Need Car Amp Advice

[freddypoobles]

I am looking to add one or two 8" subs to my truck stereo, to kind of fill the sound out a little but am totally clueless about amps. I plan on keeping the stock head unit for now b/c of budget...I've read a little bit about speaker-level inputs and the different connections possibly needed to hook an amp up to a stock unit but am still purtty clueless. My budget is around the $200 mark (including wire kit) but I don't want some cheap junk that will overheat and/or crap out within a couple months use.

What kind of features and connections should I be looking for in order to hook to a stock unit? I'm not trying to break any sound records either, so just the basics will work, I guess. I'm also not sure about wattage amount needed (don't know wattage of speakers I will be getting though) or does that not matter too much with using smaller subs? It would also be kinda nice to be able to control the sub bass independently of the door speakers so no harm would be done to those.

Any brand/model suggestions or general info would be much appreciated...don't want to go to installer completely ignorant so I don't get talked into any unnecessary equipment.

Thanks!

 

[freddypoobles]

Anybody!?

 

[LS20]

why 2 8? why not single 8, or single 10? a single 10 is probably a better option. spend 200$ on the amp, at least. wiring ("kit") is cheap. most should be able to take speaker line in

 

[jtvang125]

Look for a mono amp (1 channel) that has speaker level inputs as you mentioned. If you can't find one with them you can use a low level converter to convert the high output from the stereo to low level RCAs. If you go with 2 8's I'd recommend about 200 watts to each or 250-300 watts for a single 10". As for power wiring 8 gauge should be more than enough.

 

[ognabor]

JL makes awesome amps.

 

[skillyho]

Originally posted by: LS20
why 2 8? why not single 8, or single 10? a single 10 is probably a better option. spend 200$ on the amp, at least. wiring ("kit") is cheap. most should be able to take speaker line in

Because he's buying two Orion 8"s that are already in truck boxes at a spooooktacular price.

I had them in my old 91 hatchback Mustang GT and they were absolutely the best balance of bass for me. I don't like overbearing obnoxious bass in everything....just something to really fill out the double-bass drums in some screamo...and make Clay Aiken's love songs really move me.

 

[freddypoobles]

Originally posted by: jtvang125
Look for a mono amp (1 channel) that has speaker level inputs as you mentioned. If you can't find one with them you can use a low level converter to convert the high output from the stereo to low level RCAs. If you go with 2 8's I'd recommend about 200 watts to each or 250-300 watts for a single 10". As for power wiring 8 gauge should be more than enough.

What is the difference between a mono channel amp and a 2-channel or 4-channel?

I was lookin around and found a Pioneer on Newegg for 75 bucsks, that sells for 150-ish at BestBuy. Not sure if it would be a good one or not...it has the speaker level inputs. Would it power 2 8's? Check link and let me know what you guys think.

Pioneer Amp

 

[ognabor]

Originally posted by: freddypoobles

Originally posted by: jtvang125
Look for a mono amp (1 channel) that has speaker level inputs as you mentioned. If you can't find one with them you can use a low level converter to convert the high output from the stereo to low level RCAs. If you go with 2 8's I'd recommend about 200 watts to each or 250-300 watts for a single 10". As for power wiring 8 gauge should be more than enough.

What is the difference between a mono channel amp and a 2-channel or 4-channel?

I was lookin around and found a Pioneer on Newegg for 75 bucsks, that sells for 150-ish at BestBuy. Not sure if it would be a good one or not...it has the speaker level inputs. Would it power 2 8's? Check link and let me know what you guys think.

Pioneer Amp

mono amp = for subs. big ol amp glossary on crutchfield.com

also, to answer your question, no.

and as an addendum to my earlier post, which i made without considering the need for speaker-level inputs... it doesn't really matter what you buy, if youre sticking with the stock head unit (and speaker-level inputs). pioneer, mtx, whatever fits the budget and puts out some decent power. but even from that perspective, 300w max rms is pretty underwhelming for two subs. one, sure. two, not a chance.

without trying to be an audio snob and insisting that you get an aftermarket head unit, and a better-quality amp to match... getting that amp wouldn't be enough for me. you're spending the money to get subs to round out your sound... you don't want them to be made invisible by an anemic power source.

as always, if your budget doesn't allow you to do it right, my advice is to hold off until you can do it right. it makes the end result so much more satisfying when it actually sounds right.

 

[freddypoobles]

I spec u right, ognabor....if I'm going to do it, better to do it up right the first time and not have to worry about it later.

I've decided to get those two 8's from Skillyho...sooo just gotta go about and find a deal on an amp and a unit.

btw Skilly, you should knock a few bucks off speakers if Gay Aiken music passed thru them b/c that is just not cool. The screamo tunes are cool but, man you gots to draw a line on your musical preferences paper before you get to that other mess, and say 'this line is as low as I can go'. I'm just sayin

Thanks for the input guys

 

[cheesehead]

I'd reccomend heading over to diymobileaudio.com, and asking on the forum for a nice, used subwoofer amplifier of at least 200w capability.

It's where I get my speaker parts, too.

