QuestionI just learned that this amp is "tri-mode compatable" does that mean that I can run 100x4 @ 4ohms AND 200x2 @ 4ohms??? Front stereo, rear stereo and two mono subs... 800 watts?
I just looked in the owners manual and it doesn't give specifics on this, but it does say that the maximum output is 1320watts?
Please explain, Thank you.
AnswerHi Shane,
"Tri-mode" allows you to connect two 4-ohm speakers and a single 4-ohm subwoofer to a pair of amplifier channels, so technically you could do exactly what you're thinking of: connect four speakers and two subs to the 4-channel amp. However, there are some significant disadvantages to doing this.
One big disadvantage is that you'd need to use passive crossovers. When you're operating an amp in tri-mode, you can't have the subs and the speakers playing the same frequencies, or you'll run into impedance problems. The frequency range that's playing through the subs must be filtered out of the stereo speakers, and vice versa. You can't use the amplifier's built-in crossover to do this; it has to be left in the full-range setting. That means you'd have to wire passive high-pass filters on the stereo speaker wires, and a passive low-pass filter on each sub. High-pass filters are widely available, but passive subwoofer crossovers are getting pretty hard to find.
Another problem is that you won't have independent control over the subwoofer volume, relative to the stereo speakers. If you find that the subwoofer output is overpowering the front and rear speaker output, or the other way around, there's no way to adjust it.
"Tri-mode" is really a hold-over from many years ago, when mono car amplifiers were very uncommon. Twenty years ago, just about every subwoofer was driven by a bridged two-channel amplifier, and the ability to use a single amplifier to drive two rear speakers and a sub was a big selling point. Now, however, mono subwoofer amps with built-in crossovers are the norm.
You can use your amplifier to drive four speakers and a single subwoofer, without using a tri-mode configuration. If your front and rear speakers are 4-ohm, you can wire them in parallel to the amplifier's front output channels. Then you can connect a 4-ohm sub to the rear channels in "bridged" mode. The disadvantage to this setup is that you'll lose the ability to "fade" from front to rear, and won't be able to adjust the relative volume of the front and rear speakers. However, you'll be able to control the subwoofer level separately, and you can use the amplifier's built-in crossover for the sub and the front/rear speakers.
Hope this helps!
Brian
