Im looking to buy some new speakers for my integra. Should I guy a 4 channel amp to power them or will my 3 year old Clarion same the sound? I notice headunits and 4 channel amps deliver around 40-50 watts rms but is this true? Is it worth spending the extra 200-300 bucks for an amp? I really dont plan on getting subs or anything with too big a bass.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Should I guy a 4 channel amp to power them or will my 3 year old Clarion same the sound?</TD></TR></TABLE>

If you have the means, get the amp. More power generally equals better sound, unless you're fcm and make custom enclosures for your interior speakers.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I notice headunits and 4 channel amps deliver around 40-50 watts rms but is this true? </TD></TR></TABLE>

No. Not true. Most head units have peak wattage ratings of 40-50 watts. The rms ratings on decks is usually 15-20 watts. Read the specifications more carefully.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Is it worth spending the extra 200-300 bucks for an amp?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Usually. Unless you want to put the time & energy into building a setup like fcm has.

 

Ok cool i think i will get the amp.


Whats the difference between regular and component speakers?

 

A component set has separate woofers and tweeters, and an external crossover, where "regular speakers" are all one unit.

Coaxial ("regular" speakers) are generally easier to install, whereas components require finding a place to stash the crossover and determining the optimum spot to mount the tweeter, and running the appropriate wires.

With that said, a properly installed (and amplified) component set will usually out-perform a coaxial.

 

cool. my stock speakers on my 95 teg are horrible

 

I have a 4 channel amp, but it only powers my sub. I have some Infiniti speakers, and am dissapointed with the sound quality, no improvement over my stocks, its probably because my kenwood deck is too weak for em.

 

You will be amazed by the difference between speakers powered by a head unit and speakers powered by an amp. Look at Phoenix Gold amps, they have good quality amps with a very decent price.

 

So I went to Best Buy to check out some speakers and amp.

2 pairs of rockford fosgate 6.5= $260

Fosgate Amp= $310

Amp kit= $90

Install speakers and amp= $120

Grant total without tax was about $825. I was hoping to spend 600 or less.

Maybe ill just get my homey from Best Buy to buy the **** for me and install it myself or somewhere else. I just dont know how to install the amp and the kit.

 

Install it yourself and buy cheaper amp kits and you'll save a bundle.

You can get cheaper power & ground wires, but don't skimp on the RCA's...

 

You can get everything you need if you skip best buy, and you won't spend more than about $400-500.

 

Whats a good place to buy stuff then? online im assuming?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Luchini &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So I went to Best Buy to check out some speakers and amp.

2 pairs of rockford fosgate 6.5= $260

Fosgate Amp= $310

Amp kit= $90

Install speakers and amp= $120

Grant total without tax was about $825. I was hoping to spend 600 or less.

Maybe ill just get my homey from Best Buy to buy the **** for me and install it myself or somewhere else. I just dont know how to install the amp and the kit.</TD></TR></TABLE>

&lt;-SHOP ONLINE!-&gt;
you'll get stuff for sometimes %70 cheaper than retail

 

On a scale of 1-10 how difficult is it for a newb to install speakers and an amp?

 

Go to a real stereo shop, not a chain store. This is what to expect. Good components, 200-250. Rear 6.5s 100-150. Amp 200-400 depending on brand. amp kit, no more than 65 bucks. Component install about 85 rear 35 amp 65.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">On a scale of 1-10 how difficult is it for a newb to install speakers and an amp? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Can you change your own oil? If so, installing an amp is a 4-5. Speakers are sometimes difficult for beginners, especially if you have to pull the door panel or rear deck... But most people with some basic automotive skills (and proper tools like a panel popper) can get the job done pretty well...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Luchini &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">On a scale of 1-10 how difficult is it for a newb to install speakers and an amp?</TD></TR></TABLE>

if you already have an aftermarket headunit then...
7-8 :: 4 channel amp
3-4 :: amp/sub combo
1-2 :: front speakers
3-4 :: rear speakers (because the rear shelf cover can be a btch to remove)

it really depends on the car as well. some can be much harder than others to work with. remember, being organized (putting all your screws in plastic bags and labeling helps) makes a big difference in the amount of time it will take you to do the work. confusion and uncertainty can be your worst enemy.

to answer a question you may have lingering in your head, 'is it worth it to do it myself or should i take it to an installer?' Its completely worth it to do it yourself. not only do you get the learning experience and satisfaction, but you can go buy yourself plenty of post-project beverages with that money you saved .

on the other hand, you won't have a shop's warranty.

