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2G Audio Component

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spyderdrifter

10+ Year Contributor
5,267
711
Jul 11, 2009
Somewhere in, Colorado
I need a bit of help. I've removed the radio from my car since I only really ever use my ipod and phone for music. I've been told I need to get an amp so that I can continue to do this without a radio unit installed. Only thing is I don't know sh!t about audio equipment minus installing speakers and the radio. I have an aux cable that has the RCA plugs on the other side (I think that's what they're called) to connect my device to the amp. I would appreciate some suggestions on what amps would be good for this kind of setup, how to hook the amp up to the speakers, and specifically, size matters in this situation. I want a smaller sized amp to put under the storage tray of my Avenger console arm rest area. It's only an 11"×7"×3" space. This will obviously limit what I can use, but that's fine. Just want something with decent sound quality. I know the SRS ECU goes there, but no more airbags, so the space is free for whatever.

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just something to consider..some amplifiers come with built in bluetooth so no need for wires to phone but will still have the rca input for other non bluetooth devices. Most radios put out 20-45 watts per channel(speaker) so if not looking for extreme sound then judge your power off of that. For mid/highs most use a four channel amplifier but same can be done on a 2 channel amp just will lose the ability to fade front and back.
Thank you for your time, Jason Penny
 
Hello.
You will want a multi channel amplifier to minimize the footprint. This is a great one: https://www.amazon.com/Alpine-PDR-V75-Channel-Digital-Amplifier/dp/B00OYG0CD6/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?c=ts&dchild=1&keywords=Car+Amplifiers&qid=1598733420&refinements=p_89:Alpine&s=car&sr=1-3&ts_id=898116
Memphis Audio is also very reputable with their multi channel amplifiers. I will Upload a small video about how to wire it in. It's a lot to type.
Do you know where you want to mount the amplifier?

I showed a picture in my original post of where I want it mounted and the dimensions of that space. That one would actually fit in the space I have available. Thanks for the info.


just something to consider..some amplifiers come with built in bluetooth so no need for wires to phone but will still have the rca input for other non bluetooth devices. Most radios put out 20-45 watts per channel(speaker) so if not looking for extreme sound then judge your power off of that. For mid/highs most use a four channel amplifier but same can be done on a 2 channel amp just will lose the ability to fade front and back.
Thank you for your time, Jason Penny

I'm pretty dumb when it comes to this stuff, but correct me if I'm wrong on this assumption: based on what you said with amps per channel, if I had just the oem speaker locations, I'd be wanting something that's 80-180 watts? I do like to have more sound from the back, so I'd be looking for a 4 channel amp as well?

The bluetooth option would be nice since both my devices have bluetooth.
 
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I meant specifically where you were going to out the holes. I may steal your idea of having an amp in there! :hellyeah:

You should match your amplifier wattage to the speakers you will be using. Let me know any questions you have: this is my specialty

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I meant specifically where you were going to out the holes. I may steal your idea of having an amp in there! :hellyeah:

You should match your amplifier wattage to the speakers you will be using. Let me know any questions you have: this is my specialty

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I think maybe auto-correct messed up your first sentence, not quite sure what you're asking, but if it's "where am I running the cables" that sort of thing, I will be running those inside the center console to keep them hidden. I don't what any part of the system visible. Also, how can I tell what wattage my speakers have if they were in the car when I bought it? They're not oem, and sound decent.
 
Thanks for reading past the phone's and my stupidity haha.
Check the back of the driver itself. It should have a "Watts RMS" rating at least. If not, we will have to Google and find one that it looks like and guess. You can also max your input device volume and slowly turn your amplifier gain up until you hear small amounts of distortion and turn it down a little: that will put your max volume where it should be.
 
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Some drivers will not have this info:
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This OEM front tweeter is one we would have to do the gain "trick" with.
 

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Nice. Something new to learn. Never knew there was a driver device on speakers. Unfortunately I'm gonna have to wait to find out the wattage, I just got my interior all back in a couple days ago, and won't be off work until Wednesday. I'll check then. I do have the oem tweeters too.
 
Something to consider with the OEM tweeters is installing passive HPFs in the wires going to them. It filters out frequencies that will blow them quickly. It's pretty easy to build your own passive filters, but the ones you can buy at places like Parts Express are really good and inexpensive. You can get car audio specific but that shouldn't matter with a passive filter.
 
Not sure if you got everything you needed answered in the previous posts, but what you want is a 4 channel amp. It looks like the speakers have 50watts rms rating so look for an amp that has around that on each channel (which should not be hard to find). What may be hard to find is an amp that is the SIZE you want to fit in that space. Hooking it up is power from battery (fused), a good paint free ground, and a switched power source - which since you will not have a radio will be ACC from the key switch. Then run wire from the speaker wires behind where the radio would be on each appropriate speaker on the amp. Plug the RCSs in and you are done! If you notice a big "pop" when you turn the key on its from too much power coming from the ACC wire turning the amp on and we can talk about that if needed later. Feel free to DM me if you want man, I was an mecp installer a while ago and still find it interesting.

Also, a very good site with good deals and products is sonicelectronix. Check them out too.
 
I have found a few that fit the space, but they are mostly marine spec amps. Still not bad. I do plan on using an adapter harness to plug into the factory wiring for the speakers so I don't ruin the harness if I plan to go back in the future. Since I'm doing this, can I just use the ACC source from there?
 
Yes you can definitely use the acc + (red) from there. Check out that site I posted as they have super cheap harnesses for you. And speaker wire too, to run to the amp. If the amp pops when you turn it on post here again and we can run through how to fix it.
 
Rockford makes a really good compact amp that actually puts out some good clean power
https://rockfordfosgate.com/products/details/t400x4ad/
I'm not sure of your price range..they make a few different options in this same footprint 2ch, 4ch and even a 5ch. I've installed many of these in many different vehicles as they have marine and motorcycle in the same footprint I put one on a Harley today and for such a small amp they really put out some good clean power. Unfortunately this one dont have the bluetooth I mentioned before but that's easily resolved with a bt dongle.
Another good quality amp in a small package
https://www.audiocontrol.com/car-audio/power-amplifiers/acm-4300/
Thank you for your time, Jason Penny
 
Good, I'm glad I can use everything off the factory harness. I'm not against doing wiring, and I'm actually quite good at it, but if I can get away with doing less, that's even better.
 
Just for size comparison here's the t400x2ad I'm using it for subs but it has all pass and high pass filters so easily could be used for door speakers with plenty of power as seen in the birth sheet LOL the four and 5 ch version is slightly bigger maybe a few inches
 

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Just for size comparison here's the t400x2ad I'm using it for subs but it has all pass and high pass filters so easily could be used for door speakers with plenty of power as seen in the birth sheet LOL the four and 5 ch version is slightly bigger maybe a few inches
That size is great. Would be looking for a 4 ch though, but if only a couple inches bigger, that should be fine.
 
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