Replacing factory amp with a 4 channel amp?
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New Member
Joined: 01-31-24
Posts: 3
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From: Toronto
Replacing factory amp with a 4 channel amp?
I have a 2007 cobalt SS with the pioneer sound system. I currently have an Alpine ILX-W650 stereo, and I was looking at bypassing the factory amp with their KTA-450 4 channel amp, since it was designed to attach to the back of the stereo.
I know nothing about car audio, but would bypassing the factory amp and installing this one mean I lose the subwoofer that's in the trunk?
Some crutchfield guy said I'd have to delete the factory amp and bypass it, whatever deleting it means. Crutchfield's website also straight up says it won't work in a factory amplified system. "This power pack will not work in systems with a factory amplifier. Wiring and fuse are not included — 12-gauge power and ground wires and a 20A inline fuse at the battery are required."
Harness:
https://www.sonicelectronix.com/land...s/soogm16b.pdf
Stereo:
https://www.crutchfield.ca/S-4fZ7XOt...-iLX-W650.html
Amp:
https://www.crutchfield.ca/S-AbelTPa...ower-Pack.html
I know nothing about car audio, but would bypassing the factory amp and installing this one mean I lose the subwoofer that's in the trunk?
Some crutchfield guy said I'd have to delete the factory amp and bypass it, whatever deleting it means. Crutchfield's website also straight up says it won't work in a factory amplified system. "This power pack will not work in systems with a factory amplifier. Wiring and fuse are not included — 12-gauge power and ground wires and a 20A inline fuse at the battery are required."
Harness:
https://www.sonicelectronix.com/land...s/soogm16b.pdf
Stereo:
https://www.crutchfield.ca/S-4fZ7XOt...-iLX-W650.html
Amp:
https://www.crutchfield.ca/S-AbelTPa...ower-Pack.html
Last edited by itsboots; Jan 31, 2024 at 08:20 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: 01-31-16
Posts: 5,330
Likes: 549
From: Frozen Wasteland of the North
The stock amp is plenty powerful enough to handle the speakers, even if you upgrade them. What you should be considering more is a monoblock for the subwoofer, however I wouldn't keep the stock sub if you did go that far.
I swapped my speakers, and subwoofer (using the oem pioneer box) with JL Audio. The monoblock I have is only 400W. Absolutely epic sound.
(I also did sound deadener in my doors, trunk, rear deck, etc.)
I swapped my speakers, and subwoofer (using the oem pioneer box) with JL Audio. The monoblock I have is only 400W. Absolutely epic sound.
(I also did sound deadener in my doors, trunk, rear deck, etc.)
i would take a step back and ask what are you trying to achieve. from there i think people would be able to provide some better suggestions.
Not considering the above my initial thoughts are that aftermarket add on amp is probably about the same as stock power wise. it may be a little bigger but probably not much. also it would only be able to power the 4 speakers, 2 speakers and a sub, or 2 speakers wired in parallel (x2) and the sub. That last option would give you stereo sound so you have left to right but no front to back control as the speakers would have to be wired together. I would guess this would be the least bang for your buck option out of any kind of upgrade you can do (swapping speakers, sound deadening, or sub and amp)
Not considering the above my initial thoughts are that aftermarket add on amp is probably about the same as stock power wise. it may be a little bigger but probably not much. also it would only be able to power the 4 speakers, 2 speakers and a sub, or 2 speakers wired in parallel (x2) and the sub. That last option would give you stereo sound so you have left to right but no front to back control as the speakers would have to be wired together. I would guess this would be the least bang for your buck option out of any kind of upgrade you can do (swapping speakers, sound deadening, or sub and amp)
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: 01-31-24
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
From: Toronto
The stock amp is plenty powerful enough to handle the speakers, even if you upgrade them. What you should be considering more is a monoblock for the subwoofer, however I wouldn't keep the stock sub if you did go that far.
I swapped my speakers, and subwoofer (using the oem pioneer box) with JL Audio. The monoblock I have is only 400W. Absolutely epic sound.
(I also did sound deadener in my doors, trunk, rear deck, etc.)
I swapped my speakers, and subwoofer (using the oem pioneer box) with JL Audio. The monoblock I have is only 400W. Absolutely epic sound.
(I also did sound deadener in my doors, trunk, rear deck, etc.)
i would take a step back and ask what are you trying to achieve. from there i think people would be able to provide some better suggestions.
Not considering the above my initial thoughts are that aftermarket add on amp is probably about the same as stock power wise. it may be a little bigger but probably not much. also it would only be able to power the 4 speakers, 2 speakers and a sub, or 2 speakers wired in parallel (x2) and the sub. That last option would give you stereo sound so you have left to right but no front to back control as the speakers would have to be wired together. I would guess this would be the least bang for your buck option out of any kind of upgrade you can do (swapping speakers, sound deadening, or sub and amp)
Not considering the above my initial thoughts are that aftermarket add on amp is probably about the same as stock power wise. it may be a little bigger but probably not much. also it would only be able to power the 4 speakers, 2 speakers and a sub, or 2 speakers wired in parallel (x2) and the sub. That last option would give you stereo sound so you have left to right but no front to back control as the speakers would have to be wired together. I would guess this would be the least bang for your buck option out of any kind of upgrade you can do (swapping speakers, sound deadening, or sub and amp)
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