70 Challenger System Help

[thedarkside]

I am putting together my audio and have decided to go with the ipod straight into the amp route. I am shopping around as was wondering if this setup would work. I am looking at the Clarion XC1410 4-Channel amp which is rated at 300 watt max power and 50 watts@4 ohms. The rears are pioneer TS-A6964R 6x9s with 400 watts peak power and 40 watt RMS@4 ohms. The front 4x10 is a Lanzar VX104S 2-way with the RMS range at 90 watts. My question is will the amp listed be able to power all of these speakers without an issue? Also, I know people have done this but is it better to have it wired to the battery and a 12v keyed source or will the 12v source from the battery be good enough? I only want to have to run all the wires once so hopefully it will be good to go. Thanks for the help as always. I would have a pile of metal if it wasn't for this community. 

[GreenFishie]

The specs on that amp are a bit misleading. You don't have 300 watts max RMS, you get that at 75 watts per channel RMS bridged. Clarion is a bit sketchy on the actual peak .... but peak isn't really important unless you plan on killing your hearing.

50 watts RMS is what you're looking at ... and I love this amp. It's compact, class D, and you can shove it anywhere but the engine bay and not have a heat issue. That being said, reconsider you speakers if you haven't purchased them yet.

The 3 way Pioneer will be over powered and distort anytime you want to crank the volume. Also ... 2 way speakers sound better than 3 way. Components on a plate sound better than ovals.

If you're set on a 3 way, consider the Polk DXi690, Rock/Fos R169X3, or Pioneer TS-A6965R in that order. Same price range ... Polk being the best of that pack.. You'll be able to push the amp till your ears bleed and those speakers (especially the Polk) will be able to hand anything that amp throws at it.

You could save yourself 10-15 bucks and go with the two way Rock/Fos R169X2. Not as good as the 3 way Polk, but likely sounds better. The whole 2 way vs 3 way argument depends on the person's ear ... I personally think 2 ways have a better sound.

The nominal option would be a 6.5 component mounted on a plate. The Alpine SPS-610C or Sound Ordnance P-65C will handle that amp without problem and sound 100x better than any coax oval speaker in any configuration. All of the speakers listed are roughly similar in price.

As for the 4x10 up front ... I wouldn't bother. Anything you put up there isn't going to sound great running off of one channel or seriesed off of two. You better option would be to get a pair of 4 inch mounted on a plate and run them on their own channels in stereo.

Rock/Fos R14X2, Pioneer TS-G1044R, or Sound Ordnance P-40. Same price or cheaper than the Lanzar. all of them will handle up to 50 rms no problem.  Personally ... I'd shell out 30-40 more dollars and get the Polk db 401s or dxi 400.

[thedarkside]

Thanks for the help. I like the idea of running the 6.5 component but would I have to wire all 4 channels with 2 going to the woofers and 2 going to the tweeters? Would it also be easiest to install the tweeters onto the same plate in the rear if it fits?

[GreenFishie]

Thanks for the help. I like the idea of running the 6.5 component but would I have to wire all 4 channels with 2 going to the woofers and 2 going to the tweeters? Would it also be easiest to install the tweeters onto the same plate in the rear if it fits?

Component systems come with their own bandpass filters/cross overs. You only need wire the amp to the provided x/over or filter and then wire the components to the same.

You can also buy 6c9 to 6.5 plates that have a cut out for the tweeter. Metra makes a universal ...

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_3689_Metra-82-6901.html

Whatever speaker you decide to run with, just be sure the RMS rating is never less than the amp you plan to push it with ... and that the RMS range is within tolerance. A speaker rated 4-40 RMS being pushed by a 50 RMS amp is going to be short lived and sound terrible at higher volumes. Conversely an underpowered speaker will do the same.

I also always give the advice to never run your amp directly off of the battery. Rune your power to a fused distribution and go with a larger gauge to the block ... that way if, in the future, you decide to upgrade or want more power, the needed wire is already there. You just have to change the block.

[GreenFishie]

Sorry ... forgot to mention that if you're going the route to bypass your old stock analog radio ... you'll need to wire an on/off switch since you're not replacing the deck with one that has a remote turn on lead.