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Single Amp for all?


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cold 
Member - Posts: 10
Member spacespace
Joined: September 07, 2005
Location: United States
Posted: September 07, 2005 at 11:06 PM / IP Logged  
Hi everyone,
I'm new to this forum, and I have a question for anyone that might oblige.
It has been recommended that I use an RF amp to power my whole system, due to space constraints and preference to keep the vehicle in [close to]factory condition. I am no pro but this struck me as a bit strange because i had never heard of this before.
my equipment:
Polk db 6.5" component system
Polk db 6.75" coaxial
Alpine 9847 deck
MB Quart Premium 12" 500w@4 Ohms
to be run with a
RF amp [i can't remember the model] 800watts x 2 channel
anybody know what this bloke is on about?
thanks
racerx3165 
Member - Posts: 19
Member spacespace
Joined: September 04, 2005
Location: United States
Posted: September 07, 2005 at 11:21 PM / IP Logged  
i know rockford makes a 5 channel amp maybe this would be better suited.
DYohn 
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Joined: April 22, 2003
Location: Arizona, United States
Posted: September 07, 2005 at 11:24 PM / IP Logged  
Unless your installer is recomending using head unit power for your main speakers and an amp for subwoofers.
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stevdart 
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Joined: January 24, 2004
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Posted: September 07, 2005 at 11:26 PM / IP Logged  
A single 5 channel amp might do the trick if you get one with sufficient power output to the 5th sub channel, but most of us would use a 4 channel and a mono amp.  Is it possible that you told this (salesman?) that you were on a limited budget and had no room?  Perhaps he was thinking of powering the speakers with the head unit?  Who knows?  And "factory condition" can always be reverted back to, in the end.  Get your system the way you want it...it's your car.
Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.
cold 
Member - Posts: 10
Member spacespace
Joined: September 07, 2005
Location: United States
Posted: September 07, 2005 at 11:51 PM / IP Logged  
Thanks guys for replying. Installer was serious about configuring a 2 channel amp to power the whole system.
stevdart - Yes I told him I am on a budget, he checked my space and said that he could power it all on one amp and it is my preference to stay close to factory btw. I drive an 2005 Volkswagen GTI and the front seats have a large housing for the mechanism that raises the seat for rear seat access. so no amp will fit that I have seen. I think he wanted to do passive crossovers and maximize power to the sub.(?) Any idea about what this will sound like?
Otherwise i would install the Quart amp I bought for the sub, the sticking point being the lack of space for a component amp, with just the quart amp/sub I already have 1/2 the trunk space.
this has me a bit nervous i must say.
DYohn 
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Joined: April 22, 2003
Location: Arizona, United States
Posted: September 08, 2005 at 12:01 AM / IP Logged  

cold wrote:
Thanks guys for replying. Installer was serious about configuring a 2 channel amp to power the whole system. .

That is a bad idea.  Ask him how he plans to cross over the subwoofers.

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cold 
Member - Posts: 10
Member spacespace
Joined: September 07, 2005
Location: United States
Posted: September 08, 2005 at 12:15 AM / IP Logged  
DYohn, I think I mentioned in my original post, there's only one sub, a Quart 12" if that effects your opinion at all. The RF amp has a built in sub crossover with a remote.
I agree that this is proably not the greatest idea. I am trying to make it work with the space I have, you know?
DYohn 
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Joined: April 22, 2003
Location: Arizona, United States
Posted: September 08, 2005 at 12:37 AM / IP Logged  
The Alpine 9847 has a pretty good built-in amplifier.  If you have to stick with the gear you list, I'd power the Polk's off the head unit and use the amp only for the sub.  Trying to do anyting else is really asking for trouble, as long as you cannot go for a 5- or 6-channel amp as suggested earlier.
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cold 
Member - Posts: 10
Member spacespace
Joined: September 07, 2005
Location: United States
Posted: September 08, 2005 at 12:50 AM / IP Logged  
Thanks DYohn, I considered going head unit to the cabin and amp to the sub. I don't have to stick with the gear I have though, so I am open to suggestions. all my stuff is still under the 30 day return policy.
DYohn 
Moderator - Posts: 10,741
Moderator spaceThis member has made a donation to the12volt.com. Click here for more info.spaceThis member has been recognized as an authority in Electrical Theory. Click here for more info.spaceThis member has been recognized as an authority in Mobile Audio and Video. Click here for more info.spacespace
Joined: April 22, 2003
Location: Arizona, United States
Posted: September 08, 2005 at 8:18 AM / IP Logged  

OK, you say you chose the RF amp because of size limitations.  What's the model number of that amp?  How much space do you have available? 

By the way, if the crossover built into the amp is activated as a low-pass for the sub-woofer, it is no longer possible to drive full-range speakers with it.  I suspect you may have the installer's intent wrong.  No pro would suggest powering mains and subs off the same amp unless using an external tri-power crossover, and then only as a last resort.

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