New question for you two-ampers...What would the implications be of using only one 4-channel amp to power front components and rears?

My current setup has two Nakamichi PA-1002's pushing CDT Eurosports in front and a Dayton DSQ in the rear...but I've been really thinking about switching out the two amps for a single Blaupunkt PA4100 or Hifonics Z8000 to actually have some trunk space

Everyone suggests that I avoid doing so "if [I] really care about sound" but without ever giving an explanation...

Can anyone tell me why?

Or alternatively, give me some opinions on either of the two amps I mentioned....or suggest any new amps...or make a random comment that's completely unrelated to the topic...whatever

 

i

 

Size, for one thing...watt for watt, it requires a larger package for a 4-ch vs. a 2-ch which could prompt fitment issues. On the upside, some of the circuitry doesn't have to be repeated since it's already in the package, so it's generally smaller than 2 2-ch amps welded together.

 

The PA4100 is 2 ohm stable running as a 4 channel amp. If you bridge 2 channels to your Dayton (it's a subwoofer, right?), the bridged channel needs to see a 4 ohm load.

 

For powering fronts and rears, I'd probably go for a single 4ch amp. If you, for some reason, later decide to power fronts and a sub instead, an advantage to using two amps, at least in the case of the Blaupunkt PA amps, would be the ability to set a HPF on one and a LPF on the other. Of course, there are 4ch amps that allow you to do that, too, e.g., JL 300/4. But my 300/4 didn't fit in the spare tire.

Anyway, as I mentioned before, I'm currently using a PA2100(in the spare tire) for my fronts, and a second PA2100 (in the extra compartment in the toolbox) for my sub. It's working well so far, and I love looking in my trunk and only seeing one WLAURENT sub enclosure in the corner. FYI, both PA2100s (w/out their external cases) would fit inside the spare. The toolbox's (or is that toolbox') little compartment is just so much more accessible, that I had to use it. Actually, I think the PA4100 would fit in there, too. BTW, my two PA2100 combined (Crutchfield) were less expensive than one PA4100 (PartsExpress). That's comparing authorized dealer to authorized dealer prices.

gil

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by marki_cologne
[B]i

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by 145
[B]For powering fronts and rears, I'd probably go for a single 4ch amp.

 

unless you really need to save money, spend the extra $100 for the other amps. though crunch is owned by the same company as hifonics , they're not bad amps, but i think the build quality on the hifonics (especially the z series and higher) is better.

i have a hifonics z6400 and i'm very happy with it, they are pretty big. fyi but thezeb.com has the hifonics z8000 (last years, non-glowing logo model for $250).
the z8000 only does 200W at 4ohm, if your sub can be wired for 2ohm you only get 300w. are you looking at the z8000 because you need 200W for the CDTs?

nothing will match the size of the blaupunkt. all the other amps will be about the same size for that power rating. the hifonics are average for that rating, the ppi seems a little smaller. buying a 4 channel will be cheaper then buying two separate amps. but if you buy a dedicated sub amp you'll be able to stuff it inside the tool well. all compromises obviously.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mgiang7
[B]unless you really need to save money, spend the extra $100 for the other amps.

 

How much power and what ohm-load do you need for your sub? Right now, I'm running my PA4100 bridged to my Koda's in the front. My HU is running the rears, and I'll add a small memphis amp for my sub whenever Elemental ships it! If you want a 4-channel that can do 2-ohm bridged (for a sub), I'd go for a Phoenix Gold Tantrum 600.4 -- it's 75Wx4, or bridges to 300W for a 2-ohm sub. It's large compared to the blau though.... Sounddomain had refurbished units for $300 not too long ago. That's what I'd be doing if I didn't already have the amps from my previous car.