Want to upgrade rear speakers (warning:rather long post)

[Seerlah]

I wanted to do it for a while, but got initiative to do it due to a thread by biketsai a couple days ago. I want input to see if this is a proper route. Opinions and advice is welcome.

I currently have the Bose factory speakers, stock deck, and 2 10" subwoofers in a bandpass box (450rms). I want to get these and replace my current amp with this (I really want opinions on this amp as the price is very low but seems very suitable for what I want). I was thinking about this one, but the distribution of the wattage is not really ideal. Both amps have no built in intercoolers (fans), so if it were to overheat when I pump it (I love my music) I would have to deal with listening to the front speakers till it cooled off. With the Visonic one, it could run of continuous RMS at 125watts per channel:

Speaker RMS/Amperage RMS(if going with the Visonik)
80watts per rear deck speaker/125watts per channel
~112.5watts per sub speaker/125watts per channel

So, would not worry about the amplifier even overheating. I am no expert at this, so I need input on if I am going about this correct. Can I just get a splitter for the input RC cables coming from the deck (I had my box professionally installed and there are 2 cables for 2 channels) for the other 2 channels? This is the route I think I can take to make it function properly, and need confirmation or correction to the route I am taking. Thanks!

[djwimbo]

Avoid Visonik.

Overheating a 4 channel amp would take some effort. I wouldn't recommend replacing just the rear speakers. #1 they're the furthest away from the driver and #2 every speaker sounds different. It will just sound weird.

FWIW I removed my Bose amp and headunit and installed a 4ch amp. The head unit powers the front two speakers and the 4 ch powers the rear 4. It sounds about as good as stock Bose can, but my amp doesn't like humidity. It shuts off a lot.

For the power you want to run to the subs, I would use one multichannel amp for the mids/highs and a separate for the lows. Yes, it will take more room, but give you more powerful options.

Infinity makes a very reliable 4ch amp. I would run all Infinity amps if I was to set one up tomorrow. Otherwise I'll save my pennies and buy something really nice, MB Quart or likewise.

Keep in mind what your RMS is. If your mids/highs can only handle 35W RMS, don't give them 50W RMS. Peak power doesn't kill speakers(normally) average power (or RMS) does. Same goes for the subs, just because they can handle 1000W peak, doesn't mean they like doing it all day.

Speaker recommendations: Infinity Kappa or Kappa Perfect series, Polk Audio, MB Quart, Kickers are alright, XTant, ... NOT Rockford Fosgate.

[Seerlah]

Man, you are right about the power issue. I need separate amps for the subwoofers and rear deck speakers. I think I have a plan though. I really want to get rid of my current amplifier. And yes, I have overheated it many times. First time was driving back from the shop, but I like to listen to my music. If the amp had an intercooler, it would not happen. And it gets annoying after a while.

I will try and split the power cable to go to each amplifier. One for the subwoofers and the other for the rear deck speakers. And still use an RC splitter for input for the other amplifier. I will bolt both amps to the subwoofer box, so no biggy on that part. Now, I need to search for decent prices on quality products. So, I could just use two 2 channel amplifiers for each set. Or 2 bridgable 4 channels might be better. I will update this thread very soon.

[Seerlah]

Hey djwimbo, what about Alpine speakers?

[keeganhartman]

Personally i don't like the infinity amps because in past experiences they have been very susceptible to engine noise no matter what you do to get around it. If you wanted you could get a 5 channel ampflier. If you get a quality five channel they can keep down the space and give the same output as a dedicated sub amp and four channel. I went with a component set up in the rear and front, all run off of my four channel. Then, another amp for my subwoofer.

[Seerlah]

I was thinking about the 5 channel, but it just is not suitable. The 4 channel would have been just fine. But the power level distributions are just not ideal. I have decided to keep my subwoofers they way they are, then get these MB Quart coaxial rear speakers accompanied by This MB Quart amplifier. I do not plan on touching the front speakers. Maybe down the road sometime just to complete my set up. I just would need to do more searches on procedure on how to go about it.

A problem I see is just the way I plan on wiring them may seem rather unconventional. I will mount the amp to the top of my subwoofer box[right below where the speakers would be(my subwoofer amp is on the back of the box)], and run splitters for the RC cables from the subwoofer amp to the new amp (and old amp for subs). The thing that is really unconventional is how I am going to get power for them. I will split the power cable from the battery that is already on my subwoofer amplifier to then go to both amps. Wire up, adjust setting and all should be good. Hopefully. I have never done this before, that is why I was looking for input on the route I am taking.

Another concern is the amount of weight all this adds to the car. But I do love my music. Hopefully it is no more than like 20-25lbs. If it gets too heavy, I might just remove my subwoofer box and keep the MB Quarts.