amps and subs question

[maluskeeter]

currently i have stock everything...i plan on getting this headunit a nextar mm1007 (http://www.nextar.com/frontend/proddetail.asp?pn=MM1007&co=10000313)....and getting two jl 10's with most likely a 500-600 watt class d mono amp (probably jl or hifonics)...

now if i want to get focal component speakers (2 6.5 speakers in front, 2 6.5 speakers in rear and 2 tweeters) do i need to buy another amp??...

also, does the headunit have anything to do with how much output the components will put out??

new to the sound area, need any help i can get..thanks

 

[TegSox]

I don't know how much that head unit puts out for speaker power, but I doubt it's enough for a Focal component set. You need an amp for those.

 

[DailyDB8]

JL 300/4 FTW :thumbup:

 

[maluskeeter]

if i wanted to power up the subs and components do i need to buy a 2 channel amp or??

 

[DailyDB8]

your components aready use 4 channels... and then your sub is gonna use 1... so its kinda obvious you need a 5ch amp if you're gonna use 1 amp...

unless there's a way... but i dunno how you would be able to connect 5 inputs/outputs to a 2 ch amp... is it even possible? :what:

i would recommend using the JL 500/1 in series with the 300/4

 

[tisguy]

I think you can phase 4ch into 2ch, but the blance/fade control will be nuts. my set up runs 1 4ch amp, and then 1 mono powering 2 subs. other option is like silver says a 5ch amp will also do the trick.

**Edit: power will be split in half if impedence if speakers are identical for the speakers powered on the same channel.

 

[LiEkjAi]

bridge them all together, j/k

 

[TegSox]

You could run your front left and rear left speakers off the front left channel of the amp, and your front right and rear right speakers off the front right channel (this would be wiring them in parallel), then run your sub(s) off the other 2 channels. The downside to this is:
-Your amp will be running at 2 ohms on the front channels (and maybe your subs too depending on how you wire those), this makes the amp run hotter and also decreases sound quality a little bit.
-You won't have any front/rear fade ability.

As long as your amp has plenty of breathing room, running at 2 ohms isn't a big deal, it's made to do it, but you want adequate ventilation so it can keep itself cool and doesn't shut down on you, and running hot shortens any piece of electronics' lifespan too.

 

[maluskeeter]

great info everyone...it looks i shall head down the 2 amps route...one mono powering the subs and one 4 channel powering the components...

after getting the screen i plan on buying either the 2 jl 10" subs OR the 6.5 components just in the front (2 focal 6.5's and 2 tweeters)...i was thinkin about buying the focals first and putting those in because I only have money for either the component or subs right now....so would it be wise in buying the focal speakers right now (just in the front) installing them and getting the subs later or the other way around??

 

[TegSox]

You don't want to run Focals off a head unit, you can ruin them by not giving them enough power.