Audio & Video Tech General discussion of audio and video for the Ford Ranger.

To amp or not to Amp? That is the question.

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Old 04-17-2008
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To amp or not to Amp? That is the question.

Hey all, this is my first post here. I have just purchased a 2008 Ford Ranger Sport 3.0L 2WD.

I already have a New deck, mono amp, and 12" sub i will be putting into my truck in the near future.

I am just trying to decide whether to replace the 4 factory 5x7 with aftermarket (looking at alpine type s).

I am leaning towards replacing them, however do they need to be amped? if so that will add another 100-150 (ebay prices) to the price of my system. All i need is for them to be loud enough to hear while driving with the windows down / on the the highway. Obviously I want to hear the lyrics over my sub also.

Just wanted some general opinnions on amped vs non amped aftermarket speakers.....

Thanks.
 
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Old 04-17-2008
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welcome, I'm no audio expert, but I know they don't need to be amped, but it's definitely gonna sound better amped.
 
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Old 04-17-2008
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depends i think if there amped they have better clarity in my opinion but it also depends on how loud u wana listen to ur music
 
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Old 04-17-2008
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its a waste to upgrade speakers and them not use an amplifier.
 
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Old 04-17-2008
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Yup.. I agree! ^^^

It acutally is easier on the deck to not have to power speakers from it's internal amp. I used to be fully amp'd in my 2000 ranger, but I took it all out and I'm lazy so I haven't gotten around to it yet haha

I've got the type-s's and I love em... They sound great for the price... I'm all alpine in my truck
 
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Old 04-17-2008
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Amp them. I do
 
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Old 04-17-2008
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I agree to amp but how to you run the wires? Anybody have pics of that? I would love to get new speaks but I have never been able to run the wires cleanly
 
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Old 04-17-2008
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I just thought of something that would fit my current budget.....

I don't know too much about car audio, but since our truck cabs are pretty small....
What if i just upgraded the front speakers (to alpine type s) and got a small 2 channel amp for them (like 50 watts x2 rms)?
does that make sense or do you really need all four?

thanks for all the great replies.
 

Last edited by goliath553; 04-17-2008 at 04:20 PM.
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Old 04-17-2008
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i always liked speakers up front and a sub in the back.....I think you ahve a good idea about jsut replacing the front ones and amping them......and whiel yoru at it jsut discon the rear ones ......where u gona put your sub..middle or on one of the sides?
 
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Old 04-17-2008
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no need for speakers in the rear. people that say rear speakers are for the "fill effect" are retarded imo. put a set of components up front, 75-100w to each set with a 2ch amp and you will be golden!
 
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Old 04-17-2008
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^^

I'm gonna go against that one. I like having the speakers in the rear because it adds a more dimensional sound. True, a good set of stereo speakers and a well recorded track (Anyone remember Qsound?) can add a more '3-D' sound, but I'm going to have to go with amping all four. Get a decent pair for the rear and a component set for the front, the latter of which, I will be doing later.

As for running the wires, I create a harness that runs from the amp to the stock plug. Works great and makes it easy to return back to stock if needed. Maybe someday (when money pours from my bowels....) if I get an INSANELY expensive pair of speakers, I will go through the process of laying out that really expensive wiring and go directly to the speaker. However, it kicks enough for me as it sits now. Currently, I'm more concerned with color matching the cap, adding cruise and installing power windows.

Just my $0.02,

Chance
 
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Old 04-17-2008
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i can see where you are comming from, but its just my personal liking of the front speakers to be pointing at my face instead of that back of my head ha.
 
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Old 04-17-2008
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Originally Posted by Urandaman
no need for speakers in the rear. people that say rear speakers are for the "fill effect" are retarded imo. put a set of components up front, 75-100w to each set with a 2ch amp and you will be golden!
Thats what I am thinkin about doing then getting a full box across the back by cutting out the old speakers.
 
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Old 04-18-2008
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Originally Posted by Rescue
......where u gona put your sub..middle or on one of the sides?

I am going to put the sub behind my passenger seat as I don't think i will ever use the jump seats. If need be I will still have one usable one behind myself.
 
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Old 04-18-2008
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Originally Posted by Roach2004
Thats what I am thinkin about doing then getting a full box across the back by cutting out the old speakers.
yea in your truck, 1 set of componets in the doors, with a good amp pushing them 75-100w and it would be insane!

you can also get a 4channel amp, run channel 1 and 2 to the door speakers and wire 3/4 to the sub if its a basic sub...
that is what i am going to do during this comming week, but just amp my factory speakers and a 10" sub
 
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Old 04-18-2008
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I have just set up an appointment (i know i wish i could install myself) to have my deck sub and mono amp installed next thursday, and sometime in the future i will go ahead with replacing and amping either the front two or all four speaks

Thanks for all the great replies!
 
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Old 04-18-2008
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your on the right track.. amp for sub, and aftermarket deck
as far as amp and 4 speakers.. the best bet for the money is leave it alone from there..

but if you want more... replace the door speakers, and run a amp to all 4 speakers..
no need to replace the rear speakers, also you can cross over the 4 speakers ( somewhere between 75-100HZ), the factory speakers can handle it just fine in the rear..
 
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