Really Basic Connectivity Question
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
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From: Baltimore, MD
Really Basic Connectivity Question
Audio 101 Question here. Apologies in advance...
Let's say I have a head unit with just 2 preamp outputs (PV-250). It's connected to my amp (Alpine KTP-445U), which has four 4-ohm outputs. I have a fairing with four 4-ohm speakers in it (2 L and 2 R).
What's the best way to connect this so a) it works and b) it sounds good?
If that sounds like a silly question, here's why I ask: I don't believe I can simply connect both left speakers to the LF output of the amp, and both rights to the RF output. If I rigged them up in parallel, I'd have a 2 ohm load on the 4 ohm amp. The amp wouldn't be happy with that.
Or, I could just treat the speakers independently (LR, LF, RF, RR) and connect each 4-ohm speaker to the corresponding 4-ohm output. I would have "rear" channels in my fairing along with "front" channels. Electrically, all is good. Would this work, from an audio perspective? Would it sound good? And if I did this configuration, would it be better to put the "rear" connections on the outermost speakers and the "front" ones on the innermost? Or vice versa? Or does it even matter?
I suppose I could get a different head unit that has 4 preamp outputs and that would easily solve the problem... but that takes the fun out of the discussion.
Let's say I have a head unit with just 2 preamp outputs (PV-250). It's connected to my amp (Alpine KTP-445U), which has four 4-ohm outputs. I have a fairing with four 4-ohm speakers in it (2 L and 2 R).
What's the best way to connect this so a) it works and b) it sounds good?
If that sounds like a silly question, here's why I ask: I don't believe I can simply connect both left speakers to the LF output of the amp, and both rights to the RF output. If I rigged them up in parallel, I'd have a 2 ohm load on the 4 ohm amp. The amp wouldn't be happy with that.
Or, I could just treat the speakers independently (LR, LF, RF, RR) and connect each 4-ohm speaker to the corresponding 4-ohm output. I would have "rear" channels in my fairing along with "front" channels. Electrically, all is good. Would this work, from an audio perspective? Would it sound good? And if I did this configuration, would it be better to put the "rear" connections on the outermost speakers and the "front" ones on the innermost? Or vice versa? Or does it even matter?
I suppose I could get a different head unit that has 4 preamp outputs and that would easily solve the problem... but that takes the fun out of the discussion.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Indianapolis IN.
Audio 101 Question here. Apologies in advance...
Let's say I have a head unit with just 2 preamp outputs (PV-250). It's connected to my amp (Alpine KTP-445U), which has four 4-ohm outputs. I have a fairing with four 4-ohm speakers in it (2 L and 2 R).
What's the best way to connect this so a) it works and b) it sounds good?
If that sounds like a silly question, here's why I ask: I don't believe I can simply connect both left speakers to the LF output of the amp, and both rights to the RF output. If I rigged them up in parallel, I'd have a 2 ohm load on the 4 ohm amp. The amp wouldn't be happy with that.
Or, I could just treat the speakers independently (LR, LF, RF, RR) and connect each 4-ohm speaker to the corresponding 4-ohm output. I would have "rear" channels in my fairing along with "front" channels. Electrically, all is good. Would this work, from an audio perspective? Would it sound good? And if I did this configuration, would it be better to put the "rear" connections on the outermost speakers and the "front" ones on the innermost? Or vice versa? Or does it even matter?
I suppose I could get a different head unit that has 4 preamp outputs and that would easily solve the problem... but that takes the fun out of the discussion.
Let's say I have a head unit with just 2 preamp outputs (PV-250). It's connected to my amp (Alpine KTP-445U), which has four 4-ohm outputs. I have a fairing with four 4-ohm speakers in it (2 L and 2 R).
What's the best way to connect this so a) it works and b) it sounds good?
If that sounds like a silly question, here's why I ask: I don't believe I can simply connect both left speakers to the LF output of the amp, and both rights to the RF output. If I rigged them up in parallel, I'd have a 2 ohm load on the 4 ohm amp. The amp wouldn't be happy with that.
Or, I could just treat the speakers independently (LR, LF, RF, RR) and connect each 4-ohm speaker to the corresponding 4-ohm output. I would have "rear" channels in my fairing along with "front" channels. Electrically, all is good. Would this work, from an audio perspective? Would it sound good? And if I did this configuration, would it be better to put the "rear" connections on the outermost speakers and the "front" ones on the innermost? Or vice versa? Or does it even matter?
I suppose I could get a different head unit that has 4 preamp outputs and that would easily solve the problem... but that takes the fun out of the discussion.
In regard to the HU it's always better to have a 4 or 5v preamp if you are running a small amplifier. A higher input voltage to your amp will require less amplification.
To answer your question the best way to connect that amp is 1 speaker per channel. No need to get creative unless you want to bridge the amp into two channels. At that point you would be throwing 90 watts X 2.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 132
From: Baltimore, MD
The Alpine KTP-445U is 2 or 4 ohm compatible. Never the less you are only going to get 45 watts per channel either way. 2 ohm load or 4 ohm load.
In regard to the HU it's always better to have a 4 or 5v preamp if you are running a small amplifier. A higher input voltage to your amp will require less amplification.
To answer your question the best way to connect that amp is 1 speaker per channel. No need to get creative unless you want to bridge the amp into two channels. At that point you would be throwing 90 watts X 2.
In regard to the HU it's always better to have a 4 or 5v preamp if you are running a small amplifier. A higher input voltage to your amp will require less amplification.
To answer your question the best way to connect that amp is 1 speaker per channel. No need to get creative unless you want to bridge the amp into two channels. At that point you would be throwing 90 watts X 2.
I understand what you're saying about the preamp voltages. I looked further at the Alpine and apparently it has 2 modes: speaker level and low level. Low level is for 0.2 to 4V inputs. So that should work OK. Since the Infinity unit basically mounts into the fairing with minimal behind-panel depth, there's a lot of room for the amp to mount and room to dissipate heat.
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