bought the car used and it came with:

jvc HU kd-sh9700

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-riwcVmNMhOX/c...search=kdsh9700

rockford fosgate speakers fnp2614

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-riwcVmNMhOX/c...&search=fnp2614

thanks for the help guys

 

Yes. Our cars have only front speakers in the doors - no rears. Technically you only need a two channel amp for them - left and right front channels. You could get a single channel amp and run the sub off that later, or just buy a 4/3/2 channel capable amp that will run the front speakers on two channels and that will allow you to "bridge" the last two channels into one more powerful channel for the sub.

There are also classes of amps - I think that's in the FAQ.

 

89 sensitivity... it would definately benefit from an amp. also, you can improve hearing by getting a good, clean install... dampening the doors and mounting surface, for example.

 

went to best buy today and the install guy told me that an amp wouldn't make it clearer, but only less distortion when LOUDER

 

To me, less distortion means clearer, cleaner sound. "Louder"?? Louder than what? Also, trust me stay away from the best buys and circuit city's for car audio. I worked at one. You would be as knowledgable or maybe more so by reading a couple basic articles online. IMO, with the sensitivity rating on your speakers, I would definatly run them with an amp.

 

thnx

 

if you're happy with the sound while sitting in your driveway at modest
volume, but it either won't get loud enough or it gets loud but starts to
sound bad at speed, an amp will help. but if it never sounds good to
you, an amp will only make the lousy sound louder.

 

so bottom line, an amp will NOT make the sound at regular volumes clearer, but will keep the music clear at higher volumes ONLY?

 

I started with an Alpine 9857 and the stock speakers and there was only a slight improvement in sound quality but it had I-pod and mp3 and could go a little louder.Next I went Mbquart components in the doors, dynomat and an Alpine mrp 250 4 channel amp.Sounded way better but the installer said "lets hear a sub in the trunk" so he threw a generic box with an image dynamics 12" in there and I was sold.After having that setup for 2 weeks I felt it was underpowered so traded for an Alpine mrp 450 and now its right.Loud and clear at high or low volumes....you get what you pay for.Total cost with install 1300.00 and well worth it.Adds about 20 lbs so I guess now I'm at a perfect 50/50 weight distribution versus the 51/49 stock.Car handles much better when your listening to a premium sound system.
PS If I had to do it again I would buy the Alpine 9861 since I have a big dvd audio collection(they sound incredible) plus there is much more EQ.

 

an amp should provide much more headroom, so the 2nd statement is def true

the first... depends on the quality of the internal amplifier (to HU) and the external amplifier in comparison