How are you guys amping your center channel for 5.1?

RFMan · 06-07-2005, 08:17 PM

Hi there,

As my dash LCD install progresses well, I'm getting everything together for my sound system overhaul.

I will be doing a full 5.1 setup, and I was wondering what other 5.1 setups used as a center channel amp. Dur to space restrictions, my center channel will be a 3.5" coaxial fullrange speaker, rated at 40W RMS.

There's really no such thing as a 40W mono amp, and even the smallest amp I have (Rockford Punch 100a2) is too much for this speaker in bridged mode. I could use only one of the two channels on that amp, that that feels like a waste to me...

Just curious to know what solutions there were out there.

Luc

antimatter · 06-08-2005, 03:02 AM

I bought a 6 channel amp (soundstream D'artagan)

WxGuy1 · 06-08-2005, 11:16 AM

I'd get a 5-channel amp for the surround speakers, and then a big mono amp (or bridged 2-channel) for the subs. I'm pretty sure most manufacturers make a 5-channel amp, though I know Alpine does for sure.

sdashiki · 06-08-2005, 11:20 AM

most 5 channel amps, I think, the 5th channel is a MONO channel for subs, if it has a Full Range switch for it, awesome. But my Rockford 600.5 only lets me set it at 120hz/80/50

billforde · 06-08-2005, 11:27 AM

I am using a Clarion SRK5 1/2-DIN Center Channel Speaker for my center channel.

sdashiki · 06-08-2005, 11:37 AM

Id put that above the rearview mirror (like where there is either map lights, sunroof controls, sunglass holders) inside the DIN space is kinda ugly, and wat if you spill or splash some liquid on it....ewwww

RFMan · 06-08-2005, 06:25 PM

My problem is not that I'm running out of amp channels (I have a Zapco AG-650 6-channel, and a RF Punch 100.2 also available, not to mention my old-school MTX D class cheater monoblock. My problem is that all those amps put out too much power for that speaker, escept if I use only 1 of the 2 channels on the RF (which is probably what I might end up doing)

BTW, my nickname does not come from Rockford Fosgate, I got it because I'm a Radio Frequency Engineer.

Rickertsen2 · 06-08-2005, 06:37 PM

RF engineering is scary! I'm glad there are people like you to do the scary black magic work.

RFMan · 06-09-2005, 12:53 PM

That's what keeps the work interesting!

pancit175 · 06-25-2005, 07:47 PM

if you can get your hands on an old Jensen XA92 its a small 2 ch 88 watt max amp that you can bridge the outputs

yak8998 · 06-26-2005, 11:53 PM

I'm running a 4channel diamond, 2channels for my tweeters, 3rd channel for the center, the 4th will go unused

Defiler · 06-27-2005, 09:21 AM

Alpine offers a few setups for 5/6 channels. The MRA-D550: 5 Ch. 60Wx5, MRA-F350 5Ch. 50Wx5, or two MRV-F345s. The 345s set up in 3 Ch. mode will give you the full 5.1 setup. on the first amp bridge ch. 1 and 2 to give 75W for your center. Then the other two Ch. will give 75W each for your front L and R. On the other amp Ch. 1 and 2 will give you 75W for your rear L and R and Bridge Ch. 3 and 4 to give 300W for the sub.

I'll be going the F345 route.