Amplifiers - Help me understand please
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm just after a little advice please on amplifiers and what is/isn't worth it. I'm not the most clued up on power inputs so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
It's to be in a Honda S2000, my current setup is:
Headunit: Pioneer MVH-S420BT (I believe the output is 4x 50 watt)
6.5" Component door speakers: JBL stage 2 604C
4" Coaxial roll hoop speakers in a custom made housing: JBL stage 2 424
Underseat subwoofer: In-Phase USW300, has a built in amp and is wired to the battery
Outer and inner door skin plus floor sound deadening.
I'm considering purchasing a Pioneer gm-d1004 micro amplifier with 4x 100 watt output. My main reason for this amp is the small size (can fit behind the dash) plus there is no need to run another power cable to the battery. I'm just after a little more depth to the sound.
Is this going to give any noticeable improvement or should I consider a full size amp? If so, would this work in conjunction with the underseat subwoofer as this is already running a power lead to the battery?
Thank you in advance!
I'm just after a little advice please on amplifiers and what is/isn't worth it. I'm not the most clued up on power inputs so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
It's to be in a Honda S2000, my current setup is:
Headunit: Pioneer MVH-S420BT (I believe the output is 4x 50 watt)
6.5" Component door speakers: JBL stage 2 604C
4" Coaxial roll hoop speakers in a custom made housing: JBL stage 2 424
Underseat subwoofer: In-Phase USW300, has a built in amp and is wired to the battery
Outer and inner door skin plus floor sound deadening.
I'm considering purchasing a Pioneer gm-d1004 micro amplifier with 4x 100 watt output. My main reason for this amp is the small size (can fit behind the dash) plus there is no need to run another power cable to the battery. I'm just after a little more depth to the sound.
Is this going to give any noticeable improvement or should I consider a full size amp? If so, would this work in conjunction with the underseat subwoofer as this is already running a power lead to the battery?
Thank you in advance!
Head units seldom give out the power that they advertise, it is usually "max Power" rather than a continuous capability, therefore in most instances using an external amp will deliver more power to the speakers.
You will have to consider how everything is currently wired, at the moment the HU is probably plugged into the cars wiring loom so the HU output goes directly to the speakers, if you want to use an external amp then you will need to put new wiring into the speakers, or modify the existing wiring to carry the new output stream, this is without mentioning that you need wiring to go from the HU to external amp as well.
What amp to use is generally a matter of choice, there are lots of small form factor amps that deliver good power these days, I would generally recommend going for a decent brand with good history and reputation.
Obviously nothing you want to do hasn't been done before so there should be lots of information on what other S2000 owners have done before out there.
You will have to consider how everything is currently wired, at the moment the HU is probably plugged into the cars wiring loom so the HU output goes directly to the speakers, if you want to use an external amp then you will need to put new wiring into the speakers, or modify the existing wiring to carry the new output stream, this is without mentioning that you need wiring to go from the HU to external amp as well.
What amp to use is generally a matter of choice, there are lots of small form factor amps that deliver good power these days, I would generally recommend going for a decent brand with good history and reputation.
Obviously nothing you want to do hasn't been done before so there should be lots of information on what other S2000 owners have done before out there.
simon_harris said:
Head units seldom give out the power that they advertise, it is usually "max Power" rather than a continuous capability, therefore in most instances using an external amp will deliver more power to the speakers.
You will have to consider how everything is currently wired, at the moment the HU is probably plugged into the cars wiring loom so the HU output goes directly to the speakers, if you want to use an external amp then you will need to put new wiring into the speakers, or modify the existing wiring to carry the new output stream, this is without mentioning that you need wiring to go from the HU to external amp as well.
What amp to use is generally a matter of choice, there are lots of small form factor amps that deliver good power these days, I would generally recommend going for a decent brand with good history and reputation.
Obviously nothing you want to do hasn't been done before so there should be lots of information on what other S2000 owners have done before out there.
