I was really hoping that putting in aftermarket dash speakers with a high sensitivity rating (93db) would alleviate the clipping I get at high volume. I kind of figured it wasn't going to work. They do sound good though. But- my question is this- how is it possible for my 4 channel x 18 watt Alpine head unit to power all 6 speakers in my car? 2 dash, 2 door, 2 rear side-panel. I don't have a separate amp for the 6 speakers, just a bridged amp driving my subwoofer. Did the shop that installed my head unit (Alpine CDA-9883) do some kind of splice-job to power 2 extra speakers, resulting in not enough power to any of them, and thus the clipping?

 

you need separate amp to power your speakers.othervise you willl be never happy with the sound...check the ALPINE PDX-5.great amp

 

I just stumbled across this thing:

http://www.amazon.com/Alpine-KTP-445.../dp/B00142H8UI

It upgrades the power to 45RMS x 4 instead of the 18RMS x 4 or whatever is feeding into my 6 speakers from the 4 channels out of my head unit. I have to say I am intrigued. I don't need much low frequency power going to the cabin speakers because of my subwoofer and the crossover control I have via my head unit. This boost may be just enough...

 

+1 on the PDX-5 - Excellent sound and enough power to fill the cabin with high quality sound. If you want to do it right - this is the way.

 

I have 6 speakers plus a subwoofer. The PDX-5 is a 5 channel amp.

 

Yes, it is... I actually have 8 cabin speakers. I combined the door and front speakers for the front channel and the rears with an extra set in my sub box for the rear channel. This is permissible as long as the final impedance is within spec for the amp. You would have to decide how you want to configure your speakers.

Before you ask - I'm not talking about the subs being combined. My sub box looks like this:

 

I don't think impedence would be a problem unless I did something really stupid since the total number of speakers being driven by one channel of a 4-channel amp would be 2. I am assuming that my dash speaker clipping is a result of 2 speakers being driven by 1 channel of my head unit. Good assumption?

I'm thinking there are 3 options.

1. 4-channel amp to drive 2 dash speakers and 2 door speakers and drive the rears straight off the head unit. Not sure I could install this myself = $$$.
2. 6-channel amp. Not sure I could install this myself = $$$.
3. Try that alpine KTP-445. Total cost = $105.

 

The PDX-5 let you wire front door and dash together with no problem...
Your speakers are underpowered and that is the reason of your problem i think.
The little alpine amp would be not enough to listen the full potential of any good aftermarket speakers.

 

I think these are clipping MORE than the factory speakers. Is this because they are 2 ohm speakers??

 

I have 4 speakers on my 996 that drives the ship, but the ship pushes many watts? Ah, if I change the 4 cases with 4 kits of 10 cm and 4 tweeters that model use?