jimyavorcik

installed the diamond audio 66.1 components and diamond 6x9s in the back...so next on the agenda...amps. ive been looking at the usacoustics because of its fairly cheap price and recommendation through friends but i thought i would ask for more opinions. i am looking to power all 4 speakers (4-channel amp). im also wanting to spend 200 and less. any suggestions? im looking for about 40-80 watts per channel in addition to the 22 the aftermarket unit puts out. thanks

demoninvictus

i think you've got something mixed up, but there are sets of audio pre-outs on most after market head units that will give you front and rear channels (hopefully in your case you'll have both). these are run by rca cables. now if you run a four channel amplifier, you wouldn't use the head unit to power **** except running the tuning and cd reading functions, not to run in conjunction with an amp. i've never tried it, but i couldn't imagine that being a pretty sound. anywho, someone else will have to clarify that up. as far as us acoustics, you typically aren't going to get the quality you may be looking for, however, could somehow get pleasently surprised by the sound. i know there are a couple rocksford amps out there that you might be able to find that'll give you around 40 to 50 watts @ 4ohms per channel and i can vouch, they aren't the best amps on the market, but they do sound better than sony's old xplod line of amps. there are options under 200 bucks out there, and easy rule of thumb, if there's a brand out there thats gonna offer you more than 80 or 90 watts by 4 under 200 bucks... and it's not a sale price, around then is when i'd be skeptical. 6 in the morning, ignore my stupidity, good luck.
peace

MisterT

I am kind of confused about your request. I may be wrong, but it sounds as though you want to run 4 speakers with your head units power as well as a separate amplifier? If this is so, it can't be done. If you are spending $200 for an amp, you can get a decent two channel amp for the front speakers and use your headunit to run the rear speakers.

Mister T

JellyBean98

You can only power your speakers by either a amp or the HU, but not both. Look into the MTX Thunder6304 at Sounddomain. It is a 2002 model but it is clearanced out at $199.95 which is a super deal for an awesome amplifier. I have had MTX amps in the past and install them everyday, you won't be disappointed.

Sir Nuke

I THINK what you are wanting to do is just install a 4 channel amp....don't be confused....it does not ADD to the current 22 watts RMS your head unit puts out...it replaces it.

a very nice, good sounding amp that fits your price range and I personally highly recommend is the ALPINE VPOWER four channel. it will accept inputs via RCA cables if your head unit is so equiped...and if not...it also accepts speaker level input directly from your speaker wires.

it puts out a very respectable 40 watts/channel RMS......I have the 5 channel version of this amp (the fifth channel powers the sub) and it really rocks....I love it.

jimyavorcik

hey newbie at amplifiers or what haha. thanks for the help guys...i think i'll go with u nuke and get the alpine except i will want that option to get a sub later down the road so i'll go with the 5 channel. while we're at it, is there any big difference between the mrp - f320 and the new MRV-F450? i've also noticed that this amp is 14.4 v...isn't the battery 12? any major issues there? thanks

Kicker

Could jimyavorcik be talking about high level inputs... now I don't know how the high level inputs uses the signal, but I don't thing you can add the power of the unit and the amp like this.(please let me know if i'm wrong!) One thing I know for sure if you have even an average after maket HU then there is no reason not to use the RCA jacks.

I'm playing with the idea of using high level inputs in my pro once I get it (4 more sleeps) but that's because I may want to keep my original HU, if I ever decide to swap the radio, my pioneer will go in along with the RCA cables.

I hope i could have helped someone, there is also a lot of threads covering this issue.

Kicker

If my memory serves me well from my shopping most of them are rated at 14.4V, but don't even worry about this one. Your charge system does most of the work (alternator). Its actualy more complex but I hope I have put a little light on your question.

Then again please stop me if i'm loosing my memory

Sir Nuke

Jimy, the MRP-FV320 is the amp I have....and its been discontinued. HOWEVER that does not mean you can't find one...its a great piece and don't have a clue why they discontinued it. ANYWAY....to directly answer your question...the difference between the MRP-F320 and the MRV-F450 is this..

the F320 is 40Watts/channel X 4 and a single 120 Watt channel for the sub....it also accempts speaker level inputs, its one of the V Power series amps.

the F450 is 50 watts/channel X 4 with a single 200 Watt channel for the sub. however....this amp is part of the V12 series of amps....it ONLY accepts inputs with RCA cables from your head unit.

THUS....if you are planning on using the stock head unit, like I did...you will need the MRP-F320......

Sir Nuke

Kicker, I did exactly that...Kept my stock head unit...since I have the cd changer built in, and upgraded all the door speakers, added a JL Audio 10W0 powerwedge sub and powered it all off of the MRP-F320 Alpine 5 channel amp...I LOVE the system and am totally satisfied with it. I did the complete install myself as well.