I'm so confused about amps..

[WortownSolara]

good answer 88!!!!

I would like to add that, no matter what amp or how many channels you have, amps NEVER know how many speakers they are running, they only see a final resistance and play through that. I used to have a 2 channel amp running my entire system, front 3 ways, 2 rears, and a set of 10's in my CRX! I just did it cause it was fun, but sounded very good at the same time!

[88 LE]

Originally Posted by WortownSolara

I would like to add that, no matter what amp or how many channels you have, amps NEVER know how many speakers they are running, they only see a final resistance and play through that.

Yup.

However a amp has to work harder to drive multiple speakers vs. 1 speaker. The amp is going to draw more current as a result of this.

Its not the most efficient way to power speakers, but it can be done as long as you wire up the speakers correctly.


I use to work as a installer and I majored in electronics in college. You won't believe how many times I've had to explain why over powering is better then under powering. Or explaining ohms law to someone and how to wire up their subs to acheive a certain load.

[WortownSolara]

ive been working in car audio for almost 8 years now, and i have to explain it on a daily basis.

[88 LE]

^ Hahah... I feel sorry for you.

I was a installer for about a yr. I still install, but only for myself and friends.

Recently installed a deck in a friends Mustang and I'm going to install a deck this weekend in my uncles car. His stock deck doesn't work anymore.

[strmagiceet]

Sorry for not replying anytime sooner, been busy with work.

Anyways I'm getting a little irritated about the whole sound system. If a mono amp can't be bridge then, I can't get the alpine amp because its only 275 watts RMS x 1 at 4 ohms. I have two 12" subs, so yea...

Anyways looking at the MTX amp that was posted by cam2xrunner , http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ayphotohosting,

It looks decent, is it good? Can someone just reccommend me one? I really want to stay away from ebay, since if something goes wrong I can always return it. I know people will probably tell me to go to my local stereo shop (stereo king) and ask, but I did and they ignored me because I'm young. (17).

So yea.. Class AB or D or whatever it doesn't matter. I just wanna make sure I don't underpower.

And Thank you cam2xrunner/88 LE for helping me out.

[88 LE]

Originally Posted by strmagiceet

Anyways I'm getting a little irritated about the whole sound system. If a mono amp can't be bridge then, I can't get the alpine amp because its only 275 watts RMS x 1 at 4 ohms. I have two 12" subs, so yea...

You won't be running the amp at 4 ohms though.

2 4ohm svc (single voice coil) subs wired in parallel = 2 ohm.

So you'll be running the amp at 2 ohm mono. Which is 550W according to the link below.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-KqqaXeL...0&I=500MRDM501



You have 3 choices in wiring up the subs you have:

1. 4 ohm stereo. You need a stereo amp (2 channel). One sub will be wired to the right channel and the other to the left channel.

2. 8 ohm mono (subs wired in series). Not recommended.

3. 2 ohm mono (subs wired in parallel).

[strmagiceet]

Oh. I see...

I was under the impression that 275 watts RMS x 1 at 4 ohms met that it was powering only 1 sub.

But its not?

Looks like ill get that amp then.

Thank you so much for helping.

[88 LE]

Originally Posted by strmagiceet

I was under the impression that 275 watts RMS x 1 at 4 ohms met that it was powering only 1 sub.

But its not?

Nope.

275 watts X 1 @ 4 ohms, means that it'll output 275 watts into one channel @ 4 ohm load. Since its a mono amp your only going to have one channel.

If you read what WortownSolara said above. A amp doesn't know how many speakers its pushing, it only sees the total resistance (whatever that may be).

So in other words you could have 4 subs wired up to achieve a 4 ohm load. And that amp will still only put out 275 watts x 1 @ 4 ohms.


In your case the amp will put out 550 watts x 1 @ 2 ohm mono. Since wiring your subs together in parallel = 2 ohm. The amp sees a 2 ohm load.

[strmagiceet]

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-mMxRJT3...fo&i=037A8000T

this is pretty much the same price as the alpine but gives more power. Its audiobanh though.. I've heard that audiobanh sucks. Should I go with this or with the alpine?

And thank you so much, and sorry for the noob questions, but I'm learning alot.

Thank you

[88 LE]

Its your decision.

I don't care for Audiobahn at all. But then again I don't care for Alpine either, besides their headunits.

If I had to choose between the 2, I'd probably go with the Alpine.

[cam2Xrunner]

Stay away from audiobahn at all costs. Get an '04 model MTX amp, sounddomain and crutchfield have good deals on them right now. They are strong and reliable amps.