18 replies to this topic

[Nelson92]

Hi, I’ve got Vibe 6x9s with the following specs:
Power RMS 140 watts / Power MAX 420 watts / Impendence 4 ohm
Could anyone recommend a decent low price amplifier for these? It’s for everyday use but I would like a fair bit of kick. My other problem is my head unit (Sony CDX-GT23) doesn’t appear to have an RCA output for the amp. Halfords do an adaptor that takes your speaker outputs and converts them to RCA but the staff member wasn’t sure if the quality was good or not. The adaptor looked good quality and I don’t want to buy another head unit as mines only a year old.
All advice welcome, thanks.

[pbrain]

There's 100's of amps that'll do the job, it's a matter of how much you want to spend & how loud you really want the system. a cheap 2x 50wRMS/100wRMS amp will do the job well, an amp around the 2x 200wRMS will cost considerably more...spec wise it's up to the job, but i still think it's overkill for 6x9's.
Another option is a 4x 40wRMS amp (like the old 'tombstone' JBLs) which when bridged, produce 2x 160wRMS! ...which i used to power a SPLX 12" DVC subwoofer...it was awesome. good thing with these is, later you may want to add a small sub, so you can configure for 2x 40wRMS for top/midrange & 1x 160wRMS for a 8-12" sub...all from 1 little amp
Full or 'midrange' speakers don't really need all that much power...unless you want permanent tinnatus (which i have...and i seriously don't recommend)...so go for the cheaper 2x 50wRMS/100wRMS.

As for the converter's they'll work fine, cheaper option than a HU swap...you will get very slight distortion, but nothing you're going to notice in a car, go for it.

[Nelson92]

my mini's so loud on the motorway a slight distortion is worth the 100 quid saving, i also really like the current sony.
I'm not looking to spend alot at all, i messed up buying the 6x9s as they require an amp and i didn't think about it or i would have left them.
thanks for the advice.

Edited by Nelson92, 07 July 2010 - 04:50 PM.

[Carlzilla]

I have 2 alpine amps, both of which have a little connector you can plug in if you dont have RCA capabilities. basically you re-route or extend your existing speaker wiring, and connect them to the wires on the plug they supply.

Not that i use them, but it seems like a very good idea to me

[Nelson92]

thats quite a good idea.

http://www.caraudioc...203_p-22614.htm

i'm looking at this one at the moment. wondering if i can fit it under the seats or if its best in the boot.
how are you guys doing it?

[Carlzilla]

mine are both in the boot, presuming you have your 6x9s in the parcel shelf id fix the amp to the back of the rear bulkhead

[Nelson92]

mine are both in the boot, presuming you have your 6x9s in the parcel shelf id fix the amp to the back of the rear bulkhead

no i've got them on a speaker board behind the front seats.
i just saw this one
http://www.caraudioc...204_p-25180.htm
i think it has the feature you mentioned?
speaker level input?
if so i'd rather do that then an adaptor.

[Carlzilla]

anything speaker level input is what youre after so youre on the right track, it may be easier having your amp under the rear bench thinking about it, that way all you need to get is the power from the battery, and you can earth the amp to the floor or the bottom of your rear bench. for the remote wire, either connect it to the head unit's switched live, or rig up a small fused switch somewhere that has permanent live to it, and the remote to the other side of the switch, so you can turn the amp on and off as you please

[Nelson92]

anything speaker level input is what youre after so youre on the right track, it may be easier having your amp under the rear bench thinking about it, that way all you need to get is the power from the battery, and you can earth the amp to the floor or the bottom of your rear bench. for the remote wire, either connect it to the head unit's switched live, or rig up a small fused switch somewhere that has permanent live to it, and the remote to the other side of the switch, so you can turn the amp on and off as you please

i was considering some sort of cut out switch, i've not installed an amp before so i didn't really understant the remote wire bit. i did forget to mention i picked up a decent fusion fitting kit for a tenner in halfords sale aswell. i may go with that amp then and try hide it behind the speakers, i'm trying to make it very subtle.
[edit: i understand it how you explained it but previously had no clue what it meant ]

Edited by Nelson92, 07 July 2010 - 05:29 PM.

[Carlzilla]

i think if you connected the remote wire, to the radio's ignition/switched live cable, then put a switch in or around the dash somewhere. and take the remote wire from the radio to the switch, then from the switch to the amp. youll need speaker cable from the radio to the amp, then a little bit from the amp to connect to the speakers. make sure you buy a 2-channel amp by the way, a mono block is only good for subwoofers

ive got a 2-channel bridged for a single sub, then a 4 channel bridged to take 2 speakers under the rear seat. so if i wanted more speakers in the future i dont have to replace my amp

if you want me to draw up a quick wiring diagram for you i can do, just let me know

Edited by Carlzilla, 07 July 2010 - 05:45 PM.

[Nelson92]

I just ordered a Kenwood KAC-5204 2 Channel 350watt Amplifier
[* 350 Watts max power (4Ω bridged) * Rated power output 2 x 60W into 4Ω load, 2 x 75W into 2Ω load]
Gets me around that adaptor thing aswell as i'll just sling some good quality cable under the carpet.
I'll wire it up normaly then test the switching, if its rubbish i think i can just put an inline switch and mount it on the side of the radio.
Thanks for the advice, i read on a site not to buy an amp with power matching the max of the speakers, is that true?

[Carlzilla]

ideally, you want to be a powered above RMS rating, which you have done.

personally it doesnt matter to me, as long as the sound is crystal clear and theres no distortion, you arent going to break anything.

ive drawn up a diagram for you anyway because i was bored

[Nelson92]

hehe nice diagram. thats pretty much what i want.
i'll measure up the mini and hopefully i can bolt it all in under the seat.

[Carlzilla]

awesome, good luck with it matey, let us know how it went

(with pictures )

[Sam Walters]

Nelson, if you can drive to Didcot, ill give you a Mutant NV280sp for owt.