Help..Alpine amp with Momo

jamaicanj

I am checking to see if the Alpine MRP-F250 4/3/2 channel power amp has sufficient power for a pair of Polk MMC6500 components as well as a pair of Polk MMC650.

The specs on the amp:

RMS Power (at 14.4V THD+N, 20Hz-20kHz)
Per channel into 4 ohms: 40W x 4 (0.08% THD)
Per channel into 2 ohms: 50W x 4
Brigded 4 ohms: 180W x 2

The Alpine amp link: http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=MRP-F250

The MMC6500 link: http://www.polkaudio.com/caraudio/specs/mmc6500/

The MMC650 link: http://www.polkaudio.com/caraudio/products/mmc650/

Any help would be appreciated

Greg Peters

jamaicanj wrote: »

I am checking to see if the Alpine MRP-F250 4/3/2 channel power amp has sufficient power for a pair of Polk MMC6500 components as well as a pair of Polk MMC650.

The specs on the amp:

RMS Power (at 14.4V THD+N, 20Hz-20kHz)
Per channel into 4 ohms: 40W x 4 (0.08% THD)
Per channel into 2 ohms: 50W x 4
Brigded 4 ohms: 180W x 2

The Alpine amp link: http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=MRP-F250

The MMC6500 link: http://www.polkaudio.com/caraudio/specs/mmc6500/

The MMC650 link: http://www.polkaudio.com/caraudio/products/mmc650/

Any help would be appreciated

Do you have the amp already?

If not, the Momos could do with more power than that can put out...I'd look at at least 75X4 watts up to 100 watts RMS for best results.


If you do have that amp already, it'll work, but the MMC series aren't as efficient as some of the cheaper models- you'd need more than 40 or 50 watts to really get some output from them. The MMC6500 are rated for 125 watts RMS, while the MMC650 are rated for 80 watts RMS. More power would be best for optimum results.

jamaicanj

Greg Peters wrote: »

Do you have the amp already?

If not, the Momos could do with more power than that can put out...I'd look at at least 75X4 watts up to 100 watts RMS for best results.


If you do have that amp already, it'll work, but the MMC series aren't as efficient as some of the cheaper models- you'd need more than 40 or 50 watts to really get some output from them. The MMC6500 are rated for 125 watts RMS, while the MMC650 are rated for 80 watts RMS. More power would be best for optimum results.

Yes, I have the amp already...and I am not quite satisfied so I figured that I was not getting enough power to the speakers. I am a newbie, so I have to defer to the more knowledgeable folks here on the forum. Sounds like I may need to get the amp upgraded.

If anyone else has an opinion one way or the other, kindly share.

Thanks again...much appreciated.

JoshParsons84

http://www.polkaudio.com/caraudio/specs/c400_4/

http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/products/product_details.asp?cat_id=2&series_id=104&family_id=107&item_id=107997&locale=en_US&p_status=

http://www.kicker.com/06/kicker_home.html

JoshParsons84

I would probably go with the Rockford Fosgate though. I think that's what I'm gonna go with when I hook my system up.

Jack from Indo

Why do you need two sets of speakers? For the rear? I'm surprised at all my friends who seem to think rear speakers make a better sound. Is that you too?

If you don't need them for passengers, bridge the amp just for the fronts and be happy. It'll sound way better. Honest. Rear speakers are a cheap, pathetic substitute for a well imaged and tuned front stage. Apologies if that is not your situation.

JoshParsons84

He's right you know. If you dont have a lot of people ride with you then they're a waste of money. Invest it elsewhere. All rear speakers do is throw your whole sound off. Think about it...you're sitting up front in the driver seat right? Well why do you need speakers in the back where you're not sitting? Get some nice components up front, make sure you're deck is good enough to be able to tune in your speakers real good and there you go. That's all you need for a good system. The ONLY reason I'm putting some speakers in my rear is because I have my wife and kids ride with me all the time. But when I'm by myself they will be pretty much turned off, or at least so low that I wont be able to hear them.

jamaicanj

I have purchased and installed the speakers already...with the components in the front. Its a 350z so the rear speakers are right behind my head/shoulder so I can hear them just fine as its not a big family car.

I am going to trade up my amp then for a bigger alpine amp possibly the alpine MRP-F450. Do you guys/gals think that will be enough power?

Here is the link for the MRP-F450: http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=MRP-F450

audiobliss

If you're putting a system in such a small car as the 350Z, then you've got an even weaker argument for putting in rear speakers.

The whole idea is that just front speakers will create a more accurate, precise recreation of the music. Rear speakers will provide 'rear fill', thus muddling the imaging and soundstage created from the front speakers.

As to which you prefer (accurate reproduction or surrounding sound) is totally up to you. It's all personal preference.

However, when you're dealing with an area as small as the interior of a 350Z, there's not much gained by having rear speakers for that rear fill effect. In my personal opinion, money would be much better spent on something else besides rear speakers in this application.

But, like I said, it's up to you; if you like it, awesome.


