this amp okay? maybe a better one?
#1
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this amp okay? maybe a better one?
So I've got this for a headunit: http://tinyurl.com/794az7f
sub: http://tinyurl.com/78gwewp
possible amp: http://tinyurl.com/6qz5emb
Question I have about the amp is if I should spend some more money to get a better amp because later I was planning on upgrading the speakers too.
was thinking of these: http://tinyurl.com/6rkdugm http://tinyurl.com/77t33vm
Should I get like a 600 watt 5 ch amp instead of a separate amp for the subs and the speakers? Also, when I do upgrade the speakers would I have to upgrade the battery/alternator too?
sub: http://tinyurl.com/78gwewp
possible amp: http://tinyurl.com/6qz5emb
Question I have about the amp is if I should spend some more money to get a better amp because later I was planning on upgrading the speakers too.
was thinking of these: http://tinyurl.com/6rkdugm http://tinyurl.com/77t33vm
Should I get like a 600 watt 5 ch amp instead of a separate amp for the subs and the speakers? Also, when I do upgrade the speakers would I have to upgrade the battery/alternator too?
#2
Prelude Owner
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Re: this amp okay? maybe a better one?
The website says the amp is discontinued. I have never heard of Pheonix but that doesn't mean there not good. I have always stuck with Alpine, Kenwood, Sony, Pioneer for amps, headunits and speakers. I have an infinity amp that is atleast 6 years old and it still kicks like its brand new. if your running 2 subs and 4 speakers your going to need a 6 channel. I would get a 2 and a 4 channel. The 4 channel should have high outputs so that you can wire them up to the door speakers. I have never replaced the alternator or the battery and have never had a problem. Your never going to draw max power from it. If your lights already dim and you don't have an amp then I would definatly upgrade the alternator.
#4
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Phoenix gold use to make good amps they have been around for awhile im not sure if they were ever bought out by a different company and still make quality products kinda like what happened to MB QUART. do some research. alpine still makes really good reliable amps for good prices.
#5
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Re: this amp okay? maybe a better one?
The website says the amp is discontinued. I have never heard of Pheonix but that doesn't mean there not good. I have always stuck with Alpine, Kenwood, Sony, Pioneer for amps, headunits and speakers. I have an infinity amp that is atleast 6 years old and it still kicks like its brand new. if your running 2 subs and 4 speakers your going to need a 6 channel. I would get a 2 and a 4 channel. The 4 channel should have high outputs so that you can wire them up to the door speakers. I have never replaced the alternator or the battery and have never had a problem. Your never going to draw max power from it. If your lights already dim and you don't have an amp then I would definatly upgrade the alternator.
With that said, I should only need to get a 5 ch amp since I'd have 4 speakers and 1 sub correct? I'm not really looking for a review on the amp itself, more on if I should go with one for the full system or go with 2; one for the sub and one for the speakers?
Phoenix gold use to make good amps they have been around for awhile im not sure if they were ever bought out by a different company and still make quality products kinda like what happened to MB QUART. do some research. alpine still makes really good reliable amps for good prices.
#6
Prelude Owner
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Re: this amp okay? maybe a better one?
Correct, you will need a 5 channel amp. 1 amp or 2 is really up to you. The only reason to use 2 really would be to match the RMS outputs of the speakers better (if your sub was alot higher then the other speakers)
#7
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Re: this amp okay? maybe a better one?
Since the speakers are about 100 watts each and my subs 400 watts, should I be getting a 500 watt 5 ch amp? or would one with more power be better when powering it off of just one amp?
#8
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Re: this amp okay? maybe a better one?
Actually since there is such a big difference between the amp and speakers it would probably be best to get 2 amps. Is the 100W and 400W the RMS rating or the max? With a 5 ch 500W thats 100W per ch, which is great for the door speakers (if 100W is RMS and not max) but for the sub it will be under powered which can be just as bad as overpowering a speaker.
#10
A scene before your eyes
Re: this amp okay? maybe a better one?
Clipping is a result of under powered subs. Clipping a sub will lead to voice coil over heating and burning as you overdrive an amp. Bass that sounds broken up and distorted at higher volumns is usually indicative of an amp that is clipping and being asked to deliver power beyond its abilities. Remember to use the appropriate enclosure not all are made the same or desighn for all subs.
#11
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Re: this amp okay? maybe a better one?
