Dinosaur Needs some oppinions.
10-17-2008, 10:02 PM
#1
0 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 31
Dinosaur Needs some oppinions.
I have been out of the car audio game for over 10 years (sad I know) and have recently got the itch again so I started picking up some equiptment and I am just looking to get upto speed on some things.
First off this is the equiptment I have in my van right now, Pioneer avic d3, Audio Control epic 150, 1 set MB Quartz 6.5 and 5.25 components paper cones with 4 x 1inch tweets, 1 Linear Power 652 amp for highs, 1 Us amps usa 150, 1 DD 2515 15" woofer. ( yes I know the usa150 is not nearly enough for the dd 2515 but I had to give it a try just to see )
This is what I have in my closet, a second usa150, 1 US Amps xt50, 1 Soundstream "the Continuum", pair of Image Dynamics cd1e v2, Wired Mbr70 battery isolator, 1 Crystal Line ballanced line driver 12v, 1 Streetwires 1 farad cap and some other odds and ends.
My goal is to make a loud every day musical system. I am very happy with my front end but I may want to change to a bigger and cleaner amp, and I could use some more mid-bass, Rear end wise I want to get an amp that can push this sub good and clean at 2 ohms but be 1 ohm stable incase I want to add another sub, But I dont want it to be too hard on the battery and alt. 1500w to 2000w or so at 1 ohm or 750w to 1000w at 2ohms
So my questions are,
1 What equiptment should I keep and what to put on the chopping block?
2 What are some sub amps out there new or old that fit the criteria just above that are not too expensive?
3 My box is 4.5 cubes tuned at 40hrtz will this box be ok for sq or musicality if not what would you recomend?
4 What are some front end amps out there new or old with amazing sound quality that you would suggest for my front end?
5 I am using the cross overs from my head unit. Is this ok or should I get a cross over or amps with built in crossovers.
I have done alot of reading and research and I just cant make up my mind so any help or oppinions would be greatly appreciated. All these new amps out there now that claim they put out 2000, 3000, or 4000w but only cost $300 or $400 just doesnt make sence to me. I just want to filter out all the junk amps and narrow it down to good quality amps. Example I would have never guessed american bass made some of the best amps right now.
Thanks again
Kerri
First off this is the equiptment I have in my van right now, Pioneer avic d3, Audio Control epic 150, 1 set MB Quartz 6.5 and 5.25 components paper cones with 4 x 1inch tweets, 1 Linear Power 652 amp for highs, 1 Us amps usa 150, 1 DD 2515 15" woofer. ( yes I know the usa150 is not nearly enough for the dd 2515 but I had to give it a try just to see )
This is what I have in my closet, a second usa150, 1 US Amps xt50, 1 Soundstream "the Continuum", pair of Image Dynamics cd1e v2, Wired Mbr70 battery isolator, 1 Crystal Line ballanced line driver 12v, 1 Streetwires 1 farad cap and some other odds and ends.
My goal is to make a loud every day musical system. I am very happy with my front end but I may want to change to a bigger and cleaner amp, and I could use some more mid-bass, Rear end wise I want to get an amp that can push this sub good and clean at 2 ohms but be 1 ohm stable incase I want to add another sub, But I dont want it to be too hard on the battery and alt. 1500w to 2000w or so at 1 ohm or 750w to 1000w at 2ohms
So my questions are,
1 What equiptment should I keep and what to put on the chopping block?
2 What are some sub amps out there new or old that fit the criteria just above that are not too expensive?
3 My box is 4.5 cubes tuned at 40hrtz will this box be ok for sq or musicality if not what would you recomend?
4 What are some front end amps out there new or old with amazing sound quality that you would suggest for my front end?
5 I am using the cross overs from my head unit. Is this ok or should I get a cross over or amps with built in crossovers.
I have done alot of reading and research and I just cant make up my mind so any help or oppinions would be greatly appreciated. All these new amps out there now that claim they put out 2000, 3000, or 4000w but only cost $300 or $400 just doesnt make sence to me. I just want to filter out all the junk amps and narrow it down to good quality amps. Example I would have never guessed american bass made some of the best amps right now.
Thanks again
Kerri
10-17-2008, 11:52 PM
#2
1 What equiptment should I keep and what to put on the chopping block?
Sorry don't feel like looking up all the specs to your stuff.
