2 RCA's into 4 Channel Amp

[mattcogg1981]

Hi,

I had my new ice install fitted on Saturday by a mobile company. They fitted my amp, sub, head unit but I was still waiting for my stealth shelf before I fitted my 6x9's. They seemed to have ran one RCA lead from my stereo into my 4 channel amp to run my sub. I just fitted my stealth shelf and 6x9's and they won't run through the amp. They mentioned that I would need to purchase some Y-split RCAs as I have four RCA input's altogether. Two are being used by the sub and the other two are unused. Should they of ran another RCA from my head unit to the amp. I am sorry if this sounds confusing but I really need some help! My amp is Vibe Slick A4 4-channel amp and should run these setup easily. How can I get all my speakers running? Please help

Matt

 

[RobM]

What head unit do you have?

If your head unit only has one RCA output, then you will indeed need splitters so you can turn 2 connections into 4.

If your head unit has two or more RCA outputs, then you would be better off running a separate set of RCA's down the car so the amp has a seperate connection. Also, if you do have more than one, you'll probably find the connection that's used for the sub is a non-fading, or sub-output connection, so not ideal to be used for speakers.

But in any case, the much, much more important issue is that of running 6x9's and a sub in the same air space. This really isn't advised for a few reasons.

Firstly, they will interfere with each other and possibly cancel out some of your bass. I have heard cars in the past that have had 6x9s on the shelf and a sub in the boot and the owner really wasn't happy with the bass. We unplugged his 6x9s and as if by magic, the bass came back!
Even if it that doesn't happen, or if you run high-pass filters on the 6x9s, you will still get interference and it will sound a lot worse than it could.

Secondly, over time your 6x9s will be destroyed by the air pressure the sub creates. A sub with even a small amount of power shifts a lot of air. That pressure tries to escape from the boot and will push anything out of it's way that it can. So whatever is above it - in this case it's your 6x9's - are in for a battering.
Now imagine you're listening to your music, your speakers are in full flow and so is your sub, but because they are both doing different things they will be moving in different ways. So as your speakers are moving one way, your sub will be forcing their cones the other way. Over time your 6x9s will suffer a fair amount of damage. How much damage depends on the power of the sub and the build quality of the speakers.

And lastly, for now, to achieve the best possible sound in your car you want to amplify the front speakers, not the rear. Amp'ing the rears will drag the sound stage behind you and will detract from the sound quality a lot.
A question for you... at home I assume you have a Hi-Fi of some sorts? Where are the speakers placed? Are they in front of where you sit when listening to it, or have you put them behind you so they fire at the back of your head? Stupid question right... why would you want them behind you, it would sound odd!
Same applies in car.
Another question, when you go to see live music, which way do you face? Towards the music or away from it?
I'm sure you see my point.

Spend your time and money amplifying your front speakers and I promise you 100%, your stereo system will sound much, much better for it. Without any shadow of a doubt

 

[mattcogg1981]

Thanks,

I have a pioneer head unit with 2 pairs of RCA outputs

I bought some Y-splitter connectors and they worked a treat. Just battling with all the filter and gain dials now to get it sounding right. Bass sounds good at the moment but I hope to move my 6x9's into the rear seat speaker space eventually. I have amplified the car speakers with my head unit which is 4 x 50 and the difference is amazing. In the future I hope to uprate them but still run them off the head unit.

Thanks again

Matt

 

[Baz1]

Nice post Rob

Matt - do as he says.

Baz