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Ok...I have a newbie question that searching hasn't helped out on yet. I plan on installing a pretty typical system that includes a new head unit, components in the front, coaxials in the back, two amps (each of which have 2 channels......yeah, you're probably wondering why i didn't just get one 4 channel amp....it's b/c the amps were presents...in other words, they were free!!), and a self-powered sub (infinity basslink).

My question is, how do I use the headunit's internal amp (it claims to put out 4 x 20rms) to help power the Front Speakers Only? What i mean is, on top of the power coming from the amps, I want to use the headunit's power to add 40 watts to each of the front speakers, instead of 20 watts to all 4 speakers. Is that possible? If so, how do I set it up? Are there any disadvantages or problems with doing this?

Incidentally, I have an Alpine 9815 headunit, 2 alpine 2-channel amps, and diamond audio 6.5" components up front (hex s600s).

Any advice would be of great help! Thanks!!

 
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First off you can't add HU and external amplifier power together. You'll cook all your stuff. It isn't made for that.

Second, most any amp will be way better than the HU power because the power outputs aren't really comparable. Everyone looks at watts, but if you analize the other numbers along w/ the watts you will notice that the HU can't even come close to outputting clean power like an external amp does.

Typical HU Specs:
40x4 watts
1.0% THD
50Hz - 20kHz (+1 / -3 db)

Typical AMp Specs:
40x4 watts
0.05% THD
20Hz - 20kHz (+0 / -1 db)

If you made the HU work over the same bandwidth with the same THD cuttoff, then they would be on an equal playing field, and your HU is likely to put out 10 true watts if that. There is no comparison.

BTW, those speakers on the Alpine amp should sound really really great. Nice amp and speakers. I have Diamond M6 components in my car and all Alpine amps in my truck (T220 and M350). Both perform really well. In my truck I have the T220 running a set of JL XR's and they are so sweet.

If it were me, I'd power the components off one amp, run the rears off deck power, and use the other amp to power a single 10" or 12" sub. Something like a Shiva would work well without tons of power.

 
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can the HU be used to power tweeters?

 
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^^^ yes. tweets are small speakers so they don't take as much power to get going usually.