Who makes an amp with intelligent wattage distrobution.

1COOLPC · 06-24-2003, 11:34 AM

I don't think current amplifiers use their power wisely. Nobody needs the same power to channels 3&4 as they do to 1&2 so we all end up cranking our rear fill way down. IMHO, I would like an amp that does something like this.

2 front channels 75-100 watts each

2 rear fill channels 30-40 watts each

1 center channel 30-40 watts

Sub channel, 200 watts a 4 ohms, 400 at 2 ohms

Included in the same chassis is a nice crossover network and some equalization.

Would need a high pass for the fronts, bandpass for the rear fill and center and low pass for the sub.

This would be a smart package that I would love to own since I like to use as few separate components as possible.

leolufse · 06-24-2003, 12:10 PM

The closest think I can think of is the JL Audio 500/5. But you are actually talking about a 6 channel amp.

I think it would work in your situation if you were to run the components off the front 2 channels, bridge the rear channels to your center channel speaker, run the rear fill off your HU and use the sub output on the amp for your sub. I don't know much about the center channel speaker in car audio however. Would bridging the rear channels create a mono output for the center, or combine the left and right together to emphasize voice output?

:lurk:

Kale · 06-26-2003, 09:39 PM

Dont think i've seen one... you can just turn down the gains on the rears right?

1COOLPC · 06-27-2003, 12:31 AM

Sure, you can turn down the gain but it's a waste to even have that much power available. A whole lot of systems are set up in a similar way so an amp like that would be beneficial.

Metal Wulf · 06-27-2003, 12:51 AM

I'd hate to see what an amp like that would cost :eek:

Kale · 06-27-2003, 01:08 AM

Might as well make it 100x4 + center channel + attachable sub amp

a 5.1 channel for car audio.

i bet you see these amps when DVD Audio gets popular in cars

vette92_1 · 06-30-2003, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Might as well make it 100x4 + center channel + attachable sub amp

a 5.1 channel for car audio.

i bet you see these amps when DVD Audio gets popular in cars

I was in Detroit on Business and was watching one of the local Detroit Auto Show channels and they were discussing that exact thing.. 5.1 channel for car audio/DVD Audio. I guess it will get here sooner or later.

GTLocke13 · 06-30-2003, 01:46 AM

The reason you don't see that is because its too expensive. Power ratings on amps are for the maximum output and are related to the cooling ability of the amp and the current ratings of the components. If you turn down the gain, the power isn't "wasted." Gain controls cut the signal level at the input of the amp, which means the amp makes less power. It's not like the amp is operating at full power and the gain cuts the output signal. You're basically making your 100W amp into a 50W amp by turning down the gain.

The reason all the channels are the same power is because they only want to design one amplifier. Then they put four copies of it in the chassis. Designing two amps and putting two copies of each in it would be way more expensive. Essentially, you would be paying more for a loss of performance. It would be like if Chevy made the Malibu more expensive than the Vette.

Sam Lin · 07-01-2003, 03:22 AM

There's no shortage of amps with Ch 1 and 2 having more wattage, 3 and 4 having lower wattage, and a 5th sub channel having higher wattage then 1 and 2. Just look around.

A quick 5-minute look at Crutchfield.com (1 online retailer with limited selection) gave me these 2 examples that specifically had channels 3-4 lower powered than 1-2. I know there are quite a few others out there, but can't find the exact part number:
Audiobahn A5100T
Kicker 02KX700.5

If you're willing to deal with channels 1-4 having the same wattage and the 5th sub channel having more, then Crutchfield alone has about 20 different choices for you.

Sam

Sam Lin · 07-01-2003, 03:23 AM

Add the fact that a lot of us don't run rear speakers for the sake of front imaging, and 4 identical channels works really well for bi or tri-amping the fronts.

Sam

GTLocke13 · 07-01-2003, 10:54 AM

Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention this. Amps with a fifth sub channel with a different wattage are a totally different story. The fifth channel is usually a Class D amp, which offers much more power with less heat, but Class D amps can't be used on full range signals because they have a fairly low cutoff frequency.