4 Channel Amp Question

ncmarine

I recently installed a Pioneer DEH-P7000BT HU and JL Audio VR600Cxi speakers (front and rear) in my 2007 Silverado crew cab. The sound is much better as compared to the factory system, but I am still looking for a little more "richness in the sound". I am thinking of adding a JL Audio sub (8" W3V3) and amplifier (G4500) to my system. The local shop has told me that I can run all four speakers and the subwoofer off that 4 ch. amp, is this right?

I appreciate any assistance you can offer and I am open to any ideas you have as well.

Andy

ncmarine

If I changed to the Polk MM1040 subwoofer would the amp be capable of powering both sets of speakers and the sub?

MacLeod

You could power all of them off the 4 channel but you wouldnt want to. The rear channels bridged wont have as much power as a dedicated sub amp and you wont be able to tuen the front and rear speakers independently of each other since theyll be hooked up to the same channels.

For the best sound youll want a dedicated amp for the sub.

ncmarine

I appreciate the guidance and will add the sub amp down the road.

jeffry1970

you could run the front speakers and the sub with that 4 channel amp with good results.the amp has seperate front and rear inputs if needed as well as seperate crossovers.you will have to eliminate the rears or maybe power them with the head unit.

ncmarine

Sounds like you are suggesting to not use the rear speakers, but I just bought and installed them. I guess I should've just got component speakers for up front and used the 4 channel amp for the front set and the sub, huh?

rdb2001

ncmarine wrote: »

Sounds like you are suggesting to not use the rear speakers, but I just bought and installed them. I guess I should've just got component speakers for up front and used the 4 channel amp for the front set and the sub, huh?

You could always use a 5 channel amp. I am using one and loving it. I have a kicker zx700.5 it does a great job. Just a thought

MacLeod

ncmarine wrote: »

Sounds like you are suggesting to not use the rear speakers, but I just bought and installed them. I guess I should've just got component speakers for up front and used the 4 channel amp for the front set and the sub, huh?

Not to worry. The biggest drawback to using rear speakers is that it hurts your front stage placement and imaging focus. But if youre not worried about perfect staging and just want good solid tunes, then youll be just fine.

ncmarine

Okay, I'm set on buying the 4 channel amp and the sub. I'm going to run the rear speakers off the head unit. I appreciate everyone's help on this.

cadenceclipse

did you choose a sub, just wondering. i also have a four channel running compnents and 8 inch

ncmarine

Well, I'm not sure about which sub would be the best for me. Which sub do you have? JL Audio has a flat 8" sub in a ported box and it fits easily under my bench seat in the back. Most of the boxes I've seen for my truck are for dual subs, but that is too much for my taste. My concern is that the 8" isn't going to be enough for my crew cab truck. I was looking at the Polk subs too.

cadenceclipse

sounds like you'd rather have 1 ten, than 2 8s, and 1 8, than 1 10, would like to stay small if possible, i have w3v3, mounted in custom fiberglass enclosure below my cd player in civic hatch, which needs smallest space i found, .3 sq. ft. also w/ 150 watts. spontaneously typing here if i did it over and $80 could be an issue id probably choose polk because of high sensitivity low price, polk reliabilitynevermind u need dvc if using ch. 3 and 4 on sub. polk has 3 models get the mms one 8, sealed. whats that on your amp? 300 watts that would blow away most 10's specially running components and a stock alternator. i always had and still have ported 12 eclipse titanium. amp went. 8 inch keeps me pretty happy(crossed over from 125hz-200hz!!)still tryin 2 find money 2 fix

ncmarine

Okay, Tuesday I'm having my amp (JL G4500) installed, so I have more questions. My head unit allows me to turn off the internal amp if I want to prevent noise when using external amplification. Should I power all four of my door speakers and the sub off the JL amp or power the front and sub off the amp with the rears powered by the head unit? I hate to not power all of my JL speakers with the amp, seems wasteful. By the way, I have all Polk equipment in my home (see my signature), so please don't think I'm trying to push another brand.

cadenceclipse

4-channel? ditch rears, amp fronts and sub

cadenceclipse

sory 4got....

cadenceclipse

if running 1 sub off of ch3 and 4 make sure its a dvc. i'd say power only interiors and buy sub amp or power fronts and sub. guess u could do 2ohms, all interiors on ch 1 and 2 but like mac said have to be all tuned the same but they r the same so..

MacLeod

If youre set on running rear speakers and only one amp and a 4 channel amp at that then your only real choice is to run the rears off the deck and run the sub off channels 3 and 4 bridged - but make sure its a 4 ohm single voice coil or dual 2 ohm voice coils cause youll need a 4 ohm mono load for that amp.

For best performance you REALLY need a dedicated sub amp or ditch the rears. This setup will work but the drawbacks are 1) that amp probably isnt big enough to do your sub justice 2) its going to be harder to adjust the levels between the front and rear and 3) head units are horrible power sources because they run out of clean power very quickly so you have to set your front gain pretty high to match up with it which puts you in danger of clipping the amp which can fry your speakers. Im not saying everything is going to blow up or anything, just that this is not the optimal way to run 4 speakers and a sub.

ncmarine

Well, in my earlier post I should've said I'm trying to stay under $700 to include installation. I can get the Alpine PDX-5 amplifier (300W sub channel) on-line for $480 (from authorized dealer), would it be a lot better? Installation costs are going to be high with this option. Then again, I could probably do it myself.

The JL stuff is at a local dealer, he charges a lot less for installation when you buy from him, and if I have any problems with the equipment he'll switch out on the spot. I can get the G4500 (250W bridged into 4ohms), a JL 10W1V2 sub in box, amp wiring kit, and installation for $635.

I'm leaning towards the JL 10W1V2 for the sub (max 300W RMS). I don't need much and again it's local.

cadenceclipse

alpine looks nice. i'd tell u 2 install yourself if at all possible! 75w on those jls weould b very nice. 300w is very decent also specialy if your talking smaller sub. i'd also prob. tell u 2 stay away from jl sub. got access to memphis or polk? they can help u better in sub department, specially off 4 or 5 channel w/ dvcs. i vote 8 inch

timmythugs

I am first class mecp certified. PM Me

ncmarine

I sent you a PM.

ncmarine

Just to let everyone know that gave me advice on my system. I decided on the JL G4500 (4 Channel), JL 12W1V2, and JL C5 tweeters for my truck. I'm running the front VR600CXi set and the C5 tweeters off the front two channels of the amp and have the rear channels bridged to power my subwoofer.

It sounds fantastic and my kids love it. Thanks for all of your help.