As those who've been patiently assisting will know, I'm running my new Vibe Black Air components direct from the head unit and have been thinking of adding a sub. I'm thinking it might be more sensible to be amplifying the components first though.

This leads me to think it would be a good idea to get a 5-channel amp to run the component speakers, then I can add a sub later on using the 5th channel.

Thing is I've only got £150 to spend and I don't want to buy a duffer. If that's just not enough I'll put the plans on hold for now. I'm not looking to blow the bl00dy doors off, I just want to get it all sounding good and running right.

There's 3 5-channel amps I can see in my price range:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUNA-6000-WATT-CAR-HIFI-AMPLIFIER-2-4-5-CHANNEL-AMP-/350512966895?pt=UK_AudioElectronicsVideo_Video_TelevisionSetTopBoxes&hash=item519c336cef

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350292054892?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290544673586?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Are any of these worth my time running the cables? Honest opinions please. If you've used or heard one that's great, or if you just trust / hate the brands that's all good knowledge for me too. Thanks for your continued asstance fellas

Yuck don't touch any of those ! Look at Orion Colbalt. I have pm'd you.

Seem to do 1, 2 or 4 channels. No problem though if that's the best unit in my paltry price range, it just means I need an active sub when it comes to the next stage of install.

Thanks for the recommendation, here's the best price I can find: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Orion-Cobalt-CO6004-4-Channel-Amplifier-600w-CO600-4-/200679439733?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item2eb96d3d75

Anyone else got other recommendations or agreements with the above?

When you run a cable for the amp, run 2. Running 2 amps off one cable can cause interference found this out after spending 2 days taking the car apart then putting it back together I wasn't pleased lol

When you run a cable for the amp, run 2. Running 2 amps off one cable can cause interference found this out after spending 2 days taking the car apart then putting it back together I wasn't pleased lol

Yeah I was thinking I'd do something that, as I won't have the sub when the amp goes in. Not because I know about interference but because it didn't occur to me I could run a single cable for both anyway!

I've actually done several things multiple times just installing my components, so I'm starting to get the hang of these issues and to foresee them.

At least when you've got one cable going through the bulkhead you should be able to attach the second to it, then use the first cable to pull it through. I used this kind of technique getting cables through the hinges into the doors, but I wiggled plastic-coated garden wire through the gaps first. Next I attached the speaker wires to the garden wire and pulled it back through, threading the cable as it went. Being bendable but not really flexible, the garden wire can easily thread places a floppy cable won't

I may well employ my local alarm fitter for the power-cable bits anyway. He's a wiry little guy and can get his hands in where only mice should fit :p and he's cheap too

I wouldn't.

I'd go for a 4 channel and a seperate monoblock, or a 2 channel amp that can be used as a monoblock.

Much better results.

Mate i wouldnt beleve any of the power outputs for 1 60000000watts for £5

from past experience the cheap amp just dont give it

i took all my high end stuff out my golf and swapped to some cheap amps when selling the car... im sure i wouldve got better from the head unit

if your going to go for it maybe try and save

JL audio do some nice 5 channel amps,

or have a hunt for secondhand :

JL audio , MTX, Rockford, Focal etc........

I agree that the likes of JL audio and the like will give better results. However th OP's budget of £150 for an Amplifier doesn't stretch that far that's why I suggested the cobalt range from Orion. I'm chuffed to bits with the sound from mine.

This is true, second hand audio doesnt hold value which can be handy..... You need a mug like me who doesnt use it much and gives it away :(

Ive not nosed at euro brands for a while "but back when i twere a lad". Alpine used to be gave thumbs up

That said iirc orion i beleve did a very amusing sub cant think what it is and being its not a sub your after at the mo

Def a brand worth peeking at

My bad habbit over spending im afraid ( mug ) lol

Orion is from the USA and I'm using their amps to drive my alpine Type R speakers.

Well looking at what's around and what's recommended, a 4-channel plus an active sub later is looking best. I assume I'm going to need to buy the all-important wiring on top of the purchase price, as there's no mention in the details about supplied cabling :S

Assuming I'm reading the specs right, the Orion's output of 4 x 60w looks good for my Vibe Black Airs, with min inputs of 45 and 55w for the fronts and rears

IMHO After you have amplified the components I'd go for a separate mono block amp and a sealed 10inch sub in the boot.

Well the plan for now is definitely a 4 channel for the components and see what happens after Santa's been and gone. Anyway I've been browsing about the web and who'd have thought that Amazon was a good place to shop for ICE?

