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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Tigard, Oregon
    Posts
    3,017

    Default How do I feed two multi-channel amps from only two sets of preouts?

    I just bought rgardipee's Kicker 08ZX700.5 5-channel amp (thanks for the great deal!) and I have a JL Audio M6600 6-channel coming. My plan is to run the six cabin speakers from the 6-channel JL and the four tower speakers and the sub from the 5 channel Kicker. My HU has two pairs of full range pre-outs plus one pair of sub preouts. So getting a signal to the sub is no problem. But how to I feed signal to the two multi-channel amps from just two sets of preouts? The JL will combine the signals from channels 1&2 and 3&4 for channel 5&6 so I just need two sets of pre-outs for it. And I will need two sets for channels 1 thru 4 on the Kicker.

    Do I just use RCA "Y" splitters to split the signal? Does the signal voltage get split in half then? Although my pre-out signal is pretty decent at 4V, I don't like the thought of splitting them in half.

    Short of buying two Clarion EQS746 EQ's, what are my options?

    Thanks,

    Al
    Al

    2006 Mobius LSV

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Las Vegas, Nevada
    Posts
    1,582

    Default

    You can get a wetsounds EQ. That will take care of the problem. Or you can do what I did. I got rid of the stock radio and purchased a new kenwood that works with my controls. It has 3 set of preouts. I use I have the kicker MX700.5 and the MX350.4. My 700.5 take two of the RCA and the 350.4 takes the last one. This way I have total control of the quality of sound coming out. I hate using a RCA Y-Connectors. They limit what you can so to tune in the sound.
    Tazz
    Tazz 07' Moomba LSV --Kicker Marine Amps (MX700.5 & MX350.4) 6 polk DB651 speakers, 4 MB Quartz Marine Speakers, 10" Boston Acoustic Sub, Z-5 Cargo Rack, Custom Speaker/Light Bar, modified ballast system, Custom LED Rings
    Live life to the extreme and no less!!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    California
    Posts
    2,840

    Default

    You either split the signal, install EQ's or just replace the HU with one with three preouts which might actually be cheaper.
    2007 Mobius LSV

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Henderson, NV
    Posts
    7,020

    Default

    he already has a deck with 3 preouts, so buying a new one would not gain anything. adding an eq would be one answer, but not real cost effective and not needed.

    use one set of full range to feed the 4 channels of the kicker amp. use the sub output to channel 5 of the kicker amp. use the other 2 full range outputs and use a "y" adapter to split the 2ch to 4ch and power the jl with that, sending the same signal to all 6 channels(powering the 6 in-boat speakers). that would be the best way to do it, and how 90% of the stereo shops would do it. just be sure and invest in a quality set of cables. no radio shack here. I've done it before in an old car install. splitting the signal is the recommended way to do it in the jl manual.

    by adding an eq, the only thing you will gain is the ability to take the one set of full range and send it to the multiple channels of the jl, allowing bow to cabin fading capability. if you think that's worth $289, then go for it. wiring it listed above would give you fading control of the sub and the tower/boat speakers independently, but would not allow you to fade the in-boat speakers. not a big deal imo, but it's personal preference. you could also add a volume attenuator inline with the bow speakers if you think they will be too loud. probably a $20-30 part.

    the stumbling block here is that the jl needs 2 sets of inputs..


    hope this helps..
    '06 Supra Launch 20SSV-gone but never forgotten

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Tigard, Oregon
    Posts
    3,017

    Default

    Thanks guys. Sorry for the confusion caused by the title of the post. I did upgrade the HU a while ago to a Kenwood that has 3 sets of preouts with one of them being sub preouts. I didn't know that the 700.5 can take one pair of preouts and feed channels 1 thru 4 with it (I don't have the amp in my possession yet). So sounds like I need to use a splitter for the JL so that the one pair of preouts feeds all six channels.

    Sandm, the Clarion eq is only a $55 item (I wouldn't spend the $$ on the WS eq) and in addition to the features you mention, it also takes the preout signal and boosts it to 7V while splitting it three ways. It also gives me the ability to control the volume output of one amp and the sub from the driver's seat.

    Another question that comes to mind is, what does a capacitor do and do I need one of those?

    Thanks again for the input, much appreciated.
    Al

    2006 Mobius LSV

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    California
    Posts
    2,840

    Default

    Al, the Kicker has a little switch you have to enable for on set of inputs for all channels and your good.

    Like sandm said just split to the JL amp.

    A cap stores energy allowing you to have enough juice to run everything in case you overrun the system, you won't need one. We float more than ride and i've never drained a batt or had the amps go into protect and my system is rated right at 1600 watts peak. Of course i can't get anywhere near that before the wife beats me!
    2007 Mobius LSV

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