First, let me say that I got rid of the S and ended up getting an STi due to boosted problems with a local shop. With that said;

I need some thoughts here. Currently, I have a Kenwood (KDC569) deck powering Boston Pro's (5.5) and I plan on installing the rest w/in the next two weeks. I have two Boston Pro 12.5's (2 ohm) for the subs, and have a few amps. My question is as to what amps to run. I have a RF 800.4 (100x4), 500a2 (125x2) and 360a2 (90x2) for power. I have heard both ways that the 800.4 will run everything, while others say use the bi-amp mode on the 5.5's with the 800.4 (100 watts to each speaker, using all four channels) and use the 500a2 for the subs. My goal is SIMPLICITY, yet I don't want the subs to be underpowered. I had the 500a2 running the subs two years ago, so I know for a fact that it has enough power for that application. The other way I have been told was to bridge the 800.4 to the subs, and use the 500a2 for the fronts.

When I had my S2K, I only had the 5.5's being pushed by the 500a2. I just got the 800.4 from my buddy for $100 so that I could run everything off one amp, and have had many people say that if you have it, use it. Again, I want SIMPLICITY, yet clean sound. I popped off the rear door panel and saw that it holds a 4" speaker, so I am going to pass on rear speakers. I bench tested the amps yesterday and everthing works fine.

For you guys running some what of a system, what would you do?
Will the 800.4 run everything I want? Your input is greatly appreciated.

 

imo, i generally run 2 amps b/c it allows for me to have more flexibility in setting up my system and if i ever want to upgrade my system. also, it provides a power supply for each amp...

all in all, i wouldn't biamp the Pro's. the sound quality or volume gains there are going to be minimal, and you'd have to add an outboard electronic crossover to your system. chances are, the Boston crossovers are going to sound better unless you've got a very nice electronic crossover and do some major tweaking.

because the RF 800.4 is most likely not 2 ohm stable when bridged, you can't use it for your subs alone. you should check to see if the 800.4 is 2 ohm stable when bridged mono. i seriously doubt it, as i haven't seen a RF amp that was in a long time.

you could use it as such:
bridge 2 channels to mono, wire the subs in series, and run them off the rear channels. then run your fronts off of the front channels.
another wiring configuration of the 800.4 would be this:
send a mono signal to the rear channels of the 800.4. wire them LR and RR to the subs. then wire the fronts off of the front channels.
(these two options provide almost the exact same power to the subs and fronts.) this wouldn't be bad, and would provide about 150 Wrms / channel to the fronts and 200 Wrms to each sub.

the other option you have would be to mono bridge the 500a2 and connect it to the subs in series, and run the 360a2 for the highs.
you could also send a mono signal to the 500a2 and wire the subs in a LR and RR configuration.
then wire the 360a2 for the highs.


given your choice - i would go for the option i've labeled in bold. if i recall correctly, the 500a2 series is a 'Power' series amp vs the 800.4 'Punch series. the Power series are much better amps. that configuration will also provide the most power to your subs and still provide sufficient power to the highs. you'll actually get a bit more than 90 Wrms x channel to the highs b/c the 5.5 Pros are a 3 ohm speaker. so, you'll be actually getting closer to 120 Wrms x channel. in this configuration, you'll also be sending 250 Wrms to each sub. that should be plenty, unless you're looking for vision blurring nose bleeding kinds of volume.


hope this all helps.