noob with 3 on new amp

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=133781
Printed Date: May 16, 2024 at 7:48 PM

Topic: noob with 3 on new amp

Posted By: ken b.
Subject: noob with 3 on new amp
Date Posted: March 05, 2013 at 4:49 PM

Hey guys, looking for some help on amp installation.

I have a Dual XPA4640 (4x50W) amp for my main car speakers, and a Sony XM1S (300W) mono sub amp.

My system is modest, it is just one single voice coil 8" subwoofer (4ohm), with the 2x4" in the front, and 2x6.5" in the rear deck.

1.) The sub amp is a Sony XM1S. It is a mono amp, but oddly has TWO pairs speaker outputs. I'm slightly confused by this. Since I'm using only one sub (SVC), does that mean I should only use ONE of the two sub outputs, or does it mean I should use both outputs by wiring up the two outputs together somehow? The outputs are not labeled "left" and "right", just pos and neg.

2.) Also, regarding the power cable from the battery. I have two amps, so would it be ok to use a single power wire from the battery and just daisy chain it from one power imput on the first amp to the power input on the second amp, or would I use two parallel power wires coming from the battery pos/fuse box?

3.) Finally, regarding the ground cable to the amps. Is it best to keep the ground cable as short as possible, or does it really matter? Since I'm mounting the amps in the trunk, I'm thinking I can just run a short 3 foot ground wire from the trunk area back there, rather than running one all the way from the engine compartment.

Thanks for any input.

Replies:

Posted By: ken b.
Date Posted: March 05, 2013 at 4:54 PM

Sorry, my topic was supposed to say "noob with 3 questions on new amp install"

Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: March 05, 2013 at 5:36 PM

1) A mono amp with multiple speaker terminals is for connection convenience. You can use any positive and any negative to the speaker.
2) It is best to use a terminal block rather than daisy chaining. make sure the main power cable back to the battery is sufficient gauge to handle the total load of the amps, and make sure you fuse the cable at the battery depending on the gauge you use (see the Wire Sizes link to the left.)
3) Yes, keep ground cables as short as possible. They should not run back to the engine compartment.

Welcome to the forum. I recommend first you read the forum rules (which would explain why the word question was removed from your title) and read the posts in the Hot Topics section. These will explain things like grounding and setting gain and a number of other frequently asked questions.

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