Need reccommendation on amplifier

[grandprix104]

ok ive got about $150 for an amp - not much but ittle work on ebay. This is what I'm wanting to power:

 

2 Memphis 12" handling about 250 watts each RMS (not absolutely sure on the wattage)

 

I believe i have them wired at 2 ohms (never did understand the whole ohm thing) They are wired bridged + to +/- to - and they are 4 ohm subs SVC

 

I prefer SQ to SPL but it doesnt usually make a difference with amps in my budget.

 

Also if you know of any 4 channel amps that would be cheap (around $200) that could power my 6x9s as well let me know.

 

Thanks

[jeremy]

don't run the subs and the 6x9's off of the same amp.......

[grandprix104]

just wondering... Ive heard people say its ok to do that and others that say its a bad idea. Preferably separte is the way to go but whats wrong otherwise???

[jeremy]

you can't properly "tune" the amp if you are running subs on two channels and mids/highs with the other two....

[hazmatic]

i would recomand getting a multi channel amp n running all ur reg speakers off of this and a mono amp for your subs

[grandprix104]

makes sense - any reccomendations??

[jeremy]

Kicker makes very good amps, so does PPI, rockfords are pretty decent.....

[hazmatic]

i personyl went with rockford but kicker is surpose to be good i herd good things bout alpine my friend has a mtx amp n i think it does a good job

[J]

for the price MTX is outstanding. shit my womans bazooka amp makes her one ten pound really good, and that amp new was like $135 so a 2 channel with more wattage used would be about that on ebay. later Jay

[Bake82]

U have to remember that most of the 2 channel amps won't be able to be bridged down to 2 ohms. You'll need to get a mono amp that puts out 500 watts rms @ 2 ohms. I got my bazooka el1500 for like 75 shipped, but they do have a problem with overheating, so probably not the best but it makes my subs pound. Take the suggestions from above for choices on amps.

[musthavemuzk]

not to be an ass here but if you read his post he says 4 channel amp to power the x9's and the subs.

 

fully doable and well a budget mans choice. since not everyone wants to drive around annoying the neighborhood.

 

lost track of the number of systems powered by a 4 channel amp.

i have had a couple 4 channel amp setups. front channels running speakers in kick panels and rear channels bridged mono to a sub or pair of subs.

 

problem i see here is that not many 4 channel amps will bridge to 2 ohm mono on a pair of the channels.

many 2 channel amps that will run in trimode require all drivers be 4 ohm. that means the x9's would need to be 4 ohms each and the sub load would also have to be 4 ohms. and with your subs you would be 2 ohm.

running in trimode also requires some other little pieces. like resistors acting as filters. since you will not want to run full range signal to subs or full range signal to x9's.

 

unless you ran just one sub then you could go the route of 2 channel in trimode or 4 channel as i stated above.

 

also need to know whether or not the 4 channel amp needs one or two sets of rca's to use all 4 channels. or if it will run fine off of one set of rca's.

 

if youa re not afraid of used or ebay i would start lookin.

on here nad other forums i have picked up several amps for cheap. bought a 4 channel sony from Luke on here and paid less than a hundred. it was 50x4. on another forum i picked up a 300 watt kenwood mono amp for 50 bux. both worked like champs. both in other peoples cars now.

 

brands to consider are numerous

 

JBL powervalve line

pioneer

kenwood

rockford fosgate

clarion

MTX blue thunder line

lanzar prolly the vibe line

crossfire

Kicker impulse line

memphis

coustic

lightning audio bolt or strike series

 

PPI is a fav of mine but kinda spendy. though if you are not afraid of used and old then you might be able to come across an older PPI Art series amp on ebay within your budget. mayb even a PC series.

 

this time of year you may stumble upon a good deal at a local shop. as they are getting ready for the new products to hit the shelves. so old stock might be on clearance. might even get a deal on install.

 

do not be worried about a single sub over a pair. if the right box is built a single sub can be plenty of bass. ported enclosures are larger in size but they are also louder with the same power when compared to a sealed box. so a single sub ported might not take any more room than the pair sealed. just something to ponder.

 

i would look at a 4 channel amp in the 50x4 to 75x4 range. mayb even 100x4 but that is getting into alot of power and cash. run a single sub for starters.

do not forget to block off the x9's from the sub. or the sub will be pushing on the x9's and causing damage and distortion.

 

hope this helps

 

Monty

[grandprix104]

Thanks for the info monty

 

As for my system I already have the two memphis subs in a sealed enclosure running off a 7 year old Optimus Amp that has been trying to die for the last 6 (sent it away for service three times). The amp turns off/on whenever you hit a bump now and i have a little cash to spare so i want to get a new one. I think I'll go with a 2 channel though and run the other speakers on another amp (sometime in the future).

