Center channel? 5 channel amp?

**quinchu** · 01-06-2009, 04:36 PM

I've checked around the forums, and I can't seem to find the information i need. I'm putting a carpc in my 04 RX8 and I needed a 5 channel amplifier.

The system I'm adding to my rx8 is all polk audio, but the RX8 has a center channel in the center of the dash. To get the right sound frequencies I do need a 5 channel amplifier?

I'm using component 6.5s in the front doors, component 6.5s in the back dash with an added 6x9 plate for them to fit in, two 8" subwoofers molded into the rear console plate, and the center channel is a 3" polk audio speaker. There are two amplifiers that I've ordered since then, 600x4, and a 400x2.

Since the car has a bose system right now with that center channel I needed to know if a 5 channel amplifier would work for it, or if I would need another smaller amplifier to run just the center channel.

The 5 channel amplifiers I've seen have for instance 1000x5, but the 4 channels are considerably lower wattage then the 5 channel which is designed for the subwoofer. If there was a way to make all the channels equal for the center channel to run that would be an option but if theres not then I see no way to get that to work..

My question is basically what do I do about that center channel to make it sound like its suppose to?

**MeeM** · 01-07-2009, 09:27 AM

How is the signal being transmitted from your carPC to your amplifiers?

**quinchu** · 01-07-2009, 01:57 PM

5.1 Channel sound card with RCA-out. The RCA connections coming from the sound card will be split using y adapters and then running RCA's directly to the amplifier.

So Would a 5 channel work for me? or would I need a separate amp for the 4 channel, 1 center channel, and then the subs? Just want to know what would be easiest for the center channel. Don't really care about costs at this point because its getting done either way..

**MK17** · 01-07-2009, 07:24 PM

I would get a small bridgable two channel

**MeeM** · 01-07-2009, 09:03 PM

Ye, if I'm understanding MK17 correctly, the small bridgeable two-channel amp will work fine for your centre channel. Finding a small single-channel amp won't be easy because single-channel amps are widely used for subwoofers, hence the reason why most of them have relatively higher power ratings (eg. 200W RMS, which would not be suitable for your centre speaker).

So here's my suggestion:

1. Get a four-channel amp to power your two fronts and two rears.
2. Get a small bridgeable two-channel amp and bridge it to power your centre speaker.

**rsxer63** · 01-07-2009, 09:31 PM

I use 2 4 channel amps for my 5 channel setup...
I run one 4 channel amp for the front components (bi amp) and another 4 channel amp for the center and rears. With this config I have one channel I am not using as my setup doesn't allow bi amping the center channel. I then run separate amps for the subs.

**timf** · 01-22-2009, 03:04 PM

I, too, was looking at the best way to set up 5/6 channels...You could buy another Amp to run the center channel, but then you'd have 3 amps. (Might be good if you move from 5.1 to 7.1 audio.) Or you could get rid of the 4 channel you have and get a 6 channel amp to replace it. Thus only 2 amps in the vehicle (save a little space, possibly power). I don't know how particular you are about keeping the same brand that you currently have, but JL Audio has one that I was looking at (G6600). I'm not trying to plug them and haven't researched them completely yet, but just giving an example that you can look into to find other comparable items. It may save you a little money and having to mount 3 amps instead of 2.