Head unit with 4 outputs. Have 4 speakers and dual-channel sub.?

Question

So my head unit has four powered RCA outputs. I have four speakers and a dual channel sub and a 6-channel amp.

I got the amp and sub installed at a cheap-o place and this is the setup:
- Front Left Output --> Front Left and Right speakers
- Front Right Output --> Back Left and Right speakers
- Back Outputs --> Sub Channels

Now 2 things are wrong with this (not even taking into consideration they only hooked up one of the Sub channels and not the other):
- Splitting the front outputs only gives half the power that the speakers would normally have.
- Without splitting the channels that go to the sub, the sub is getting the twice the power of each speaker.

What would be the best way to solve this? Should I just turn up the amp's power to all the channels? (they're not set to max levels).

My other idea is this:
Split all four outputs (FL, FR, RL, RR), attach one of each split to the proper channel, then combine FL + RL and FR + RR into one channel each for the sub. Is this worthwhile?

Answer 1

your wording is messing with me, i've read over this question a couple times, i think i understand it now...

let me see...

you've got a 6 channel amp, one speaker hooked to each channel, and two channels are bridged together for the sub, which is dual voice coil?



there are 6 rca inputs on your amp

and your question is about the rcas going into the amp?



the rca's shouldn't cut the power in half, they are a low level input for the amp, the amp takes that signal and amplify's it, If all channels are working, it is hooked up right





i don't know if i got that right.... i think i'm understanding what you are trying to say, but i'm not sure.

Answer 2

What they did with the backout puts is cross wired the subs because they are designed to be mono not stereo. The amp you are using is a stereo amp and not designed for mono subs. Basically what I am trying to tell you here is that you didn't buy the right amp for what you need. You need a mono amp seperate from you stereo amp. Now if you have no more money then then your idea might work but since you have so much hooked up to it you are probably gonna over heat it and it will automaticly shut down on you once it does so this can happen for minute every hour or so of play or it can happen every couple of minutes for a few seconds or so. Either way it isn't to cool. I would suggest hooking the speakers up through the in dash and then just hooking the sub up to the amp and adjust the amp accordingly until you get the the sound right. For the wiring on the sub I would hook the left sub up to the positive on the RL output then the negative to the FL outpute. Same thing for the right positve to RR out put and negative to FR output. Also make sure all your rca's are hooked up it sound to me like you would need at least three rca cable and possibly RCA splitters deppending on your indash this maybe why your not getting sound from some of the speakers. This will all help your sound quality and limit the chances of the amp over heating. But as I said before your best bet is to buy a seperate mono amp I mean what were you thinking when you bought a six channel amp those are for speakers not subs.

Answer 3

Why they did it like they did is they proply ran your subs in mono i would hope thats why they left 1 set. And if you were to use each channel separately you would not gain anything because each amp has a uniqu pattern for different number of speakers. Just because they didnt hook up all the channels doesnt mean your not getting full power. Turn the amp up if you want more power or get a separarte amp for your bass.