Can someone help me out with amps?

[2StepsAhead]

My plan is to put a Polk DB351 in the center channel, Polk DB6501's in the front doors, Polk DB651's in the back doors of my 05 4Runner. Someone mentioned I should amp them, I have a DNX6990HD that I figured would help out in the power department but I was wondering if I decide to amp the speakers what do I need? Would I get a 5 channel? Not sure how to pick a power rating either. Probably going to buy a separate amp for my sub if that'll be easier.

 

[fourwd1]

It would depend on the power output of the system (head unit) you have now.
If the current volume level it provides is sufficient, why change it?
If you want to go deaf and rattle windows for miles around, the add an amp.

 

[jamess]

Here is what I just installed in my 99.

front: Polk MM6501
back: Polk MM651

They are running off a Hifonics HFi100.4 amp and they sound amazing!
Hifonics HFi100.4 (HFi 100.4) 4-Channel Car Amplifier/Amp

Could you just ditch the center channel and run the door speakers? I would amp them for sure though. The amp is going to give you more clean power and the sound quality will be drastically improved. It will not make you rattle windows or go deaf.

 

[jamess]

That head unit you mentioned is only putting out 17watts RMS. That is not going to be enough to get good clean sound through your speakers.

 

[BucknutBob]

Not exactly sure how you wire up a center channel speaker, but it is a near absolute that you will improve the sound with an external amp--the internal amp in a head unit simply can't compete with a stand-alone model. As jamess mentioned, it's all about CLEAN sound, not overall volume. A purpose-built amplifier will produce power with much less distortion, as well as a better signal-to-noise ratio (background noise). 5-channel amps are typically designed for adding a subwoofer to a system with four primary speakers, where the odd channel is a more powerful single channel, often with a low-pass filter to only allow low frequencies. Not sure if those can be used for a center channel speaker.

 

[2StepsAhead]

Im a n00b with amp's...I wanted to just replace all my speakers and then worry about amping them but Im looking to plan ahead so I will add an amp or two in my plan.

Im not sure with 5 speakers how you go about amping all of them, I have a center channel in my G8 and it sometimes cuts in and out and the sound difference is huge so I was really looking to keep it in my 4runner. I just get lost when it comes to channels, do I need a channel for each group of speakers? Or can I run like the front 3 off one channel and then one channel for the back pair?

The DB6501's claim they need 10-100 rms watts, should I shoot for 50-75 watts to keep them happy or do people normally run right up to the ceiling of the wattage?

 

[2StepsAhead]

What if I use a 4 channel amp to power the DB6501's and DB651's and just let the head unit power the center channel? Idk if thats silly.

 

[riceandpho]

you know they do make a 6 channel amp. but it just the cost thats not worth using for some, usually just amp the doors and leave the center unplug and call it a day. but check out the 6 channel amps.

 

[ghkdkrtfuyhu]

If the current volume level it provides is sufficient, why change it?