What size amp do I need?

[bburcham]

I'm not an electronic guru so im asking what size amp do I need to power my 4 kicker wakeboard tower speakers, 2 kicker speakers inside the boat and 1 12" subwoofer. What watt size amp and how many channels?

Thanks

 

[QC]

Re: What size amp do I need?

Hey bburcham, welcome aboard!! I am going to move this over to the electronics area. Some may flame you destroying their peace and tranquility, but even some of us old farts like a good system. Good luck and have a great season!

 

[barbosam]

Re: What size amp do I need?

can you list the part numbers for all the speakers so we can look up specs. Its the only way to properly select an amp.

 

[bowrider200]

Re: What size amp do I need?

I am not an expert, but I think you need to provide some info like how many watts RMS/Peak for the speakers to get help. Should be listed on the packaging or magnets I do believe. Channels should depend on if you want the stereo effect or not. 4 channel with separate sub amp, or 4 channel with towers on front channel and sub bridged on rear channels. Someone correct me if I am wrong, I am fairly new here also.

 

[bburcham]

Re: What size amp do I need?

Sorry! I am using kicker ks6500 6.5" speakers both on my wakeboard tower and in the interior of my boat.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: What size amp do I need?

A quality 400 watt amp would power than nicely. Anymore than that and you'll be picking cone pieces up off of the floor.

 

[TEutis]

Re: What size amp do I need?

I have a set up similar to yours. I'm using a JL Audio 6450 (six channel amp) that's pushing a pair of Alpine 6x9's and the Polk 6.5" wakeboard tower speakers at 110 watts each wired at 2 ohms. It is also pushing a pair of Polk 5.25" components at 70 watts per channel wired in four ohms (the speakers are two ohm) and then I have a little Alpine MRP-M350 pushing a 10" JL Audio sub at 2 ohms giving it 350 watts. I also have the flexibility to add another set of speakers with the jl amp if I ever get another set for the wakeboard tower. I chose to go with regular car audio equipment rather than marine because of the cost and selection.

 

[Silverbullet555]

Re: What size amp do I need?

I would run the sub off a class d mono amp. A JL XD series or Alpine PDX series would do fine. Keeps it small since space is always at a premium.

For the main amp, I would look at a JL xd600/6. Why? You get 6 discreet channels with each channel having enough power to run your speakers. It is class D so it is small and easy to mount.

Probably a little overkill, but you won't have to upgrade them later.

In my boat I used an Alpine PDX for the sub, JL HD600/4 for the tower speakers and JL XD600/6 for the in boat speakers. If I had to do it all over again, I would have used a JL Sub amp instead of the Alpine. Only reason is it would match the other amps. My install is too custom to easily change it so the Alpine stays.