Matching HU amp power with Speaker power? - Team-BHP

hitra · 26th August 2006, 01:55

First of all, let me thank team-bhp users for providing wealth of information here on indian cars. After reading this forum and considering some practical features, I bought Getz last month.

I've also been searching this forum to get an idea of car audio setups and options. What an experience and stunned by the professional answers and suggestions.

I've a question regarding my simple car audio setup:

For the headunit,
I've shortlisted the recently launched Kenwood KDC MP5033U in India. Specs - Power: 22 W X 4, Speaker Impedance: 4-8 Ohms.

For now, I would like to make it simple with no amp & sub- woofer and just have front components & rear coaxial speakers on doors (as suggested by many here). All power specified in RMS below.
Front - JBL Component GTO607. Specs - Power: 50 W (Tweeter) 70 W (2-way component), Impedance: 2 Ohms (Tweeter) 2 Ohms (2-way component).

Rear - JBL Coaxial CS2165. Specs - Power: 40 W, Impedance: 4 Ohms.

My question is whether the lower power of HU amp can drive the high power and produce good sound quality? Is any external amp necessary in the above setup? I read in Crutchfield that it is advisable to overpower rather than underpower the speakers.

Also, is it required to match the impedance of HU with speaker?

The reason for not going for amp & sub-woofer is primarily not to lose boot space and to avoid modifications.

Appreciate your patience in reading this and any inputs will be valuable.

Thanks,
Hitra.

low_bass_makker · 26th August 2006, 13:23

the above setup will work fine till a certain volume. after the sound will start distorting and then the whole sound scene falls apart. if u listen to low volume and dont play it hard then this is best combination which will satify your need.
but if u add a amp to it no sub only amp the overall sound will change it will be more cleaner at higher volumes and even at low volumes also. to add a amp to the above setup no mods will be done to the car only 4 screw will be add to fix the amp to a secure position ......

If budget is not a constrain here u can add a amp which will help to improve the sound of the ice quite alot more......

one more thing normally the hu are 4 ohms stable a 2 ohms speaker would might damage the hu or the speaker if played at high volume ........

Sam Kapasi · 26th August 2006, 14:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by low_bass_makker

one more thing normally the hu are 4 ohms stable a 2 ohms speaker would might damage the hu or the speaker if played at high volume ........

Ummm, the CS2165 is 4 ohms. The GTO607C package is 3 ohms. (from the crossover input)

You are ok dude, enjoy your music. When you have more money buy an amplifier. cheers.

gunbir · 26th August 2006, 15:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by hitra

First of all, let me thank team-bhp users for providing wealth of information here on indian cars. After reading this forum and considering some practical features, I bought Getz last month.

Congrats, its a great car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hitra

For the headunit,
I've shortlisted the recently launched Kenwood KDC MP5033U in India. Specs - Power: 22 W X 4, Speaker Impedance: 4-8 Ohms.

Good choice again. Look up the Getz Install Help thread on how to install it properly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hitra

For now, I would like to make it simple with no amp & sub- woofer and just have front components & rear coaxial speakers on doors (as suggested by many here).

Will work well. As already mentioned, get an amp. You wont have to modify anything in your car.

hitra · 27th August 2006, 01:58

Thanks a lot for your inputs.

speedzak · 27th August 2006, 02:23

Many thinks an amp is needed if you want a Sub. And Sub is given importance than the amp.
I'll rather choose a nice amp first. An amp can seriously improve the sound quality. So get a nice 4channel amp (alpine, audison, jbl, blau etc..) to power your components and co-axials.

hitra · 29th August 2006, 00:42

The HU KDC-MP5033U has got two sets of Preamp Outputs (2V each) and no Sub Preamp Outputs. If I plan to add a Subwoofer, is it possible since the HU does not have a dedicated Sub Preamp Output? Where does the crossovers occur - HU or Amp?

I heard there are 6 1/2" subwoofers available in the market. Does it fit on Getz rear doors? If it does fit, having two subwoofers in the doors enhance the bass? Is this setup possible with just two sets of Preamp Outputs?

If this is possible, I can go for 6 1/2" subwoofers on the rear doors instead of coaxials. Is it possible to get some decent bass out of it?

Thanks for your inputs.

Sam Kapasi · 29th August 2006, 00:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by hitra

The HU KDC-MP5033U has got two sets of Preamp Outputs (2V each) and no Sub Preamp Outputs. If I plan to add a Subwoofer, is it possible since the HU does not have a dedicated Sub Preamp Output? Where does the crossovers occur - HU or Amp?

I heard there are 6 1/2" subwoofers available in the market. Does it fit on Getz rear doors? If it does fit, having two subwoofers in the doors enhance the bass? Is this setup possible with just two sets of Preamp Outputs?

