Amplifier question??

Is there and downside to running 3 amplifers verses 2?
I am changing tower speakers and my current amp that I have been splitting for boat/tower is just enough for the new tower speakers. Should I just get a new two channel amp and run three(one tower, one cabin, one sub) or buy a new four channel and just run two amps? Currently have two Optima blue tops for batteries.

Thanks,

I have the Kicker MX700.5 amp. The fifth channel runs the sub and the other four channels run the 6 cabin speakers. I also have a Kicker MX350.4 for the tower speakers. If you have the space, go with the 3 amps. if not, go with the two amps.

Best option seems to be three for a wakeboardboat with a tower and subs. Ive got an 800watt soundstream for the tower and a couple RF's for the boat speakers and subs.

I'll take 3...

Anytime you can get speakers on dedicated power, that is a good thing. The only downside is more amps, will put a greater load on your batts. With your batts you should be good. I currently run 5 amps with 3 kinetics and don't have any power problems, I would guess you would be straight with 3 amps on two batts.

Without knowing what your power (Watts rms) needs are for your speakers, it's hard to say whether you will need 2 or 3 to do the job right, but there are some 5chnl and 6chnl options out there that may allow you to get the needed power with only 2 amps.

Wet Sounds has a 6 chnl marine amp, the Syn6, that will do both cabin speakers and sub, or tower and sub.

Kicker has the MX700.5 and the ZX550.3

Cadence has the FXA-5100

Arc Audio KS 900.6

JL 500/5

Tracktor ,
we all need a little more input to give you the most accurate info for your investment. speaker amount, impedance, current amps and power rating,Typically I would lean towards 3 amps regardless of how power rating and impedance factor in due to the load per amp being less(meaning: help with overheating on hot days,current draw etc,........)

What I currently have is a mash of what was in the boat when I bought it and what I have had laying around-
Cabin speakers- 2-5 1/4 pioneers & 4 6x9's
Sub - Alpine Type R dual 2ohm VC
Tower - Kicker KMT6 (just bought)
Was running the cabins & old tower speaks off of a Phoenix Gold xs4600 which I still have in the boat.
Sub is off of a Hifonics TXI4008 bridged

I figure I need to run the cabin or tower off of the PG & by another two channel. I care more for the tower speakers than anything else. We rarely crank the cabin..........

What's the impedance on the 5-1/4's (I assume 4ohm) and the 6x9's (could be 2 or 4 ohm)

For the Kicker KTM6's, you need the ZX450.2, anything less, and you wont be happy. If you really want to make them scream, spend a little more and go with the ZX550.2 IMO, you will much happier with the towers on their own amp.

For the cabins, depending the impedance of the cabins, the Kicker 700.5 will probably work, giving you a nice, clean, uncluttered 2 amp install with the ability to fade between the tower and cabin.

Ok, cant find anything on the PG xs-4600, so not sure how it will do with 4 6x9's on 2 chnls and the 2 5-1/4's on the other 2 chnls, but might be ok.

With the Alpine being a 2ohm DVC, it would probably need to wired series @ 4ohm as i'm not sure the class D sub chnl of the 700.5 is stable for a 1ohm load. At 4 ohm, it delivers 210W's rms, IMO, that leaves your Alpine a little under powered. So maybe keep the TXI4008 for the sub.

If the PG xs4600 doesn't work for the 6 cabins, may look at the Kicker ZX650.4, but definitely go with a separate amp for the KTM6 tower speakers.

Tigemike, thanks for the info it's exactly what I was looking for. I will buy a seperate amp for the tower.

Tigemike-

The PG xs4600 will do 300 x 2 @ 4 ohms bridged. Is that too much for the KMT6's if I turn the gains down?
Here is the specs on it--
ftp://www.rodinaudio.com/Phoenix%20Gold%20Mobile%20Audio/Manuals/Amplifiers/XS4300%204600.pdf

.........Thanks

(Message edited by Tracktor on January 15, 2009)

It's a little on the high side for the KTM6's (150rms/300pk), but that wont be the issue. The KTM's ohm out at less then 4 ohms, so running them bridged may cause problems with the amp.

I would go with a 2chnl that will do 150+ x 1 @ 4ohms, and use the PG to power the 6 cabins( 2 bow speakers on chnl 1 and 2, and 1 pair of 6x9's on chnl 3, other pair of 6x9's on chnl 4) and keep the sub on the Hifonics mono amp.

Minimum load impedence bridged on the XS4600 is 2 ohms for 2 channels bridged. Does that make a difference? Thanks,

Took me a minute to find the PDF through that link. It does say that the amp is stable @ 2ohm in bridge mode, BUT, the specs are 300W's rms @ 4ohm. At 300w's is already at the max, so with these at less then 4ohm, could be receiving 300+. I would call Kicker's Tech line and run it past them, I'd hate to tell you you are ok then you pop a speaker.

Cool man, thanks for taking the time to answer my questions..........

Just to close out. Kicker tech gave a thumbs up. Better to overpower than under was the quote...........

Cool, post pics when you get it rockin!

The Kicker KTM6 has a DCR of 3.7 ohms which is much lower than the nominal impedance. You can definitely consider this to be a 4 ohm or higher speaker.

Juston