Aim
- Improve overall system performance
- Amplify rear speakers to blend in with entire system
- Complete show install

Comments
The only problem with this system is that the rear stage really brings this entire system down. The rear stage is now completely turned off. I want to fix this by amplifying the rear stage.

The way I see it I have two options and I need to determine if the first option is worth it for the short term & long term. What improvement I could expect to gain by bi-amping the front stage? And even if there is an improvement is it worth the cost?

Upgrade Option 1 $1000+
Head Unit: Nakmichi CD-400
Amp: Xtant x604 (Bi-amp)
Front Stage: a/d/s 346is.2
Amp: Xtant x603
Rear Stage: a/d/s 236is
Sub Stage: a/d/s 312rs.2

Upgrade Option 2 $300-400
Head Unit: Nakmichi CD-400
Amp: Xtant x603
Front Stage: a/d/s 346is.2
Sub Stage: a/d/s 312rs.2
Amp: Eclipse EA2212
Rear Stage: a/d/s 236is

so what u said is basicly your system is not loud enough? if that what u mean, than i would choose the number 2 option

After reading my post I realised it made absolutely no sense so I modified it. Firstly I am trying to determine whether it is worth spending the extra cash to get the x604. Secondly I am trying to determine what benefit would I derive from bi-amping front stage?

first of all why u put rear speaker? all the great sq car only have front speaker, rear speaker is useless, from my experience, by bi-amping, u will feel the speaker is sounded more powerfull.

btw since u already got rear speaker, why not add a center speaker and indash dvd player, and enjoy 5.1 suround sound

The CD 400 simply doesn't have any processing power. bi-amping the speaker wouldn't do much to SQ. the main reason to go active is to have a better staging due to individual control of time alignment. Passive sound better but without the ability to control. so if you have alpine H701 it will be worthwhile spending for the additional amp. stay where U R. get a decent processor before you begin to begin the next move

That's very interesting Don't passives have the ability to 'colour' the sound? I also thought that going active meant that your amps aren't driven as hard as they aren't being asked to produce a huge chunk of the spectrum? Hence giving some better control and clarity?

The alignment issue sounds like a good reason to go full active also. What processor would you suggest?

The only reason I have rear speakers is for passengers. I only installed rear speakers as an afterthought thinking it wouldn't matter too much. However now they are quite important and I want ensure that the system can be enjoyed at any point in the car. When running all front/rear stage SQ is not the overall goal but rather well balanced and blended system.

Currently I am embarrased to turn on my rear speakers and I can't have that!



If you look at the image provided you will see what the crossover offers in terms of bi-amping capabilities. I am thinking the only improvement I would get is a louder front stage and maybe a little more control on amp with regards to the signal.

Click to view attachment

The Xtant amp seems the way to go as it will give me more options in the long term but I will consider other amps of similar caliber like maybe a Soundstream Tarantula.

bi-amp the speakers wouldn't justify the cost of another amp. the different is just too marginal. I have been playing with ads in my friend car before and it just sound suck when use it fully active. we end up using the passive + the bi-amp is actually use for T/A each speaker.

Alpine H 701 is a great universal porcessor. it will be even better if you mate it with dva 9860 HU

Ummm i dont get it. Rear speakers are for the rear passengers. But unless you let everyone drive your car and you sit in the back, i dont see why you would be embarrassed to turn on the rear speakers.

And rear stage SQ, there isnt such a thing unless people like to turn their back to concerts.

And if set up right for non 5.1 purposes, the rear speakers can be turned on and the person in front shouldnt be able to hear them



But i am confused atm.

:huh: Rear speakers only for the rear passengers and that is exactly what I meant when I said passengers . When I personally listen to my system I always turn off the rear speakers.

I only installed the rear speakers as an afterthought as I rarely ever had rear passengers (especially for long trips) and I was not a rear seat passenger until recently. Going on long trips I have found myself in the rear on a few occassions and they just sound absolutely horrid at least compared to the rest of the system.

I have no intentions to go for a 5.1 setup at all but rear speakers are definitely important.

What I am trying to achieve now is a perfectly balanced system where if I as the driver have to listen to the rear speakers they are blended into the system without distorting or colouring the sound too much. As a rear passenger it is important that the rear speakers sound good and blend in as much as possible with front/sub.

Trying to figure out whether it will be worth getting an x604 to bi-amp the front stage and amplify rear speakers or just purchase a very small 2 channel amp to run the rear splits?

dont bother bi-amping

just bridged the 4 channel gives you lots of nice head room, or the other option go fully active.

i would choose more power as always