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Old 02-19-2013, 12:22 AM   #1
Tylahh
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Join Date: Feb 2013
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2012 WRX
Pearl White

Default 2012 WRX Amp question

I've been researching for days on here for good ideas of upgrading the sound of the stock audio. Found tons of good and helpful info, so I thought i had it all figured out but today I went to a local audio shop, and left very confused.

I keep reading that a good place to start would be amp'ing the front speakers, and adding a sub.
The audio shop today told me that not amping the rear speakers doesn't even make sense. They had two amp brands they were trying to sell me, one being ~$1200 and the other ~$200. One thing I know for sure is I would like to run the amp(s) under the driver/passenger seat, so a lot of the 5 channel amps are too big.
I used the chat now function on crutchfield and the dude said that amping the stock speakers isnt even an option.

So question is, do i amp the rear speakers aswell? If so is a 5 channel or a 4 channel and a mono block better? If not I could just use a 4 channel for the front and sub correct?

I bought the LC6i and the ae64 20 pin combo harness. Any amp suggestions that would cover what I need?
Appreciate the help.
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Old 02-19-2013, 09:33 AM   #2
luan87us
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Why would you just amp the front speakers? Why not amping all of them? lol. Get a decent 4 channel amp and just hook it up using the LC6i and the harness. I would suggest upgrading the speakers as well while you're at it. The OEM speakers are decent but they aren't that great. But adding an amplifier will definitely help.
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Old 02-19-2013, 10:47 AM   #3
dbmonster
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The guy you spoke with at crutchfield shouldn't be giving technical advise, he was probably just a sales person who has no idea what he is talking about. Amplifying your stock speakers is a great way to get more volume and clarity on a budget. The stock speakers in our cars are pretty decent, better then most cheap aftermarket speakers actually.

You can use a single 4 channel amp to run everything. You would use the front 2 channels to power all 4 factory speakers, and bridge the rear 2 channels on a single 4 ohm sub (this is assuming the amp is 2 ohm stable, which most good amps are). I've done setups like this in dozens of customers cars with great results.
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Old 02-19-2013, 11:52 AM   #4
MacAlert
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Don't bother with rear speakers, you want the majority of sound coming from in front of you. If you absolutely need them, run them off the headunit power. While you are at it, replace/upgrade the front speakers.
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Old 02-19-2013, 11:58 AM   #5
luan87us
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MacAlert View Post
Don't bother with rear speakers, you want the majority of sound coming from in front of you. If you absolutely need them, run them off the headunit power. While you are at it, replace/upgrade the front speakers.
Unless you only getting a 2 channel amp to save cost, that's a waste to just run the front speakers with 4 channel amp. You're going to get the same out put while not power the rear as well and get BETTER sounds overall? It not like it's going to that much more work since he got that 20 pin harness from SVXc.
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Old 02-19-2013, 04:15 PM   #6
Mike 01Hawk
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PPI 900.4
Run rears off HU

Done.

Search my name here, I've posted pics/impressions
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Old 02-19-2013, 07:33 PM   #7
dbmonster
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I disagree with running the rear speakers off the head unit, one of the biggest advantages to amplifying the stock speakers is that you will have a crossover built into the amp that can filter out low frequencies. Removing the bass from the signal going to the stock speakers will allow you to play them much louder without distortion. If you only amplify the front speakers you will get nice clean sound from them, but it will be muddied up by the distorted sound coming from the rear speakers.

Ideally the best possible option is to replace all the stock speakers with high quality aftermarket ones, and power them with a nice 4ch amp. then run a seperate mono amp on a sub. But if you don't have the budget for that and want the best sound for your money, going the route I described in my first post will get you good results for little money.
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Old 02-20-2013, 12:54 AM   #8
Tylahh
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Hey thanks for all the responses. Im not on a super budget, but not looking for ridiculous sound either. Thanks for the advice, so many options.
Mike ive seen your post on the PPI 900.4 and almost bought it instantly. It does have great reviews and all, just wondering if a 4 channel then mono block is the way to go or step up to a 5 channel like the Alpine PDX-5. Is that a solid amp that would take care of everything?
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