That Alpine MRP-F450 would do a great job of powering those MMC6500. However, it's not enough to power both your components AND your rear speakers. You're going to need a six-channel amp, a four-channel amp and a two-channel amp, or a monster four-channel amp, in which case the rear channels would be, effectively, wasted on the rear speakers.

jamaicanj

audiobliss wrote: »

If you're putting a system in such a small car as the 350Z, then you've got an even weaker argument for putting in rear speakers.

The whole idea is that just front speakers will create a more accurate, precise recreation of the music. Rear speakers will provide 'rear fill', thus muddling the imaging and soundstage created from the front speakers.

As to which you prefer (accurate reproduction or surrounding sound) is totally up to you. It's all personal preference.

However, when you're dealing with an area as small as the interior of a 350Z, there's not much gained by having rear speakers for that rear fill effect. In my personal opinion, money would be much better spent on something else besides rear speakers in this application.

But, like I said, it's up to you; if you like it, awesome.


That Alpine MRP-F450 would do a great job of powering those MMC6500. However, it's not enough to power both your components AND your rear speakers. You're going to need a six-channel amp, a four-channel amp and a two-channel amp, or a monster four-channel amp, in which case the rear channels would be, effectively, wasted on the rear speakers.

Right now I have the MRP-F250 installed and running the 2 pairs of speakers. I was not all that thrilled and figured it was a power issue. I was of course hoping that the MRP-F450 being the next one up would be enough to power the 2 pairs...but you don't think that will be enough.

jamaicanj

Ok, so it sounds like my current Alpine MRP-F250 4/3/2 channel power amp does not have sufficient power for a pair of Polk MMC6500 components as well as a pair of Polk MMC650.

So the next amps up the food chain from Alpine are listed below.

Do you all think that the F450 will be sufficient??

Here is the link for the MRP-F450: http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/prod...model=MRP-F450

Here is the link for the MRP-F550: http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=MRP-F550

Thanks again

audiobliss

Perhaps I came on a little strong with my opinions on the MRP-F450. It will definitely drive your current setup; I mean, the one you have now will. The only question is will it drive them satisfactorily? And that, ultimately, is a question only you can answer.

However, it is possible that you would be satisfied with the MRP-F450. That'd be 70watts per mid/tweeter combo. I'm personally running 140watts per mid/tweeter combo (70 to the tweeter, 70 to the mid). While that's more than necessary, I would really look for more than 35 each (70 per combo), especially since you're buying another amp anyways.

The MRP-F550 would drive your speakers MUCH better. Being perfectly honest, I'd still want a bit more power per tweeter/mid combo than 90watts (as they are rated for 125watts), but 90's getting closer. You might would be perfectly happy with 90watts, especially if you're not a very critical listener and don't listen at loud volumes.

Just another thought. Why are you set on Alpine? I don't have any other amplifiers in particular in mind that would do better, I'm just curious.

jamaicanj

audiobliss wrote: »

Perhaps I came on a little strong with my opinions on the MRP-F450. It will definitely drive your current setup; I mean, the one you have now will. The only question is will it drive them satisfactorily? And that, ultimately, is a question only you can answer.

However, it is possible that you would be satisfied with the MRP-F450. That'd be 70watts per mid/tweeter combo. I'm personally running 140watts per mid/tweeter combo (70 to the tweeter, 70 to the mid). While that's more than necessary, I would really look for more than 35 each (70 per combo), especially since you're buying another amp anyways.

The MRP-F550 would drive your speakers MUCH better. Being perfectly honest, I'd still want a bit more power per tweeter/mid combo than 90watts (as they are rated for 125watts), but 90's getting closer. You might would be perfectly happy with 90watts, especially if you're not a very critical listener and don't listen at loud volumes.

Just another thought. Why are you set on Alpine? I don't have any other amplifiers in particular in mind that would do better, I'm just curious.

Strong opinions are fine and are welcomed as well. You have more experience than I so I"ll take constructive comments in all forms.

I am stuck on Alpine as I have had Alpine amps and HU's over the years and the brand loyalty is kicking in. It was hard enough pulling away from buying the alpine speakers to buying the Polk speakers...but the install guy insisted that the Polk were far better than the Alpine. He even said that I would like the Polks more than the JL audio speakers.

audiobliss

Smart install guy. Glad he steered ya right.

And there's nothing wrong with Alpine's amps. Good stuff.

Greg Peters

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=2460
Alpine MRV-F545 - Alpine 4 Ch. 500 Watt Amplifier



On clearance- get 'em before they're gone.

jamaicanj

Any further input? Opinions?

Doobie2

I am running an Alpine PDX4.150 to my SR's and Momo's. I was not happy with the Alpine 450, mo bettah at 150 each. I like the clarity at modest power with the increased amperage.

Doobie2

Just to clarify, it was the Alpine MRP-F450 (70 Watts per ch) that I was not really happy with, although it was ok with the momos, not the SR's. I was worried that 150 per channel was too much, but it is perfect for my system, the PDX amp is so small too!

jamaicanj

Anyone else care to share or advise??

jamaicanj

Feel free to share