Amplifier Choices

djzubah
djzubah Posts: 17
edited March 2009 in Car Audio & Electronics
So, i posted a thread about two weeks ago on choosing a 4 channel amplifier for my MM571 and MM651, however I've gotten an SR12DVC (which is wired at 2 ohms), since then.

So now my issue is choosing between these two set ups:
  • one 4 channel amplifer + one 1 channel amplifier
  • one 5 channel amplifier

if i went with the 4 channel and 1 channel set up i would probably get the KAC-X40 (100 Watts x4 @ 2 Ohms RMS) and KAC-9104d (900 watts x 1 at 2 ohms RMS)

ofcourse for the 5 channel amplifier ive been considering the: PA 1100.5 (125 watts x 4 @ 2 ohm RMS and 600 watts x 1 @ 1 ohm)

so all in all, i dont know whether or not to sacrifice sound quality, if i am, for an easier install of one amp. Or, if i would get better performance from two separate amps

Thank you in advance for any input
Post edited by djzubah on
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Comments

  • MacLeod
    MacLeod Posts: 14,358
    edited March 2009
    5 channel amps work best when space and money is a concern. Kicker makes a great 4 channel that has 70x4 and 400x1 I believe for around $500.

    However if money and space constraints arent a concern, youre better off with dedicated amps simply because you can get a lot more power.
    polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
    MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
    08 Car Audio Nationals 1st ~ 07 N Georgia Nationals 1st ~ 06 Carl Casper Nationals 1st ~ USACi 05 Southeast AutumnFest 1st

    polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D
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  • cadenceclipse
    cadenceclipse Posts: 459
    edited March 2009
    kac those r kenwoods right. whats up with the 2 ohm specs. your running coaxials 4 ohm right. i'd say go with the polk except don't think sub channel will cut it. 2 ohms thats what 300? don't think so...maybe u consider buying nice sub amp now, nice 4 channel later. why kenwood? cheap?
    Polk MM6501 kick panels, Eclipse cd7200mkll and SW9122 Bomb Box, Cadence A4, A7, CAP5, JL8W3V3
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  • djzubah
    djzubah Posts: 17
    edited March 2009
    to MacLeod: i really want to get alot out of my sub, and i wasnt sure if 400 watts would be good enough. But if you say so then im willing to consider that amount of power.

    to cadenceclipse: kenwood isnt so bad :P i have one of their head units and i had tried a panasonic before that and i really like the kenwood interface. i also like how they are an old brand so i kinda feel like i can trust them. and the specs on the MMs are 2.7 ohm so i round down hahaha.

    you two gave me completely different answers so im still lost
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  • MacLeod
    MacLeod Posts: 14,358
    edited March 2009
    400 watts is NOT enough to get the most out of your SR124. For that you need 700-800 watts. But if you can only afford or fit 400 watts then thatll have to do. It wont suck, it just wont bring the SR124 to its best.
    polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
    MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
    08 Car Audio Nationals 1st ~ 07 N Georgia Nationals 1st ~ 06 Carl Casper Nationals 1st ~ USACi 05 Southeast AutumnFest 1st

    polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D
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  • cadenceclipse
    cadenceclipse Posts: 459
    edited March 2009
    no we didn't. mac gave u advice on 5 channel amp so did i, mac said kicker(especially for sub channel) but mainly cause of cheapness and space like he said, i said polk(especially for 4-channel section). we both said better choice is dedicated sub and highs amps. the kicker's power ratings match up better than the polk. i had the kicker 5 channel, macs right, decent amp. i also had my share of kenwood decks, there decent i guess, panasonic, no, kenwood amps i don't know about either. wanna do it right get nice monoblock and a nice 4-channel, plenty out there, polk, cadence, etc.
    Polk MM6501 kick panels, Eclipse cd7200mkll and SW9122 Bomb Box, Cadence A4, A7, CAP5, JL8W3V3
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  • djzubah
    djzubah Posts: 17
    edited March 2009
    much thanks to both of yall. i guess it would be easier to do a 5 channel amp, but i want the best out of my equipment so i'm definitely going to go with getting two seperate amps.

    i appreciate it again
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  • cadenceclipse
    cadenceclipse Posts: 459
    edited March 2009
    sounds like your set 1 more thing, all seperate amps r not better than all 5 channels...ie. kenwood and others makes some beat seperate amps, memphis and others make some kick a$$ 5 channels
    Polk MM6501 kick panels, Eclipse cd7200mkll and SW9122 Bomb Box, Cadence A4, A7, CAP5, JL8W3V3
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  • djzubah
    djzubah Posts: 17
    edited March 2009
    yea, i guess ill probably sacrifice a little quality because money is an issue as well
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  • CRESCENDOPOWER
    CRESCENDOPOWER Posts: 153
    edited March 2009
    The idea is to buy the smallest amplifier possible and clip it into distortion.

    POST #11:D
    Buy Polk ****!:D

    http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/assets/image/12222003154728.jpg
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,362
    edited March 2009
    CRESCENDOPOWER wrote: »
    The idea is to buy the smallest amplifier possible and clip it into distortion.

    POST #11:D
    mcintosh makes great car audio amps with tons of power...
    http://cgi.ebay.com/McIntosh-MC431-4-Channel-Power-Amplifier-400-Watts-NICE_W0QQitemZ190294029002QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCar_Amplifiers?hash=item190294029002&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

    http://cgi.ebay.com/McIntosh-MCC404M-Audiophile-Power-Amplifier-400-W-RARE_W0QQitemZ150333119662QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCar_Amplifiers?hash=item150333119662&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • MacLeod
    MacLeod Posts: 14,358
    edited March 2009
    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    mcintosh makes great car audio amps with tons of power...

