Hello. I am installing a full system in a '99 GMC Yukon. I have recently purchased the speakers--I got the Alpine SPR-176A (6.5'' component system) for the front doors, the Alpine SPR-174A (6.5'' 2-way) for the back doors, and some Kenwood 4x10'' for the rear panel. I like putting speakers in where the factory ones were, so there's my reasoning. I also have a single 12'' sub in a box (it's an older one, Orion I think is the brand name). I will be using the Alpine CDA-9811 head unit, and yeah I like Alpine's stuff--their products have been good to me. I was wondering about an amp setup...I don't know how to set it up without spending a fortune. I was thinking a 5 channel amp to power the front 4 and the sub, but I've heard that 5 channel amps are not the way to go for the money you spend. So, what should I do, a three channel powering the components+sub with head unit power for the rest? Any suggestions on what to do and any brand names/models would be greatly appreciated.
Motor Oil
Replies (6)
Swez on 06/26/2003 20:39:35
You are in good company here.. we like Alpine too! HU's are above average, decent speakers and fair-good subs. The amps they sell... so-so and very expensive for what you get... just paying big $$ for an average product.
As for amping needs, I recommend using a quality 4 channel amp for fron and rear door speakers. Figure ~50 watts RMS per channel should do it... a bit more won't hurt... if the speaker can take the extra watts.
Have a look at these:
1. USX-4065 is 65 RMS per channel
2. USX-4085 is 85 RMS per channel
Not a big fan of 5-6 channel amps... too expensive and if you lose a channel or two, have no amp until repairs are made.
Depending on the sub you have... got a product number on that one? If an older sub, probably a single voice coil, 4 ohms and maybe 250-300 watts RMS ???
Here again, USX makes some nice amps for subs too. The 2100 or 2150 will do a nice job if you bridge it to Mono.
They also make some nice Class D MONO amps, but a 2 ohm sub is needed to get the most RMS output from a good MONO amp. JBL makes a very good grouping of MONO amps as well... but there are so many choices out there, depending on your budget and wattage ratings.
Don't let the low prices fool you... US Acoustics amps are very well made and are rated pretty concervatively too. Several guys are using them here now.
Finally, the 4x10" rear fill midbass speakers are pretty much your subs in a factory install... a very poor substitute for quality bass here. Would suggest either taking them back or run them off the HU amps as rear fill only. The sub will do a much better job in the low end bass department.
Do you have a sub enclosure for this sub yet? The more detail you can get on same, we can direct you on enclosure considerations and how much power this sub can take. A web link or .pdf file on same is most helpful.
Swez
Motor_Oil on 06/26/2003 21:56:06
Wow, thank you so much for your reply. I was wondering about the Alpine amps, but from everything that I've read and your post I think I will look elsewhere. My sub is an Orion Cobalt, but I can't find my reciepts and stuff, and it's already in a box--a Q-Logic truck box. I think I'm going to use it again, the box that is, because it's practical and saves some space. I assume that the sub could take 250W or so and it is 4 ohm. I remember when I bought it that it has dual voice coils, if that helps with anything. I had an old, and I mean really old, Sony 120W amp bridged on it, but the amp was pretty trashed, so it sounded pretty poor. I don't really need a whole lot of bass; just enough to sound good. I don't listen to much rap or anything, not that there's anything wrong with that :). About those 4x10's, I didn't have to pay for 'em so I thought I would just stick them in using HU power. Anyway, thanks again for the reply. I'll check US Acoustics' website.
Motor_Oil on 06/26/2003 22:55:58
BTW, do those amps have a cross-over built in?
Swez on 06/27/2003 06:44:01
Yes, all US Acoustics amps have crossovers. The 2 & 4 channel models have variable HP/LP filtering and the MONO amps have LP filters as well.
" I assume that the sub could take 250W or so and it is 4 ohm. I remember when I bought it that it has dual voice coils, if that helps with anything" .
Need to know more specifics on that sub before you go out and buy an amp. If it is an 2/4/8 DVC voice coil configuration, a MONO amp that can handle 2 ohm loads is recommended. They also make a 1/2/4 ohm version. (I believe)
If this is older than 3 years, it may be a 4 ohm SVC version. In this case, a 2 channel amp, bridged MONO is your best option.
Can you pull the sub out and have a look?
I found this off E-bay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3031953962&category=18803
Is this the sub you have now?