If this is possible, I can go for 6 1/2" subwoofers on the rear doors instead of coaxials. Is it possible to get some decent bass out of it?

Thanks for your inputs.

Hi!
Yes you can, the crossover occurs at the amplifier.
I do not think there are 6.5" subwoofers. And you cannot expect a subwoofer to give you any decent bass in the door.
Cheers

gunbir · 29th August 2006, 02:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by hitra

I heard there are 6 1/2" subwoofers available in the market.

We used to have a 6.5" subwoofer in Hertz but it was discontinued recently... as seen here...

navin · 29th August 2006, 10:27

Gunbir what on earth would the owner do ni the rains?

jkdas · 29th August 2006, 11:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by navin

Gunbir what on earth would the owner do ni the rains?

nice doubt
and hows it fed?

gunbir · 29th August 2006, 11:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkdas

nice doubt and hows it fed?

Hehe Mumbaikars tend to rain-analyse everything, and I dont blame you. I had some pics where they had a fiberglass cover for that. Let me dig em up.

JK, see the footrest, do you catch a glimse of an SRx amp installed there...

navin · 29th August 2006, 12:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunbir

Hehe Mumbaikars tend to rain-analyse everything, and I dont blame you....

I spent 16 hours stuck in my car waist deep in water on 26-7-2005.

29th August 2006, 00:42	#7 (permalink)
hitra Newbie Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 5	The HU KDC-MP5033U has got two sets of Preamp Outputs (2V each) and no Sub Preamp Outputs. If I plan to add a Subwoofer, is it possible since the HU does not have a dedicated Sub Preamp Output? Where does the crossovers occur - HU or Amp? I heard there are 6 1/2" subwoofers available in the market. Does it fit on Getz rear doors? If it does fit, having two subwoofers in the doors enhance the bass? Is this setup possible with just two sets of Preamp Outputs? If this is possible, I can go for 6 1/2" subwoofers on the rear doors instead of coaxials. Is it possible to get some decent bass out of it? Thanks for your inputs. Last edited by F50 : 29th August 2006 at 00:50.

29th August 2006, 10:27	#10 (permalink)
navin Team-BHP Support Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: mumbai Posts: 13,262	Gunbir what on earth would the owner do ni the rains? __________________ Scixelsyd Etinu

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26th August 2006, 01:55	#1 (permalink)
hitra Newbie Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 5	First of all, let me thank team-bhp users for providing wealth of information here on indian cars. After reading this forum and considering some practical features, I bought Getz last month. I've also been searching this forum to get an idea of car audio setups and options. What an experience and stunned by the professional answers and suggestions. I've a question regarding my simple car audio setup: For the headunit, I've shortlisted the recently launched Kenwood KDC MP5033U in India. Specs - Power: 22 W X 4, Speaker Impedance: 4-8 Ohms. For now, I would like to make it simple with no amp & sub- woofer and just have front components & rear coaxial speakers on doors (as suggested by many here). All power specified in RMS below. Front - JBL Component GTO607. Specs - Power: 50 W (Tweeter) 70 W (2-way component), Impedance: 2 Ohms (Tweeter) 2 Ohms (2-way component). Rear - JBL Coaxial CS2165. Specs - Power: 40 W, Impedance: 4 Ohms. My question is whether the lower power of HU amp can drive the high power and produce good sound quality? Is any external amp necessary in the above setup? I read in Crutchfield that it is advisable to overpower rather than underpower the speakers. Also, is it required to match the impedance of HU with speaker? The reason for not going for amp & sub-woofer is primarily not to lose boot space and to avoid modifications. Appreciate your patience in reading this and any inputs will be valuable. Thanks, Hitra.

26th August 2006, 13:23	#2 (permalink)
low_bass_makker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Faridabad Posts: 6,483 View My Garage	the above setup will work fine till a certain volume. after the sound will start distorting and then the whole sound scene falls apart. if u listen to low volume and dont play it hard then this is best combination which will satify your need. but if u add a amp to it no sub only amp the overall sound will change it will be more cleaner at higher volumes and even at low volumes also. to add a amp to the above setup no mods will be done to the car only 4 screw will be add to fix the amp to a secure position ...... If budget is not a constrain here u can add a amp which will help to improve the sound of the ice quite alot more...... one more thing normally the hu are 4 ohms stable a 2 ohms speaker would might damage the hu or the speaker if played at high volume ........

27th August 2006, 01:58	#5 (permalink)
hitra Newbie Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 5	Thanks a lot for your inputs.

27th August 2006, 02:23	#6 (permalink)
speedzak BANNED Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: India Posts: 4,268	Many thinks an amp is needed if you want a Sub. And Sub is given importance than the amp. I'll rather choose a nice amp first. An amp can seriously improve the sound quality. So get a nice 4channel amp (alpine, audison, jbl, blau etc..) to power your components and co-axials.