Using the amp and sub that you posted you will be under driving that sub with that particular amp. A bridged 4ohm load with that amp will give you 250W and the sub is a 400W RMS sub. You either need a less powerful sub or a more powerful amp.
#12
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Re: this amp okay? maybe a better one?
Thanks for the info guys! I got the head unit installed today, but the radio doesn't work (probably crimped the wrong wires together). From the sounds of it I'll be going with 2 amps. I found a few 500 watt amps on CL so I'll probably be finishing this set up soon :3
#13
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Re: this amp okay? maybe a better one?
^ is the amp I'm looking to get instead. 2 ch bridged puts out 460 watts and that's just enough for what I need correct?
#15
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Re: this amp okay? maybe a better one?
So now the guy on CL wont respond back to me about meeting so I've gotta find another amp . Looking through CL there are lots of amps, but most are like 4-5 ch. So, my question is that if I buy a 4-5 ch amp can I bridge however many channels I'd need to make the power I'd require for the sub? I.e something like bridging 3-4 channels to make enough power for the sub and then leave the other unplugged? or should I be looking for something more accurate? Like a 2 ch or a monoblock amp?
#16
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Well, if you're looking at amps, my 2 cents for names would be Alpine, Kenwood, and JL. Those are the only ones I really have any first hand knowledge of, or know personally people who've used them, and have had good reviews.
Far as amp for the sub... I'd go with a 2 channel, and bridge the woofers onto both channels. Run the rest of the speakers in your car off a separate amp. That's how I would do it. Plus, this way you can ensure a proper balance of power for the subs and the rest of your system.
When you say your subs are 400w, I'm assuming that's max output. I'd get a 500w 2 channel, and dial it in from there. Different strokes for different folks for sure. More than one way to do this of course. But, long as your running two amps, I think it'll ensure you have a LOT better balance of sound, and won't fry an amp by accident.
Far as amp for the sub... I'd go with a 2 channel, and bridge the woofers onto both channels. Run the rest of the speakers in your car off a separate amp. That's how I would do it. Plus, this way you can ensure a proper balance of power for the subs and the rest of your system.
When you say your subs are 400w, I'm assuming that's max output. I'd get a 500w 2 channel, and dial it in from there. Different strokes for different folks for sure. More than one way to do this of course. But, long as your running two amps, I think it'll ensure you have a LOT better balance of sound, and won't fry an amp by accident.
#17
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Re: this amp okay? maybe a better one?
Well, if you're looking at amps, my 2 cents for names would be Alpine, Kenwood, and JL. Those are the only ones I really have any first hand knowledge of, or know personally people who've used them, and have had good reviews.
Far as amp for the sub... I'd go with a 2 channel, and bridge the woofers onto both channels. Run the rest of the speakers in your car off a separate amp. That's how I would do it. Plus, this way you can ensure a proper balance of power for the subs and the rest of your system.
When you say your subs are 400w, I'm assuming that's max output. I'd get a 500w 2 channel, and dial it in from there. Different strokes for different folks for sure. More than one way to do this of course. But, long as your running two amps, I think it'll ensure you have a LOT better balance of sound, and won't fry an amp by accident.
Far as amp for the sub... I'd go with a 2 channel, and bridge the woofers onto both channels. Run the rest of the speakers in your car off a separate amp. That's how I would do it. Plus, this way you can ensure a proper balance of power for the subs and the rest of your system.
When you say your subs are 400w, I'm assuming that's max output. I'd get a 500w 2 channel, and dial it in from there. Different strokes for different folks for sure. More than one way to do this of course. But, long as your running two amps, I think it'll ensure you have a LOT better balance of sound, and won't fry an amp by accident.
On sonic electronix it says that my sub is 400w rms and 800w peak. But what I understand is that your supposed to find an amp that matches the rms. So I'll be going with a 2 ch amp and bridging it for 460w rms. Which sounds like I'll be going with how you explained it . I just hope having a sub is worth all the trouble lol
#18
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Re: this amp okay? maybe a better one?
You are suppose to use RMS when matching an amp to a sub. You are also suppose to match impedance. The more impedance you have the less power output you get from the amp to the sub. That Kenwood matches your RMS and impedance...it will be worth it as long as you don't crank the bass all the way up so that the car rattles to pieces. Also the volume of your enclosure is suppose to match the sub also, and whether its a sealed or a ported box.
#19
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Re: this amp okay? maybe a better one?
