Dodge Dakota ForumDodge Dakota PhotosDodgeDakota.net Membership
  Forums   Forum Tools
00:43:40 - 03/29/2024

Custom Audio
FromMessage
Jeff
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

1/10/2004
14:14:13

Subject: to amp or not to amp, thats the question
IP: Logged

Message:
my pioneer hu puts out 22w rms, 50w peak (per channel). (pioneer p350)
the speakers i wanted to get are rated 60w rms, 250w peak. (pioneer REV TS-D170R)

should i get these speakers and just swap out my stocks? or should i get these/others and an amp for them? or, should i get these, do a straight swap for now, then amp and rewire them later?


thanks,
jeff



DSW
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


1/10/2004
14:59:16

RE: to amp or not to amp, thats the question
IP: Logged

Message:
Swapping out the stocks and adding these speakers will sound much better and will work good with the 22W rms deck, but you have the ability to add an amp up to 60W rms/ch.

I would try swapping the speakers and see how you like it, if you need more volume get an amp.



QuadMXRacer
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

1/10/2004
18:37:23

RE: to amp or not to amp, thats the question
IP: Logged

Message:
I would amp the speakers, provided you can pay the extra money to get an amp, wiring kit, RCA cable, etc. 60W RMS out of a good class A or B amp compared to 22W RMS is more than double of an increase, and probably much clearer sound if installed with good quality wires and everything.

Go to your local car audio store, select a set of speakers and a head unit, listen to them, then select an amp and notice the difference, you will be suprised, at least I was.

The speakers will sound good w/out amping them, but there is definitely a noticable difference.



YAAAABUDDY03
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

1/11/2004
00:05:14

RE: to amp or not to amp, thats the question
IP: Logged

Message:
Not to amp.... that is the answer.

If you amp the speaks, you'd have to find a place for the amp, which would be one less place to put your amp for your subs. If you have an aftermarket deck, you'll be fine. If you amp them, you wouldn't be able to notice the difference anyways, and you run the risk of blowing good component speaks.

On the other hand.....
If you are trying to go professional, and you want HIGH, and I mean REALLY HIGH quality, amp ur speaks, but if your are just trying to impress your buds, I say buy an ALPINE deck and run ur sh*t. Pioneer is also good... but ALPINE is the best.

Paul

Alpine 7894 Deck
6.5 Kenwoods' front
STOCK back
and last but not least.... 12 inch JL AUDIO W3



QuadMXRacer
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

1/11/2004
09:07:02

RE: to amp or not to amp, thats the question
IP: Logged

Message:
^^^I agree with Paul about the Alpine head unit^^^

I am running the 9815 and its awesome. I too thought it wouldnt make much of a difference, and thought that even more when my friend ran all 6 aftermarket speakers in his blazer of his head unit...and it sounded great. But, when i was going to do my system all the car audio specialists I talked to, and research i did told me to amp my speakers.

I guess this shows a difference in opinion, and i guess you need to decide for yourself if you want to spend the extra money on an amp and if that boost in sound means something to you. Try it out w/out amping them, and if you are dissapointed, buy an amp. Maybe run an RCA cable from your head unit just in case so thats one less thing you need to rip apart again if you decide to amp.

Good luck and happy listening!

-Alpine CDA-9815
-Boston Acoustics Pro Series components
~~Alpine MRV-T320
-Infinity Kappa Perfect 10"
~~Kicker KX600.1



Bobby
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

1/11/2004
14:00:17

RE: to amp or not to amp, thats the question
IP: Logged

Message:
I Had a kenwood deck and a pair of kenwood mids with the tweeters. The only thing i had pushing the mids and highs was my deck and it sounded great. I had pleanty of mids and highs going with my subs. Any questions fill free to e-mail me.



ralph4u2c
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

1/11/2004
16:39:13

RE: to amp or not to amp, thats the question
IP: Logged

Message:
to amp...that is the answer. your speakers will sound nice off of a HU yes but i ran infinity kapaa series, pioneer coaxials, and boston rally series off my HU and actaully my stock dakota speakers off my HU was louder than all of them but my rally's were clearer. put a amp on them and it will sound SO much better than it does off an HU, uncomparable and goodluck if you really think your HU puts out as much volts as you think it does, specially if a speaker has a 250w max good luck getting that thing loud (if u want it) with 22w.



Lurkin
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


1/12/2004
09:32:01

RE: to amp or not to amp, thats the question
IP: Logged

Message:
Depends on your funds. I went through the following, with months between each step:

- used the stock CD/radio and replaced the stock speakers with Pioneer 2-ways
- replaced the stock CD/radio a Pioneer HU
- added a Rockford 4-way amp
- replaced the Pioneer 2-ways with Focal 165K components
- added a Kicker S8L7 and Rockford amp

Each step improved the sound quality, and quantity by a noticable margin (the last 2 were the real azz kickers though). I would set an amount that you want to spend, then decide how much quality you want for this upgrade step.

As I said above, each step should sound better, it's up to you to decide how many $$ and how far to go with each step.




Levey
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


1/12/2004
20:41:00

RE: to amp or not to amp, thats the question
IP: Logged

Message:
Actually, You run less risk of blowing your speakers if you DO amp them than if you DONT.

IF you dont amp them and try to turn them up really loud, your low-powered Head Unit (22w) will just send a distorted signal...which is what blows speakers.

WITH an amp your sending a direct sound output that is amplified and is a much cleaner signal and if all is wired and adjusted correctly it would be nearly impossible to blow your speakers with an amp on them. IF YOUVE CHOSEN THE RIGHT SIZE AMP AND WIRED IT CORRECTLY!

At least thats what i've learned and heard from actually knowledgable people.
(ie - NOT best buy/circuit city/average 20yo Car Audio Store Salesman that knows jack about car audio other than the common misconception that louder=better sound)



Levey
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


1/12/2004
20:45:26

RE: to amp or not to amp, thats the question
IP: Logged

Message:
By the way I've wired up 3 complete car stereos myself and all work perfectly..never blown a speaker other than the factories...and ive done this all with some products that some would laugh at.

Remember that car audio stores are a ripoff and usually dont know much about their products, especially the installs..theyre just there for the dollar.

My systems have gotten more compliments than most people who spent 2-3 times as much on them because mine SOUND GOOD and are not just loud and distorted.



Jeff
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

1/13/2004
00:16:50

RE: to amp or not to amp, thats the question
IP: Logged

Message:
wow- i really appreciate all the great advice! thanks!

my thunderform (2 10's) is now installed, and running off of an mtx 801d (400w).
when i turn up my hu volume (i'm doing that a lot more now with my new subs!) i can hear more distortion (bass) from the stock speakers, but the volume level is where i want it.

so i was thinking for now about maybe getting the two new pioneers (d170r's) for the front (un-amped), and then disconnecting the rear stocks until i can afford some mids to replace em.

i'm not (yet) the mechanically saavy type, but i'm sure i could handle swapping the front stocks since i wouldn't have to rewire anything.
:)
jeff



Lurkin
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


1/13/2004
08:18:50

RE: to amp or not to amp, thats the question
IP: Logged

Message:
If you have the sub hooked up, and the stock speakers bass is distorting, you might consider a crossover or a set of bass-blockers to remove signals that you stocks can't handle.



   P 1


Post a reply to this message:

Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages


Name:
Email:
Notify me when I get a reply to my message:Yes  No

Icons:            

          

Subject:
Message:
 



Home | Forums | Members | Pictures | Contact Us

This site is in no way affiliated with Chrysler or any of its subsidiaries.