5 Channel amplifier vs Seperate Amps

[40daws]

Anyone have good pros/cons of using on or the other ? With the limited trunk space in my s13 and keeping a spare tire I'm leaning toward the 5 Channel. JL Audio,Alpine,Directed all make one.What are you guys thoughts ?

[Rex]

I personally have always been a fan of 5 channel amps, but can't make any real arguement for them??

[40daws]

me too ,as i have one in my 90 max now.But every one I talk to frowns uplike they have to go to the restroom when i mention a 5 channel. Almost,seems like anyway,80-90% off people use seperates.Some of the 5 channels are like having seperates.

[xekushnr]

most 5 channel amps have very low rms ratings, compared to a 2 channel or a monoblock. if you are lookinf for a powerful speaker AND sub setup, then seperate amps will probably be your best bet.

[40daws]

I am looking at the Precision Power dcx 800.5100x4 and 400x1 sub channel RMS.and for me this is overkill.I'm not trying to entertain the neighborhood,justmyself. My Maxima's amp is 60x4 and 200x1 sub channel and I have beenmore than happy with it.I've never even turned it up as far as it will go.

[Rex]

most 5 channel amps have very low rms ratings, compared to a 2 channel or a monoblock. if you are lookinf for a powerful speaker AND sub setup, then seperate amps will probably be your best bet.

Really??? I've seen several 5 channel amps, where the "sub" channel output is usually equal to at least the total output of the 4 primary channels.

I know some people try to run a 4 channel mode in front stereo and rear mixed bridge & stereo, and in those cases the rear is kind of weak, but those aren't really 5 channel amps.

[MdaddyS]

5 channel amps are a great way to save space and power front and rear speaks with a sub well.

But I look at it this way and it seems to hold true:

If you buy a TV/VCR all in one system, how awsome it the TV? The VCR? They have to cut corners to hit price breaks....

I've yet to see a 5 channel in a compitition setting. You do the math.

All that said, I'm shopping for a 5 channel because of space and I'm not in compititions

[40daws]

What brands/models are you looking at ?What i mean is ,have you narrowed it down to 1 or 2 yet ?

[PoorManQ45]

I typed up a detailed post last night, but forgot to post it

Basically, a 5 channel amp is fine. The people that frown upon them are usually "bassheads" that *think* they need 1k+ watts for their sub(s) alone.

For a NORMAL person a decent five channel amp will work great. I personally would look for one with 50~100w rms x 4 and 200~300w rms x 1.

I recently installed a five channel phoenix gold amp in my neighbors Sentra. The main problem with it was that it was so damn big. We ended up making standoffs to mount it upside down under the rear deck.

In this particular case it would have been easier to have 3 seperate amps. One could be mounted on each wheel well, and the other one on the back of the back seat.

[40daws]

I typed up a detailed post last night, but forgot to post it

Basically, a 5 channel amp is fine. The people that frown upon them are usually "bassheads" that *think* they need 1k+ watts for their sub(s) alone.

For a NORMAL person a decent five channel amp will work great. I personally would look for one with 50~100w rms x 4 and 200~300w rms x 1.

I recently installed a five channel phoenix gold amp in my neighbors Sentra. The main problem with it was that it was so damn big. We ended up making standoffs to mount it upside down under the rear deck.

In this particular case it would have been easier to have 3 seperate amps. One could be mounted on each wheel well, and the other one on the back of the back seat.

oops.. What did you think of the quality of that Phoenix amp ?I'd looked at those ,but heard so little about them in recent years.

[EW]

Really??? I've seen several 5 channel amps, where the "sub" channel output is usually equal to at least the total output of the 4 primary channels.

I know some people try to run a 4 channel mode in front stereo and rear mixed bridge & stereo, and in those cases the rear is kind of weak, but those aren't really 5 channel amps.

The JL Audio e6450 and 500/5 have good power output to build nice complete systems. Most 5 channel amps have WEAK power for the sub. In most cases, I would rather have two amps rather than one 5ch.

[PoorManQ45]

Most 5 channel amps have WEAK power for the sub. In most cases, I would rather have two amps rather than one 5ch.

