How many watts?

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Jul 24, 2002 | 10:05 PM

mcnelson

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From: Wisconsin

How many watts?

I have got Focal Utopia model 136w components in my 94' GS, how many watt 4 ch amp should I be looking for, peak, RMS,and at what ohm, etc etc? Any suggestions on which amp specifically would be great, please include info on it or a website.

Jul 29, 2002 | 05:12 PM

Percy

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From: Illinois

Many questions here...

What does Focal recommend?

How loud do you play the system?

Do you need "ultimate" in amplification or something that will get by nicely?

Percy

Jul 29, 2002 | 05:24 PM

mcnelson

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From: Wisconsin

Here is all the specs on it:

http://www.focal.tm.fr/gb/car/utopia/136w.htm

I play it pretty loud.

I am looking for something to get me by nicely. I just want it to sound good, it doesn't have to be the very best out there. i don't want to spend a fortune on it right now. I may be redoing my entire system in a couple months; I just want to get by. Thanks for your help!

Jul 29, 2002 | 05:25 PM

mcnelson

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From: Wisconsin

How do you know where to set the gain for components or a sub amp? Someone once told me how you should go about doing it, but I forget.

Jul 29, 2002 | 06:31 PM

BabaBooey

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From: New Orleans, LA

My choice:
http://shop4sound.com//store/product...834b48af214c8b

Out of curiosity, are you going to bi-amp the speakers, use the amp to power other speakers as well, or bridge the amp to 4 channels?

As for the gains, an oscilloscope can be used for precise settings, but common sense should do.

Jul 29, 2002 | 06:56 PM

mcnelson

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From: Wisconsin

Good amp and only $215, thanks! I am going to run it 4 channel. And then I have a differerent amp to power my subs.

Jul 29, 2002 | 07:18 PM

BabaBooey

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From: New Orleans, LA

"Running it 4 channel" doesn't quite answer my question, but do yourself a favor and give it a listen bridged into two channels, sending 300watts per side. I think you'd be pleased with the sound, but watch the volume though/ I know that the 165W's can take 300 a side, but not so sure about the 136's.

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Jul 29, 2002 | 08:24 PM

BabaBooey

Driver

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From: New Orleans, LA

Quote:

Originally posted by mcnelson
so if I say something stupid it is because I am not really sure exactly what I am talking about.

Neither do I according to some.

Bi-amping would be using two channels to run the midbass, and the other two to run the tweeters. This gives you more control over your sound, a plus with speakers like Focals which some find to have somewhat harsh tweeters (certainly not on par with MBQ's). You can bridge the speakers. It doesn't mess with what load the amp sees so long as each speaker is bridged to a different pair of outputs. You will however need a pair of Y splitters to do this.