2, 4, or 5 Channel Amp for my system?

[mbonanni]

I have a 1991 325i with premium sounds front/rear. I already have the 10" LukeBox with the 10" sub recommended in the install thread with a Planet Audio mono amp (not sure which one I'll edit later). I am a bit of a noob when it comes to audio stuff so bare with me..

My question is do I get
- A 2 channel amp to power the front two speakers and use the mono amp for the sub
- A 4 channel amp to power all four speakers and the mono amp for the sub
- A 5 channel amp to power all four speakers and the sub

I don't want to spend much more than $130 on the amp itself and cheaper is always better, so I am leaning towards the 2 channel and 4 amps. Will powering two amps be an issue? This is what I am leaning towards to match my other amp

https://www.amazon.com/Planet-Audio-AC1200-4-Bridgeable-Amplifier/dp/B00HLSU6PI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1508997398&sr=8-3&keywords=4+channel+car+amplifier

or this because I think I want remote sub woofer control and the one above doesnt have it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003GSLE58?ref=emc_b_5_t

I am also looking for a head unit, I assume I need a 5 channel if I want to power all four speakers and the sub independently?

[george graves]

Contact Luke - the guy you bought the box from? If you can. Or.....He might still be in hiding after the cluster fu*k of 2016. Or he might talk your ear off. Give it a try, and report back.

I would recommend you keep your sub amp unless it too physically large. And get a head unit - lots of info on here - it's a preference regarding style - just get something with line outs.

Power the rear stock speakers off the head unit, and get a 2 channel amp for the fronts, replacing them with aftermarket polk or alpine (insert name brand/color of sound you like here) and they will come with their own crossovers.

That will get you up and running. If you want to upgrade for there, you'll be in a much better place to know what you want, and what you want to spend.

Just my 2 cents.

[mbonanni]

I was going to contact Luke but noticed he hadn't logged in for months. I will give him a try.

Thank you for the recommendation, however I do plan to keep the premium sound speakers both in the front/rear unless they turn out to be total shit.

[agent]

If you can find someone to buy your existing amp, I'd recommend the 5 Channel Planet Audio and a head unit with three sets/pairs of pre-amp outputs.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003GSLE4O/

Luke's guide on how to rewire everything in the trunk is great, so all you end up doing is running three pair of RCA cables from the head unit to the amp, then the amp powers the existing premium speakers using his write-up.

Plan B is you could add a 4 channel amp and a good head unit (with 3 sets of preamp outputs) to what you have and achieve about the same result. The only difference is you would have to power two amplifiers instead of one. Definitely not a big deal, but you absolutely want to use good quality stuff for that. I wouldn't use anything less than 4 gauge for power (or ground) with a big fuse.

Something like this, and the current price is about as low as I've ever seen it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003J59XTM/

[mbonanni]

2, 4, or 5 Channel Amp for my system?

Thanks for the response!

I am pretty sure I wont be able to sell my current amp for much as theyre about $50 new. I think my best bet is going to be the second 4 channel amp I posted in the op.

I saw you post the streetwires kit awhile ago and it was only $18, I wish I would've gotten it back then. If I got this I would still need more RCAs, extra power wire correct, and another fuse?

I am leaning towards this kit as it has everything I need in one spot. The 8awg should be okay for the mono amp powering the sub right? If not I have an extra 4awg ground cable from bavrest in my parts bin I can use.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B072BWCRPZ/ref=mp_s_a_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1509040022&sr=8-17-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=4awg+amp+kit&psc=1

Been looking at headunits, but there is so damn many I don't know what Im going to get.

[dubdub]

Accept that most head units are crap and there is little difference between them, and it really isn’t too hard. Focus on 3 pre-outs as discussed above. Also, consider if you want it to match your other interior lights, if so make sure it has an amber/red color option.

If you’re not running the sub off the amp with the sub control, it really doesn’t make sense to buy that feature.

