Hi all,

I did a quick search and couldn't find my exact answer, so: What determines the number of channels an amp should have? Can a 2 channel amp work with a system with 4X 6.5's, 2 tweeters and a sub?

I don't need it to shake the neighbors just sound good in my E.

Thanks!

Frank

I'm not a car stereo whiz, but yes, it does make a difference. And if i'm wrong, someone please correct me.

If you have a two channel amp, you wont be able to have controll of all the functions, such as fade and ballance. I think that is the biggest difference.

Hope it helps and that I have my facts straight. :D

Hi all,

I did a quick search and couldn't find my exact answer, so: What determines the number of channels an amp should have? Can a 2 channel amp work with a system with 4X 6.5's, 2 tweeters and a sub?

I don't need it to shake the neighbors just sound good in my E.

Thanks!

Frank

No way man! You are going to need 2 amps to power a system like that! For the 4 speaks you will nead a 4-channel amp if I am correct. For one sub you will just need a 2-channel amp (1 positive and 1 neagtive for the sub). As for the tweeters I don't know too much about them. I would just get component speakers if you want really great tweeter action with your speakers.

Frank -

You're going to need more than a two channel amp. You might find them all on one chassis or it might be two, like X pointed out. The sub amp could be a mono one (you wouldn't need a two channel model) with a four channel amp for your mains, front and rear. The tweets would be driven off of the front channels of the amp.

Let me give you some specific examples. These are Alpine amps, only because I know the line well. Certainly other companies make good amps, too. A five channel amp that could power everything would be this "home theater" amp, the MRA-F350 (http://www.alpine-usa.com/en/products/product.php?model=MRA-F350). It would be a little low in power for the woofer although might be just about the perfect power for the factory sub if you were going to keep it. More power all the way around would be the four channel MRP-F250 (http://www.alpine-usa.com/en/products/product.php?model=MRP-F250) for the mains and a MRP-M450 (http://www.alpine-usa.com/en/products/product.php?model=MRP-M450) for the sub. These are relatively inexpensive pieces and would be small enough that an amp could fit under each front seat, hiding them away.

- Gregg

i used to install stereo equip. to explain it simply you have 4 basic amps

1. mono
2. 2 channel
3. 4 channel
4. 5 channel

the mono amp is usually used for pushing subwoofers (usually 1 subwoofer). its basically a one channel amp.

the 2 channel amp is mostly used for pushing 2 subwoofers . both the mono and 2 channel amp are usually high power amps.

the 4 channel amp is usually used for pushing 4 speakers. most people use these amps for pushing high and mid speakers, example : 6" speakers in the doors and 6x9" in the back. these amps usually have a good amount of power but the wattage is distributed among all four channels.

the 5 channel amp (costly) is pretty much a 4 channel amp and mono amp together. 4 channels for highs and mids and the fifth channel for your subwoofer. sounds like the way to go but they are expensive and hard to find at local dealers sometimes. another bad thing is usually the 5th channel for your subwoofer usually does not have a lot of power. but one advantage to a 5 channel amp is there is less cost for wiring because your only going to be hooking up one amp versus 2.

there is alot more we could go into like bridging your amps for more power. you can actually run 2 speakers of one channel splitting the watts per channel. most people running 4 speakers (highs and mids) and 1 to 2 subwoofers get a four channel and a 2 channel. what wattage you want to run for your speakers. If you have anymore questions or tech questions please let me know. I could go on for hours talking about car stereo equip. the best advice I could give is not to go cheap!!! spend the extra money for quality products. cheap amps and speakers usually are not worth it. the sound quality is poor on cheap stuff. a lot of people buy the cheap stuff just to get a loud system that everyone can hear but when riding in the vehicle you cant even hear the singing. remember this is doesnt matter what it sounds like outside when driving on the inside ! take care