Here's the deal: I can't hear the radio in the 'vert with the top down... Exhaust is too loud.

I bought a set of components, and want to install a sub under the storage cover. So, figure I need 3 channels: Left front, right front, subwoofer. Should I do one amp for the components and one for the sub, or should I just get a 4 channel amp and bridge the 3rd and 4th channels for the sub?

 

That depends on the power needed for the sub. You can get a Kicker 5-ch relatively cheap. Bridge it to a 3-ch and have plenty of power for quality seperates in front. You won't need rear speakers. That's youyr best bet if you can fit the amp.

You can run a small 2-ch for the fronts and match a mono amp for the sub but you will need either two power cables or a thicker one then split to the amps. You will need two grounds and seperate sets of RCA cables or one to the front channel then a mini to the sub if the front amp has an output.

So first figure out what min RMS power you need for the fronts then figure out which sub you want since box size and location will be a factor. Once you've figured out the sub size then determine min RMX power and that will tell you if you can do multi channel or not. Don't look at dual voice coils for a multi ch amp.

 

No need for a five channel. If your just going fronts and a sub, use a 4 channel with a sub filter. You should be able to find a unit that could give you 150-200 wts bridged for your sub (good for an 8 or maybe 10).

 

yeah, it just depends what you want. I run a 4 channel amp to my fronts and my backs. and i have a 2 channel power acoustics amp (bridged) powering my sub). I have to run a lightnig cap/capaciter to power my amps and save my battery. The sound is worth it though.