    .....and tons of price tag.

    A watt is a watt. Buy from a reputable manufacturer that builds a quality piece free of noise and is known for exceeding their ratings and youre off to the races.

    Speakers are the only component in which you probably cant spend too much. Amps and cabling are a different story.
    polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
    MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
    08 Car Audio Nationals 1st ~ 07 N Georgia Nationals 1st ~ 06 Carl Casper Nationals 1st ~ USACi 05 Southeast AutumnFest 1st

    polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D
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  • cadenceclipse
    cadenceclipse Posts: 459
    edited March 2009
    got a budget u'd like us 2 take into consideration?
    Polk MM6501 kick panels, Eclipse cd7200mkll and SW9122 Bomb Box, Cadence A4, A7, CAP5, JL8W3V3
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,362
    edited March 2009
    MacLeod wrote: »
    .....and tons of price tag.

    A watt is a watt. Buy from a reputable manufacturer that builds a quality piece free of noise and is known for exceeding their ratings and youre off to the races.

    Speakers are the only component in which you probably cant spend too much. Amps and cabling are a different story.

    Mcintosh is quite reputable...
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • MacLeod
    MacLeod Posts: 14,358
    edited March 2009
    Very much so - theyre just way too damn expensive.....at least for my meager budget. If you can afford them, by all means they are a fine product. But Ill stick with my MTX/Polk/Kicker amps. ;)
    polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
    MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
    08 Car Audio Nationals 1st ~ 07 N Georgia Nationals 1st ~ 06 Carl Casper Nationals 1st ~ USACi 05 Southeast AutumnFest 1st

    polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D
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  • djzubah
    djzubah Posts: 17
    edited March 2009
    my budget would be like under 250 for each amp. seeing as Ive finalized my decision about having two different ones.
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  • 1996blackmax
    1996blackmax Posts: 2,436
    edited March 2009
    I agree that the route with two different amps would be a better choice. You can look around for used gear as well. I was able to pick up a Rockford Fosgate Power T400-4 and a T600-2 for a little over $400. These units typically produce about 90x4 @ 4ohms & 740x1 @ 4ohms respectively. Deals are out there, just keep your eyes open.
    Alpine: CDA-7949
    Alpine: PXA-H600
    Alpine: CHA-S624, KCA-420i, KCA-410C
    Rainbow: CS 265 Profi Phase Plug / SL 165
    ARC Audio: 4150-XXK / 1500v1-XXK
    JL Audio: 10W6v2 (x2)
    KnuKonceptz
    Second Skin
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  • 1996blackmax
    1996blackmax Posts: 2,436
    edited March 2009
    I agree that the route with two different amps would be a better choice. You can look around for used gear as well. I was able to pick up a Rockford Fosgate Power T400-4 and a T600-2 for a little over $400. These units typically produce about 90x4 @ 4ohms & 740x1 @ 4ohms respectively. Deals are out there, just keep your eyes open.
    Alpine: CDA-7949
    Alpine: PXA-H600
    Alpine: CHA-S624, KCA-420i, KCA-410C
    Rainbow: CS 265 Profi Phase Plug / SL 165
    ARC Audio: 4150-XXK / 1500v1-XXK
    JL Audio: 10W6v2 (x2)
    KnuKonceptz
    Second Skin
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  • cadenceclipse
    cadenceclipse Posts: 459
    edited March 2009
    cadence ia4 and ia7 at powermaxelectronics or cadencesound.com typically produce 75x4@4ohms and 800x1@2ohms very underrated sq amps 5yr warranty email jason he'll hook u up under $500
    Polk MM6501 kick panels, Eclipse cd7200mkll and SW9122 Bomb Box, Cadence A4, A7, CAP5, JL8W3V3
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  • djzubah
    djzubah Posts: 17
    edited March 2009
    yea, im happy im confirmed on the two amp option as well

    thanks cadence, if the sizes arent too bad on the amps ill definitely look at them. i gotta put these under my front seats
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  • 1996blackmax
    1996blackmax Posts: 2,436
    edited March 2009
    That's where I've had my amps for years. I've had my Arc Audio, Fosgate, & Audison amps under there.
    Alpine: CDA-7949
    Alpine: PXA-H600
    Alpine: CHA-S624, KCA-420i, KCA-410C
    Rainbow: CS 265 Profi Phase Plug / SL 165
    ARC Audio: 4150-XXK / 1500v1-XXK
    JL Audio: 10W6v2 (x2)
    KnuKonceptz
    Second Skin
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  • djzubah
    djzubah Posts: 17
    edited March 2009
    hopefully i can keep my friends in the back from hitting them with their feet
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  • 1996blackmax
    1996blackmax Posts: 2,436
    edited March 2009
    That's the reason I ended up taking the Arc Audio amps out. Excellent amps just a tad tall so I could not push them all the way forward under my seats. My kids are getting bigger so I figured they needed some more room for their feet. Just make sure the amps are not too tall or wide & you should be fine.
    Alpine: CDA-7949
    Alpine: PXA-H600
    Alpine: CHA-S624, KCA-420i, KCA-410C
    Rainbow: CS 265 Profi Phase Plug / SL 165
    ARC Audio: 4150-XXK / 1500v1-XXK
    JL Audio: 10W6v2 (x2)
    KnuKonceptz
    Second Skin
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