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OP
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I am planning on buying an AMP, but really don't know much about all the spec numbers, and how they translate out. I have seen 1, 2, and 4 channel amps, with wattage ratings all over the place. Any insight on what thi sall means would be really helpful (or perhaps a pointer to a website that explained it?)
Currently I have a deck that is rated at 50x4 (actually it REALLY sucks, skips all the [censored] time when playng CDs), and I have 6x8 Pioneer 3-ways (someone here recommended them, but I don't recall the exact product number now). I think they are rated to 200W?
Anyways, what kind of an AMP should I get (how many watts, how many cahnnels)? I currently do not have a sub, but am planning on getting one, so if that factors into the AMP equation, please let me know. Also, roughly how dificult is an AMP to install? I installed the speakers on my own, but not the deck. So I guess what I am asking is roughly how much more dificult is this job then installing speakers?
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Joined: Nov 2001
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What do you want the amp to do? I guess power your speakers? If that's the case, look for a 4 channel amp-each speaker counts as one channel. However, what it sounds like, you may want to replace your deck first as it's crappin out on you. Anyway, a good four channel amp, I'd suggest JBL BP80.4, you could prolly find 'em on ebay for a decent price. There's a lot more to installing an amp than a deck or especially speakers. With the abovementioned amp, you'll need a 8ga wire kit-buy it from www.knukonceptz.com because Bill G. is my hero. (  plug!!)
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Does anyone actually have this amp? Any reviews?
don't drink and drive.
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Joined: Jan 2003
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New CEG\'er
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OP
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Ya, I want the amp to power my speakers and my sub, once I get it. I checked out the JBL Power P-80.4 you listed, but am wondering if that is going to be much better than my decks amp (since it is 50x4, and this JBL is listed as 40x4).
I found the Boss Ripper RIP-895 which is listed as 220W x 4, and is a little cheaper than the JBL Power P-80.4. So I am thinking of getting that, unless there is more to it that I don't see.
Here are the full specs on the Boss:
Price: $210
Amplifier Type: Multi-Channel
RMS Power: 220W x 4
Bridged RMS Power: 400W x 2
THD at Rated RMS Power: 0.01 %
Speaker Level Inputs: Yes
Preamp Outputs: Yes
Built-In Crossovers: HP/LP
Bass Boost: 0 - 18 dB
Frequency Response: 20-20,000 Hz
Channel Separation: n/a
Signal to Noise Ratio: >105 dB
Fuse Rating: 2 x 20 amps
And here are the specs on that JBL:
Price: $245
Amplifier Type: Multi-Channel
RMS Power: 40W x 4
Bridged RMS Power: 160W x 2
THD at Rated RMS Power: 0.05%
Speaker Level Inputs: Yes
Preamp Outputs: No
Built-In Crossovers: HP/LP
Frequency Response: 10-50,000 Hz
Channel Separation: n/a
Signal to Noise Ratio: >110 dB
Fuse Rating: 2x20 amps
I will be letting a pro do the install (at best buy or good guys).
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Those power ratings on your head unit are max power, and the ratings on the jbl amp are rms. I don't know who's trying to sell you that amp for 245.00, that's a rip.  Here's a better deal. http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?stk_code=jblp804
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Oh, the price is from SoundDomain.com.
But I am willing to spend aroudn $200. So does that Boss look like a good deal? Is it better than the JBL?
Another question, how does volume control work? Do you set some volume on the amp, and then use the head unit to control the rest? Or does the amp not have a volume control? Or woudl that be a preamp? Sorry for all the quesitons, but I am new to amps and how they work.
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No, Boss is showing their maximum power output, where JBL is showing their RMS or continuous output. Typically, the max power is higher than the RMS, the RMS power is more important. Also, the JBL amps are much more reliable and better made than Boss products. Also consider sound quality, you can have 1000 watts of bad power that sounds bad, or 10 watts of good clean power. I'd take the clean power anyday. You said you want it to run the four speakers and sub? If you want to amp all that stuff, you might want to consider a larger 4+1, 5, or even 6 channel amp. Those are more exspensive, or you can run two amps.
Edit-I just saw your list of questions at the end of your post.
The volume control on the amp is often referred to as a gain control. It is not a volume control, it should be set to the proper level, based on the speakers it powers, the volume of the music you hear is adjusted from the CD player. Don't fiddle around with the gain settings on the amps, set 'em and leave 'em. The preamp output is a pair of RCA plugs on the back of the radio that is to be connected to the amp via RCA cables.
