Amp to drive Focal 165VB's + magic box

68cam454 · 12-13-2011, 01:31 AM

I currently already have the Kenwood 9980HD and Focal 165VB installed and it sounds just OK.........(yes the Focals really do want an amp)

I want to go ahead and get an amp to drive the focals, but it would be nice if the amp could also power the next purchase which will be a magic box with the JL 13TW5-3. Would the JL XD500/3 have enough power to drive all of it or am I better off getting an amp just for the Focals now and another amp for the sub later? I don't want to regret not have enough drive power and have to buy things twice if I can avoid it.

Any feedback from other installs?

butdamnbrian · 12-13-2011, 02:53 AM

my focal 165s were amped separately from the sub i ran, and the component speakers sounded great. i wouldn't have wanted any less power to them. i don't think you would regret two amps here.

eastwest2300 · 12-14-2011, 12:22 AM

I'd agree, I'd run an amp for the subs and an amp for the speakers. In the long run, you'll be happy with that.

bigaudiofanat · 12-14-2011, 07:37 AM

You can easily use that amp to run both the sub and the speakers. There is not reason why you should not be able to.

68cam454 · 12-14-2011, 01:39 PM

I know 2 separate amps would give me more flexibility but I was thinking I could save some space by doing it with a single 3 channel amp like the JL. I just don't know if the JL XD500/3 has enough power to drive them all. How much power are you guys putting the the Focal's and to the magic box 13"?

bigaudiofanat · 12-14-2011, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68cam454

I know 2 separate amps would give me more flexibility but I was thinking I could save some space by doing it with a single 3 channel amp like the JL. I just don't know if the JL XD500/3 has enough power to drive them all. How much power are you guys putting the the Focal's and to the magic box 13"?

Be careful some mono amps are made for subs and will only amplify those freq's.

The usual focal setup I have installed they are getting between 75-110 watts.

jaycz · 12-14-2011, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigaudiofanat

Be careful some mono amps are made for subs and will only amplify those freq's.

The usual focal setup I have installed they are getting between 75-110 watts.

The Focal XD500/3 is perfect for that application. It will drive a pair of component speaker at 75 w/rms and a subwoofer at 300w/rms.

bigaudiofanat · 12-14-2011, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaycz

The Focal XD500/3 is perfect for that application. It will drive a pair of component speaker at 75 w/rms and a subwoofer at 300w/rms.

Keep in mind though after you tune your amp you will probably be running the speakers more around 60 watts RMS. 75 is at full gain and with volume knob at full which usually has clipping.

eastwest2300 · 12-14-2011, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigaudiofanat

Keep in mind though after you tune your amp you will probably be running the speakers more around 60 watts RMS. 75 is at full gain and with volume knob at full which usually has clipping.

Yup, this is true.

12-13-2011, 01:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
68cam454 Base Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 90 Drives: GM Nismo/68 454 Cam Rep Power: 14	Amp to drive Focal 165VB's + magic box I currently already have the Kenwood 9980HD and Focal 165VB installed and it sounds just OK.........(yes the Focals really do want an amp) I want to go ahead and get an amp to drive the focals, but it would be nice if the amp could also power the next purchase which will be a magic box with the JL 13TW5-3. Would the JL XD500/3 have enough power to drive all of it or am I better off getting an amp just for the Focals now and another amp for the sub later? I don't want to regret not have enough drive power and have to buy things twice if I can avoid it. Any feedback from other installs?

12-13-2011, 02:53 AM	#2 (permalink)
butdamnbrian Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: bay area, ca Posts: 254 Drives: the ladies wild Rep Power: 14	my focal 165s were amped separately from the sub i ran, and the component speakers sounded great. i wouldn't have wanted any less power to them. i don't think you would regret two amps here. __________________ Ex-Build:Alpine W910•Focal Polyglass 165 V30 6.5" Components•Stereo Integrity BM mk. 3•Zapco DSP6-SL•Arc Audio XDi Amps•Nissan Livina Rear Camera•Axxess•Spare Retained•

12-14-2011, 12:22 AM	#3 (permalink)
eastwest2300 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: South FL Posts: 90,818 Drives: '16QX70/'21 Supra3.0 Rep Power: 2684549	I'd agree, I'd run an amp for the subs and an amp for the speakers. In the long run, you'll be happy with that. __________________ Infiniti QX70 & Toyota Supra 3.0 Premium

12-14-2011, 07:37 AM	#4 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 852	You can easily use that amp to run both the sub and the speakers. There is not reason why you should not be able to. __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Focal 165VB, need opinion	Quartermaine	Audio & Video	24	09-06-2011 09:37 PM
Focal Preloaded Sub Box?	Rhinetom	Audio & Video	0	01-22-2010 01:16 PM
FS - Focal K2P 165s (Like New)	2fast4thelaw	Misc Items for sale (No Z stuff)	4	01-13-2010 09:45 PM
FOCAL BUS 20 underseat SUB	355890	Audio & Video	4	04-26-2009 11:25 AM

12-14-2011, 01:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
68cam454 Base Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 90 Drives: GM Nismo/68 454 Cam Rep Power: 14	I know 2 separate amps would give me more flexibility but I was thinking I could save some space by doing it with a single 3 channel amp like the JL. I just don't know if the JL XD500/3 has enough power to drive them all. How much power are you guys putting the the Focal's and to the magic box 13"?