3rd gen JBL amp specs

Anybody have the specific channel specs on the factory JBL amp? I have read that it's a 440 watt 8-channel amp (FL door, FR door, FL dash/tweeter, FR dash/tweeter, Center, RL (woofer and tweeter), RR (woofer and tweeter), Sub), but I can't find any detail on watts per channel.

I am about to overhaul the factory system (already replaced the head unit) by installing a new 5 channel amp and front speakers and sub, but I was going to keep the factory rear speakers. The question is do I run the rear speakers directly off the head unit or run them through the JBL amp? I know the head unit puts out 22 watts RMS (50 max), wondering what kind of power the JBL is putting out to the rear channels.

The front stage will be Hybrid Audio Unity speakers (100 W to the 6.5 woofers, 25 W to the Hybrid crossovers, then out to the dash speakers and the tweeters). I usually have the rear speakers turned down quite a bit, I like them to be just audible enough to give the cab a little presence. Any insight?

 

No input on this? I'm seeing that the stock JBL speakers and amp are 2ohm. I know the Pioneer radio can support a 2 ohm load on the rear channels if you set the rear speakers to be a sub instead, so I'm assuming that means at least the rear channels of the Pioneer internal amp are 2 ohm stable. I would only be running those 2 speakers (technically 4, but the woofers and tweeters are run together off each channel on the JBL amp) off the internal amp since the front stage will be on the JL 500/5. I guess worst case is that it may burn out the internal amp or blow the speakers - and I could always run the speakers of the JBL if the internal map dies or replace the rear speakers if they burn out.

 

Agreed, but I'm a bit of an enigma in that I do like rear fill, but just enough to give the cab a little presence. I like most of the sound coming from the front, but I never like it when the rears are completely cut off. I figure the stock rears will be just fine in this situation and keeps me from spending more $$$.

It honestly probably doesn't matter which way I go, but I;m faced with two options and my OCD won't let me just pick one.

 

I think the factory JBL speakers are adequate, the sub is definitely garbage

 

You have a link to the front speakers you are using? Your wiring seems strange. Especially since you have a crossover. High end 2 or 3 way speakers won't come with a passive crossover, and you have a dedicated channel to each of the 2 or 3 speakers per set.
But since you say you are going to run a line from the amp to a crossover, im not sure why.
If they are just normal component speakers, run all your speakers and sub off the 5 channel and call it good.
Otherwise, just run your rear speakers off the head unit. (Make sure that your head unit won't cut power to the harnesses speaker outputs if you have RCA's plugged in).

 

Yeah, I was actually pretty impressed once I installed the NEX head unit. My only gripes now are the lack of volume and punchy bass. I think the sound deadening is going to make a huge difference alone, but the real bread and butter is going to be those HAT 3-ways and the JL sub. Everything has been delivered except for the RAAM mat, can't wait to start tearing into it.

 

Agreed. When your at a concert all of the sound is in front of you. That’s the way human ears are intended to hear haha

 

It's going to be a hybrid active/passive system. The components are HAT Unity 6.5s with crossovers and I purchased a set of 3.5" mids to make it a 3-way (HAT recently introduced the Unity 2" and 3" midrange speakers, along with a 6x9). The 5-channel will be pushing 100W to the 6.5 woofers, then I'll take the 'rear' channels and have them provide the input for the crossovers, then out to the mids and tweets. This is why I need to power the rears off of the deck or factory JBL amp since I'm using the 5-channel for fronts and sub.

 

Yep, but I am also a musician and I like to be surrounded by the sound as opposed to behind it. When I'm on stage and performing, the sound is all around me.