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Some of the older Boss amps were very good, at least competitive with other solid brands. But I believe they changed the design and are using a low cost manufactureer. Anyway, I hear that only the JBL BP mono amps are great and their regular line is just average. Either way, I would get this US Acoustics USX-4065 for $123 before that JBL. More power, less cost and a solid product. If you ever think you will want to get components or a subwoofer, I suggest getting the USX-4080. More power and under your $200 budget. You can use two channels for the front speakers and bridge the other two channels for the subwoofer. I just looked up the Pioneer speakers. They are rated at 50W rms. I would not worry about using any of these amps with them if it is set up properly.
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Quote:
I just looked up the Pioneer speakers. They are rated at 50W rms. I would not worry about using any of these amps with them if it is set up properly.
So you are saying that unless I get new speakers, an amp is pointless? I just checked, and my speakers are listed as:
Recommended RMS Power: 60W
Peak Power Handling: 220W
So does that mean getting an AMP that puts out more than 60W RMS per channel is pointless? So what is the point of listing peak power handling then?
And also, I just checked the bose and jbl amps again (both as listed on sounddomain.com).
The Bose is listed with an RMS power of 220W x 4
The JBL is listed with an RMS power of 40W x 4
So are you saying the page lists it wrong, and the Bose RMS isn't really 220W x 4? I just checked 2 other sites, and it lists the bose with:
Power Max (2 Ohm) 400w x 4
Power RMS (4 Ohm) 220w x 4
and http://www.thezeb.com/caraudio/boss_amplifiers.html lists it as:
Amplifier - 220x4 @ 4ohm - 1600 watts Peak total
So I am thinking that the 220W is the RMS. So it sounds like it does put out more power than the JBL (ad more than the USX-4065). If I am still reading this wrong, please let me know. I just don't want to buy something with out doing all the research I can, and get ripped off.
Quote:
You can use two channels for the front speakers and bridge the other two channels for the subwoofer.
What about the back speakers?
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Originally posted by Ben:
So you are saying that unless I get new speakers, an amp is pointless?
First, ignore any power rating that is not RMS. 200w for your speakers - ignore it. 50w for your head unit, it doesn't mean anything. Your HU puts out 20-25w rms.
Let me put it this way. Using an amplifier on any Pioeenr 6x8 speaker will not gain you much in terms of sound, either quality or output. It is help a little, but it will not be very noticable, or as much as if you had components or better plate speakers. Your speakers are inteded to improve the sound over stock with easy installation and are realitively efficient to work well with stock and aftermarket HU's. I would personally not consider going through the effort to add an amp to them. Just IMHO.
Quote:
So does that mean getting an AMP that puts out more than 60W RMS per channel is pointless? So what is the point of listing peak power handling then?
It is not useless to have an amp that puts out a little more power than the speakers can handle.
The point of listing mas wattage is advertising and nothing more. For subwoofers that some people may want to burp in SPL contests, it is improtant, but for any speaker that you lsiten to music, the max is worthless.
Quote:
And also, I just checked the bose and jbl amps again (both as listed on sounddomain.com).
The Bose is listed with an RMS power of 220W x 4
The JBL is listed with an RMS power of 40W x 4
Bose makes amps now? I tihnk you meant Boss Audio. Anyway, I am sure the Boss is rated at 220w RMSand it may put that out at a certain frequency, but I suspect it would only put out half that in scientific testing.
Quote:
So I am thinking that the 220W is the RMS. So it sounds like it does put out more power than the JBL (ad more than the USX-4065). If I am still reading this wrong, please let me know. I just don't want to buy something with out doing all the research I can, and get ripped off.
Quote:
220w rms is way too much for any speaker you'll probably put in your car if it actually did that. And it is a pretty big (physical size) amp so finding a place to put it could be a problem. The US Acoustics amps are good. They put out their rated power. A few people on here use them (I am usng one right now). Another option is the Bazooka EL460 from Return Buy. Not much pwoer for bridging the channels, though.
One indicator of how much real power an amplifier can produce is to check the 2-ohm rms rating and the bridged power rating. Ideally, an amplifier will provide twice the power at 2-ohms than 4-ohms, and bridged into a 4-ohm mono load it will put out 4-times the power as each channel into 4-ohms.
Quote:
What about the back speakers?
I would let them run off the head unit or disable/remove them completely. Or, find an amplifier that has 5 or 6 channels, 4 for the 4 doors and 1 or 2 (bridged into 1) for the subwoofer when you get one).
If I were in your shoes, this is what I would do. Sell all 4 of your Pioneers on eBay. Compose some components, get an amp and sub. Selecting the right parts, this would sound better than anything you'll get out of 4 Pioneer palte speakers. Again, IMHO.
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