Tell me, what do you consider "weak"? Is 200~300w RMS "weak" to you? If so then your subs really suck!

[40daws]

Tell me, what do you consider "weak"? Is 200~300w RMS "weak" to you? If so then your subs really suck!

^^ Agreed

[EW]

Tell me, what do you consider "weak"? Is 200~300w RMS "weak" to you? If so then your subs really suck!

So if you have a sub (or subs) that is rated for more than 2-300W RMS then they suck? The RMS output of an amp has nothing to do with subs that suck. That is two different issues. Not everyone settles for the buy one- get one free rockford woofers at best buy. My point is that most 5 channel amps are someting like 45x4 and 120x1. That is weak IMO. The JL Audio amps (and probably others) have a good amount of power output for the sub in relation to the amount of output for the mid/highs. While 200W RMS may be fine "in the lane" it does not mean that it is enough to overcome the reality of the noise floor while driving or that it is enough power to drive multiple woofers.

[PoorManQ45]

While 200W RMS may be fine "in the lane" it does not mean that it is enough to overcome the reality of the noise floor while driving or that it is enough power to drive multiple woofers.

The reason 5 channel amps have such a "weak" sub channel is so that the bass doesn't over power everything else.

Just for fun I hooked up a pair of Cerwin Vega D-3s(house speakers), each to a pioneer amp that put out 100w RMS in mono at 4 ohms. I measured greater then 110~120dB across the frequency range with this setup.

You know how this is possible? The CVs are EXTREMELY efficient speakers

The reason I said "your subs suck" is that I absolutely HATE inefficient speakers

[Jookmasta]

i personally run an mtx 5 channel amp. its the best thing in the world. i have had it for 5 years. 270 watts rms at 2 ohms for the sub is what the sheet said. i can tell u that u need nothing more than this once u have the right sub to match. i dont do competition and that is y i dont have 2 amps. not to mention that the 240s trunk space is nonexistant. trust me, i can turn up the speakers to mid way and u wouldnt be able to sit in the car. the bass rattles everything.........................lol. granted i also chose this route for clarity cuz i wanted my speakers to be on amp also. 5 channel amps are the best solution for anyone looking for a nice sounding system without competition goals in mind.

[PoorManQ45]

i personally run an mtx 5 channel amp. its the best thing in the world. i have had it for 5 years. 270 watts rms at 2 ohms for the sub is what the sheet said. i can tell u that u need nothing more than this once u have the right sub to match.

5 channel amps are the best solution for anyone looking for a nice sounding system without competition goals in mind.

Agreed completely.

The reason the sub channel is so "weak" is so that the bass does NOT overpower the rest of the frequency range. Now, this is not to say that you can't make a great sounding system using a high powered sub amp, but I have found that greater then 75% of the time when a high power sub amp is used that the bass is overpowering

[EW]

Vehicle has alot to do with how much bass you get as well. Not every car is a CRX. In many cases, the bass will have to play through rear deck, seats, etc.

[PoorManQ45]

Actually, alot of vehicles don't have a very well sealed trunk. I mean the cabin isn't well sealed off from the trunk. In these vehicles bass won't be much of a problem.

It's vehicles with a completely sealed trunk(like the Q45) that you will find this problem in.

Unfortunately the solution isn't that easy.

You can either take out the rear speakers, cut a hole in the rear deck(diminishes performance of rear speakers alot), or try to PROPERLY port the enclosure into the cabin. The reason I said properly port it is due to the fact that having a port extend outside of the box causes volume calculations to change

[Jookmasta]

well he doesnt have to worry about the muffling of the sound for an s13. i doubt that there is a square inch of sound deadining material in that car. and yes, most people that have a separate amp for their sub usually have too much bass being produced in their car. the question is why have all this power going to a sub when u have to turn it down to even it up with ur highs? like it was said before, do the five channel amp for everyday use and to conserve space............if u want to compete then get two separate amps.

[audtatious]

Nothing wrong with multi-channel amps. My whole system is running of a 13yo 6x50 amp running 3x178. If I were not using the factory HU it would rock out. Unfortunately, I am.

[EW]

Throw an Audio Control LC6 or EQS on that thing!

[PoorManQ45]

Please eleaborate