I know ABSOLUTELY nothing about subs & amps, but I can wire in a HU :)
You guys know what you're talking about, so please, don't try & educate me, just advice, waaaaay to old to start learning new tricks :confused:

My son has a Pioneer DEH-4250SD (http://www.pioneer.com.au/Products/Archive/Car%20Entertainment/CD%20DVD%20Players/DEH%204250SD.aspx)
He currently has a sub - I suspect low end type, but will get him going for now. The only thing we know about it is it's 10" with "GZ Engineering" written in the centre.
He was told he needs an amp to run it!

My question...
What would be a reasonable brand/model# amp to buy - 2/4 ch??? - for 'round $150/200 please?

Also, what wiring/extra besides the AMP, or do AMPs come with everything else needed?

More than happy to answer any Q. if I can that might help you tell me :)

Cheers

ok mate...

for starters we need to know more about the specs of the sub before telling you what sort of amp to get?

heres a link to ground zero subwoofers, see if you can find yours there?

http://www.ground-zero-audio.com/english/05_subwoofer.htm

we just really need to know what sort of power the sub can handle...

james

^^ +1 to that.

Also, what headunit does he actually have? The model you've linked to is different to the model you've posted in the thread.

Depending on headunit you could consider a 4 channel amplifier - run the front speakers off two channels and the sub off the other two.

Thanks for looking guys :)
HU link now fixed

As per OP, can't see any info on sub, perhaps someone can tell from these pics


http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/ii360/01entropy/verada/sub01.jpg

http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/ii360/01entropy/verada/sub02.jpg

http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/ii360/01entropy/verada/sub03.jpg

That sub has a very big rubber surround which normally means it's an SPL sub - big rubber means lots of movement and that means lots of power too, although if it's a 10" not heaps of power.

Is there no model number engraved or even in blue/black ink around the edge somewhere? I'm guessing there was a sticker on the bottom of the magnet with details but its been removed.

What you will nead is:
a set of RCA cables to run from the head unit to an amplifier.
a long run of power cable (8 guage, or 4 awg if any future amps are wanted) to run from the battery to the amplifiers location (under seat, boot, etc)
an in-line fuse for the power cable as close to battery as possible
a short run of black power cable to earth the amplifier
a medium - long run of wire as a remote signal from the head unit to amplifier
some chunky speaker cable from the amplifier to the sub.

I think that's it for the cabling. All of this can be picked up in a "Amplifier wiring kit" from JB hifi, probably jaycar or similar shops. Price is approx $50 - $100 for a 2-channel amp wiring kit.
I just reused my wiring kit from about 15 years ago.

Lastly, the most important thing, an amplifier.
You could get something new that will do the job, but I'd recommend trying second hand. A good source is here: http://www.mobileelectronics.com.au/forums/index.php?showforum=41
(not sure if you need to be signed up to view)
I couldn't see anything 'perfect' for you, but stuff crops up all the time.

Cheers

Where are you located entropy, there is probably an AMC member close by that could organise a hand.

Magnat...on the far sth coast nsw, million miles from everything *LOL*
Been doing a fair bit of search/reading 'round here, & fairly confident I'll be able to put it all together, just needed help with what I needed to get without having to learn all the techno.
At my point in life, learning new things from scratch tends to give me a headache :headbange :roll:
So just the simplified IKEA ( lol ) version like has been provided so far helps me a LOT without the headache :)

Cheers :)

So I am gonna assume Tathra..

Close magnat, but no :beer: lol
Sth of Batemans Bay - Moruya :)

Picked him up a Dominator - DOM250 - yesterday, $100 from Autopro. And an aerpro (8ga-600w) amp wiring kit.
He plans on getting a decent sub & 4ch amp later in the year, so figuring this amp should get him going for now?
After getting home & doing some reading, am I better off returning the wiring kit & getting the 4ga? (smaller the number = better the wiring/power yes?) So when he does upgrade, wiring is all in place & no need to re-wire?

I can see I still have to learn the technical *LOL*

What about Speakers? Have you, (or your Son), replaced any of the Standard Speakers? If installing a Sub, Amp and Head-Unit, you should at least replace your Speakers.... Fronts at least.

To keep it Simple, a new set of Front Speakers, along with your Sub, and a Nice 4 Channel Amp would be a Great Improvement.
If you will be Wiring the Speakers to the Amp, simply run a pair of Speaker Wires from each speaker to the Amp.

Here is a very quick Pic I drew up, will will give you an idea of a 4 Channel Amp setup, (With 2 channels Bridged for the Sub), and two Front Speakers.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/Grosvenor/AmpWiring.jpg

Yep, front speakers are aftermarket 6-6.5, can't remember the specs now, but better than factory. We replaced 'em @ the same time with the hu.
Also replaced rear deck with better 6x9's not long after, but from what I've been reading, the 6x9's will only be incidental to the whole setup anyways :)

4ch amp is on the drawing board for later - sometime after June-August next year, along with better dual/twin subs.
Just want him listerning to his dorf dorf & rammstein for now, & iron out any problems plus get installation experience with the cheaper gear b4 laying down his hard-earned $$$

Thanks Milo :)

Just as a general rule of thumb that I personally follow, 8 wga power cable should be good enough for amplifier(s) producing up to something like 500W RMS audio power. 4wga needed for up to 1000W RMS audio power. Over that you're looking at seriously thick cables, but that shouldn't be a problem for your plans.
It all depends on the efficiency of the amplifier though as it's the # of Amps being pulled from the 12V battery source which dictate how thick a cable is needed. I've seen guides on line, probably wikipedia, but can't find them right now.

Personally, I'm using 8wga power for a single amplifier that's rated about 250W RMS which runs 1 12" sub. I'll add my 4x50W RMS amp to it one day and still use the 8wga power cable simply because it was tough enough running the 8wga through the front fender and around the car.
This cabling was ample to produce 134.1dB in previous cars and introduce me to early hearing loss so I think the 8wga kit you've got will be fine unless Junior wants to get a true 1000W RMS monoblock amp in the future and try and pop his windows out :)

Got my son's AMP & SUB installed & running today :)

Didn't want to try & understand something new & technical, but I ended up doing some reading about it all.
Because of everyone's help & simple explanations with my questions here, some of what I read I was able to understand & follow...but more than that, you were all extremely patient with me :cool:

I now have a happy son, who also learnt how to do something for himself whilst helping me to install them. I also enjoyed putting it all together with him :)

THANK YOU EVERYONE :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Good stuff, now just make sure he doesn't rattle the windows of the house too much getting home at 2am :)