Expert: Cleggsan - 7/12/2009

Question
hi i just purchased a custom box with six 6x9 kicker speakers, that im going to mount on the wakeboard tower of my boat. im gonna use a amp to run them, what size amp should i use. thanks

Answer
The rule on matching amplifiers to speakers is to make sure you know the impedance and sensitivity of the speakers you are going to use.  The impedance load on the amplifier should always be equal or greater than the impedance delivery of the amplifier. If you place a 2 ohm load on the amplifier and the amplifier is rated only for 4 ohms it would only be a short while before the amp would burn out.

Most Kicker ovals are 4 ohms.  If you are going to feed 6 speakers you need six channels of amps or 3 stereo amps or one quad amp and one stereo amp.  Or, you can parallel two speakers to give 2 ohms and use amplifiers that feed a 2 ohm load.

For wiring them up I refer you to the www.crutchfield.com wiring guide at:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-F77prSCSvMW/learn/learningcenter/car/subwoofers_wir...

Let me know if you need more guidance, but if you come back please give me the model number of the speakers so we can know their specifications - which will allow us to determine the possible connection and amplifier strategy.

Good Luck,
C