but i thinks its worth the risk

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Luchini &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">On a scale of 1-10 how difficult is it for a newb to install speakers and an amp?</TD></TR></TABLE>

it's pretty easy...maybe a 5, you just have to know where to run the wires. there are plenty of threads made about this stuff... so if you have a question, just search. the hardest part for me was getting the 4 gauge power cable through the firewall.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Luchini &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Whats a good place to buy stuff then? online im assuming?</TD></TR></TABLE>

i bought most of my wiring stuff at fry's, connectors and stuff at autozone... and i bought my amp of sounddomain.com and speakers at cartoys.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Luchini &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Whats a good place to buy stuff then? online im assuming?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Only online. For my new system I used sounddomain.com and ebay to buy WHOLE system (1 sub, front components, no rears, sub box making myself) for about CAD$1200. In comparision, I will bring up my stupid friend (God have mercy on him) who went to Future Shop (similiar to Best Buy) and pooped out CAD$3000 for 2 subs, a box, and an amp. Ok, his subs handle 600wrms each, mine only 500wrms, but he paid almost 3 times what I paid and what did he end up with??? Recently he came to me and asked how much I can sell it for him? I look at ebay and his subs are 300 or 400 USD (with box). I told him to enjoy his subs till the day they die.

PS. Oh, and my system consists of Alpine, CDT, Phoenix Gold, Pioneer, and Polk Audio.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Luchini &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">On a scale of 1-10 how difficult is it for a newb to install speakers and an amp?</TD></TR></TABLE>

There are 2 parts to it. Theory and the actual part where you do the install. Understanding the theory is like a 2 out of 10. The actual install will depend on the car, but if you take your time, there is nothing that cannot be done. Running wires will be the hardest, after that you just do a few connections and you're done.

 

in response to what amp, go with kicker. they make good 4 channel amps. i have their 850.4 it puts out 107.5 watts per channel rms. granted i paid 659 for it when it came out. but i reenlisted to stay army and that was my reenlistment bonus money talking there. as for how hard it is to hook one up, not very. depends on how clean you want the install to be.

i agree with B18C_EJ8 about not skimping on the rca cables. they cancle out noise interfierence from your electrical ****.. (fuel pump, disctributor etc..), however you want your power and ground to be the right size for the amp. it will say with the specs of the amp what it should be. depending if you run the wires on top of your carpet, install is quick, dirty, and easy. when i installed mine, it took 5 hours to run the wiring cause i was taking my time and removing the panels and replacing them. i did not want to break anything. but that was in an 88 bronco 2.

just take your time, make sure you follow the install directions and hook the fuse up last. you will do fine. labor aint worth it.

as for wire, i like stinger.. kicker also makes wire now, you can find it for sale from the authorized kicker dealers from kickers website. http://www.kicker.com, or http://www.sounddomain.com

i have personally ordered from sound domain and had a trouble free experience everything but the sub and box and deck i got from them. (they did not have the sub with the box when i ordered all this ****)

mike

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Luchini &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">On a scale of 1-10 how difficult is it for a newb to install speakers and an amp?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Compared to wiring up a car to run a different ECU, wiring up a system is no sweat. But from my experience, mounting the stuff is the hard part. Speakers may or may not be too big of a deal. For instance, if you buy something that is the right size to drop right in, it is no big deal. But if you have to make modifications to drop the speakers in, the job can become MUCH more difficult. Mounting a tweeter is an additional issue, especially if you are trying to do it discreetly (so as to avoid theft). Mounting an amp is probably going to be the hardest, especially if you wish to do it discreetly. Simply put, there are not really alot of good places to put amps in most cars. Under the seat is seldom a good location, as (1) not enough air can flow across it to keep it cool, and (2) when you sit in the seat, you often find that the seat bottom tends to bottom out on the amp. Often, your only choice is to build an amp rack on which to mount the amps. And while this can sometimes be simple, it is often difficult if you want to hide the amps (like in a hatchback) or keep them out of the way. And regardless, a good, clean install NEVER comes easy.

So to sum it up, wiring is generally simple, but mounting poses MUCH more of a challenge.

 

bump

 

be careful what you buy. match the continuous speaker wattage with that of the rms output of the amp.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by StorminMatt &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Mounting an amp is probably going to be the hardest, especially if you wish to do it discreetly.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You can mount it on the back of the rear seat. That's a perfect spot for it and only takes a few minutes to do.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Odessa &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

You can mount it on the back of the rear seat. That's a perfect spot for it and only takes a few minutes to do.</TD></TR></TABLE>

The problem with this is that the back of the rear seat often tends to be made of thin, flimsy partical board (at least on my 1988 4DR). This is not the most ideal mounting surface.