 

This is what I was thinking about:

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3074448852&category=39735&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1

 

and

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3075115494&category=18796&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1

 

and

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3075644822&category=18796&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1

 

 

 

The once again the subs are roughly 300 watt - what do you think about those choices the one MTX is "factory renewed" but the guy has awesome feedback and it has a warranty!?!

[grandprix104]

also could someone explain the different options i have (if any) for wiring two subs than to have them set up in stereo (one per channel), parrallel (+to+/-to-), or series and the different ohms and specs presented by each one.

 

thanks

[LukeZ34]

US Acoustics.. Priced right, and I've love the one I have. Solid, good sounding and reliable brand.

I've got a USX 600D running my single 10, and it drives it pretty damn hard.

Good luck!

[phantomshado]

I have my kenwood loyalty here.

600W (about 350 rms) 2 channel.

it drives my 2 kenwood subs sweet as hell. I love it.

I got mine for 110 shipped

[grandprix104]

I have my kenwood loyalty here.

600W (about 350 rms) 2 channel.

it drives my 2 kenwood subs sweet as hell. I love it.

I got mine for 110 shipped

 

where from what is thwe model #

[92Cutlass4Dr]

instead of me taking forever to explain the wiring options, take a look at the tutorials on JL Audio's website. they are very good and they have good diagrams.

 

http://www.jlaudio.com

[Bake82]

Monty, yah ok, that is what i was hinting at. that the 2 channels of the 4 channel amp wouldn't be able to handle the 2 ohm load. Just didn't clearly say that!

[musthavemuzk]

OK

as was said hit the jlaudio tutorials section.

one of the best tutorials out there for wiring.

http://www.bcae1.com/

is another good resource for car audio tech things

 

with you have 2--4ohm svc subs you have the below options

wire them in parallel for a 2 ohm load.

wire them in series for an 8 ohm load

wire one to each channel of a stereo amp for 4 ohm stereo subs.

 

if you do the last option then the subs will need to be in their own air space.

the first two options can be in a common chamber box.

 

of the amps you have listed none will work if you wire them in parallel.

they will work in series but not much power at all.

same with stereo. not much power

 

parallel is taking pos sub 1 to pos sub 2 to pos on amp

then repeat for negatives.

this cuts ohm load in half

 

series takes pos of sub 1 to neg on sub 2. then neg on sub 1 to amp and pos on sub 2 to amp

this adds ohm of subs together

 

if you want to run both subs at 300 watts each or so then you will need a HUGE HUGE power amp to provide power at 8 ohms or 4 ohm stereo. and that is not gonna be cheap.

 

or run them in parallel for 2 ohm and get a class d mono amp.

 

this i think is 500 at 2ohm http://www.mtxaudio.com to be sure

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3075433582&category=18797

 

http://www.coustic.com for more

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3075928108&category=18797

 

http://www.directed.com

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3075627443&category=18797

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3074972223&category=18797

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3075908454&category=18797

 

basically the mono section of amps

 

making sure it is 2 ohm stable

 

Monty

[grandprix104]

thanks alot guys! I think i understand the ohm stuff a lot better now and im gonna watch that bazooka amp musthavemuzk listed as well as an MTX amp with 250 Watts RMS @ 2ohms.

[musthavemuzk]

some other stuff i was thinkin about today at work.

might already be known but never hurts to pass the info out.

 

typical amps are of 2 varieties. Class A/B or Class D. there are others out there but the majority of amps are of the a/b or d kind. others are A, T or X.

 

Class D amps are more efficient than A/B ones. they also do not play full range signal. they typically play frequencies from 200 hz and down. which is aimed at subwoofers. perfect match.

 

D amps are 75% efficient or so. some more some less. A/B amps typically are 50% efficient.

which means less strain on the electrical system. when comparing D to A/B.

 

A/B amps will play full range signal. so they can be used for any part of the system.

 

T amps give you the best of both the above amps. efficient as a D but play full range signal like an A/B.

 

A is a pure sound quality amp that is power hungry. needs power to give you power. and costly to purchase too.

 

X i have heard them mentioned but i do not have much info.

 

 

and of course you get what you pay for when you buy amps new. low dollar amps tend to be of lesser quality. not saying you have to break the bank in buying amps. just be careful is all.

watch for exaggerated ratings.

 

be sure to run wire of sufficient size and be careful of sharp edges. fuse properly and be sure to upgrade the grounds to the same size as the power wire.

 

Monty