1. Difference between 2 way and 3 way speaker
2. Difference between 2/3/4/5 channel amps
3. What is an output (from the deck) and the reasoning/effects of having x amount
4. Wiring issues when installing components - Plan: a) not sure whether to consider 3 10's or 2 12's but leaning towards 2 12's because of price. b) not knowing much, i assume i'd new aftermarket speakers / amps to go along with subwoofers, or i'd blow the speakers? c) me and my father, who has background in carpentry, are considering doing a custom enclosure on our own, so it'd look nice, but we're not experienced at all with wiring, and audio knowledge in general, is it better to pay for labor, and if so, approximate cost?
5. When considering type of subs, what aspects should I be looking for? Watt amount, coil, ?
6. What should i be considering for battery power to power a system.



Thanks ahead of the time, don't hate on the newb.

 

the difference between a 2 way and a three way is the number of cones on a speaker. for example, a 2 way speaker will have the woofer, and a tweeter in the middle. a three way will have a woofer, a tweeter, and usually a tiny little micro tweeter. IMO three way speakers are entirely useless as the tweeters don't have quality crossovers for them. your best bet is to avoid getting any two or three way speakers and get what is called a component set. speakers like this come with a woofer (no tweeter in the middle at all) and then they come with a tweeter and a crossver as a seperate. the tweeters can be mounted virtually anywhere.


number of channels is basically how many speakers you can hook up to it. now that is only a baseline, because you can hook more then one speaker up to a channel but you need to account for impeadance of the speakers (or the Ohm level each speaker has). typically a 4 channel amp you would hook up all your smaller interior speakers to. one speaker per channel. they should all be 4 ohm speakers.
1 channel or mono amp is used for subwoofers. there is only one output on it and they are much higher output (more power) typically. these amps are usually better running at 2 ohm, which means you should get two 4 ohm speakers or one dual voice coil sub, and run it off that channel.
a two channel amp is half of a 4 channel.
a five channel is a 4 channel with a mono built into it.
3 channel amps typically just mean it is a 4 channel amp with two of the channels "bridged" thus making only 3 channels

the output of the deck is the exact same thing you will read from am amp. it is jus the power output to speakers connected to it. these outputs are only used if your not going to use a 4 channel amp to power the midrange and high range speakers. i would say 90% or more of people use these oututs. the alternative is to find a deck with "preouts" to run to an amp. these are lower voltage signals that an amp can amplify and run your speakers with. if your going to run a 4 or 5 channel amp (or two amps) look for a deck with 2 or 3 sets of preouts. if your not going to use amps, look for a deck with higher power output. higher end alpines have 60W peak output per channel. there are a few other brands that can match that, but i am just partial to alpine.

a) i would go with 2 12's over 3 10's. and personally i shoot for sound quality (and balance) and only use a single dual voice coil 12. if your just looking for pure volume then go with the 12's/ wiring 3 10's can be a PITA because you will need either a high current amp, or odd impeadance subs which can be hard to find. that or your you can use normal impeadance subs and a regular amp and just not get the power output the amps were rated at (because you will have to much impeadance after the wiring is done)
b) you will not blow the speakers by adding a subwoofer. you will blow the factory speakers but running an amp to them. however i would replace the factory speakers if your going to change the deck, or add anything for that matter.
c) the boxes you buy prefabed are overpriced. if your dad is a carpenter make your own box. you can get sub specific dimensions in the owners manual, and unless your planning on doing a totally custom install, just follow those dimensions.

an amp/sub install is 65 dollars at circuit city. i think 75 at best buy, and any customshop will be in that range as well. it is easy as hell if you have done it a few times, but a first timer might want to watch someone do it first. expect to pay about 130 dollars on wires if your getting a decent amp. any reputable shop will let you watch them install the amp. if not, don't trust them and go elsewhere (trust me... VERY important that you watch them... at least for the sake of your car cause **** can happen and it is nice to see them do it before you get home and realize there is a 2 inch gash on the side of your car because of them. and unless you note it at pickup they are not going to be liable for it).

any other questions?

 

kevin couldnt have put it ne better, a sub box is very easy to make just to some searches on the internet and there are all kinds of how tos. the wiring is very easy it does help if u have somebody around who has done it before, u just have to do it once and its no problem after that. lastly if ur just gonna run a decent sub and amped speakers then ur battery should be fine may wanna consider an optima red top, or a cap for the the sub. Unless ur runnin somthin insane u shouldnt need a second battery.

 

oh missed the last two....


5) subs are more of a personal preference at most peoples price range. every brand is going to have a compareable sub to a different brand. look for something that can handle a decent amount of power (typically 250+ RMS power... ranging from 500-1500 watts peak is a good sub, and will be in the affordable price range). your subs will decide what kind of amp to get, so buy both according to what you want your system to be. don't buy something because it is cheap, and then go back later and decide you want 2 subs instead of one, or the sub you got can't handle the power the amp your getting has.

6) don't worry about the battery unless your getting really big amps. if your running more then 500 watts RMS then start with a cap. if your going bigger yet try a yellow top optima battery.