Amp for Polk MM651

[delmage171]

Just got 4 polk mm651 speakers to upgrade my stock clarion speakers in my 96 SS.

I may possibly upgrade to 6 someday!

I was wondering what anyone would suggest for a good amp to power these? I may just run them off my deck for now a Alpine 9886M

thanks

[ski4evr]

I really love my alpine pdx 5. It is awesomely powerful for its size and also has a subwoofer channel. Very iimpressive with a small footprint.
http://alpine-usa.com/product/view/pdx-5m/

[EarmarkMarine]

If its the 2.7-ohm MM651 then you need an independent channel for each speaker. If its the 4-ohm MM651UM then you can safely parallel two speakers per channel.

David
Earmark Marine

[core-rider]

David, you're just the right person to answer this question. If running 6 MM651's, is it a bad idea to run 2 in parallel and then series another to it giving you a 4 ohm load (2.7/2 = 1.35 + 2.7 = 4.05) or is running a parallel/series hybrid like that kind of a no-no? I was just thinking that would be a good option for a 6 speaker in-boat setup if you didn't want to run independent channels.

[EarmarkMarine]

core-rider,
A series/parallel combo configuration would be fine with four speakers per channel which would ensure that each speaker gets the same amount of power. However, the three speaker scenerio that you provided would create a substantial inequity in power between the speakers.

David
Earmark Marine

[delmage171]

So what I understood was if I stick with 4 and I probably will because I don't very much so want to drill big holes in my bow cushions.

I would need a 4 channel amp then?'

What would be a good amp to power these 4?

I will be running 2 rev10s off a Syn4 and XS-12 or Kicker CompVX off of my Syn2 as well of that makes a difference

The sub will be mounted on my kick plate with bracing. Anyone know which sub or others that would sound better with my syn2 and where it will be mounted

Thanks!

[EarmarkMarine]

I would prefer that anyone go with the MM651UM over the MM651 because of the continuous midbass driver (without the tweeter post), improved midbass and 4-ohm load which is easier to amplify.
If you already have the MM651s (non-UM) then given what you already have in amplification the Syn4 would be a good choice. 'IF' you ever expanded to six MM651 speakers you could series all three 2.7-ohm speakers for an 8-ohm final load and bridge the Syn4 into two channels for 500 total watts which would be 83 watts per speaker which is pretty decent for those speakers. And, you would be running the amplifier very conservatively (equivalent to a four-channel times 4-ohm load) with some dynamic reserves. Its always nice to run fullrange speakers with an amplifier in a conservative mode where the output section is not taxing the power supply section. That extra headroom just sounds cleaner to me if you have adequate power to begin with.
As for the Wetsounds XS-12 woofer, that would be an excellent combination with a net 4-ohm woofer run by a bridged Syn2. If there is a way that you can run a bass-reflex enclosure, which does significantly increase the enclosure size over sealed, you will see a monumental increase in deep bass and general responsiveness.

David
Earmark Marine