QuestionSo this is my first time putting together a system and I'm getting all of my subs speakers together but have no Idea the kind or size amp I should be looking for. So far I've picked up the following for my '01 regular cab Ranger:
2 - 8" Kicker compvr Dual 4ohm voice coil
2 - 6x8 Kicker KS68
Right now I only have the stock door speakers and head unit installed but am planning on replacing the door speakers with another set of KS68s. Besides the right amp are there any features that are a must for my head unit?
Thanks a lot,
Alex
AnswerHi Alex,
You may find that you'll need to use two different amplifiers for the subs and the 6x8" speakers, but you can try a 4-channel amp for the whole system.
If you want to try a single amplifier, look for a 4-channel amp rated at about 50 watts per channel at 4 ohms. (All power ratings will be RMS, not "peak"). If you like Kicker, the best amp would be the ZX350.4. Two of the channels would be bridged to drive the subwoofers, which would be wired in a series/parallel configuration to give you a 4-ohm load on the bridged channels. The other two channels can be used to run just the front two speakers, in which case the rear speakers would be driven by the head unit; or you can combine both pairs of speakers on two amplifier channels. This will give you more power to the rear speakers, but you'll lose the ability to fade the volume between front and rear.
In the system I've described above, your front and rear speakers would be getting their maximum rated power; the subs would get about half their rated power. This isn't necessarily a problem. You won't hurt anything by using less than the rated power for the subwoofers (under-powering subs doesn't blow them, despite the popular myth) and in the small cabin of the truck, you may find you're still getting all the bass you want. However, if you find that this isn't enough subwoofer power for your needs, you can add a mono amplifier to the system and just use the 4-channel amp to run the front and rear speakers. There are many mono amps available rated between 300 and 400 watts at 4 ohms, which would be just about right for your Kicker subs. A Kicker 750.1 would work very well, with plenty of extra power in reserve if you upgrade your subs later.
Note that changing your front speakers will give you the biggest increase in sound quality. If it's going to be a while before you purchase the second set of KS68's, I'd definitely recommend moving the ones you have up into the front doors, and leaving the rear speakers stock for now.
As for the head unit, the main feature I'd recommend would be separate front, rear and subwoofer pre-amp outputs. This gives you the greatest level of flexibility for using external amplifiers. Otherwise, just make sure the head unit will do everything you want it to do. If you like to listen to the radio, check out the HD-Radio equipped head units. If you have an iPod or MP-3 player you want to use with your system, take it with you to the store and try it out with the head unit. A front or rear USB connection is becoming a very common feature. Also, if you own an iPhone or other "smart" phone, check out the head units with Bluetooth capability so that you can use wireless streaming audio from your phone, or use your head unit as a hands-free phone kit.
Many head units are advertised as "HD-Radio Ready" or "Bluetooth Ready". When you see the word "ready", that means that the feature is available if you purchase an additional adapter--it's not built into the head unit.
Hope this helps!
Brian
