QuestionHi,
Ok so I bought sound for my 1977 VW double cab pick-up.
Here is what I bought:
Starsound head unit SSUSB-100 55w per channel
XTC 5000w Hooka series: Fantasy 5.0 amp
Kenwood 1200watt 12" sub KFC-W3011
2 X 6X9 300watt Pioneer speakers
2 X 6.5" 160watt Pioneer speakers
Digital power capacitor 2.0 FARAD R-CAP2
1200watt wiring kit.
The amp is a 4 channel amp and the specs on the user manual are as follow:
Max output power 4Ω (watts) 90w rms x 4ch
Max output power 2Ω (watts) 140w RMS x 4CH
Bridged power 4Ω (watts) 290w rms x 2CH
THD <0.15%
Frequency response (+-2db) 10Hz~23KHz
Signal to noise ratio >90dB
Sensitivity 200mV~8V
And the subs specs are:
Maximum power 800w
Rated power 400w
Impedance 4Ω
Sensitivity 90dB / W at 1 m
So, how I thought to wire it was the 2 channels from the head unit (front left and front right) must power the 2 6.5", and the other 2 channels (back left and back right) must go to channel 3 and 4 on the amp and the RCA's of the head unit must go to channel 1 and 2 on the amp. Then I connect my sub to channel 1 and 2 bridged and my 2 x 6x9's to channel 3 and 4.
I do not want to play in competitions and stuff like that, only want nice clear sound. O and before I forget I have a ported box for the sub.
Hope this is all the info you need to give me some advice.
Thanks
AnswerHi Dewald,
I wasn't able to find much information on the Starsound head unit. Mainly I'm wondering whether it includes separate RCA outputs for front, rear and subwoofer channels. From your description, it sounds like there's a single pair of RCA outputs, and you're using speaker outputs to supply the amplifier with rear-channel audio. If this is correct, then what's the designation of the single RCA output? Is it set as a rear-channel output, or does the head unit give you the option to use it as a subwoofer output (with a subwoofer level control feature)?
Your amplifier might not work properly with mixed high-level and RCA inputs. Assuming that the head unit's RCA output can only be used as a "rear" output, then I'd suggest using RCA splitters to connect the RCA output to all four amplifier channels, rather than using speaker inputs for channels 1 and 2 and RCAs for 3 and 4.
Don't be confused by the head unit's "55-watt" power rating. This is a "peak" rating, and isn't comparable to the RMS rating on the amplifier's output. The head unit's RMS power rating is probably closer to 20 watts.
If at all possible, I'd try using the amplifier for the front speakers and subwoofer, rather than the rear speakers. This is because the front speakers are the most important for sound quality. The rear speakers are just there for a "fill" effect, and for bass reinforcement, which you don't really need because of the sub. If you use the amplifier for the front speakers, you should get better sound quality in the speakers that you're hearing the most from. You can also use the amplifier's crossover, if equipped, to cut the deep bass out of the audio signal before it reaches the (relatively small) 6-1/2" front speakers.
It's also possible to drive all four speakers and the sub using the single 4-channel amplifier. This can be done by combining two speakers on a single output; ie, both left speakers might be connected to channel 3, and both right speakers on channel 4. This can be done because you're using 4-ohm speakers, and the amplifier is stable down to 2 ohms in stereo mode. If you connect two 4-ohm speakers to the same amplifier channel, you'll get the rated 2-ohm power output, divided evenly between the two speakers. At rated power, this means 70 watts for the front speaker and 70 watts for the rear, which may be better than 90 watts for the front and around 20 watts for the rear. The disadvantage, though, is that you can't adjust the relative volume of the two speakers connected to a single channel--if the rear sounds louder than the front, or vice versa, there's no way to adjust it.
Hope this helps!
Brian
