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Speakers And Amp Questions

georgerosen06

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georgerosen06 Enthusiast

georgerosen06

Posted
Posted

So currently I have 2 JL subs with a kicker amp and focal speakers in the front doors. I am about to order a set of infinity kappas for the rear doors and I had a couple questions. The focal's are 60 watts rms and so are the kappas. After the next paycheck I want to add an amp to them because I don't feel like all the power in the speakers is being used because its ran off the head unit with a rms power output of 20 watts. My question's are (1) Will I need a capacitor or something since I'll have two amps? (2) and what kind of amp should I be looking at to power the speakers. Thanks for any help yall can give.

stadt11 Senior Enthusiast

stadt11

Posted
Posted

Before you add a capacitor (which you may not even need to do) perform the "Big-3" Upgrade.

stadt11 Senior Enthusiast

stadt11

Posted
Posted

Upgrading your electrical system, under the hood, to improve factory wiring:

 

1) Battery negative to chassis

2) Alternator to battery positive

3) Chassis to engine

 

 

Why do it?

 

1) Reduce dimming and smaller voltage drops

2) More stable voltage and better current flow

3) Less strain on your vehicle's charging system

thecraft Senior Enthusiast

thecraft

Posted
Posted

+1 on the Big 3 upgrade. Don't waste your money on capacitors, they don't anything but put more load on your charging system.

 

Get the best amp you can fit into your budget (what is it, BTW?). It's much better to have an amp that is "too powerful" for your speakers than one that is too weak. A big amp will have more headroom for large peaks in volume and also for any possible future upgrades. If you can set the gains properly, you won't kill your speakers by using an amp that's "too big."

georgerosen06 Enthusiast

georgerosen06

Posted
  • Author
Posted
+1 on the Big 3 upgrade. Don't waste your money on capacitors, they don't anything but put more load on your charging system.

 

Get the best amp you can fit into your budget (what is it, BTW?). It's much better to have an amp that is "too powerful" for your speakers than one that is too weak. A big amp will have more headroom for large peaks in volume and also for any possible future upgrades. If you can set the gains properly, you won't kill your speakers by using an amp that's "too big."

 

I suck at wiring amps so figure in like 100 bucks for install and I hope to be around 300 or 400 bucks but if it goes over its no big deal I can pay it all off you know

Jnk Enthusiast

Jnk

Posted
Posted

If you want to stay with kicker amps and not spend much, pick up zx350.4. You will get 60wrms and it will only cost about $175 shipped brand new. The next step up in 4ch(kicker wise) is a zx650.4, too much imo.

Jnk Enthusiast

Jnk

Posted
Posted

Even if someone installs it for you and they set the gains correctly you still have to be careful with the volume knob.

georgerosen06 Enthusiast

georgerosen06

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Even if someone installs it for you and they set the gains correctly you still have to be careful with the volume knob.

 

This is why forums are around! I did not know that thanks for the advice

Z71kris Senior Enthusiast

Z71kris

Posted
Posted

I will say what they said, since you are not doing the install your self, extra batteries and capacitors are usually worthless, since most of the stuff running will run when your truck is on, and then be powered by the alternator...

The Chosen One Enthusiast

The Chosen One

Posted
Posted

the wiring on the Silverado is heavy duty, I put a capacitor on mine and works like a charm.

 

As far as tuning goes for the stereo, they turn your volume all the way up too tune the system. That way when you're ready to JAM you dont have to worry about blowing your setup.

 

edit*** capacitor- I'm only using one because of the amount of power that my setup is using, other than thatI do not recommend one.

08_Denali_22 Enthusiast

08_Denali_22

Posted
Posted

I'm not sure if you guys are going to be able to read this link if your not member but it explains why capacitors don't work. I know its long and fairly techinal but it will make sense if you have the time to read it entirely.

 

http://www.gmfullsize.com/forum/showthread...light=capacitor

 

Good choice on the amp. It will fit your needs very well. I'm all for headroom when it comes to amp selections. The kicker amp would be good too. Especially since almost 90% of Kicker amps are underrated by a fair amount. That particular one claims 60w rms x 4 at 4ohms. I would venture to say its probably closer to 75-80w x 4 at 4ohms. It would say on its birth sheet that you receive with the amp.

 

I'm also all for oversize wire for amp kits. You could probaby get away with an 8 gauge amp kit but I would go with a 4 gauge. It leaves you room for the future plus its no way going to hurt the amp to go larger. Just food for thought.

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