Am just about to replace my Response with something classier to match the rest of my install, to drive my Splitz and maybe the rears and so at the moment i'm torn between decisons, do i?
A) Get a 2x150Wrms amp for Driving the Splitz and HU power the Rears
or
B) Get a 4x85Wrms amp and drive both Splitz and Rears of that? Not as much grunt but would i not get the advantage of better imaging if you want to call it that?
I dunno. Help? Opinions?
Cheers,
Shaun. :?:
Full Version: 2 Channel or 4 Channel for SQ?
If you already have a sub amp, i'd say ditch the rears and just get a nice 2ch amp for the front splits.
Most SQ systems don't use rear fill unless its a 5.1 system.
Regards,
Mo
Most SQ systems don't use rear fill unless its a 5.1 system.
Regards,
Mo
yeah, definately go with a 2-channel amp for your front splits and just run your rears from the HU. I'd leave your rears faded right down as well (Just fade them up when you have passengers in the back).
it may depend on how 'serious' you want to get with the setup. IMO, you should run all speakers off an outboard amp for best performance. as such, if you really want rearfill, run them off an amp.
an important reason is that an outboard amp will have suitable inbuilt xovers to HP your rears (and front splits) for best performance. otherwise, if they're run off the HU with a fullrange signal, they'll distort prematurely (way before the remainder of your system does) and be very annoying...and you'll probably disconnect them as a result. :wink:
don't place too much emphasis on having excessive power to run splits and rears. unlike subs, splits are very easy for any amp to run (cos of their small size). the hertz HSK splits (in your sig) will go uncomfortably loud with 85WRMS on tap. that's way more than you'll need for normal daily listening.
you will NEVER use 150WRMS per channel to run them, or else they'll fry. sure, you can have a more powerful amp, but the way that you'll need to set the gains...you'll effectively be capping how much power the amp will ever produce, even with the volume up full (eg: capped to 100WRMS or whatever). which IMO, is probably a waste of money in this situation.
however, if you can add a 3rd small amp for rears (even later), it may be worth going with a solid 2-channel amp for now. it would also cater for any upgrade of your splits in the future (again, be realisitc and determine how 'serious' you are about the stereo).
so if this is likely the last amp purchase you'll do for a long time (ie: years) AND you want to run rears, then i'd go with the 4-channel.
but if you're really into SQ, and are still building up a bigger system, go with a nice 2-channel now, and add other stuff later.
good luck
an important reason is that an outboard amp will have suitable inbuilt xovers to HP your rears (and front splits) for best performance. otherwise, if they're run off the HU with a fullrange signal, they'll distort prematurely (way before the remainder of your system does) and be very annoying...and you'll probably disconnect them as a result. :wink:
don't place too much emphasis on having excessive power to run splits and rears. unlike subs, splits are very easy for any amp to run (cos of their small size). the hertz HSK splits (in your sig) will go uncomfortably loud with 85WRMS on tap. that's way more than you'll need for normal daily listening.
you will NEVER use 150WRMS per channel to run them, or else they'll fry. sure, you can have a more powerful amp, but the way that you'll need to set the gains...you'll effectively be capping how much power the amp will ever produce, even with the volume up full (eg: capped to 100WRMS or whatever). which IMO, is probably a waste of money in this situation.
however, if you can add a 3rd small amp for rears (even later), it may be worth going with a solid 2-channel amp for now. it would also cater for any upgrade of your splits in the future (again, be realisitc and determine how 'serious' you are about the stereo).
so if this is likely the last amp purchase you'll do for a long time (ie: years) AND you want to run rears, then i'd go with the 4-channel.
but if you're really into SQ, and are still building up a bigger system, go with a nice 2-channel now, and add other stuff later.
good luck
Thanks for the responses guy's.
I like the way you have spelt it out for me shiny, has reinforced my decision somewhat.
I've decided to go for the 4x85Wrms the reasons for this over the 2 channel are:
a) I can amp all four speakers, as my rear fill sucks and IMO an upgrade needs to include an amp. (Want to concentrate on mid-bass and i think an amp is a step in the right direction)
B) If i want more power and only want to run 2 channels i can bridge it and get 2x350Wrms which i beleive is more power than i'll ever need for splitz.
c) If further down the track i want to upgrade to 5.1 i can simply add a small amp for the center channel and hide i somewhere like under the seat.
d) Can't really afford to spend much more money on amp ugrades for the next couple of years (gotta save up for a house :roll: ) so i want to maximise my systems flexibility.
Sound like a plan?
I like the way you have spelt it out for me shiny, has reinforced my decision somewhat.
I've decided to go for the 4x85Wrms the reasons for this over the 2 channel are:
a) I can amp all four speakers, as my rear fill sucks and IMO an upgrade needs to include an amp. (Want to concentrate on mid-bass and i think an amp is a step in the right direction)
B) If i want more power and only want to run 2 channels i can bridge it and get 2x350Wrms which i beleive is more power than i'll ever need for splitz.
c) If further down the track i want to upgrade to 5.1 i can simply add a small amp for the center channel and hide i somewhere like under the seat.
d) Can't really afford to spend much more money on amp ugrades for the next couple of years (gotta save up for a house :roll: ) so i want to maximise my systems flexibility.
Sound like a plan?
That's exactly the question I'm asking myself right now! Thanks SNM. But I think I'll go for a 2 channel amp now, as I can see myself building my system up for quite some time... bugger the saving for a house! I'll live in my car if I have to.
QUOTE (snm)
Sound like a plan?
sounds like a good plan.
so what amp are you actually considering? if it's a high quality one, i'd be very surprised if you were disappointed.
Hifonics Zeus ZX6400.... Import from US to match my Brutus BX1500D.
It's quality is yet to be determined.
http://www.maxxsonics.com/hifonics/amps_zeus.html
It's quality is yet to be determined.
http://www.maxxsonics.com/hifonics/amps_zeus.html
nice.
hifonics are generally an excellent brand that is well underrated here. not many retailers (if at all now?), but more popular in years gone by.
top quality though, so i can't see you being disappointed.
hifonics are generally an excellent brand that is well underrated here. not many retailers (if at all now?), but more popular in years gone by.
top quality though, so i can't see you being disappointed.
Thanks for the confidence boost Shiny!
If it's half as good as you make it sound I'll be happy.
:jump:
If it's half as good as you make it sound I'll be happy.
:jump:
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