So in my quest to figure out what to do with this mound of stereo parts that sit before me, I treked to Circuit City today. They seemed much more helpful than Best Buy had been. Their prices were more reasonable too.

However, two different install techs told me it's a bad idea to run a stealthbox on the same 4-channel amp as my components. From what I understood, they claimed it would pull power away from the components and reduce the overall SQ of both. They suggested I go with a 2-channel + a mono instead.

Any truth here?

 

They wouldn't be willing to sell you a mono amp by any chance would they?

I would try what you have as long as the 4-channel makes enough clean power for the sub you want.

 

Yes, I know this would pad their install fees nicely

My amp provides 102w rms per channel. Components are 90w rms. Stealtbox is like... ~300 watts @ 3 ohms. In theory, the 4-channel SHOULD provide more than enough power.

I just bought the 4-channel. I could easily return it for a 2-channel and actually save cash, since I didn't plan on installing the stealthbox for a little while anyway....

 

depends on how serious you are about this. ideally, you should have seperate amps for each channel, but in a car stereo this rarely happens. having a seperate amp for the sub has its advantages, but is it worth the extra expense? the extra room? in a convertable?

most people with a single four channel amp are quite satisfied with the SQ and volume. if you are cursed with golden ears and insist on the best, i'd get two amps. but you will spend much more money for little return.

what is your home stereo like? what is that setup? do you have a seperate pre-amp? do you have a seperate amp for your sub? if no to either, i think you'd be fine with one amp.

but it is totally up to you.

 

Bump for any further comments?

I'm trying to decide between keeping the 4-channel or returning it for an identical 2-channel, since I won't be adding a sub in the immediate future.

 

Well you won't likely be able to get a refund for the 2-channel when you want a 4-channel again... It's just a question if whether or not you'll get the sub...

 

I know. The option would be to get the 2-channel now then buy a mono to power the sub later, or just keep the 4-channel now. I guess the common thought here is that it's not a big difference either way.

 

On my setup im running:
JL audio 300/4
Kicker rs splits (100rms)
Xtant 12inch 500 rms sub

That goes well sounds great.. so if you have the 4 already.. try it out.. it will work.. and shouldn't take away from your 'sq'.. if you were competing in SQ comps then yeah.. maybe run a seperate amp..

 

In my opinion you would be fine w/ the 4 channel. You are already limited w/ space and splitting this to two amps requires distribution blocks for power and more labor for 2nd amp install...if you could find room. By going w/ a 2 channel you may save a bit of cash now, but will end up paying more when you install the sub and a 2nd amp later. They may be a bit correct about pulling power from the fronts, but I doubt you would even notice and it sounds like your rms figure is in the zone for both components and sub(bridged on rears). Althought you didn't state the brand of the amp, most ratings are at 14.4volts which is not typical in the vehicle.

 

ok mister orange county, what's the amp? what are you putting in?

some info would help us here.