Zed Audio Amps

adcom565

Anyone try the Zed Audio Amps- Do they sound like the Old Hifonics Series 7 or 8. What other brands are know for good sound these days. I have not been following the car audio since 1993-94 or so. It seems like the wattage ratings are way high these days and I have heard amp wth 500 - 1000 watts and it does not appear to be much louder then the old Hifonics Thors- at 125watts. Back then if you got 200 or a 300 Watt Zeus it pounded real lound and you could get by with a Rockford 75HD with 37.5 watts a channel. It appears that the brands I loved Hifonics, PPI, Rockford Punch, Soundstream are now made cheap or oversees. What brands are left that are good quality and made in the USA. I want to find an amp that pounds but with equal clarity and sound ($500 or less). I am thinking of buying something used that was built in the late 80's and early 90's, since I know what brands were good back then. There must be good brands today without spending a ton of money. Thanks for your help.

neomagus00

usamps is probably pretty good... far as wattage ratings, dunno about how such things were measured a decade ago, but today power is cheap, so speakers are inefficient (intentionally, usually), and power is quoted as peak values

killerb

zed will always be zed. quality, quality, quality! i would put those amps up against anything out there.

audiobliss

USAmps, ARC Audio, Zapco are all really nice amps.

adcom565

Is there any reviews on the new Zed Audio amps, are they available in stores or online. Would it sound like a old Series 7 or 8 Hifonics. Someone told me that Crossfire, Eclipse and Diamond Audio was good also. Does Zed make better stuff today then in the past. For example the Zeus Series 7 and 8 were 300watt/channel 2 channel. The Duece 200 Watt/ channel. Or maybe I should get the 4 channel 70watt/4. Any other options. (I would like something at a low cost but good sound). Also in the past I always had a Head Unit (aftermarket) but now I have the Acura CD and 6 disc trunck and my don't want put an aftermarket- I can't get a straight answer from the local stereo shop- if I use one of the low level line converter from the speaker wires do I lose sound. One place said it should not matter and another place said you would loose sound vs. pre-outs. Wondering if I am wasting my time on getting a high quality amp without pre-outs. Or will it work fine and I will get the sound I expect.

1996blackmax

Car Audio and Electronics just reviewed Zed Audio's Gladius amplifier. They had nothing but good things to say about it, and acutally called it a reference 2ch amp.

http://zedaudio.com/products.html


Pictures:

http://zedaudio.com/Photographs/Gladius-pics.htm

PoweredByDodge

who the hell is Zed audio?

killerb

PoweredByDodge wrote: »

who the hell is Zed audio?

WHAT?:eek:

1996blackmax

I really hope he is joking..... if not he has a good amount of learning to do

audiobliss

I've personally never heard of Zed Audio before. But I'm sure that doesn't surprise anyone.

Meeks32

Well Zed audio used to only be a build house for more well known brands like hifonics & zapco right? I can see how someone might not know who they are, like when people like Eclipse subs but may not know who TC sounds are.

killerb

zed is THE name in car audio amps. eclipse subs? not even close.

PoweredByDodge

if they were a build house, then that's not really anything to warrant credibility -- designers warranty credibility.

however, if they've put together their own product that is 'excellent', then, by all means, give credit where credit is due... but i still don't know who they are.

1996blackmax

a little reading....

http://zedaudio.com/aboutus.html

PoweredByDodge

holy ****

.... ya i'd say he's got a helluva resume.

neomagus00

but terrible grammar...

1996blackmax

it's ok.....grammar is not the end product of an amp

killerb

not only is he a great amp designer, but he is one hell of a nice guy. he is really down to earth.

1996blackmax

I have actually emailed him before and he got back to me very quickly with an answer.

exalted512

I used to have some old US Acoustics amps that were made by Zed...cool stuff, just not enough power for my liking.
-Cody

icky4

ZED=Good stuff!

SQDuallie

Meeks32 wrote: »

Well Zed audio used to only be a build house for more well known brands like hifonics & zapco right? I can see how someone might not know who they are, like when people like Eclipse subs but may not know who TC sounds are.

Whats the deal with this TC Sounds, and is there a link between them and Eclipse. I was just checkin out the TC site. Those subs look really good, and alot like an Eclipse sub. I been an Eclipse fan for years..As well as Zed Audio. I have a stack of about 8 different HiFonics GenX amps at home. But I never heard of this TC Sounds

Meeks32

I know TC sounds makes some models of eclipse subs & the motor technology they use is patent by TC sounds, like the lms motor in the 8000 series. I dont know if they make some of the low end models now, but the old eclipse Ti & Ti pro's were built by TC sounds & use their 3hp & 4hp motors. TC sounds is awesome & if you have the money & want probably the best driver out there or one of the best then look at the LMS-5400.

neomagus00

if i recall correctly, TC also builds at least some of the drivers for SVS, which is an excellent home subwoofer company... good stuff, them...

Meeks32

They did build the drivers in the plus & ultra models, but SVS has recently moved driver building "in house" & now designs there own.

SQDuallie

Thanks guys. Thats interesting info. Im gettin ready to redo the system in one of my trucks. Im gonna consider the TC subs. Where is the best place to purchase them. I asume from their website. I nomally run Eclipse, and was planning on using the 8000 series. I was also plannin on running the Zed Audio amps as well. EVerything else was gonna be Eclipse minus the wires and sort

1996blackmax

Couple places....

http://tcsounds.com/

http://soundsplinter.com/