3 way Component Set - AMP of Head unit power? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

HeresMyMind · 02-03-2020, 01:07 PM

I just picked up a 3 way component speaker setup (Focal 165 AS3's). Is it better to install these powered off the front speak power directly from the head unit, or to use the AMP power to the door speakers.

The speakers are a 4 ohm, 80watt rms 160 peak.

I know the AMP from the car is 140 peak (2 x 70watt) but is 2 ohms.

The Sony head unit I have is 25watt rms 50 peak per channel.

trying to figure out best way to power them until I can save up for a nice amp.

-B

( Speakers in question: https://www.focal.com/en/car-audio/c...t-kits/165-as3 )

soundman98 · 02-03-2020, 09:55 PM

i wouldn't bother installing them until getting a 6 channel amp to go full active and ditch the passive crossover.

no matter how you split it, if you install them now, it involves running wire, and then re-running everything again once the new amp is installed.

HeresMyMind · 02-03-2020, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soundman98

i wouldn't bother installing them until getting a 6 channel amp to go full active and ditch the passive crossover.

no matter how you split it, if you install them now, it involves running wire, and then re-running everything again once the new amp is installed.

They run off 1 crossover. I wired them to the front wires directly from the head unit.

It will be very easy to run a wire from a serrated amp to them when I upgrade. The crossovers are under the dash.

They sound fantastic and have so much bass. I can’t wait to throw some real power at them.

-B

soundman98 · 02-03-2020, 11:32 PM

Yes, they can work off the passive crossover. But they can work even better giving each driver it's own amp channel and custom crossover point.

I had significant previous issues with a passive crossover introducing distortion to the tweeters, so i avoid passives wherever possible. It's also much easier to set and alter the gains to change the output of specific drivers if they're not well matched for my ears.

Mr.ac · 02-04-2020, 03:44 AM

Since you have an aftermarket head unit you can get away from powering off the head unit.

I wouldn't recommend going off the factory amp, 2ohms going into 4 ohms doesn't play well after a while.

As you said and soundman said wait till you save for a nice 4-6 channel amp. If you can.

02-03-2020, 01:07 PM	#1
HeresMyMind Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Drives: 2013 WRB BRZ Limited Location: CT Posts: 348 Thanks: 33 Thanked 165 Times in 94 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	3 way Component Set - AMP of Head unit power? I just picked up a 3 way component speaker setup (Focal 165 AS3's). Is it better to install these powered off the front speak power directly from the head unit, or to use the AMP power to the door speakers. The speakers are a 4 ohm, 80watt rms 160 peak. I know the AMP from the car is 140 peak (2 x 70watt) but is 2 ohms. The Sony head unit I have is 25watt rms 50 peak per channel. trying to figure out best way to power them until I can save up for a nice amp. -B ( Speakers in question: https://www.focal.com/en/car-audio/c...t-kits/165-as3 )

02-03-2020, 09:55 PM	#2
soundman98 ProCrastinationConsultant Join Date: Sep 2013 Drives: '14 Ranger, '18 Tacoma 4Dr LB Location: chicago-ish Posts: 11,330 Thanks: 35,240 Thanked 13,673 Times in 6,781 Posts Mentioned: 98 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	i wouldn't bother installing them until getting a 6 channel amp to go full active and ditch the passive crossover. no matter how you split it, if you install them now, it involves running wire, and then re-running everything again once the new amp is installed. __________________ "The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time"

02-03-2020, 11:32 PM	#4
soundman98 ProCrastinationConsultant Join Date: Sep 2013 Drives: '14 Ranger, '18 Tacoma 4Dr LB Location: chicago-ish Posts: 11,330 Thanks: 35,240 Thanked 13,673 Times in 6,781 Posts Mentioned: 98 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Yes, they can work off the passive crossover. But they can work even better giving each driver it's own amp channel and custom crossover point. I had significant previous issues with a passive crossover introducing distortion to the tweeters, so i avoid passives wherever possible. It's also much easier to set and alter the gains to change the output of specific drivers if they're not well matched for my ears. __________________ "The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time"

02-04-2020, 03:44 AM	#5
Mr.ac [insert cool phrase here] Join Date: Aug 2015 Drives: BRZ Premium Location: Central Coast CA Posts: 2,369 Thanks: 709 Thanked 1,558 Times in 930 Posts Mentioned: 30 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Since you have an aftermarket head unit you can get away from powering off the head unit. I wouldn't recommend going off the factory amp, 2ohms going into 4 ohms doesn't play well after a while. As you said and soundman said wait till you save for a nice 4-6 channel amp. If you can. __________________ New daily driver - Subaru BRZ Premium Weekend fun/track car - '91 MR2 Turbo Gen3 Old daily driver - '88 MR2 Supercharged

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