Hey everyone.

I dont know much about car audio. What i would like to do sometime soon is upgrade my speakers. I already have a Pioneer HU with 4x45W Output.

What i am planning is to upgrade in 3 stages.

Stage 1: Replace rear 6x9 and front speakers with aftermarket ones. Looking at the Pioneer 350W 6x9 for rear and the pioneer 6inch splits for front.

Stage 2: Install an Amp for the new speakers to get more power out of them.

Stage 3: Install Sub and amp to drive the sub.

What i want to know, is it possible to use 1 amp for the speakers and another for the sub only? Do they have to have seperate inputs from the headunit? Or can amps be daisy chained? I know i could buy 1 amp that would do everything, however, they are more expensive and wouldn't 2 seperate amps be better than 1 single one?

Also, the 4x45W output on headunits these days, is that RMS or peak? I would say peak, but not sure.

Also, where is a good place in Brisbane to buy speakers cheap? As I am planning to install the speakers myself. However with amps and stuff, i might get it installed by someone, as i have no idea. Unless someone in adelaide that knows about this stuff can help?

What i want to know, is it possible to use 1 amp for the speakers and another for the sub only? Do they have to have seperate inputs from the headunit? Or can amps be daisy chained? I know i could buy 1 amp that would do everything, however, they are more expensive and wouldn't 2 seperate amps be better than 1 single one?


Yes it is possible to use 1 amplifier for the speakers and another for the subwoofer. Whether 2 seperate amplifiers as opposed to the one amplifier is questionable. If I were in your position, I'd buy the one powerful amplifier, Audison's 5 Channel amplifier will have enough power to run the speakers, and only one subwoofer. Earthquake's 5 Channel amplifier will be able to run speakers and two subwoofers; however, the Audison is more clear while the Earthquake pulls out the grunt. These amplifiers are valued at $700 RRP, you won't be able to find these amplifiers in your local JB HiFi, strathfield or what not, you'll have to go to a professional car audio shop more than likely. Though I did hear that Audison amplifiers are stocked at Autobarn. This is only what I'd do, I'm sure some others will post what they think, get a few different opinions before going out to buy.

Yeah, that's what im basically doing here. :) Thanks for your comments

bah
4 speakers (2 6*9s rear) from the 4x 50wrms headunit
15 inch 1700w sub from the 1000w 2 ch amp.

Bass like a motherfocker.

Hey everyone.

I dont know much about car audio. What i would like to do sometime soon is upgrade my speakers. I already have a Pioneer HU with 4x45W Output.

What i am planning is to upgrade in 3 stages.

Stage 1: Replace rear 6x9 and front speakers with aftermarket ones. Looking at the Pioneer 350W 6x9 for rear and the pioneer 6inch splits for front.

Stage 2: Install an Amp for the new speakers to get more power out of them.

Stage 3: Install Sub and amp to drive the sub.

What i want to know, is it possible to use 1 amp for the speakers and another for the sub only? Do they have to have seperate inputs from the headunit? Or can amps be daisy chained? I know i could buy 1 amp that would do everything, however, they are more expensive and wouldn't 2 seperate amps be better than 1 single one?

Also, the 4x45W output on headunits these days, is that RMS or peak? I would say peak, but not sure.

Also, where is a good place in Brisbane to buy speakers cheap? As I am planning to install the speakers myself. However with amps and stuff, i might get it installed by someone, as i have no idea. Unless someone in adelaide that knows about this stuff can help?

hey thorsty

two amps is definately better than one. Have an amp to power the speakers and another (few:P) dedicated to running the sub is the way to go.

4x45W is not RMS. Its peak...RMS would be around 17W or so. If u want to spend a little more, go for the 6.5" fronts..they give u a little more midbass than the 6".

U can daisy chain the amps if u wanted...the sinals from the headunit can be split no problems.

For speakers....in brisbane u can pop down to JB...northfield, gold coast car sound or even order from fhrx if u really wanted. Installing speakers is an easy job..u can definately do it urself.

