What are channels for on an amp??

Does the # of channels depend on the # of subs?? Also....should I get an amp with more or less watts than the subs?? I have 3 audiobahn 10's. I bought them used in a box and the guy I bought them from doesn't know the wattage on the subs. I don't want to blow them cause I ain't got no warranty. And should I put rubber behind the license plate or somethin' else?? Thanks for the help!!

[Silentalero]

Ok in all honestly dont do this install yourself.

You dont have enough knowlege in audio to do an install like this, if I were you when you have the audio shop do it, ask them if they can show you everything you wanted to know. Its alot easier hand on

i agree with silent, if you dont know what channels are on an amp, then you shouldnt even try doing anything for an install

[Silentalero]

plus ok rule of themb, never but subs without knowing wattage, lol

they could already be blown for all you know

I tested the subs with a 1200 watt boss amp from my friend. They hit hard and sounded good. No distortion or anything. I am trying to learn this stuff so that is why I am asking about all this stuff. I am taking the subs to a place today to let them look at them at tell me what kinda amp I need to get and what the watts are and stuff. A friend of mine told me not to open the box cause it is made of recycled wood and I would have to reseal it and drill new holes and all this other kinda stuff. If this is not right please let me know. I am still in high school and so is my friend so we don't know that much stuff!!! Any help you could give me would be great. Thanks. Oh yea...I am taking it to someone but I would still like to know about all this stuff.

[Silentalero]

Well audiobahn subs can be taken outta the box, thats why there's screws, and i would never just test them on a 1200w amp, lol

your lucky they didnt blow. Im sure you wanna learn but telling you wattage n channels n whatnot will only confuse you i guarantee you. Just goto the audio shop and ask them if you can watch them install and ask them questions about the install. Most shops are willing to explain things like that to ya.

It is ok to be young and still be new at audio. All of us who know stuff about audio were that way at one time. We all had to learn. If you don't want to have a shop install it and you truly want to learn, you need to find someone who knows what they are doing. Have them walk you through the install.

Thanks alot. I really do want to learn this stuff and get into cars and audio and everything like that. I'm going today to talk to them about it. Thanks alot for the advise. I appreciate it. I probably sound pretty stupid askin' these questions but I gotta learn this stuff. Anyway...Thanks alot for the help.

here is a quick explination........

first u need to find out what the subs are rated at. if they are rated at say 400 watts MAX for each sub..... mulitply the 400 by3..... since u have 3 subs. a 1200X1channel amp will push them hard.

easiest way to run 3 subs is out of a single channel amp.......

but u should talk to ur audio shop like the others said....... cause u obvioulsy dont know how to wire the subs to the correct OHM's........ thats where it really gets confusing.

best thing is, watch someone do it..thats how i learned, you'll get the hang of it

[BLK03GXS]

Originally posted by SweetAlero99@Feb 16 2004, 09:06 PM
but u should talk to ur audio shop like the others said....... cause u obvioulsy dont know how to wire the subs to the correct OHM's........ thats where it really gets confusing.

For Sure, setting your system up, in terms of loading your amp with the correct OHM load, this is where you may either cook your amp or blow your subs or both.
I would defenatly recomend either taking it to a shop of getting a afreind that knows about audio to help you out.

If you want to learn more
http://www.bcae1.com/

Have fun and good luck

Originally posted by 99blackalero@Feb 16 2004, 05:16 PM
best thing is, watch someone do it..thats how i learned, you'll get the hang of it

haha ya thats a good way. thats how i got the hang of it.

well that and being yelled at to do it myself..... then i would wire shiznit wrong.... then someone would come back and do it correctly...... right joel.... haha

[sound_xtreme]

haha, yeap. sure is! ass.

I can relate to wanting to learn on your own, I have been too confused by the damn scoundrels of audio shops just wanting to make another dollar. I have been told every which way possible to hook amps up is the right way, all the way from matching max power, to matching rms power, to anything in between. My best concensus is that you want to match rms power depending on the ohm load provided (ie. two 4 ohm subs at 600 watts max and 300 watts rms will equal a 2 ohm load, thus an amp of 600 watts x1 @2 ohms will be perfect for bridging, or for a 300watt rms x2 @4 ohms ?? Although things would be bunnyed up and nobody would learn anything if it wasnt for this I guess....

[sound_xtreme]

my rule of thumb is get a bigger RMS amp and turn it down.

like the way you think sound

how do u turn down the rms on an amp (probably a stupid question, but gotta learn)

[sound_xtreme]

amps have "volume" control as some call it. It's really called GAIN and isnt the volume of the amp. you just turn down the GAIN some.

Thanks for all the help!!! I appreciate it. I went to Pattersons custom audio and they didn't help me at all. I think I will go to best buy to see what they say. How much should I spend on an amp and installation?? I don't want to get ripped off or nothin'. The guy at pattersons said it would cost $45 for install. Is that good or overpriced?? I didn't know it would be that hard to hook up a system. Wow. THe guy at pattersons checked the ohms and it was 4 ohms. He said the subs were probably 500 watts apiece. Should I get a rockford fosgate punch amp?? A friend is selling a punch 500. If this is good please let me know. Thanks for all the help.

$45 is about normal for an install...its not that its hard, thats a bout an hours worth of work, if not a bit more for them. A punch 500 would probably be fine for those if theyre both 500 watts a piece...you can always turn down the gain on the amp if its to much for the subs to handle