Anyway I've found this Vibe Slick 800w one http://www.amazon.co.uk/Audio-SLICK-Channel-Stereo-Amplifier/dp/B0031DTZWC/ref=sr_1_5?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1323727256&sr=1-5

Good or bad my speakers are Vibe so it seems poetic. It's also available from £99 from a just-launched seller, or only £12 more from a seller with lots of good feedback. That would leave plenty in the budget for top quality wiring and the cost of my sparky :p

Remembering that I'm not trying to blow the bl00dy doors off with this system, do I order the Vibe or the Onion? :wonder:

Tbh mate, if your happy with your vibe stuff, id guess there amps would be around the power to run their stuff.... However acurate ratings may be

And same make set ups do give u abit of self satisfaction

As for power cables, no need to go silly, just grab a autoleads pack and you'll be fine

I ran nye triple figures rcas leads in the past and Id prob say i wouldnt have noticed much difference?

I think its a mix now of jl mid range and some funky twisty autoleads ones lol

Just aim in the middle somewhere and im sure you'll be happy

I dont think you will get much joy from an Onion !

Don't touch the loudest.com. my dad bought a whole setup from then and it all went bangs... 3 times.

Yeah, I'd wondered about the loudest.com stuff. I do know that brand names are pure marketing and that it needn't necessarily affect the product behind it. Especially these days where a product is designed and manufactured in the far east then sold under many different brands around the globe. Simple loudness is one thing I'm not really chasing anyway, and that's all they seemed to be offering :p

The Vibe is ordered! I went for the seller with better ratings plus express delivery. I hope it's here soon enough to be installed for Christmas **Update, delivery will be on Thursday the 15th :p

I really like the matt black look of that unit, especially as I prefer stealthy stuff. Cabling will be the next purchase after I've discussed positioning the amp with my spanner-man, and I know exactly where it's going. I wonder if ANY cables arrive with the amp? :wonder:

In the boot where the redundant CD changer sits would be a good spot, shame it's as far away from the head unit and power supply as it could possibly be though. That just doesn't seem clever. :wonder:

I'll see how the size of the unit is, maybe the passenger foot-well would be an option but that's for another thread. Cheers for all your help again

Edited 13 December, 201114 yr by ExHondaMan

I do like the idea of a 5 channel amp install:)

Nice and neat and tidy

1 4awg cable direct to the amp and no daft 2awg awkward beastie to struggle with

A nice jl hd 900/5 would be nice

Although when i next down grade i keep peeking st the xd 700/5

We shall see ??????

Keep us posted bud

Just grab yourself a stinger amp wiring kit mate , a safe bet, and get the rcas seperate if needs be

Yeah the 5-channel sounded like a good example of proper joined-up thinking, but I've taken the advice of those here that have experience. After all this I'll be forming my own "educated" opinions, but you have to actually DO the stuff first.

This learning stuff does get expensive though :S. I have bought everything at about the lowest prices I can find, so hopefully I'll get a decent amount of eBay cash-back if it comes to it

Is this the wiring kit you're thinking of? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stinger-Sound-Quest-VL-Series-8-Gauge-Amp-Wiring-Kit-/300363756005?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item45ef1331e5

What do you think about this Vibe one? http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0033296SY/ref=sc_pgp__m_A11R9GGP1ABHFE_1?ie=UTF8&m=A11R9GGP1ABHFE&n=&s=&v=glance It's from the same seller on Amazon so I could get them sorted in one package.

Edited 13 December, 201114 yr by ExHondaMan

8 awg is mickey mouse thin mate tbh you'd want 4 awg

This kind of thing mate, you then buy your speaker cable and rca seperate

I'll have a nose

http://www.ebay.co.u...c#ht_1210wt_698

http://www.ebay.co.u...c#ht_1399wt_698

Heres your vibe version

http://www.ebay.co.u...d#ht_2408wt_932

and your extra vibe rca leads

http://www.ebay.co.u...a#ht_3421wt_902

http://www.ebay.co.u...3#ht_3060wt_982

oooo little ****bags

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/11079.html

its £115 on their actual site

oooo little ****bags

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/11079.html

its £115 on their actual site

Their delivery charge is more expensive than via Amazon too

Good cable ordered, lets see if they're clever enough to get 2 separate orders in one delivery :wonder:

They hammer you on delivery of the site do they???

What cable kit did you go for bud?

lol ive been warned by the mrs not to get ideas lol

Everytime i start looking into or talking stereo i get the bug again to redo my install

From Car Audio Security's own website: Delivery between 1kg and 5kg - £10.49

I'm afraid I got anxious about missing the delivery and got the 8awg before I saw your reply :'(

Not to worry, I can always replace it. Once this cable has been threaded through the bulkhead I can just attach a better one to it then yank it through

Probably :wonder:

I have a pile of RCAs in the house from various camcorders, players, hi-fi etc. I'll see what I've got and maybe hit the local audio place for some "good" ones. Be nice to run some wire and actually leave it there for a while :p