On wires and install, my advice is do it right and do it once. Buy the right connectors so you can make good fittings... especially on your ground!


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[george graves]

I'd recommend the 5 Channel Planet Audio

Never seen a planet audio amp in person or heard one. Is that a house brand for sonic electronix?

Me thinks they might be exaggerating their output a wee bit! No? Do tell.

[mbonanni]

2, 4, or 5 Channel Amp for my system?

Accept that most head units are crap and there is little difference between them, and it really isn’t too hard. Focus on 3 pre-outs as discussed above. Also, consider if you want it to match your other interior lights, if so make sure it has an amber/red color option.

If you’re not running the sub off the amp with the sub control, it really doesn’t make sense to buy that feature.

On wires and install, my advice is do it right and do it once. Buy the right connectors so you can make good fittings... especially on your ground!

Well then sounds like I can just go with a little but of a cheaper headunit then. Ill continue to look around.

As for the sub control, the current amp I have has the feature, however I lost the controller. Buutt I just realized I have a 2 channel amp and not a mono amp, so thats changes things a bit. Really my only choice is to use this amp to power the front two speakers and buy a mono amp to power the sub. Unlesss I get a 3 channel to power the rears and sub... shit I don't know

Are you saying the kit I posted isn't a good idea? Or to just make sure the install is good? I'm a sucker for a clean install, and I sure as hell wont want to redo it, so speak up if that kit isn't adequate.

As for Planet Audio, I assume they exaggerate a bit, but they have solid reviews on every site and the price is right.

[agent]

Never seen a planet audio amp in person or heard one. Is that a house brand for sonic electronix?

Me thinks they might be exaggerating their output a wee bit! No? Do tell.

Nope, just one of the wide range of choices out there which I believe have similar - if not identical - internals.

They probably are exaggerating their output, but at that price point it's a non-issue. I'm sure any of the numerous people who have either heard the system in my red car and/or installed one themselves would agree that for the money, you'd be hard pressed to do better.



One more thing about head units: something else to consider when narrowing down your choices is the voltage on the preamp outputs. From what I was able to glean when researching my build years ago, higher voltage is better. I chose a head unit which, at the time, was the best balance of features, price and least offensive looking in an E30 cockpit - I didn't want any shiny silver parts but had to settle for some piano black on the face and the bezel. I think there are more and better choices available now.

[george graves]

Nope, just one of the wide range of choices out there which I believe have similar - if not identical - internals.

That sounds about right. And good point about the aesthetics of a deck in an e30. Anything sliver, is totally out of place. I've seen a few decks I almost thought that "if you could just paint that trim ring black!"

There's a lot of different ways to get started with a sound system in an e30. And I think the may have been mis-represented here for a long while with the "$500 install" thread. Just my 2 cents.

[agent]

Oh it could definitely be done for ~$500, though spending more on better quality components when and where it makes sense is, as we all know, a better course of action.

I think all told I have about $800 in mine, including the 10" Lukebox with the "pretty panel."

[george graves]

If you had built your own box - you'd be in it for much less! ;)

[rcarradine]

I went with a Kenwood 5 Channel and it's great. Perfect for four amplified speakers and a subwoofer.

[serkel]

Ok so I’m very new to this board. I just bought my first e30 but I’ve been helping with my friend that owns a car audio shop here in Miami. We specialize in high end acoustic replication. Like when your sitting in the recording studio. I will tell you the best thing you’ll do is to first disconnect your rear speaker. The sound should come from the front like the (band, singer or DJ is sitting on your dash right under the rear view. They call it imagining. So no need of a rear speaker. Waist of money. Next when purchasing your wire ring king make sure it is cooper not CCA wire. Cooper doesn’t restrict the current. Alway alway alway put a fuse and try to keep it less then 12” from the battery. A little hint you might want to look at Craigslist for a better quality amp that someone is sell in order to upgrade which give you the opportunity and save some money.

[george graves]

We specialize in high end acoustic replication

Good luck with that.