4Ch Speakers on Stereo Vs 4Ch Amp. Which will bring out the sound better?

[Soravia]

If I use a 4-way speaker on 2ch stereo, will it be as effective as using 4ch (2 way) amp on normal speakers? Loudness is not an issue, just clearity.

Which 4ch amp is around $99 and compact? All I see are huge hi-power units.

I just got my alarm installed and put up the stickers on windows. But losers still might try to crack it for stereo.So I plan to hide my stereo unit under the dash and put a jack and volume knob on the center console. I'll have to make trips to Radio shack but that's better than replacing glass and all.

Thanks

[Looneybomber]

If I use a 4-way speaker on 2ch stereo, will it be as effective as using 4ch (2 way) amp on normal speakers? Loudness is not an issue, just clearity.

Hang on...I need to read this just one more time. Nevermind, I have to break it down in order to give you well enough information for you to ask it again because I have no idea what you're talking about.

If I use a 4-way speaker on 2ch stereo

Ok, a 4-way speaker means you have your speakers input signal split 4 ways into a midbass, midrange, tweeter and super tweeter. That is completely unnecessary in a car! Why? They use very cheap drivers* and crossover components to keep costs down. Essentially, you're buying 4 different crap-*** drivers and some of the cheapest crossover components (capacitors, resistors and inductors) possible. You're better off buying a quality 2way driver to get improved sound.

For comparison purposes, A decent 4way home audio speaker tower will run you about $1,400-$10,000+ because they use quality components. A decent 3-way car component set will be around 1000.00, because there again, quality.

will it be as effective as using 4ch (2 way) amp on normal speakers

I have no idea what that means.

An aftermarket, 4 channel amp can power 4 different speaker channels (front L&R, rear L&R). You can also bridge 2 sets of the channels together. To increase sound quality by lowering distortion at upper volume levels, you can use an amp to power your speakers.

What are "normal" speakers? Do you mean "factory" or "OE"

*Driver = A speaker. A tweeter is a driver, a subwoofer is a driver, a midrange is a driver, a 3-way speaker is a "speaker" made up of 3 different drivers. Because "speaker" is so generic, to be more specific we use the word "driver" to mean individual components of a speaker.

[Soravia]

Thanks, that makes a lot of sense. I understand your term driver.

I was thinking about getting 2 sets of thesePYLE Blue Label 6" x 9" 400 Watt Four-Way Speakers Model PL-6984BL http://www.newegg.com/Product/...84106

I can't afford high$$$ but I suppose they should be better than stock. How about compared toPioneer 6.5" 2-Way Speaker with 160 Watts Max. Power Model TS-G1641R http://www.newegg.com/Product/...17022

I will be using a simple stereo with about 45wx4 power

[EW]

2 way components or coaxials are fine. More "ways" does not = better sound. If your speakers are crap, replace them first. There are plenty of inexpensive, decent quality speakers to choose from. Alpine S Type or Boston Acoustics coax start at $99 retail/pair. Avoid cheap speakers.After you get new speakers, treat them nicely so they will still sound good when you add an amplifier to drive them. The Alpine MRP-F250 is a great value at $199 and includes a 2 way adjustable crossover so you can take the bass out of your new speakers which will allow them to play much louder and clearer since they won't be struggling to play bass notes that need to be produced by a subwoofer. With the Alpine 4ch amp, you could even run 4 mid/high speakers on half and a sub on the other half if you want to!

[lofapoo]

Why spend 80 bucks on 4 crappy speakers when you can get 2 decent ones? Rear speakers are useless, save your money. High 90s and low 100s open up some doors to pretty good speakers you can look into powering with an external amp to get the most out of them

Stay away from speakers under 50 cause they're most likely crap

[Soravia]

Just for reference, I play songs by UVERworld, Ellegarden, Ayumi, Hikki, KOTOKO etc. And I'm Not getting a woofer for more than one reason including money ^_^;I might settle for two nice speakers first and then add in two more later.AMPs I see are all hi-power and large which is not what I'm looking for. I just one something small to fit in my car, as you know 240s have ver little room in them. Especially with all the tools I have in the trunk.

Detachable face plates, do they really reduce the risk of getting the stereo stolen? Can't it just be replaced with another face plate?I'm thinking of this one to jack in my MP3 player.SONY Black In-Dash Car CD Receiver Model CDX-GT110 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...05061
Modified by Soravia at 12:49 PM 5/6/2007

[Looneybomber]

I might settle for two nice speakers first and then add in two more later.

I don't know what size speakers 240's have in their doors, but get those first. If you have to, you could build some fiberglass kick panels to fit a larger midbass to blend with a sub better in the future.

AMPs I see are all hi-power and large which is not what I'm looking for. I just one something small to fit in my car, as you know 240s have ver little room in them. Especially with all the tools I have in the trunk.

A 4ch amp would be your friend. It would allow you to hook up ch's 1&2 to your new front speakers, then 3&4 bridged to your sub in the trunk.

As for size, the Alpine PDX series is about the only amp that will fit under the seats of our s2000's, the bad news is they're expensive and have a horrible S/N ratio period, let alone for their price.http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-e...4.100