 

[SpeedEng66]

if your using a stock radio and there are no rca outputs

buy a line out converter (like this one )
http://cgi.ebay.com/CAR-HI-LO-...78788241QQcmdZViewItem

it connects to the rear speakers (not the cleanest sound but for $200 budget lol what do you want)

now your next choice is subs
there are alot of choices here either you buy the in a package or sepreate it's up to you.

but since your kinda new to car audio (not being mean ) maybe you should look into a 8-10''bazooka tube with built in amp that should be just under 150 + 10ish bux for the converter + 20 for power wire(or it might come with it in the bazooka kit) since your not going to be pushing out anywhere near 200 watts rms go for a 10 gauge (I would recommend 8 gauge if you think your going to upgrade later to push 200-300watts rms)


cause if you were to buy just a amp lets say a kenwood (just a example) 2X50rms @4ohms amp
should run @ aroung $150
add in one inexpensive 10'' sub $30-50
add a box for that sub $30-50
add a power wire kit $20-40
Plus a converter 10

your kinda over your budget

 

[freddypoobles]

Originally posted by: SpeedEng66
if your using a stock radio and there are no rca outputs

buy a line out converter (like this one )
http://cgi.ebay.com/CAR-HI-LO-...78788241QQcmdZViewItem

it connects to the rear speakers (not the cleanest sound but for $200 budget lol what do you want)

now your next choice is subs
there are alot of choices here either you buy the in a package or sepreate it's up to you.

but since your kinda new to car audio (not being mean ) maybe you should look into a 8-10''bazooka tube with built in amp that should be just under 150 + 10ish bux for the converter + 20 for power wire(or it might come with it in the bazooka kit) since your not going to be pushing out anywhere near 200 watts rms go for a 10 gauge (I would recommend 8 gauge if you think your going to upgrade later to push 200-300watts rms)


cause if you were to buy just a amp lets say a kenwood (just a example) 2X50rms @4ohms amp
should run @ aroung $150
add in one inexpensive 10'' sub $30-50
add a box for that sub $30-50
add a power wire kit $20-40
Plus a converter 10

your kinda over your budget

My bad, guys. I meant that my amp (alone) budget was 200 bucks. Don't want to go over $200 for amp and wire, and possibly including install...haven't decided if I want to attempt myself yet.

Wouldn't it just be best to go with an amp that has speaker-level and rca instead of using a converter? From what I've been seeing, most amps are including speaker-level inputs now.

I've seen those bazooka tubes, but never heard of anyone actually having one. Are they descent?

 

[jtvang125]

Here's a few links to some amps that will really move those Orions:

http://www.audiosavings.com/pr...4638-a3c8-4db332f3da05
http://www.audiosavings.com/pr...4862-883c-16f8cfff1708
http://www.audiosavings.com/pr...48c9-9857-72d8b0d9c830

 

[SpeedEng66]

Originally posted by: freddypoobles

Originally posted by: SpeedEng66
if your using a stock radio and there are no rca outputs

buy a line out converter (like this one )
http://cgi.ebay.com/CAR-HI-LO-...78788241QQcmdZViewItem

it connects to the rear speakers (not the cleanest sound but for $200 budget lol what do you want)

now your next choice is subs
there are alot of choices here either you buy the in a package or sepreate it's up to you.

but since your kinda new to car audio (not being mean ) maybe you should look into a 8-10''bazooka tube with built in amp that should be just under 150 + 10ish bux for the converter + 20 for power wire(or it might come with it in the bazooka kit) since your not going to be pushing out anywhere near 200 watts rms go for a 10 gauge (I would recommend 8 gauge if you think your going to upgrade later to push 200-300watts rms)


cause if you were to buy just a amp lets say a kenwood (just a example) 2X50rms @4ohms amp
should run @ aroung $150
add in one inexpensive 10'' sub $30-50
add a box for that sub $30-50
add a power wire kit $20-40
Plus a converter 10

your kinda over your budget

My bad, guys. I meant that my amp (alone) budget was 200 bucks. Don't want to go over $200 for amp and wire, and possibly including install...haven't decided if I want to attempt myself yet.

Wouldn't it just be best to go with an amp that has speaker-level and rca instead of using a converter? From what I've been seeing, most amps are including speaker-level inputs now.

I've seen those bazooka tubes, but never heard of anyone actually having one. Are they descent?

sure if the amp has one it's the same thing

those tubes are ok it fills in the low's thats missing from factory systems just fine! just dont get the 6 1/2 tube. they fit flush against the rear seats so you dont loose too much trunk space

plus you can just buy them from CC type of store if you dont like it just return it

 

[freddypoobles]

Originally posted by: jtvang125
Here's a few links to some amps that will really move those Orions:

http://www.audiosavings.com/pr...4638-a3c8-4db332f3da05
http://www.audiosavings.com/pr...4862-883c-16f8cfff1708
http://www.audiosavings.com/pr...48c9-9857-72d8b0d9c830

Thanks for the links jt. If its possible for an amp to be sexy, then that Rockford sure looks sessy. Those 3 are now on my list.

Thanks for all the help peoples :thumbsup:

I think I'll be able to make a descent decision on one now.