 4 ohms,and the subs off they're own amp ,should work out nicely then. if you need any other advice just ask. what i would do is drop the rear deck speakers ,get a set of components for the front and coaxial for the rear doors ,sub amp and the 4 channel and call it a day.

 

[Sebaslegrand 10+ year member]

@Bett'r

What's a "single set of comps" ? I'm asking for help so I can learn, so if you may explain your idea I might consider in the future. Keep in mind I know jackall about audio, well, to a certain extent. More than the common person, but probably newb level compared to you all, so your knowledge is valuable to me.

Thanks.

@Mylows :

You have a good point about the enclosure thing. I'll have to look into that. Actually, you may be right, maybe the sub itself in the back will be enough to make the atmosphere I want without me needing to buy or even consider buying rear deck speakers... So I might just put all door speakers on the 4-channel amp and the sub on its own amp. Thanks for the info about the splitters, I'll keep that in mind also. Can you elaborate on the equalizer?

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

the eq has 1 set of rca inputs but give frt rear and sub outs 2 each ,that has adjustments for the most used frequencies ,which is what you need ,also like bettr was saying a nice set of components up frt will be and sound alot better.which is 6.5 mids [speakers ] with a set of tweeters and crossovers like this http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_23085_Autotek-7007.html and this http://www.cdtaudio.com/series/cl_series/cl_62.htm

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Just one set of good high power compents up front. I run Hertz 6.5 HSKs in my front doors and thats it. Powered at 150 rms a door they are MORE then enough to keep up with and sometimes pass my 2500 watt sub stage

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

I think Mylows explained it pretty well... If you look into competition cars especially SQ cars you will not sell 15 sets of speakers in various mounting locations just a very nice well put together front stage...

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

I think Mylows explained it pretty well... If you look into competition cars especially SQ cars you will not sell 15 sets of speakers in various mounting locations just a very nice well put together front stage...

thanks bettr i try just don't see the point on wasting time and money to install speakers that you wont hear or that will for the most part be useless to your set up

 

[Sebaslegrand 10+ year member]

Alright I understand the COMPONENT part, and I'll probably actually do that for the front ones... That's a good idea and I'll put my ex-front speakers on my 2 back doors instead since they don't have tweeters, they are coaxials. I need something around let's say 150$ for 2 good components.

I'll look into the EQ as well, thanks!

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

Alright I understand the COMPONENT part, and I'll probably actually do that for the front ones... That's a good idea and I'll put my ex-front speakers on my 2 back doors instead since they don't have tweeters, they are coaxials. I need something around let's say 150$ for 2 good components.
I'll look into the EQ as well, thanks!

They have tweets just arent separate from the woofer... why do you need 2?

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

being that you are in canada it may cost you a little more than 150.also we need to know how much power you are trying to put on them

 

[Sebaslegrand 10+ year member]

I mean 2 speakers, so a pair.

Mylows, my amp is a 4-channel 440W RMS @ 4ohms

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

What is it?