Oh, and sub...you'd probably want a hard hitting 12 with a few kilowatts rms :D

As for installing an amp...i can always give u a hand if you want ;)

i ran 6x9's and splits off my headunit for a little while and i thought it sounded pitifull

amp for speakers and amp for subs is the go i reckon :)

Eek, yeah, thanks for the info mate. I will look you up when im ready for the amp and stuff :) I dont actually want to go over the top with the sub. Maybe 1 x 12" or 2 x 10". Hey, will 6.5" fit in the doors??

Colgate, I reccon even running them of the HU for a while will sound better than the stock speakers. But yeah, i think i will go for 2 seperate amps for my speakers.

6.5" speakers will fit straight in without any probs

I'd rather 1x12" over 2x10".

Eek, yeah, thanks for the info mate. I will look you up when im ready for the amp and stuff :) I dont actually want to go over the top with the sub. Maybe 1 x 12" or 2 x 10". Hey, will 6.5" fit in the doors??

Colgate, I reccon even running them of the HU for a while will sound better than the stock speakers. But yeah, i think i will go for 2 seperate amps for my speakers.

Yeh...it will.

Also, you'd probably want to sound deaden the doors while you're upgrading the front speakers and have the door trim off. Your rattles are hideous!

i ran 6x9's and splits off my headunit for a little while and i thought it sounded pitifull

Colgate, I reccon even running them of the HU for a while will sound better than the stock speakers.
I'm running my speakers off the headunit and it rocks. Pioneer 5750 4x50W h/u, Boston 6.5" splits + 6x9's. I plan to amp them at some point in the future, but I'm in no rush as I think it sounds great already.

...Also, you'd probably want to sound deaden the doors while you're upgrading the front speakers and have the door trim off. Your rattles are hideous!
HAHAHAHAHAHHA.... Well I had to put up with it for like 5 years. What you mean with door trim off? Isn't that the material stuff that covers the inside of the door??? :confused:
I want to do something about it, but i think its more the window handle and rear view mirror thats causing all the rattling.

The sound-deadening will stop the handle rattling.

HAHAHAHAHAHHA.... Well I had to put up with it for like 5 years. What you mean with door trim off? Isn't that the material stuff that covers the inside of the door??? :confused:
I want to do something about it, but i think its more the window handle and rear view mirror thats causing all the rattling.


You need to take the door trim off when u replace the speakers. You'd probably need a tin of sound deadening paint so do the trims n stuff as well then.

talk to alan about sound deadening. actually he has a stinger door kit for sale atm...:shifty:

OK for a Really Good Magna Sound system Your Steps are a little Incorrect but heading in the Correct way..
1. A Set of Base Model Pioneer Splits around $199 for your Front stage would be a wise investment over a Pioneer Co-axial...Spend more money on your Front speakers...


2. No Need to get the High Rating 6x9's go for the Base Model Pioneer 6x9's
Save money for your Amp and subs..

3. So you intend to run a Sub, Sure thats a great Idea Two 10 inch subs have roughly the same cone space as one 12 inch so go for a Single or Double 12 inch subs set up..
Pioneer Make Great Subs ..

4.Now here is the tricky part, what RCA out puts does your Head unit have, if it is the Base Model it will only have one, So I would advise running the Fronts and rears off the Head unit and use the One RCA output on the Amp that will power your Subs, Low Passing the Amplifier..

Eek. Its doesnt sound like the door insides are rattling. It is actually the window handle knob that rattles. But i shall talk to alan see what he thinks.

Magnat. A 6" front split from Pioneer start at around $110 which are the 150W units. I assume you were talking about RRP.
The reason i was going for the 350W 6x9 is because i heard somewhere that rubber surrounds on speakers were tougher than that nylon crap. So i thought i would choose those. Yes, i see your point with getting better fronts and somewhat neglect the 6x9, coz once the amp is in, it will overpower the 6x9 anyways. And the fronts have to do most of the work for the mid-high range.

But with my headunit, i have to find out how many RCA outs it has. I think just one or two. Its the Pioneer MP3550 MP3 player. I can't find any websites for this model.

Easy way to stop the handle rattling is elastic band around it, if you think up anything else short of super glue let me know.

Blu tac stopped my Handle rattle..