Hey All, a few questions relating to car audio.

I got an amp off a mate and am wondering if its worth installing it with my current system. At the moment i’ve got a TF magna with the following setup.

- JVC Head unit with a single set of RCA pre outs
- Hertz ESK-165 Splits in the front.
- Cadence 12” Sub 300 watt RMS power handling
- Coustic 320QE Amp (4x80) (powering the Hertz splits on two channels, and the sub bridged on the other two channels)
- Sony Splits in the rear parcel shelf, powered by the head unit.

The amp I got off my mate is a Coustic AMP400S which is 100wx2.
Basically I want to know if its worth me even installing it and if so in what configuration. I figure my options are

A) Coustic 320QE - Hertz Splits off two channels
- Sony Splits off two channels

Coustic AMP400S – Cadence Sub

B) Coustic 320QE – Cadence Sub bridged off two channels
- Sony Splits off two channels

Coustic AMP400S – Hertz Splits

C) Don’t bother at all, won’t make a difference.

I think all three components of the setup have their weaknesses, the rear splits are probably the weakest as they are running off the HU at the moment but they are also the component I care the least about. After that I think the sub is the weakest point my bass isn’t as crisp and clear cut as I’d like it to be, I listen to mostly alt, folk, rock, not much metal or trance or anything. The subs issues could be just because its an average sub rather than the power its getting. The splits I’m reasonably happy with but they are the most important aspect of the system to me so could always improve I guess.
So what should I do?

install it for sure, bridge it to run the cadence sub. then use the 4 channel to power the front and rear speakers. nice little upgrade, should be a nice result :)

the sound from the sub should be cleaned up a bit with the extra power, but being a cheap model sub, it wont work miracles as you'd expect

As said above
Use your original amp to power your front and rear speakers and then use your new one to run your sub :)

Cheers

Heath

install it for sure, bridge it to run the cadence sub. then use the 4 channel to power the front and rear speakers. nice little upgrade, should be a nice result :)

the sound from the sub should be cleaned up a bit with the extra power, but being a cheap model sub, it wont work miracles as you'd expect

I third that motion.

yup, thats excatly how i would do it. You end up with more power for your splits, and your sub.

Cant see any negatives

yup, thats excatly how i would do it. You end up with more power for your splits, and your sub.

Cant see any negatives

How do I end up with more power for the splits? do you think i should bridge both channels on the 4ch amp for the splits and keep the rears off the HU?

How do I end up with more power for the splits? do you think i should bridge both channels on the 4ch amp for the splits and keep the rears off the HU?

I reken you should disconnect the rears totally. :D

I reken you should disconnect the rears totally. :D

and piss off the people in the back seat, thats not very nice:disgusted :D

I reken you should disconnect the rears totally. :D

Well thats up to him to decide weather ot not he likes rear fill..
I forth that notion Rusty.
Your system will sound much louder with the splits being powered in the rear, You'll love it

I reken you should disconnect the rears totally. :D

Correct.
If SQ is anywhere on your list of goals the rears pull your sound stage back and cancel any imaging you may have.

If you just want loud then do what Davo, Trinedy and Woob say.

Best thing I ever did was disconnect my 6x9's and give my splits up front more attention

Depends what you want your stereo to sound like.