Amp Advice for MM

HurricaneBob

I'm installing Polk MM 6510's (front) and 651's (rear) in an 09 Jeep Wrangler and am looking for a 4 channel amp that will provide enough power to the speakers. I'm currently running the stock head unit, but that will be switched out at some point in the future. Also, I plan on adding a sub down the road. Any recommendations are appreciated.

Thanks!

Edit: I'm also looking for something that can withstand getting wet as I've been rained on with my top down on multiple occasions.

pentoncm

You could try one of these, both of these companies make really good amps with a good bang for your buck. Neither should have heating issues.

(1) Boston Acoustics GT 475 ($250) 75W x 4
(2) JL Audio JX360/4 ($250) 70W x 4

MacLeod

JL Audio JX 360/4 -- $250
Alpine F300 -- $200
MTX RT604 -- $250

The JL would be my favorite. Their JX line is very nice and comes in at a pretty good price.

HurricaneBob

I really appreciate the quick responses! I like the Boston Acoustic mentioned above, and the JL seems like a popular option.

What about this Alpine PDX? I like it because it is built for the marine environment - I took my Jeep offroad today and the cabin flooded.

Also, I was at Best Buy the other day, and I noticed that this Polk PA 660 actually said "Marine Certified" on the box. Anyone know anything about either the Alipine PDX or the Polk?


Thanks!

MacLeod

I don't know about the Alpine but yes the Polks are marine certified and can be used on a boat so they'd work. Now you gotta realize that no amp will survive under water. Marine certified means it can handle some water getting on it but that doesn't mean it can be submerged.

pentoncm

Alpine is a really good brand. Pdx is a full range class D amp. Although tonality is the same with these amps, there is a downside that they introduce distortion at high frequencies. Alpine PDX and JL audio HD amps are very good full range class D amps if you want to go that way. I'm sure the Polk would do good as well.

Honestly, as long as you get one from a good brand you will be fine. Unless you are planning to add a processor and tune the crap out of your system with high end components then I would just focus on features you want (like marine certified). If you don't have a good EQ its all going to sound the same anyway.

HurricaneBob

MacLeod wrote: »

I don't know about the Alpine but yes the Polks are marine certified and can be used on a boat so they'd work. Now you gotta realize that no amp will survive under water. Marine certified means it can handle some water getting on it but that doesn't mean it can be submerged.

I'm thinking of installing it under the steering column where the factory one would have been, so if that does get submerged, I have bigger issues. I went down to my hood line today and only got a small amount of water on the floor.

HurricaneBob

pentoncm wrote: »

Alpine is a really good brand. Pdx is a full range class D amp. Although tonality is the same with these amps, there is a downside that they introduce distortion at high frequencies. Alpine PDX and JL audio HD amps are very good full range class D amps if you want to go that way. I'm sure the Polk would do good as well.

Honestly, as long as you get one from a good brand you will be fine. Unless you are planning to add a processor and tune the crap out of your system with high end components then I would just focus on features you want (like marine certified). If you don't have a good EQ its all going to sound the same anyway.

Appreciate the advice. Would you recommend not going with a Class D since it will only be running the mids and highs? Also, should I look for any certain power output, or do you think they'd all be more or less the same?

MacLeod

There is absolutely nothing wrong with class D amps. They make no more distortion than their class AB counterparts. Don't worry about that at all. They're beneficial because they're more efficient and are usually much smaller than a comparable AB.

If you're routinely dunking your ride into water, I'd get something cheap at your local flea market. Not worth spending that much on something that can get damaged easily. I'd definitely not get something as pricey and nice as a PDX if you're going to be muddin' with it.

Also, a 4 channel amp is going to be pretty good size so you're not going to be able to install it down around the steering column I don't think. There probably wont be enough room.

HurricaneBob

I appreciate the advice. I don't know much about this, so everything is helpful.

I'm not too concerned about water destroying the amp - if my cabin gets flooded, a fried amp will be the least of my concerns - I was just thinking it's probably better to get a marine certified amp if some water splashes on it.

As far as power goes, I'm guess the more power the better, but is there a minimum power output I should be looking for? According to Crutchfield, the RMS power range on the MM 6501's is 25 - 125. Should I be looking for an amp that's in that range?

MacLeod

I wouldnt want anything less than 50 watts per channel. 50-100 would be fine. Probably not gonna find a 4 channel over 100 anyway that doesnt cost $600+.

HurricaneBob

Thanks. Would you say the higher I can get in that range the better?

MacLeod

Absolutely. Its always best to get as much power as you can afford.

HurricaneBob

Appreciate the advice! I'll let you know what I end up getting.

HurricaneBob

I found this Polk for $200... it looks like it's got enough power. Like it's worth installing?

MacLeod

Ive got one of those. Very powerful and nice. Big as hell though. Make sure you take some measurements and make sure it will fit where you think you want to mount it cause its one big dude!

HurricaneBob

Yeah. That thing is a monster - I'm trying to figure out where I'd put it. Seems like a great amp for the money though.

HurricaneBob

Any thoughts on this amp from Precision Power?

Vital

HurricaneBob wrote: »

Any thoughts on this amp from Precision Power?

Some (me included) believe that this amp is same as Polk's D4000.4
If you compare them size by size given all the details i'm sure you can see all the similarities. D4000.4 isn't out yet so we can't compare guts (internals of both amps) but i bet they are the same.

And with that - yes, it is a good amp. Either you want to buy PPI now or wait for a month or 2 for Polk to release D4000.4 i'm sure u'll get same results.

And was actually going to suggest these 2 since they are small in size (full range class D), have a lot of power, do not cost an arm and a leg and are capable of being fully active - something that sets them apart from most (if not all) amps in that price and power range.

HurricaneBob

I appreciate the input.

I pulled the trigger on that PPI and also got an AudioControl LCQ1 so that I can keep my stock head unit.

Vital

Can u post some pics of PPI when u get it? Pics of guts maybe?
Also if you don't mind I would def like to hear your feedback on that amp when it's installed.

HurricaneBob

Will do. Amp should be arriving tomorrow. :cheesygrin:

HurricaneBob

As promised...

HurricaneBob

I got this wiring kit to install the amp... it says it's only for 500 watts, but it's 4 gauge wire.

Should this wiring kit be sufficient or should I go with something else?

Vital

Thank you for gut pic, now we need to wait for Polk to finally come out with D4000.4 so we could see if guts are same, outside and specs should do look the same to me.

As for wiring kit - can you post a link to exactly the one you got? There's a lot of garbage wires out there...

HurricaneBob

No worries. The outside of the Polk does look very similar to the PPI.

I thought I did link the kit... it's the Monster 500w kit.