5 ch amp power 7 speakers?

Greetings All. I have a 2011 Honda Pilot LX base model. I have a head unit with pre-amps, Fronts, Rears and Sub. I plan to use a 5 ch amp. My issue is that the 3rd row does not have speakers and per Honda, 3.5 inch can be added. Is it possible to run the 3.5 inc speaker with the given Pre-amps and 5 ch amp? Do I need an additional 2 ch amp? Please advise with any scenarios, tested an/or theory. Thank you All for your help!Tony G

The easiest way is to just run the 3.5" speakers off the headunit, and the "main" speakers off the amp. I would run them off the rear speaker output of the headunit so that your front/rear fader will still be somewhat accurate.Kenny

Owner / Technician

KKD Garage LLC

Albany, NY 12205

I would power the front speakers with the front outputs from the amp, and power both sets of rear speakers with the rear outputs from the amp. Make sure both sets of rear speakers are 4ohm each, this way you can wire both left side rear speakers in parallel to the L/R outputs and both right side rear speakers in parallel to the R/R outputs.2013 Kia Rio -90a alternator

DDX470HD GTO14001 GTO1014D (x3)

Big3 in 1/0G

1/0G to GTO14001

That way would work as well. I'm not usually a huge fan of running a 4-channel amp (stereo amp) at 2 ohms MOST amps will be fine, but some will produce added distortion to the setup. With only 3.5" speakers in the back, the aren't going to need or be able to really handle a whole lot of power... but that also depends on the quality of speaker you have or are getting.Kenny

Owner / Technician

KKD Garage LLC

Albany, NY 12205

You could also run the 2nd and 3rd row speakers in series off the rear channels of either the head unit or the rear amp channels. Your power output would be cut in half per channel, but the result is only a 3 dB loss of volume. But that would be a good thing if you are looking for a stronger front soundstage.

/\ or he could just fade it to the front if he wants a stronger front stage. This way, if he wants to crank it up for whatever reason he can fade it to the back more.2013 Kia Rio -90a alternator

DDX470HD GTO14001 GTO1014D (x3)

Big3 in 1/0G

1/0G to GTO14001

Thank you ALL for your feedback!!!Tony G

That vehicle will absolutely NOT benefit at all from having an additional pair of 3.5" speakers installed in the third row.  KISS.Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.