Halfway done with complete audio system, need help though
 

Several months ago, I happened upon a pair of 400 watt (200 rms wattage) 4 way 6x9's from Lanzar that I stuck in the back of my 95 SE. They sounded great, but they lacked the power that only an amp could give.

A couple days ago I went out and bought a $200 Alpine headunit with 3 preamp outs, a pair of 180 watt 5.25" Sony Xplod speakers for the front, and a 1200 watt (200 rms watts to 2 channels @ 4 ohms) amp for the back. I hooked up the amp and ran the wires (power and audio on separate sides, of course) to the trunk, and when everything was said and done, I fired it up and took it on the road.

The 6x9's are thumping like crazy, and they sound great. Before adjusting my gain (i think it was the gain, it was a dial measured in V, I assume for volts) i could turn the volume up to 35, which is the max for the HU, and didn't encounter distortion. I adjusted the gain and the bass boost, and now I simply won't turn it up past 28 because it's waaay too loud to do that. On to the question.

When I turn the volume up past 23 or so and the bass hits, I hear a pop come out of one or both of the speakers. I'm not sure what it is, but I don't want to blow them either. If anyone can help me diagnose the problem, I'd be grateful.

Also, once my installation is finished (I'm going to amp the front speakers cause I blew the current set maxing out the back ones) I'll get some pics up.

Thanks guys.

Edit: Also, I have 4 gague cable powering an amp that's putting out 400 rms watts. Can I add another 100-200 rms watt amp to the same cable (via a PDB) or should I run another one?

600 watts should be fine on your 4 gauge with a distribution block. 1/0 to a distribution block with 4 gauge outputs would be best for current draw, and allow you to expand your system later but your 4 gauge will suffice.

the popping sound is because the speakers are getting too much power, and or clipping the amp, both are not good turn the amp back down..or they making the popping sound becaue they are not in a enclosure

the 4 gague is probably good for 800 watts

I would say just get a 4 channel amp instead of getting 2 2 channel. But I didnt go that route :roll: beacuse i wanted more power, and found TYPE RF amps for cheap. IF you decide to get 2 amps, just get a distro block and you should be fine

You have 200w going into Lanzars? If i remember correctly those are more budget speakers then anything, and their ratings are kind of useless. Be careful with the volume if you keep the settings where they are.

If we are talking about coaxials (2 or 3 way midrange speakers) which I think we are, make sure the amp is on Full Range or High Pass.
Midrange speakers are not designed to handle Bass. If your amp has a built in Crossover use it. Your other alternative is to buy a coil for each speaker to limit the frequencies that they play, thus protecting them (Passive Crossover).
Here is a helpful site www.the12volt.com

Hope this helps,
Dutch