I have a setup planned for a double DIN head unit, with component speakers as well as a 10" sub. If I have this right, here are my options:

1. Buy a mono amp dedicated to the 10" sub, run the 2 front components through the HU's built-in amp.
2. Buy a multichannel amp that runs the component speakers and the subwoofer through it.

What are the pros/cons to either? I appreciate the help in advance.

 

Spoke too soon.. did a search and found my answers. *sheepish*

I think i'm going to let my aftermarket power my components and use a mono for the sub.

 

Option #2 would be an overall better option.

The built-in amp sections of ALL headunits are very poor. I don't know of a single headunit that will output more than about 15 wrms in the real world, regardless of their inflated ratings (and that's being generous). They also use inferior componentry that can color or otherwise distort the sound.

Also, if you are running a sub with a 600 wrms amp and the components with a 15wrms headunit, the components will have a hard time keeping up with the sub. You could turn the gains down on the sub amp, but then you wasted money on an amp that you aren't using to it's fullest potential.

It would be like driving your Z no more than 10mph just so your g/f can keep up with you on her Schwinn.

 

Thanks Street OC. I heard it would be the other way around, however, if I choose to use a multichannel amp. Most of the realistic ones I was looking at (read: ~500 bucks) would only put out a ~200 watt RMS for the subwoofer MAX. Given my budget of only allowing myself to purchase one amp, I'd rather have my subwoofer be the "Z" than having it be the "Schwinn".

Good advice nonetheless, appreciate it.

 

http://www.edesignaudio.com/index.php?cPath=1_22

 

Are you saying you have ~$500 budgeted for amp(s)? if so, that is plenty to get 1 or 2 amps that will power the fronts as well as the sub.

 

try the Alpine PDX-5...1000w 4chnl+300w sub.