how to choose an amplifier ?
09-21-2010, 05:30 PM
#1
0 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 47
how to choose an amplifier ?
hello everyone , I thought I had everything figured out for my sound system but it seems I cant get an answer that everyone says yes thats the way to do it . I already purchased my door speakers components which are Hertz MLK-165 up front and Hertz HSK-165 in the back .I will also get my 12 inch Hertz ML 3000 woofer soon and now I cant figure out what amp or amps do I need . I've been told to go with an Audison 4.5 for all components and the Audison 1.1k for the sub .Would this set-up work great or I need more powerfull amps ? the shops I've been to all says that a less powerfull amp vs the speakers power is better/safer and when I look online , everyone is running amp power on par with there speakers,even the online youtube vids are saying so... What should I do ? thank you guys .
09-21-2010, 09:58 PM
#2
Welcome to the ongoing dilemma of car audio.....just when you think you have your system figured out, you read or hear something that throws you off....
There are lots of quality brands out there......I would start by setting a budget first and split it more or less evenly between a 4 channel for the corners and a monoblock for the sub. If looks are a concern get them both from the same brand otherwise you can pick and choose whichever you like.
Properly Xover'd an amp rated at up to 50% more watts RMS than the speakers are rated for can be used ie. your comps are rated at 100WRMS per side running full range, Xover'd at 80hz they will handle an amp rated at 150 per side no problem. This is also dependent on proper setup to ensure a clean signal for the speakers to work with.
Everyone in car audio has their own favourites, I have used Orion, Clarion, Kenwood Excelon and Kicker in the past with good results. Audison is part of a higher level range of equipment along with Focal, JL Audio and others. The extra $$ for those amps may or may not be audible in your car but they do look nice.....
Don't forget to allow $$ for a proper install.....the best speakers will sound like crap if they are just tossed in your car, the old saying is that 90% of the sound comes from the install, not the equipment.......
Have fun with the new toys.
HTH
There are lots of quality brands out there......I would start by setting a budget first and split it more or less evenly between a 4 channel for the corners and a monoblock for the sub. If looks are a concern get them both from the same brand otherwise you can pick and choose whichever you like.
Properly Xover'd an amp rated at up to 50% more watts RMS than the speakers are rated for can be used ie. your comps are rated at 100WRMS per side running full range, Xover'd at 80hz they will handle an amp rated at 150 per side no problem. This is also dependent on proper setup to ensure a clean signal for the speakers to work with.
Everyone in car audio has their own favourites, I have used Orion, Clarion, Kenwood Excelon and Kicker in the past with good results. Audison is part of a higher level range of equipment along with Focal, JL Audio and others. The extra $$ for those amps may or may not be audible in your car but they do look nice.....
Don't forget to allow $$ for a proper install.....the best speakers will sound like crap if they are just tossed in your car, the old saying is that 90% of the sound comes from the install, not the equipment.......
Have fun with the new toys.
HTH
09-21-2010, 10:54 PM
#3
0 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 47
And what Is your point of view about sound quality ? Does a under powered amp vs speakers that can take more is better or I have more chance of distortion / clipping and blowing a speaker ? Thanks again . The lrx 4.5 is rated at 4x75 rms and the lrx 1.1k 420rms both rating are on a 4 ohm load .
Last edited by meducky; 09-21-2010 at 10:58 PM.
09-21-2010, 11:23 PM
#4
And what Is your point of view about sound quality ? Does a under powered amp vs speakers that can take more is better or I have more chance of distortion / clipping and blowing a speaker ? Thanks again . The lrx 4.5 is rated at 4x75 rms and the lrx 1.1k 420rms both rating are on a 4 ohm load .
Go check out Central Station Customs in Chateauguay QC and ask for Don:
Central Station Customs
Last edited by avidedtr; 09-21-2010 at 11:24 PM. Reason: typo
09-22-2010, 12:28 AM
#6
hello everyone , I thought I had everything figured out for my sound system but it seems I cant get an answer that everyone says yes thats the way to do it . I already purchased my door speakers components which are Hertz MLK-165 up front and Hertz HSK-165 in the back .I will also get my 12 inch Hertz ML 3000 woofer soon and now I cant figure out what amp or amps do I need . I've been told to go with an Audison 4.5 for all components and the Audison 1.1k for the sub .Would this set-up work great or I need more powerfull amps ? the shops I've been to all says that a less powerfull amp vs the speakers power is better/safer and when I look online , everyone is running amp power on par with there speakers,even the online youtube vids are saying so... What should I do ? thank you guys .
ZED AUDIO !!! Either the Leviathan or the Leviathan and Kronos. For the money you will not find a better sounding more powerful amps. Btw, they are tiny and fit into any configuration, I have both of them and really have been very impressed with them both.
09-22-2010, 07:49 AM
#9
zed had issues with their first runs of the leviathan. they have since been worked out though. so don't let that turn you off from them.
you really can't go wrong with audison. but you are going to pay a premium for sure, and you may not have as much power as you like.
if you aren't worried so much about efficiency and price, ARC. if you want a little more power with less draw and save a couple of dollars, ZED.
whatever you do, any of the amps in question will yield great results on those milles
you really can't go wrong with audison. but you are going to pay a premium for sure, and you may not have as much power as you like.
if you aren't worried so much about efficiency and price, ARC. if you want a little more power with less draw and save a couple of dollars, ZED.
whatever you do, any of the amps in question will yield great results on those milles
09-22-2010, 08:37 AM
#10
It lacks ***** and it gets dirty sounding when pushed hard. Arc, Zapco have really good sound for the money. Zed is class D - doesn't compare to A/B -Sorry