That's great thank you!You will have to consider how everything is currently wired, at the moment the HU is probably plugged into the cars wiring loom so the HU output goes directly to the speakers, if you want to use an external amp then you will need to put new wiring into the speakers, or modify the existing wiring to carry the new output stream, this is without mentioning that you need wiring to go from the HU to external amp as well.
What amp to use is generally a matter of choice, there are lots of small form factor amps that deliver good power these days, I would generally recommend going for a decent brand with good history and reputation.
Obviously nothing you want to do hasn't been done before so there should be lots of information on what other S2000 owners have done before out there.
One of the reasons I was considering that particular micro-amp was due to the wiring being much more streamlined - just a regular ISO type plug on the rear without needing to rewire all the speakers from the current setup.
I'll do some more digging on google at power levels etc.
It's 45w RMS per channel...probably enough power in an S2000, but it's not going to loosen your fillings.
You'll ideally need a fused dedicated power feed from the battery, but the fuse is only 15A, so not strictly necessary. It'll probably be fine using the existing power line to the radio.
Will it be any louder? Well your head unit is a mere 14w RMS...so yes, I would say so.
However, your speakers are rated at 45w RMS, and the little 424s only 25w...so they probably won't last long if you crank it up!
You'll ideally need a fused dedicated power feed from the battery, but the fuse is only 15A, so not strictly necessary. It'll probably be fine using the existing power line to the radio.
Will it be any louder? Well your head unit is a mere 14w RMS...so yes, I would say so.
However, your speakers are rated at 45w RMS, and the little 424s only 25w...so they probably won't last long if you crank it up!
Timothy Bucktu said:
It's 45w RMS per channel...probably enough power in an S2000, but it's not going to loosen your fillings.
You'll ideally need a fused dedicated power feed from the battery, but the fuse is only 15A, so not strictly necessary. It'll probably be fine using the existing power line to the radio.
Will it be any louder? Well your head unit is a mere 14w RMS...so yes, I would say so.
However, your speakers are rated at 45w RMS, and the little 424s only 25w...so they probably won't last long if you crank it up!
Great reply thank you, I might give it a go in then, worst case I can always install it in the daily.You'll ideally need a fused dedicated power feed from the battery, but the fuse is only 15A, so not strictly necessary. It'll probably be fine using the existing power line to the radio.
Will it be any louder? Well your head unit is a mere 14w RMS...so yes, I would say so.
However, your speakers are rated at 45w RMS, and the little 424s only 25w...so they probably won't last long if you crank it up!
The 424's are faded down to about 50% of the main door speakers so (touch wood) they shouldn't ever get too loud anyway.
Appreciate it!
Deerhound93 said:
Timothy Bucktu said:
It's 45w RMS per channel...probably enough power in an S2000, but it's not going to loosen your fillings.
You'll ideally need a fused dedicated power feed from the battery, but the fuse is only 15A, so not strictly necessary. It'll probably be fine using the existing power line to the radio.
Will it be any louder? Well your head unit is a mere 14w RMS...so yes, I would say so.
However, your speakers are rated at 45w RMS, and the little 424s only 25w...so they probably won't last long if you crank it up!
Great reply thank you, I might give it a go in then, worst case I can always install it in the daily.You'll ideally need a fused dedicated power feed from the battery, but the fuse is only 15A, so not strictly necessary. It'll probably be fine using the existing power line to the radio.
Will it be any louder? Well your head unit is a mere 14w RMS...so yes, I would say so.
However, your speakers are rated at 45w RMS, and the little 424s only 25w...so they probably won't last long if you crank it up!
The 424's are faded down to about 50% of the main door speakers so (touch wood) they shouldn't ever get too loud anyway.
Appreciate it!
The Pioneer micro amp requires a dedicated power supply from the battery and an earth, the majority of the wiring is plug and play through the existing loom, so no need to add extra wires.
Despite fading the rear speakers they will be receiving a significant increase in power, so they will probably blow at some point.
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