amplifier for center channel

Center channel:
I picked up a new mobile authority 201ZXi 2-channel amplifier 120W; rated at 2x30W 4 ohms and 2x60w@2ohms stable stereo. (This amplifier is Not bridgeable according to the manual), I know it’s a outdated amp, but for 2 dollars and it being new I thought I would give it try.

Anyway, I have two MB Quarts 3.5, two way coaxial rated at 20w-50w @ 4-ohms. The manual says I could use two 4 ohms speakers in parallel to achieve 2 ohms in stereo. (I don’t need stereo, just mono) would two speakers into 8 ohms be ok for a center ? i did not see a rating on the amp for 8 ohms though.

The head unit has a single female connection for the center channel.   Would this work only using one of the two channels left or right? Or do you use both channels by ways of a Y-adapter. I never hooked up a center channel before.

I know alpine has nice 45 watt mono amp but could not fine one.

thanks.

i think you would only be able to bridge that amp at 4 ohms total. but if it says it will take 2 ohm stereo, meaning 2 ohms on each channel, you can just put a speaker on each channel and split the signal with a Y adapter on the center channel.

most car audio amps wont list 8 ohm specs but nothing bad will happen if you connect it to an 8 ohm load, it will just make even less power than the 4 ohm rating by about 40-50% but it should run cooler because of the decreased current draw.

-------------

So, even though the amplifier according to the manual cannot be bridged, it would be ok to combine the signal, right? I just wonder if there would be any kind of distortion doing this. I guess I try and find out.

Thanks

Here's the way *I* would do it.

Leave your existing stereo amplifier for "door duty".

A small 50WPC stereo amplifier, run one of those channels to the center, either wired in series to 8-ohms, (not recommended, as it is a two way co-axial, and you would be cascading passive crossovers, giving you unpredictable results) or in parallel for 2-ohms.

Run the other two channels as a mono rear, also wired in parallel. Install a Y-adapter from your RCA rears, run one RCA pair to this second amplifier. (red for rear, white for center) This will work, because you'll be able to use the fader on the deck to adjust the output of the rears - you won't want to "hear" them, but they can be pretty nice when implemented correctly!