6 replies to this topic

[nickknack]

Hey fellas,

I plan on slowly upgrading the sound system in my B4, and first up is a new head unit + amp. I will retain the stock Mcintosh speakers for now, but is it possible to blow them if I buy too powerful an amp at first? I'm after a 4 channel amp for ~$300 or under, has anyone got any recommendations? How many watt RMS do I want per channel?

Thanks for putting up with the noob questions, car audio is quite new to me

[Liberty]

I am unsure about what amps would blow the stock speakers and whatever, but I am definitely keen on getting rid of my current amp if you're interested. Brand is Axis Audio. Below is a link to show some specs:

http://www.carbonbla...--900w-370.aspx

Car audio isn't new to me, but I only know the basics. Once you start talking power outputs and stuff like that you'll lose me. I do know how to set them up though through trial and error.

Let me know if you're interested man.

[nickknack]

Thanks, but I might stick to something from a more reputable brand. I've done some asking round on a car audio forum and found my answers so I know what I want now haha thanks anyway!

[Liberty]

That's no problem at all man. It's good to hear that you've done your research before settling on any particular brand or amp. Just for arguments sake; my amp ran two 6x9 Soundstream Tarantula speakers and a 15" MTX sub perfectly fine without any problems for years. Happy to get rid of it if you do change your mind or can't find what you're looking for.

Best of luck mate. Merry Christmas.

[U-Shell]

As long as you don't turn up the volume to a ridiculous volume, the speakers will be fine. I'm running a 100W RMS per channel (4 channel) amp on stock RX speakers and they are plenty loud enough for driving. It's always better to 'over power' speakers then to 'under power' them. I'm running the front stock splits of the amp and rears of the head unit, but turned down so they don't fail from been under driven and also making use of the High Pass Filter as the RX speakers don't have a proper Crossover, not sure if the McIntosh system does though. The rear channels are bridged on the amp are running my Sub. The amp is a Response Precision Class AB Amp from Jaycar. If you want excellent value for money, then i can highly recommend them. Just ask them what the best price they can do and you will more than likely get it cheaper. If you really need a more reputable brand, try JL Audio or MB Quartz. They are the only other amps i have used/ heard so i can't comment on others like Pioneer or Alpine.
If you take the time to correctly set up the E.Q and High Pass Filters etc, i think you will find that the stock McIntosh speakers are very good. Subaru spent a lot of money getting sound engineers in to set up the McIntosh system for the Gen 3 Liberty, so just be careful upgrading speakers and head units because you may find that you will go backwards.

Link to Amp:

http://www.jaycar.co...w.asp?ID=AA0453

Also have a look on http://www.sonicelectronix.com/.

They do ripper prices on everything car audio. Just be wary of buying head units. As it's an American website, a lot of the Head units are programmed for the US radio and Navigation.

Good luck with upgrading!

[nickknack]

Thanks for the wealth of info and the links! Got some shopping around to do now! I quick like the stock speakers but in future will definitely be losing the 6x9 for a proper sub.

[U-Shell]

Thanks for the wealth of info and the links! Got some shopping around to do now! I quick like the stock speakers but in future will definitely be losing the 6x9 for a proper sub.

No worries! Shame the Gen 3 isn't like Gen 4's in the parcel shelf Sub. I've only seen a couple 6X9 woofers. In the Gen 4's they are a round speaker, so replacement is easy!