2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission To Amp or Not To Amp??

[EBottema]

Well guys-



My interior has been torn apart for the last couple weeks slowly working on undercoating all the seams and using brown bread to insulate the panels that dodge didnt.



I installed a new headlight switch and stereo headunit. It was a 200 dollar pioneer headunit with all the gadgets. I bought some new fosgate rear 5. 25 hi output speakers and a set of 6x9 front component fosgates that are also some quality speakers. My question is after spending the money on the new front and rear speakers and a good headunit, should I think about putting a small 50x4 watt amp in? The engine is loud and i enjoy music. I want something that sounds good and can be loud at times. I'm just worried I'm cutting myself short by not putting the amp in. I'm not running any subs, just 4 high quality speakers. Thus the idea of a 4 channel amp. You guys with amps, please convince me either way, should I run an amp or not? How much louder can the music be with the amp? Anyways, never had an amp before so I'm new to it. Thanks!

Erik



PS. If anyone has any quick pictures of where your amp is mounted, id love to see!

 

[McCRam]

If I had a choice I would definatly throw in an amp. But I would get a 5 channel so that I could put a small sub in later. I waiting on a deck and speakers myself. I already have a 5 channel and sub. Problem is, a set of injectors is higher on the wish list.

 

[mikel]

I'd definitely get an amp. If you go with a 5 channel like McCRam suggests then you'll always be able to upgrade later, otherwise if you decide you'd like to add a sub then you'll also be adding at least another amp.



good luck,

Mike

 

[wolfman00hd]

I would have to concur w/these guys as well. I've been running the same Sony XPlod 5ch. Amp in my last three trucks and it has served me very well. Mounting was an issue in the CTD, but I removed the fold flat on the driver's side rear and mounted it in it's place. I'm running a Sony head unit w/JL Audio components in the front and rear doors and a JL 10" in a stealth box under the passenger rear seat. The amp was a good investment and I got it cheap when it was a year old and the new models were coming out. I think I gave maybe $200 or so for it. I'm sure there are some cheaper alternatives out there, but I would deifnitely suggest it. Room for one amp was tough, room for two might have been impossible. Just my $. 02 worth.

 

[IdaH.O.Train]

This is just my opinion; however, I believe you're only going to get so much sound out of those speakers, no matter how much power you pump through them. I know you said you are not running any subs, but if you are open to that idea, you might be better advised to install a sub(s) of some kind, with their own dedicated amp, and just run the speakers off the head unit. That's what I have done and it's plenty loud and sounds clean, not overbearing. A subwoofer is going to make a huge difference in the way your whole system sounds. Personally, I think you will be happier in the long run going that route.

 

[pwerwagn]

If you have a club/quad cab, behind the rear seat is a pretty good place to mount amps. I had 2 alpine T-757 (750 watt) amps behind the rear seat and a Fosgate (250x2) under the front seat. I didnt use rear speakers. I had Focal Utopia components in the front doors, with the focal tweeters in the factory space. the amp made the focals much crisper, cleaner and clearer. I reccomend one. My stuff was stolen, so now Im running Lightning audio in the front and fosgate rear, with a 480 watt running the fosgate rear subs and a 50x2 in front. It makes a LOT of difference. I HIGHLY reccomend one.

--Jeff

 

[EBottema]

My headunit puts out 22 watts RMS and my rears can handle 40 rms and fronts can do 60 I think. Thats why I was thinking a small amp, approx 25-35 watts per channel would give me more volume and better sound for my quality speakers. I don't ever plan on running a sub b/c I enjoy the space in my club cab but would like the extra volume from the amp... what do you guys think of this one to go with my pioneer headunit? its pretty good on the wallet too. Kind of what i was looking for too...

pioneer gm-4000f amp





thanks

erik

 

[mikel]

Any decent 25-35 watt amp is going to sound better and louder than the "100 watts of power" built into a head unit.



That pioneer looks like a nice little amp, if you're sure about never adding a sub then I can't see why that amp won't suit your use just fine.



mike

 

[JPike]

I changed my speakers out for j. l. audio, including a pillar tweeters. had to enlarge the hole a little but looks good. 5 ch alpine amp under drivers seat. custom made 10" sub box under passenger seat. i thought about under rear bench, but i put dive tanks there when i want to lock them up, so the flat flor is important. if you want pic's i will see if i can get some tomorrow

 

[budctdca]

amped

I definitely agree with getting an amp. I used to install sound systems for extra cash in high school, the amps that are integrated into the head units are lousy, you get all sorts of distortion from them at high volumes. i believe you wouldnt be doing your speakers justice if you didnt use an amp, with an external amp you will get much cleaner highs and lows without distortion and will be able to hear the music over the truck. amp mounting is basically open to your imagination, there is plenty of room in the club cabs and under the seats, one thing you might want to check your cd player manual about cutting out the frequencies that you speakers are not rated for, i think the pioneers have adjustments in the deck for this, otherwise you can end up blowing the voice coil regardless if your using an amp or not.

____________________________________ Oo. ____

97 2500 4x4 a/t cc longbed, 04 17" chrome wheels, #8 plate, BHAF, staright piped,machined alum heatshield, reverse glow gauges, autometer pyro, trans temp, boost, a pillar, 55W halogen b/u lights, custom led switch panel, injectors soon? :-laf

 

[Cigar John]

I'm slowly installing my new system,Pioneer DEH-P77DH head unit,Infinity 60. 5cs front door & tweeter,62. 5i rear door,100. 3se sub in a hot box designs box that replaces the bottom of the center console,all to be powered by an Infinity 5760a 6way amp. I've put systems in the wifes vette and my semi both have amps & subs and I wouldn't do a system without either now. Oo. Oo.