Question about small amp hook up, need help!!!

[edmel89]

Ok I know enough about amps, and hook ups, I have a small 4 channel JBL amp, it pushes 18 watts rms @ 4ohms x 4, it already has a small power, ground, and remote wires coming out of it, like a head unit, I dont need the run its power from the batery directly do I like a normal amp? I can hook it up like a regular amp right? and wat kind of fuse should I use? 20A? or more? or less?

Also, the small amp is going to power my door speakers, should I just run the speakers to the radio instead? seeing how the amp isnt going to be doing alot?

[Notladstyle]

your jbl amp probably draws around 10 amps so you can probably get away with a smaller gauge wire - I would still run it to the battery though, especially if you drive a honda since its so easy to route the wire.

[d.a_user]

i would run it to the battery but thats just me i mean u dont have to because ur cd player will push that small of a amp but better to run it all the way

[edmel89]

ok so more then likely I'll run it all the way, but is that small of an amp going to sound better then the head unit? also would I place the fuse close to the bat. like a normal amp?

[Notladstyle]

most any properly installed amp will sound better than the headunit for a number of reasons:

- better power supply
- headunit manufacturers tend to stretch the numbers on the rated output. You are almost certainly going to get more power from a separate amp.
- typically better noise separation
- Since the amplifier doesnt have a CD motor servo and an FM signal amplifier in close proximity to it, there is less noise introduced into it. Of course, if you use crappy RCAs it defeats the purpose.

[edmel89]

So do I place the Fuse close to the batt. like a normal amp? And I'm running with Kicker, and Monster RCA cables, thats good right?

One more thing wheres a good place to set the negative? I dont want to hear any spining sound from the alternator when Im driving you know.