I searched, but couldn't find any answers to my specific question.

I already have the amp- Kenwood KAC-746- it's a few years old but works fine. Here are the specs:

Max Power Output: 70Wx4, 200Wx2
Rated Power Output: 35Xx4, 100Wx2

I have a Kenwood HU (not sure of the model #)- 2 sets of pre-outs.

I am getting new speakers, and will probably go with the Alpine S-type after reading the good reviews on this site.

So, my options are:
1. Get 4 new speakers and use all 4 channels on the amp.
2. Get only 2 new speakers for the front and run 2 channels on the amp and run the stock rear speakers off the HU.
3. Get 4 new speakers and run 2 channels on the amp (front speakers).

I know I can do better with a newer amp and a sub, but those are not an option.

Any suggestions? THANKS!!!!!!

 

What are your listening habits?

 

Mainly alternative, reggae, rock, etc. I am more concerned about clean sound than loud sound. This is not my daily driver and I mainly use it for off road trips, but I also use it on longer road trips with the kids in the back.

 

How about option #4

Get 2 new front speakers, leave the rears stock, get a single 10" sub.
Power the fronts off of the front 2 channels of the amp, power the stock rears off of headunit power and ust the rear 2 channels of the amp to power the sub.

It would have to be a pretty efficient sub though... You could always upgrade sometime down the road.

Or sacrifice the aftermarket rears for some higher end fronts and run the amp 2 channel just to the fronts...

Just trying to add more options for you,

Devildog101

 

NO SUB- this is a fully caged prerunner that gets offroaded a lot and very hard. There is NO room for a sub and it probably wouldn't last a single trip even if there was.

I appreciate your idea, but the options I listed are the ONLY options.

As far as your second idea, are you saying that running better fronts and just amping those is better than amping all four speakers? That is the advice I am looking for.

 

Got you on the no sub route. That makes more sense...

I would say that if you were going to run a sub, but if not, I would replace/amp all 4.

I hope this helps some.

Devildog101

 

I called Crutchfield today just to get their opinion, and the guy I spoke with said to definitely amp all four speakers. He said that in order to hear much difference from the 35Wx4 it would have to be significantly higher, like 250W per channel. That sounds strange, but what do I know?

 

250W per channel?!?!? UHH NO!! 35x4 will definately be noticeable with Type-S (But the SPS-57C2 or SPS-17C2) havent played with the new ones yet.

 

Sorry, I didn't explain that very well. What the Crutchfield rep said is that I should connect all 4 speakers to the amp, rather than just amping the front 2 speakers. He said that I would not hear very much difference between the 35W to all 4 speakers and the 100W to just the 2 speakers. IE, he said that the amp would need to be more like 250Wx2 in order to hear a significant difference from the 35Wx4. Again, that sounds strange but ?????

 

Again IDIOT advisor. Refer to my previous post.

 

Buy two speakers for up front (heck, use the money you would have to buy 4 and upgrade your speakers). Bridge the amp and run that power to your fronts, let the deck power the rear. If you want good sound imaging, this is the way to do it. Think of it like this...You're at a concert, do you want music coming from behind you?

 

Not true . That sounds like something you would hear at Best Buy or Circuit City .

 

.... Come on now.