Need help selecting an amp

[Yiger]

I suspect there might be a couple tower speakers under the tree on Christmas morning- Rockford Fosgate M282-Wakes to be exact. My 200V has the typical Clarion head unit and a Polk D5000.5 amp powering the 6 cockpit speakers and a subwoofer. The tower speakers will be used for surfing and swimming only- I'm not worried about hearing the music while skiing or wakeboarding. The second amp option for the 200V is the Polk D4000.4 so I guess that's an option. Do any of you experts have an opinion? I don't know much about stereo systems but I'm willing to learn. Thanks for your help.

[nyryan2001]

Well at 100w RMS you don't need much.

since you seem to like the Polk route, check the Polk PAD2000.2.

125w x 2 @4ohm. Just about perfect.

approx $189.

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...PAD2000.2.html

[Yiger]

Thanks for your reply. I'm not attached to Polk by any means other than that is what is already there. The amp you linked looks a good though. Is that the best for the money?

[nyryan2001]

well the neat thing swith this situation is at 100-125W x 2 you stay pretty cheap as thats a small amount of power. Or you can get a super high quality amp with the latest technology without going broke because your power reqs are small.

That Polk is the equiv of a F150 with leather seats. You can go up or down from there in quality and cost, based on your individ preferences. But that is a solid buy that will last, perform well and you wont be embarrased of or regret later.

Thats solid upper middle of the road selection. You can def get cheaper amps in the $100 range that will likely perform every bit as good..... sound quaility will almost as good... but some folks make sneer their nose as the brand logo on the amp.

[Yiger]

Good analogies- I'm fine with a Ford F150 (though I drive a Tundra). I feel dumb for admitting this, but I do like the idea of the two amps matching. Its only money after all...

I was about to order the 2000.2 when I noticed the 4000.4 is only $30 more. Is that money well spent or 30 bucks down the drain? I have no need to bridge the speakers for extra wattage but will leaving a couple channels empty cause damage? Google says yes and no, depending on what website you read. Or I suppose I can bridge them and add a level controller to I'm not pushing 400Wx2. Sorry for elementary questions.

Thanks!

[nyryan2001]

Ya I have a Tundra also, awesome truck.

if you are feeling froggy, go for it. No, you won't damage anything just running 2 channels at 4 ohms.... And you leave yourself quite a bit of capacity there later if you need it.... Al la Rev10s at 400w each.... Or more inboats, small sub. Whatever.

folks can damage 4 channel amps by running 2 channels extremely hard... Often lower than the rec impedance loads... Making them super hot repeatedly, protect mode and doing damage that way. When going extreme... It's best to evenly distribute the loads.

running 2 channels at 4 ohms won't even make that amp get above ambient temps. No issues, very easy load for that amp.

[Yiger]

Awesome. Thanks!

[MLA]

One advantage of using a 2 chnl for a set of tower speaker is the simplicity of adding a 2nd pair later. All that needs to be done wiring wise, is wire the new pair in parallel to the original pair AT the original pair. No need to run 2 more pairs of speaker wires through the tower to the amp.

Now in your case, If your tower is pre-wired, theres a good chance it already is wired for 2 pair of speaker. In the case with the 2000.2 and 4000.4, they will deliver the wattage rms to your single pair and allow you to add a 2nd pair later, with all 4 speakers still netting 125W rms.