System set up

[Aberration]

OK I have some questions about how to go I have a pioneer head unit works fine ect. I'm an infinity fan and looking at the 6.5 component systems
Kappa perfect 6.5 RMS 100@4ohms
Kappa 6.5 RMS 90@2ohms

1st question is deciding between the 2 speakers as perfects are 1.5 times the price, not using rear speakers yet so thinking powering them is going to be the deciding factor

2nd is do I go with a 4 channel to run the doors then bridge for a woofer in back or do I go with a 2 channel and a mono? if I go for the 2 amp set up is there going to be enough power to run it?

mock ideas
4 channel with 100 x 2 @2 for the front sending rest (200 @4) to a sub
2 channel either using 2 or 4 ohm based on the speaker and around 500 mono @2ohms to a sub (am I going to be dimming too much with this?)

Thanks for any help just weighing some options (hi)

other things... I have a 2001ES and listen to everything, price is always an issue but for the sake of argument any budget

 

[Poseur]

for one, a 100x4 @4ohm amp will likely actually give you closet to 350w bridged to 4ohms. it's not jsut a matter of doubling power, it would double the power into an 8ohm bridged setup.

ANY 2 channel amp I'm aware of is 2ohm stable which means you could possibly save some$ and get more juice out of a lower powered amp. Again, different resistance means different power fomr your amp, so expect a 2x50w rms at 4ohm amp to give around 80-100wrms at 2ohms.

Personally I'd say LISTEN to these speakers and let your ears tell you. being a fan of a particular company is cool, but you'd be amazed what can happen when you lower your preconceptions and just listen with your ears. I highly recommend taking some music around with you to as many speakers as possible.

Not to knock on kappas and kappa perfects as they're not horrible speakers, but for the money there's alot of other things out there that may please you more.

 

[Aberration]

Thanks, oK the 200 was from one amp spec so if its more like 350 the thats prob enough, if I went with more power how far can I go before running into issues with power theoretically?
and I agree with listening to them but I don't always trust the stores in that there are a lot of factors into how they sounds... you said there were some other options what are some of your favorites?

 

[Poseur]

as far as power and subs and such, yes a bridged 100wx4 amp should do a sub decently. Kinda depends on what sorta of sub/box combination you're looking for. Multiple amps is never a bad thing, save for the extra wiring cost. If you don't have a need to streamline/save I'd recommend goign with seperate amps.

As far as power available it's often debated, but in reality, many of us have been running over 1500w RMS of combined amplifier power for awhile now. you will have some headlight dimming, but it's nothing major and not damaging to your electrical system.

One thing to keep in mnd when looking at amps isthat specs for wattage can be very decieving, look ONLY at RMS ratings.

 

[chuyler1]

I think in his original post he was considering a 50x4 RMS amplifier but since the Kappas (non-perfect) come in 2ohm versions he could get 100x2 for the front stage and 200x1 for the sub.

For a sedan with the subwoofer mounted in the trunk I think 200w RMS is not going to cut it. There is some discussion going on at the Car Sound forum about using 6x9" subwoofers. You may want to consider it if you're not looking for earth shattering bass.
http://www.carsound.com/UBB/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=18;t=011188

In my fiance's car I installed a PPI 5-channel amp and bridged the front for 120x2+200x1. I had to seal the sub off from the trunk in order to get the most out of it. It sounds great at medium listening levels but doesn't have much punch. It's fine for her but I need more power than that.

So I would shoot for 75-100w for your front speakers (whether its at 2ohms or 4ohms) and 300-500w for bass. There are a few decent 3-channel amps on the market that can do this for you...

http://dlsamerica.com/fstark/ca31.htm
http://dlsamerica.com/fstark/RA30.htm
http://dlsamerica.com/fstark/a5n.htm *** I have this one
http://www.cardomain.com/item/KIC04KX5503

 

[Aberration]

Thanks you hit the nail on the head I think the a5 would be perfect... do I even want to know how much it will run me?

oh and if I'm going to run to the sub any difference in 2 or 4ohm as far as performance, subs available ect? any suggestions brandwise?

thanks again

 

[chuyler1]

I paid $1200 for the A5 and a set of Iridium 6.3 components. I forgot to ask the break-down of the price (I ordered them over the telephone through a store in NJ since there isn't a retailer in MA) but I think the A5 is about $500.

The A5 is the heaviest amp I've ever owned even though it's pretty small and it sounds as solid as it feels. I'm thinking about picking up an A8 to compliment it. Then I can run 500x1 (bass) 50x2 (midbass) 40x2 (midrange) 40x2 (tweeters) fully active. However I would also have to upgrade my headunit or pick up a crossover.

Check out DLS's component speakers also. I don't know the price on them but their Classic series components are comparable to the Infinity components. They have a review posted on their site...
http://dlsamerica.com/Test reports/testc6.pdf

 

[Aberration]

cool, that's not that bad I would prob spend close to that trying to go cheap with 2 amps, right now I know I need to go out and listen to some of the components out there.

how much do I decrease my options for a sub if I go with 2ohm vs 4?

looking for component speakers is tougher than I thought as there are so many in the price range 300-500 retail though if I go grey market (internet ect.) there are even more options but the Infinity Kappa's are less 200 online making it almost worth the risk (184.99)

 

[chuyler1]

The A5 puts out 85w real world power and I can vouch that it is plenty of power for a set of 6.5" 4ohm high-end components crossed over at 80Hz. I only know of two sets of components that come in 2ohm versions. The Infinity set you mentioned and the ImageDynamics Chameleons. So if you set out looking specifically for 2ohm components, your options will be very limited.

Speaking of ohms, the sub channel on the A5 can handle a 1.33 ohm load.
3 4ohm subs = 1.33 ohms
2 3ohm subs = 1.5 ohms (ie JL Audio W7)
2 6ohm DVC subs = 1.5ohms (ie JL Audio W6)
Just keep that in the back of your head.

 

[Aberration]

Thanks a lot Chuyler1 with this thread and one of the others you are helping with you've answered everything, now I just need to figure out which way to go and wait for the snow to melt so i can install

ok one more any suggestions for a 500ish RMS 4 ohm dvc? (10 or 12)

 

[chuyler1]

http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_subs.php?series_id=18 ***
http://www.eclipse-web.com/sw7100/sw7124.html ***
http://dlsamerica.com/speakers/IR12.htm ***
http://dlsamerica.com/speakers/NO12.htm
http://dlsamerica.com/speakers/ur12.htm
http://www.cardomain.com/item/MTXT851244

 

[Aberration]

sounds good to me, now I'm fat and happy with info