You are suppose to use RMS when matching an amp to a sub. You are also suppose to match impedance. The more impedance you have the less power output you get from the amp to the sub. That Kenwood matches your RMS and impedance...it will be worth it as long as you don't crank the bass all the way up so that the car rattles to pieces. Also the volume of your enclosure is suppose to match the sub also, and whether its a sealed or a ported box.
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i use nothing but kenwood amps for subs there reliability is untouched. i have been using the same kenwood KAC-7252 for the past 5 years and i listen loud everyday. mine is also bridged at 500rms 4ohm stable.
#21
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Re: this amp okay? maybe a better one?
#22
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Re: this amp okay? maybe a better one?
Just wondering, but how should I tune the sub? I've been reading about LPF and HPF and Bass Boost settings. But what I find says you just need to try it out. From what I understand is that if you put one too high or too low than you will get distortion or not the right sound coming from the sub. How are you supposed to test where the sweet spot is? Just play a bassy song and turn the dials until it seems right? Or is there a more technical/better way to go? The frequency response on my sub is 25-800 Hz if that helps any.
#23
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Re: this amp okay? maybe a better one?
As far as tunning the amp I just adjusted stuff until it sounded good to me. I would use the type of music that you are going to be listening to the most. I mostly listen to rock and country so I didn't want my bass as low and I wanted my mids a little higher for the guitar and singing. I have heard that you are suppose to turn the radio up until it starts to distort then dial the amp in from there.
#26
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Thanks for the input. After researching further I decided to go with a kenwood amp since it seemed to best fit what I need and research found that going with a brand name is worth spending a few extra bucks on.
On sonic electronix it says that my sub is 400w rms and 800w peak. But what I understand is that your supposed to find an amp that matches the rms. So I'll be going with a 2 ch amp and bridging it for 460w rms. Which sounds like I'll be going with how you explained it . I just hope having a sub is worth all the trouble lol
On sonic electronix it says that my sub is 400w rms and 800w peak. But what I understand is that your supposed to find an amp that matches the rms. So I'll be going with a 2 ch amp and bridging it for 460w rms. Which sounds like I'll be going with how you explained it . I just hope having a sub is worth all the trouble lol
And yes, subs are worth it if you are a basshead like myself.
#27
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lol i think you need a lesson in RMS and peak or max power ratings.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_power
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_power
#28
Re: this amp okay? maybe a better one?
Im still running my 4 JL audio speakers off my deck amp, connected from speaker right to the deck. Sub to my amp.
Always wondered what would be the benefit if i were to add a second 4ch amp and run my speakers to that instead of the deck. Some say it would make it louder, which mine already is. Some say it would sound a lot better from the speakers, which mine already sound great. Scary to even think it could sound better and im technically not hearing the best out of my speakers. But i want to keep my setup clean and not add too many more wires, plus it would be more strain on the alternator. Even though i have a semi high output one.
Always wondered what would be the benefit if i were to add a second 4ch amp and run my speakers to that instead of the deck. Some say it would make it louder, which mine already is. Some say it would sound a lot better from the speakers, which mine already sound great. Scary to even think it could sound better and im technically not hearing the best out of my speakers. But i want to keep my setup clean and not add too many more wires, plus it would be more strain on the alternator. Even though i have a semi high output one.
#29
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Re: this amp okay? maybe a better one?
Im still running my 4 JL audio speakers off my deck amp, connected from speaker right to the deck. Sub to my amp.
Always wondered what would be the benefit if i were to add a second 4ch amp and run my speakers to that instead of the deck. Some say it would make it louder, which mine already is. Some say it would sound a lot better from the speakers, which mine already sound great. Scary to even think it could sound better and im technically not hearing the best out of my speakers. But i want to keep my setup clean and not add too many more wires, plus it would be more strain on the alternator. Even though i have a semi high output one.
Always wondered what would be the benefit if i were to add a second 4ch amp and run my speakers to that instead of the deck. Some say it would make it louder, which mine already is. Some say it would sound a lot better from the speakers, which mine already sound great. Scary to even think it could sound better and im technically not hearing the best out of my speakers. But i want to keep my setup clean and not add too many more wires, plus it would be more strain on the alternator. Even though i have a semi high output one.
#30
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ive got a million wires running to my trunk it just depends on how you mount everything. i even have all four of my crossovers for my mids and highs running to the trunk.