Amplifier questions

[nishantgandhi]

While researching about amplifiers on WWW, I came across this article on ebay

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Car amplifiers boost the signal your stereo sends to your car speakers, driving your speakers with an independent power source. There are three types of car amplifiers: mono, two-channel, and four-channel.

• Mono car amplifiers: Mono amplifiers power a single speaker.
• Two-channel car amplifiers: Two-channel car amplifiers boost the signal to two speakers and a subwoofer.
• Four-channel car amplifiers: Four-channel car amplifiers boost the signal to four speakers and two subwoofers; two speakers and a single subwoofer; or any configuration in between.

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Just out of curiosity, whats the need for mono amplifiers if they power a single speaker? Theoretically speaking, speakers come and are installed in pairs. So why would you need to install a mono amp?

Another question - if I go for a 2 channel amp, instead of boosting the signal to two speakers and a subwoofer, can I use it to boost signla to ONLY 4 speakers? (Front+rear), as I have no plans for a SW.

[Bass&Trouble]

Thats quite a lame explanation of amplifiers even if intended for the absolute novice.

Originally Posted by nishantgandhi

Just out of curiosity, whats the need for mono amplifiers if they power a single speaker? Theoretically speaking, speakers come and are installed in pairs. So why would you need to install a mono amp?

Some people want to power a single speaker sometimes, like a subwoofer. A sub is also a speaker na?

[shuvc]

Originally Posted by nishantgandhi

Another question - if I go for a 2 channel amp, instead of boosting the signal to two speakers and a subwoofer, can I use it to boost signla to ONLY 4 speakers? (Front+rear), as I have no plans for a SW.

Yes you can.

8 chars.

[Ajaybiz]

Even a 2 channel amp will power all your 4 spekers but you wont be able to use the fader and for that function you need a proper 4 channel amp.

[deepak_ms]

Originally Posted by Ajaybiz

Even a 2 channel amp will power all your 4 spekers but you wont be able to use the fader and for that function you need a proper 4 channel amp.

can a 4 channel amp power 4 speakers and a sub and still have an option of fader??

[shuvc]

Originally Posted by deepak_ms

can a 4 channel amp power 4 speakers and a sub and still have an option of fader??

No.
2 channels of the amp would ideally be joined (bridged) to drive the sub.
That leaves 2 other channels free. These can power the 2 front speakers.
OR
One of the channels can power left side speakers (front & rear)
Another channel can power the right side speakers (front & rear)
In these cases, the wires for the front and rear speakers of a particular side are connected to the same +ve & -ve output channel of the amp. Since the same output is driving front and rears, fading is not possible.


That's as far as my understanding goes.

[nishantgandhi]

Originally Posted by shuvc

One of the channels can power left side speakers (front & rear). Another channel can power the right side speakers (front & rear)

Is this the usual setup? I used to think that Front speakers and Rear Speakers are powered, as a PAIR by 2 channels of the amp, rather than Left and Right being powered as a pair.
Hence fader option would work!

[nishantgandhi]

Originally Posted by nishantgandhi

• Four-channel car amplifiers: Four-channel car amplifiers boost the signal to four speakers and two subwoofers; two speakers and a single subwoofer; or any configuration in between.

A quick question - does it matter WHAT is the type of speakers? I mean, is it NECESSARY to use an Amp for Coax speakers? Or is it necessary for component speakers only?

I have read in other posts on the group that front components were powered by a 2 channel Amp while rear coaxs were powered by the HU. Any specific reason for such a setup?

Wouldnt an IDEAL setup require ALL speakers to be powered by Amp(s)?

[DerAlte]

Originally Posted by nishantgandhi

Wouldnt an IDEAL setup require ALL speakers to be powered by Amp(s)?

Yes, it would.

Powering the rear-fill coaxes from HU saves money without compromising on front SQ.

And no, both components and coaxes do better with an amp.

[low_bass_makker]

Originally Posted by DerAlte

And no, both components and coaxes do better with an amp.

Because the HU amp is not capable enough to drive the speaker to its max capacity.

[shuvc]

Originally Posted by nishantgandhi

Is this the usual setup? I used to think that Front speakers and Rear Speakers are powered, as a PAIR by 2 channels of the amp, rather than Left and Right being powered as a pair.
Hence fader option would work!

What I mentioned was 1 pair (L+R) amp output channels driving 2 pairs of speakers. Whether you pair LHS/RHS speakers or Fronts/Rears fader will still not work.

Because fader from the HU works on the, how shall I say it, input to the amp. The Amp gets 2 inputs from the HU. One of them for the 'Fronts' another for 'Rear'.

Now if you have connected the sub to the 'Rear' output and the 2 pairs of speakers to the 'Front' output , then your fading will be between
1. All 4 speakers playing, no sub
2. Only sub, other 4 speakers khamosh

[nishantgandhi]

Originally Posted by shuvc

Now if you have connected the sub to the 'Rear' output and the 2 pairs of speakers to the 'Front' output , then your fading will be between
1. All 4 speakers playing, no sub
2. Only sub, other 4 speakers khamosh

So if I dont have any sub in the setup, then the fader option should work, right?

[panky12345]

Originally Posted by nishantgandhi

So if I dont have any sub in the setup, then the fader option should work, right?

Opt for a 4 channel and Pio 7950 HU (or any HU with a sub out) and faders would work good with an option of turning the sub off.

[adityamunshi]

I have another question about amps, Other than making the music louder, how does the amp help ?

In the context of my setup, (four speakers running off the HU) what will be the difference at the same volume ?

[jkdas]

Originally Posted by adityamunshi

I have another question about amps, Other than making the music louder, how does the amp help ?

In the context of my setup, (four speakers running off the HU) what will be the difference at the same volume ?

its like adding a Pete's box. More headroom.

and loves people with good bank balance.

To feel the difference, listen to a good setup.