Notices
Audio, Security, & Automotive Lighting Troubleshoot wiring problems and get equipment suggestions all in one place. Now expanded to include Automotive Lighting

Help picking amp [not vague]

Thread Tools
 
Old Dec 28, 2003 | 02:14 PM
  #1  
Falkon's Avatar
Falkon
Thread Starter
still alive
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville, AL
Default Help picking amp [not vague]

I wanna spend no more than $400 on a good 4-channel amp. I want it to put out at least 80 watts RMS X 4 @ 4ohm to run Focal components [100watt RMS] and Adire midranges. 2x focal 2x adire. All I have heard about amps I've heard from my bullshitting friend who thinks his power acoustik is going to be better than an Alpine. I wanna know straight up from an experienced person what a good amp would be.

Also, can anyone tell me if the following are decent amp brands:

- Power Acoustik
- Phoenix Gold
- Eclipse
- Memphis
- Mmats
- Kove
- Alpine
- Kenwood
- Rockford
- Viper

While I'm at it, I have some imaging questions. In the car I plan to get [240sx] the Midranges won't be right behind me as they are in the Del Sol. Focals put out bright highs, but with subs all the bass will be coming from the back. Should I add tweeters back there? I plan on removing the back seats also.
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2003 | 07:20 PM
  #2  
Surfacing171's Avatar
Surfacing171
cb7 fanatic
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 927
Likes: 0
From: Gulfport MS
Default

- Power Acoustik - yes
- Phoenix Gold - yes
- Eclipse - I dunno if they make amps?
- Memphis - yes
- Mmats - yes
- Kove- agian, not sure if they make amps.
- Alpine - yea
- Kenwood - sorta
- Rockford - ehh..
- Viper - I think they have stopped production on amps, however, my friend has one and it's a bad ass little amp.

I think JL makes an amp that is right in your price range (I forget model numbers and such) it's not the 300/4 it's something eles, but a good amp none the less.
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2003 | 08:45 PM
  #3  
Falkon's Avatar
Falkon
Thread Starter
still alive
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville, AL
Default

will it put out the 85watts rms x 4 i'm looking for?
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2003 | 08:48 PM
  #4  
mitsurugi's Avatar
mitsurugi
Super Member
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Wyoming
Default

First, for the amp ratings:

- Power Acoustik-ok
- Phoenix Gold-good
- Eclipse-good
- Memphis-good
- Mmats-good but ungodly spendy
- Kove-i'd stay away from them
- Alpine-good
- Kenwood-ok, but not super
- Rockford-not a rockford fan, but they're ok
- Viper-ok if you can find them, but i'd probably get another brand

You missed some others that I would recommend:
Kicker, JL audio

While I'm at it, I have some imaging questions. In the car I plan to get [240sx] the Midranges won't be right behind me as they are in the Del Sol. Focals put out bright highs, but with subs all the bass will be coming from the back. Should I add tweeters back there? I plan on removing the back seats also.
You should probably be fine without the tweeters, but it's hard to say since I don't know exactly what the interior of a 240sx looks like. You'll have to just test it out with different configs for the best sound.

Hope this all helps:thumbup:
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2003 | 01:19 PM
  #5  
Falkon's Avatar
Falkon
Thread Starter
still alive
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville, AL
Default

Yes, that did help. I think I'm going to find a Phoenix Gold amp or maybe a JL or Kicker. I'll probably try the setup without tweeters in the rear and then add them if it REALLY needs it.
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2003 | 01:52 PM
  #6  
elimor_4's Avatar
elimor_4
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, California
Default

I would recommend you the JL. Well I don't remember the model but its the best you can find.
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2003 | 01:55 PM
  #7  
elimor_4's Avatar
elimor_4
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, California
Default

This is the JL I'm talking about.
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2003 | 03:09 PM
  #8  
rcurley55's Avatar
rcurley55
Moderator
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 774
Likes: 0
From: SF, CA
Default Re: Help picking amp [not vague]

Originally posted by Falkon
Also, can anyone tell me if the following are decent amp brands:
- Power Acoustik - crap
- Phoenix Gold - good to great
- Eclipse - ehhh
- Memphis - ehhh
- Mmats - ehhh - made great high power amps a while back
- Kove - not familiar with their lineup
- Alpine - decent
- Kenwood - decent
- Rockford - depends on lineup selected - new stuff is just so/so
- Viper - unsure of linup

While I'm at it, I have some imaging questions. In the car I plan to get [240sx] the Midranges won't be right behind me as they are in the Del Sol.


You don't want midranges behind you...probably the last place thta you want them actually. There are only a select few cars that have imaged well with midranges in the rear.

If you really want a car that images, focusing on where to put the midranges is your number one priority.

Focals put out bright highs, but with subs all the bass will be coming from the back.
If your install is done properly, the bass won't sound as if it's coming from the rear.

Should I add tweeters back there? I plan on removing the back seats also.
I absolutely wouldn't add tweeters in the rear.
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2003 | 05:02 PM
  #9  
Falkon's Avatar
Falkon
Thread Starter
still alive
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville, AL
Default

So, for best imaging where should I put the 6.5 Midbass [sorry I said midrange] 240sx has 6.5 all around. I plan on losing the back seats. I think the SE has a 6 speaker system, so I'll have a place to mount the tweeters of the Focals. What do you recomend?

I looked up some Phoenix gold amps and the Octane got my attention.

This one in fact:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...&category=4950
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2003 | 05:59 PM
  #10  
rcurley55's Avatar
rcurley55
Moderator
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 774
Likes: 0
From: SF, CA
Default

depends on how you want to run things. How bad do you really want it to image. I personally would suggest to just stick with the two way focal set and ditch the kodas.
Reply



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 01:43 AM.