Do i need an amp?

[jte]

I've just bought some new components for the front doors and dash of my mk3.  I do find that my Alpine HU gets quite warm and wondered if i should use an amp to run the new speakers?

If so what would you recommend.   I've been offered a small Alpine 2 channel amp.  With 75 watts.  The speakers are rated at 50 Watts RMS.  To me this sounds like it should be fine.

I'm not after a massivly loud system and i don't want a sub.  I'm just upgrading for better quality.

[Dizzie]

it's always best to run speakers off the highest powered amp you've got. that way you can run the amp turned down and avoid distortion therefore get a better quality sound from your speakers. That amp is probably rated in PMPO, but should be enough to power those speakers.

[lints]

if your finding the alpine is fine with running the speakers to your listening levels as it is (im guessing you've 4 x 60) then don't bother with an amp, alpine hu's are known for getting really hot, i don't even use the internal power but after a few hours of use i could cook my breckfast on it.. nearly:)

[jte]

Thanks for the replies, i fitted the speakers using the crossovers supplied and they run fine, the head unit isn't any hotter than before so i won't bother with an amp.

Spent quite a while deciding where to place the tweeters, was originally going to put them where the old ones came out, but decided to try mounting them flush on the original tweeter grill.  Looks quite good and probably sounds a bit better.

I'll post a pic soon.

[jte]

Still undecided might move them inside.  Although that means a trip to the scrappy for new grills

[lints]

glad it's all working for you i was really surprised by the power of the alpine onboard amp, wasn't massively different from when i changed to a 2 channel amp to power my front comps.. saying that, i've now got 3 amps powering the fronts but none are over a third gain cause my current 3 ways won't take it.

If you find them struggling then turn off the media expander (if yours has this option), i found it emphasised the bass too much which really restricted the volume, and you could (again, if your hu has the option) set the low pass filter abit higher, say 80htz, thats presuming your comps are lower than that, mine used to play down to 55htz.

the sound may seem abit thin with the media expander off, so id just adjust the bass engine (again if you have it) boosting the frequency at around 80htz-100htz and once you get used to it it hould sound pretty dam good.

LOL at the tweeter dilema, mine are still sliding around the dash!

[jte]

I think the HU has all the stuff you describe.  Been using the Media Expander and it sounds pretty good.  I will play around with the sound when i get a chance. 

I am going to have a go at all the time delay stuff with the HU so the sound from all the speaker reaches my ears at the same time.  Sounds a bit complicated.  Will need the manual, a calculator and a tape measure handy!

Overall i think the setup is fine for what i want.  I'm really quite ipressed that just changing the speakers makes such a difference.

Thanks for the advice.

[lints]

i think i turned the media expander off when i got my sub running, it was just drowning the fronts and the bass kind of filled in where the expander used to, with it off the speakers aren't trying to play the lows as forcefully which gives more volume. the type of music you listen to can be an issue, i listen to everything from james taylor to drum and bass - obviously it was the drum and bass that  it struggled with! it's all trial and error really, it's taken me over a year now to get a sound i'm happy with, and i've still bits to sort out and tweak, i'll get there eventually... and then start all over again no-doubt    thats another reason id put off buying an amp, 1 turns to 2, 2 turns to 3... it's more like a possession than a hobby in my case