Swez
Motor_Oil on 06/27/2003 10:23:57
Thanks Swez for the replies, but I'm fixing to have to be gone for a few days. I won't have time to take out my sub to look at it (and I can't find ANYTHING on the net about my particular speaker). I'll figure it all out when I get back. Thanks so much for the suggestions.
Swez on 06/27/2003 13:41:12
Have a safe trip and when you get back, we can resume this exchange of data.
Swez
Motor Oil
Replies (6)
Swez on 06/26/2003 20:39:35
You are in good company here.. we like Alpine too! HU's are above average, decent speakers and fair-good subs. The amps they sell... so-so and very expensive for what you get... just paying big $$ for an average product.
As for amping needs, I recommend using a quality 4 channel amp for fron and rear door speakers. Figure ~50 watts RMS per channel should do it... a bit more won't hurt... if the speaker can take the extra watts.
Have a look at these:
1. USX-4065 is 65 RMS per channel
2. USX-4085 is 85 RMS per channel
Not a big fan of 5-6 channel amps... too expensive and if you lose a channel or two, have no amp until repairs are made.
Depending on the sub you have... got a product number on that one? If an older sub, probably a single voice coil, 4 ohms and maybe 250-300 watts RMS ???
Here again, USX makes some nice amps for subs too. The 2100 or 2150 will do a nice job if you bridge it to Mono.
They also make some nice Class D MONO amps, but a 2 ohm sub is needed to get the most RMS output from a good MONO amp. JBL makes a very good grouping of MONO amps as well... but there are so many choices out there, depending on your budget and wattage ratings.
Don't let the low prices fool you... US Acoustics amps are very well made and are rated pretty concervatively too. Several guys are using them here now.
Finally, the 4x10" rear fill midbass speakers are pretty much your subs in a factory install... a very poor substitute for quality bass here. Would suggest either taking them back or run them off the HU amps as rear fill only. The sub will do a much better job in the low end bass department.
Do you have a sub enclosure for this sub yet? The more detail you can get on same, we can direct you on enclosure considerations and how much power this sub can take. A web link or .pdf file on same is most helpful.
Swez
Motor_Oil on 06/26/2003 21:56:06
Wow, thank you so much for your reply. I was wondering about the Alpine amps, but from everything that I've read and your post I think I will look elsewhere. My sub is an Orion Cobalt, but I can't find my reciepts and stuff, and it's already in a box--a Q-Logic truck box. I think I'm going to use it again, the box that is, because it's practical and saves some space. I assume that the sub could take 250W or so and it is 4 ohm. I remember when I bought it that it has dual voice coils, if that helps with anything. I had an old, and I mean really old, Sony 120W amp bridged on it, but the amp was pretty trashed, so it sounded pretty poor. I don't really need a whole lot of bass; just enough to sound good. I don't listen to much rap or anything, not that there's anything wrong with that :). About those 4x10's, I didn't have to pay for 'em so I thought I would just stick them in using HU power. Anyway, thanks again for the reply. I'll check US Acoustics' website.
Motor_Oil on 06/26/2003 22:55:58
BTW, do those amps have a cross-over built in?
Swez on 06/27/2003 06:44:01
Yes, all US Acoustics amps have crossovers. The 2 & 4 channel models have variable HP/LP filtering and the MONO amps have LP filters as well.
" I assume that the sub could take 250W or so and it is 4 ohm. I remember when I bought it that it has dual voice coils, if that helps with anything" .
Need to know more specifics on that sub before you go out and buy an amp. If it is an 2/4/8 DVC voice coil configuration, a MONO amp that can handle 2 ohm loads is recommended. They also make a 1/2/4 ohm version. (I believe)
If this is older than 3 years, it may be a 4 ohm SVC version. In this case, a 2 channel amp, bridged MONO is your best option.
Can you pull the sub out and have a look?
I found this off E-bay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3031953962&category=18803
Is this the sub you have now?
Swez
Motor_Oil on 06/27/2003 10:23:57
Thanks Swez for the replies, but I'm fixing to have to be gone for a few days. I won't have time to take out my sub to look at it (and I can't find ANYTHING on the net about my particular speaker). I'll figure it all out when I get back. Thanks so much for the suggestions.
Swez on 06/27/2003 13:41:12
Have a safe trip and when you get back, we can resume this exchange of data.
Swez
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