I would like better sound up front in my 2003.5 sedan. I have an older ES Sony amp (before they "xploded"). I was thinking I could use it to power a pair of component speakers up front and leave the rears and sub alone for now (I'll get to those later). This amp will push 130W @ 4 Ohms for 2 channels. I'm eyeing some Diamond Audio 600a components as the speakers.

My questions:

1. Is this approach workable?
2. This should be plenty of juice for the DAs yes (130W)?
3. What materials will I need to accomplish?

I figure I can get it done relatively cheap and the improvement should be substantial. Speaks are $350 or less online. I want to have speakers that I won't have to replace as I stage in modifications. TIA.

Misc amp specs are:

Model XM-3546
35Wx4 Ch, 4 Ohms at 0.04% THD (12V)
50Wx4 Ch, 2 or 1 Ohm at 0.1% THD (12V)
130Wx2, 4 Ohms at 0.1% THD (14.4V)
Discrete FET Predriver Stage
Discrete Final Stage with MOSFET Audio Devices
Regulated MOSFET Power Supply
Spontaneous Twin Drive
40Hz 0 to +12dB Low Frequency EQ
50/80Hz Lo-pass Filter, 80Hz Hi-pass Filter
Fully 1 Ohm Stable
Balanced Input Circuit for Noise Isolation
Detachable End Caps Conceal Wiring
Cooling Fan with DC Brushless Motor

 

0.1% distortion is a lot. you should go with a speaker that sounds good with 35W of power...

 

I don't know if you want to go this drastic, but some custom made kick panels for housing the DAs would do wonders for front stage presence. I had some MBs in the kick panels of my mustang and it was the best sounding setup i've ever had. It does take away your foot space, but not too much.

If that is too drastic, I'd probably just do what you were thinking about. Better components and a stronger amp for the front will help the front stage image.

 

Cheap is the operative word here. Is 0.1% THD comparable to the Bose amp? I know it's not a great number but within a year I should have the "real" amp I want to flesh out the system.

The other option I was considering was just going with some of the 2 Ohm speakers in the Infinity line and run it off the existing HU. I like the sound of the DAs though. I know I'm compromising a bit on the amp but it should still be a marked improvement over the stock setup.

 

humans can not hear .1%, it is fine!!! some will disagree but on an amp that has everything else perfect you can not hear that....

Mark