Calling all Audio "Guru's", Ha Ha

I currently have a Fosgate reciever in my boat, I also have 2 amps which drive 1 sub, and several other mid/high speakers, I would like to hook up the four 6" 2 way speakers that are in a custom box on the dash area, and wired, but, never hooked up [previous owner didn't bother]. My question is: if I decide to add another amp to drive these additional speakers, do I have to wire it directly to the deck?, or can I piggyback it onto the existing amps somehow?, the reason I ask is because it would be a real pain in the arse to try and tear the deck out to hook it up, but, the existing amps are pretty easy to get at.

Thanks for any input guys, its appreciated!
Michael

Some amps have outputs in order to do this, but not all. You could split the RCA cables, but then you lose fader control. I went with a Pioneer head unit just for the fact that it has 3 sets of outputs, Front, rear, and sub.

Cool!, so, its possible at least, the fader control might be ok, have to wait and see, how can I tell if my Amps are able to do this?, I am currently running 2 Bazooka Amps, one ELA 60.4 and one ELA 100.2

Thanks!

If the amp has a pass thru rca jacks they output where u can connect another amp. more than likely not. if u have easy access to the amp, then a Y-adapter is your other option.

If I go with the "split RCA" set up [I think my 2 amps are doing that now] then will I still be able to adjust the crossover on the "new" amp for where I need it for use with the additional speakers?, I have also considered buying an external EQ, like the older 1/3 Octave Phoenix Gold style, would all the amps plug into the EQ?, or does it have to be connected to the reciever at some point? Would this solve the "fader" issue?

Thanks for all the help, I would really love to hook up a few more speakers [mid bass/High] and maybe another sub. and I have easy access to the amps and most of the wiring, but, the deck itself would be a real hassle to get out, so, whatever will work easiest would be Ideal, Thanks!

http://cgi.ebay.com/KICKER-KX3-CAR-A...3A1%7C294%3A50

This will solve all your problems.. 2 inputs and 3 outputs and a fader for the sub. Personally I would only run one large amp to the sub or subs. Most Car audio amps run best at 2 or 4 ohms. Your amp will run at 2 ohms depending on your sub ohms. It probably is a 4 ohm sub The best thing is to have 2 subs 4 ohms each wired together to get 2 ohms. Your amp will have enough power for this. Put the selector switch to mono if it has one. Next run a second amp to your Mids and Highs. Might even need a 3rd amp for depending on number of speakers. The above crossover will handle all that. use this link to help you wire the subs..

http://www.the12volt.com/caraudio/wo...igurations.asp

Chris

THANKS! very much Chris, I believe my current amp setup has 2 amps, one is driving the subs, the other the mids/highs, there are 4 speakers [6" 2ways] mounted in a box on the dash, they are all wired together, but, not to an amp?, and currently dont work, I tested them and it appears that the previous owner never bothered to hook them up after mounting, so, I am considering mounting a 3rd amp to drive these speakers and the 2 additional 6" 2way I would like to mount about 1/2 way up on the gunnel towards the back seat, where I see alot of owners mount them. I would continue to use my 2 current amps to drive the speakers they are already hooked up too. I have found a 3 way Kicker crossover locally, and was wondering how hard they are to hook up?, do the speakers still wire to the amps? or are they hooked to the crossover?, I assume the speakers still wire to the amps, and then you just use RCA cables for the in/out on the crossover and adjust the crossover points accordingly, but, I could be wrong, Thanks again! for all the help, and the links, they are very, very informative!

Michael

Michael you are correct. You have RCA cables comming from the Head unit to the Kicker Crossover and RCA cables going from th crossover to the amps and speaker wires from the amps to the speakers. Having so many Mids and Highs wired togeher, you migh want to check the ohm load with an ohm meeter. 2 to 4 ohms is best but 8 will also do. 1 ohm will kill your amp and 16 ohms will not pull enough power from your amp and will not be loud enough. Hope that help. he only way to get adequate sound outside the boat is with wakeboard tower mounted speakers.

Chris

OK, will do! I am not looking to get any more volume or get too crazy, just figured I might as well utilize whats there, the speakers are all mounted and wired for the most part, so, adding an amp wasn't a big deal, just didn't want to end up having a pile of work and rewiring if it wasn't worth the effort, but, I think it will be great and I appreciat the help!