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Replacing standard Audi amplifier but using Audi factory wiring?

Discussion in 'Car Stereo Amplifiers' started by STEREO STU, Feb 19, 2012.

  1. STEREO STU

    STEREO STU Full Member

    If I want to replace the standard small amp in the rear of my 1998 A4 whats the biggest amp I can fit if I want to keep the Audi wiring?

    As standard, the cars head unit powers the front door speakers and a low level signal is carried to the rear where a very small amp is attached to one of the rear speakers to power them both (they are 17cm).

    I have recently replaced the standard head unit (rated at 2x25watts apparently) with an Alpine unit purporting to deliver 4x45 watts max. I would suspect this is closer to 4x20 watts RMS continuous??).

    The problem is the front speakers are considerably louder now than the rears. If I adjust the balance to the rear then the limitations of the standard amp shows up as they sound rubbish.

    One option is to run cable to the rear and power them direct from the head unit. I ran a feed through and ran a speaker direct from the rear channel of the head unit and it sounded much better. The other option is to upgrade the amp?

    I dont want to run new power or speaker cables etc to the rear for choice, I simply want to tap into whatever wiring Audi have already fitted ie their earth, remote on and power cable that must be there for the standard amp to work?

    If I am looking to replace it with something screwed to the underside of the rear shelf to simply bring the rear speakers up to a similar volume and quality as my Alpine head unit, then the amp I am looking at shouldnt take much more power than a standard head unit.

    So would something like the retro Alpine 3501 (2x25watts) or Pioneer GM 4 (2x20watts) run from the standard wiring safely and give me the extra power and clarity I would like to match the front?

    At present I am using the factory speakers but once the amp is in then the front and rears are being upgraded.

    For what I want in the car, I doubt I will upgrade the system any further.

    This is the Pioneer:
    thedjfou_1141588482_2945.jpg

    This is the Alpine:
    http://image.nengun.com/used/original/nengun-156882-00-alpine-2ch_amplifier_3501.jpg


    Stu
     
    STEREO STU, Feb 19, 2012
    #1
  2. pedro quiroga

    pedro quiroga Well-Known Member

    if the rear speakers sound better being powered from the head unit then why do you still want or need the factory amp hooked to them? also the front speakers should be louder than the rear. thats where the sound matters. your ears point forward not backwards.

    if it were me. i would upgrade the front speakers and leave the rears stock, all running off of the head unit. no muss or fuss with the factory amp.
     
    pedro quiroga, Feb 26, 2012
    #2