amplifier help.

[Lopez]

i have two kenwood 6x9's, two sony 6 inch speakers and two 12 inch kicker subs. now my question is what type of amp will i need and how much will it cost me. i went to a car audio specialist and he told me i need a 600watt 4channel amp and a monoblock which would cost me $560 for both (without installation) this seems a bit steep to me, is this usually the cost of things or is he trying to bleed me for some cash.

also should i get two more speakers for the front? i heard its not that important... and should i be using the same brand for most things? i was told by some not to mix and match brands, but others said it makes basically no difference.

any help on this topic would be appreciated.

[HCVP]

Where to start...You a long way off in so many different ways..
Ok, don't buy all your components from the same manafactuer. There's no point, one brand might make well priced and good performing head units, but then their amps/subs ect not so good. In the end your only limiting yourself to what's really available.

Who told you front speakers are not important? By getting 2 more, do you mean replacing the current ones, or adding an additional set?The front speakers (your front stage) is the basically most important area in any setup. This is where you want all your sound coming from, rear speakers are really only used to fill any missing gap in the soundstage, and should be barely audible from the front(if not at all) when playing. Forget about buying an amp for your rear speakers, your throwing away your money.

Think of it this way, i'm talking to you, face to face, you then turn around and face your back to me. Try and imagine the changes in the way my voice would sound. Now think why would i want to project the majority of my music from behind me.

6x9's are completely pointless in a vehicle that has a sub/s fitted. 6x9's are often chosen due to their ability to produce more bass than your typical split/coaxial system. However, and soon as you add a sub to the system, any extra bass they provide will go completely to waste, you won't even be able to hear it.

$560 for 2 amps anyway, is cheap, ad they're going to be just that too "cheap" People often overlook the costs associated with amps/wiring instalation ect, when they first set out to buy a system. But as with most things, you get what you pay for. If your budget is low, i suggest looking for some second hand gear, Ebay ect...

[Lopez]

sorry mate i forgot to put it in i have two sony 6inch 'xplods' in the front. should i have more there or will it not be that important.

so a 600W 4channel and a monoblock for 560$ is a good price?

this is my first time with anything to do with a sound system, so all your helps really appreciated.

[Philthy]

sorry mate i forgot to put it in i have two sony 6inch 'xplods' in the front. should i have more there or will it not be that important.

so a 600W 4channel and a monoblock for 560$ is a good price?

this is my first time with anything to do with a sound system, so all your helps really appreciated.

If the sony's in the front sound good enough to you, then you don't need to upgrade them. If they don't go loud enough, or sound as crap as most sony speakers do then definately throw in a good set of splits for the front.

$560 for the 2 amps is cheap, but that is probably because they are cheap shitty amps. Post up some brands, or even better, model numbers so we know what we are talking about.

HCVP said it before, but it seems like it needs to be said a few times a day, so I'll repeat it. 6x9's are overkill if you have a sub/subs as well. You should be concentrating on the fronts, since that is where you will be hearing 90% of your music from. Since you already have the 6x9's I guess it won't hurt to throw them in, just make sure you don't have them turned up too much or it will sound shit.

Speakers are a matter of quality over quantity. If you have too many speakers in the car, it will make the sound "muddy" and take away all your clarity. You don't need MORE speakers in the front if you feel you need to upgrade, you need BETTER ones.

As for mixing and matching, I have 5 different brands in my car, not including wiring. Whoever told you not to do it was probably the only supplier of whatever brand he was trying to sell you in town. Again, HCVP said it best with this:

one brand might make well priced and good performing head units, but then their amps/subs ect not so good. In the end your only limiting yourself to what's really available.

And don't forget that you will need to add wiring into the total cost. I'm gunna give a ball park figure of $150 worth of wiring to hook up 2 amps

[Lopez]

Thanks for the help. The two 6"9's i got for free from a mate ----- would it be better to buy a different set of speakers then use them.

and its it necessary to buy both amps --- can i get say the 4channel put in and then the monoblock put in a little while later?

[Philthy]

If you couldn't buy it all at once, then just buy the monoblock so you can at least install your subs, and put wiring in for 2 amps while you are at it, so when you get the 4ch you can just bolt it in and the hardest part is already done. You will save yourself a lot of work that way

EDIT: It has been said on here many times that your rear speakers don't matter. A lot of people even decide to keep the rears stock. So if you have these free 6x9's then it can't hurt to put them in. Just have the fader set to the front a bit so it doesn't overpower the fronts

[Joe Bellissimo]

Which subs are they mate? I might be able to work you out a deal on some decent gear, maybe a 6 channel amp to handle it all or a good 4 channel amp which is powerful enough to run the fronts and the subs.