4-channel headunit to the 6 MKIII spkrs

[Satan]

Okay, I searched and haven't found much... I didn't find an audio section, so I just posted to the General section.

I had a Sony 45wx4 sytem in my 87T (4-speaker system) and it sounded great. I am about to try this again with my 90T, but found the last time that it all sounded like sh*t. Basic set up was the Sony, an amp/sub, and some decent aftermarket speakers in the stock locations.

I have a newer head unit and will be using another sub/amp setup and replaced all the factory speakers with some ~85w max Infinity spkrs. What do I have to do to make the sound good again.. basically 52x4 channels into the newer MKIII 6-speaker set up? Should I just unplug a couple of them and bring it back to just 4 speakers?

TIA,
E

 

[mkiii222]

You could bring them down to 4 OR wire 2 spx per channel for 4 of them and normally for the remaining 2.

I would recomend wiring them in series ( wire +speaker1- wire +speaker2- wire instead of wire ++speaker1&2-- wire if that makes sense).

 

[Jeff Lange]

It depends on the amplifiers capability to drive a low impedence channel. Running the speakers in series will mean that each speaker will get half the power, and the impedance will be doubled, running them parallel each speaker will get full power, but the impedence will be half, and you need to make sure your amp can supply the power, I don't think you'd have a problem though, especially with an external amp.

The stock setup runs them parallel, and that's what I'd recommend.

 

[Disco Stu]

I would definitely use only 4 speakers. The stock system was designed to use 2 "fill" speakers in the back that doesn't sound very good. You will still be underpowering the Infinity Reference speakers with that headunit, but they are prolly one of the only units that can sound good off just a headunit. You can fit 5.25" coax units in the factory 3 or 4" space behind the seatbelts with little modification.

 

[gixxer750]

I would run four speakers off the headunit, and get a small amp like a 60 watt or something to run the other two....

 

[Disco Stu]

Just remember to pay attention to RMS power ratings, not max. Max power ratings are a marketing gimmick. The CEA 2006 logo on the amp or headunit box is what to look for.

 

[Satan]

Just remember to pay attention to RMS power ratings, not max. Max power ratings are a marketing gimmick. The CEA 2006 logo on the amp or headunit box is what to look for.

Exactly... I think these speakers are rated at 85w RMS which is lower than the 100w "max" that was on the box... Not anywhere near the car to verify, but I remember knowing that I was going to stay away from maxing-out the speakers.

I'll likely remove 2 of 'em and just stay with 4 speakers (which the headunit can easily handle), with the amp just powering the sub. That what I did before and I loved it.

Didn't know if there was some magic wiring trick to making it better, but am okay with 4, instead of 6....

 

[GrimJack]

Four speakers will be much better. Unless you are a pro, trying to setup more than that so that you don't get muddy sound from the rear of the car is near impossible.

Even with four, trying to get your staging correct is a PITA unless you have a head unit that can delay the sound to individual channels.

 

[Disco Stu]

What kind of amp do you have for your subwoofer(s)? There is an off chance that you could use it to power the front soundstage as well. Contrary to popular belief, underpowering a speaker is much more likely to blow it than overpowering it - and it's much easier to do. The Infinity's are pretty efficient and work in low power situations but if you pump a little more into them you could be surprised how much better they sound.

 

[Satan]

Haven't got an amp yet... I still have my old one and it's sumthin' like 250 watts, bridged. I plan to just unplug/remove the 2 4" speakers in the hatch area, get a 2-channel amp for the 2 500 watt 8" subs I'll be using.

So, 52w to each speaker in stock location (only 4 of 'em), and the amp hooked up to 2 8" subs.... The subs are Pyle 500w low profile. We are getting ready to design and build the sub enclosures (my MKIII and the GF's MKIV)... similar set ups....