Should I get an amp?

[NW_Merc]

I have at the moment an 8 speaker system, 2 tweeters in the dash, 2 speakers in the front doors and 4 in the rear shelf. This will soon become a 10 speaker system when the rear door cards are installed with the rear speakers being installed also.

Should I get an amplifier and if so how many channels as I have no idea about which one is a good component in terms of these? Also how easy are they to wire up and which speakers should be attached?

 

[KillerHERTZ]

An amp is a must, its a completely different league with one fitted.

Im not at all an expert on ICE, but I manged to wire up my 2 channel 500watt amp, ipod kit no problem. Main problem was not breaking the sill trims.
We have it easy remember as our batteries are located in the boots

 

[andy27168]

Hi,
Try these links should give you an idea on the amp wiring.
Word of caution be careful in routing of you speaker cables and RCA lead(s), as I ran mine in my W202 C230K in the plastic ducting that runs down both sides of the car (where the cars cables are run) to the boot where the amps were fitted and now with the engine running you can hear interference through the speakers.
http://www.ehow.com/how_5829_wire-car-stereo.html

http://www.circuitcity.com/rpsm/cat/-13095/edOid/105510/rpem/ccd/lookLearn.do

 

[Inkyskin]

We have it easy remember as our batteries are located in the boots

I was sooo thankful for that when installing my amp/sub!

 

[NW_Merc]

Hi,
Word of caution be careful in routing of you speaker cables and RCA lead(s), as I ran mine in my W202 C230K in the plastic ducting that runs down both sides of the car (where the cars cables are run) to the boot where the amps were fitted and now with the engine running you can hear interference through the speakers.

So where is the best place to locate the amp if its not in the boot?

 

[Inkyskin]

I have my amp in the boot (mounted to the rear of the back seats). The wiring runs up through the back seat, then down the side of them (just behind them - had to remove them to do that). After that they run next to the existing cable ducting (and under the kick plates), then under the carpet in front of the drivers seat (just next to where the front carpet separates from the rear one), then into the console behind the carpet.

I don't get any noise coming through the wiring, even when the engine is running - although these are only RCA cables as there are no rear speakers yet. Those I will be running down the centre of the car when I get some to make double sure there's no noise.

I suppose it's possible to mount them under one of the front seats, but that leaves them open to being kicked around by rear passengers. You can still mount in the boot and run the wiring down the centre of the car too.

 

[andy27168]

So where is the best place to locate the amp if its not in the boot?

I was talking about running the cables to the boot not siting the amp in the boot.
The speaker cables and RCA lead picks up interference from the other cables in the ducts.

 

[Alps]

depends how big a setup you want and how far you want to go!

i rewired all the original speaker wires, I have 2 amps, 1 for top end and one for bass, mounted under a false floor. i`ll try and get some pics up although I still have some finishing off to do(when i get some time)

 

[reborg]

The speaker cables and RCA lead picks up interference from the other cables in the ducts.

Elementary ICE error #1. This is not where the noise comes from, it is the symptom not the casue. In 100% of cases if you are getting noised induction is is becasue some piece of equipment not being properly grounded. It could be either in the audio part of the system or elsewhere.