2 What are some sub amps out there new or old that fit the criteria just above that are not too expensive?
Look on the for sale forums and look for used stuff. I recommend pretty much anything that is class D, there are so many decent brands out there, it would be easier if you had identifed a few yourself.
3 My box is 4.5 cubes tuned at 40hrtz will this box be ok for sq or musicality if not what would you recomend?
4 What are some front end amps out there new or old with amazing sound quality that you would suggest for my front end?
I am not nig on associating SQ with amps, I would say stick with a good brand and try to get the most power possible. If you are big on brand names then check out audison, macintosh, brax, zapco, sinfoni , zed audio, zuki. The list can go on and on.
5 I am using the cross overs from my head unit. Is this ok or should I get a cross over or amps with built in crossovers.
Head unit xovers, as long as they can do what you want are fine, I prefer ot be able to control everything up front as oposed ot running to the trunk to adjust amps.
As for cheep high power amps, beleive it, say thanks to taiwan and china. The power is there, the reliability and support might not though.
Sorry don't feel like looking up all the specs to your stuff.
2 What are some sub amps out there new or old that fit the criteria just above that are not too expensive?
Look on the for sale forums and look for used stuff. I recommend pretty much anything that is class D, there are so many decent brands out there, it would be easier if you had identifed a few yourself.
3 My box is 4.5 cubes tuned at 40hrtz will this box be ok for sq or musicality if not what would you recomend?
4 What are some front end amps out there new or old with amazing sound quality that you would suggest for my front end?
I am not nig on associating SQ with amps, I would say stick with a good brand and try to get the most power possible. If you are big on brand names then check out audison, macintosh, brax, zapco, sinfoni , zed audio, zuki. The list can go on and on.
5 I am using the cross overs from my head unit. Is this ok or should I get a cross over or amps with built in crossovers.
Head unit xovers, as long as they can do what you want are fine, I prefer ot be able to control everything up front as oposed ot running to the trunk to adjust amps.
As for cheep high power amps, beleive it, say thanks to taiwan and china. The power is there, the reliability and support might not though.
10-17-2008, 11:55 PM
#3
Hey Kerri,
I love the oldschool guys getting back into it. Todays clientelle doesn't have the passion and excitement about car audio. Now it seems far more about "status" and peer approval.
The great thing about todays gear is there is tons of it to choose from and alot of good stuff out there that would shame the oldschool stuff. For my boss I just re-did his 1981 BMW 735 with oldschool gear. Kef woofers and tweeters, PPI A660, and MTX Blue thunder subs. As amazingly high end that that stuff was back then, It sounded great, but new stuff just kills it.
The people read about all these amps of gigawatt power ratings. The reality is power has been long proven to be a less important fact. sound deadening, enclosure design and install are the true "Big 3" quality equipment coming in a close 2nd.
I know your probably looking for part names and not philosophy but a somewhat open ended goal really leaves too much open to name parts.
Are you happy with the speakers you're currently running?. your older equipment works, but technology has improved significantly.
To satisfy your needs I reccommend at least 75sq.ft of sound deadening material, re-designing your box and focusing on what it is you really want and getting you the right gear in your budget.
I love the oldschool guys getting back into it. Todays clientelle doesn't have the passion and excitement about car audio. Now it seems far more about "status" and peer approval.
The great thing about todays gear is there is tons of it to choose from and alot of good stuff out there that would shame the oldschool stuff. For my boss I just re-did his 1981 BMW 735 with oldschool gear. Kef woofers and tweeters, PPI A660, and MTX Blue thunder subs. As amazingly high end that that stuff was back then, It sounded great, but new stuff just kills it.
The people read about all these amps of gigawatt power ratings. The reality is power has been long proven to be a less important fact. sound deadening, enclosure design and install are the true "Big 3" quality equipment coming in a close 2nd.
I know your probably looking for part names and not philosophy but a somewhat open ended goal really leaves too much open to name parts.
Are you happy with the speakers you're currently running?. your older equipment works, but technology has improved significantly.
To satisfy your needs I reccommend at least 75sq.ft of sound deadening material, re-designing your box and focusing on what it is you really want and getting you the right gear in your budget.
10-18-2008, 12:07 AM
#4
The reality is power has been long proven to be a less important fact.
sound deadening, enclosure design and install are the true "Big 3" quality equipment coming in a close 2nd.
10-18-2008, 12:17 AM
#5
I should elaborate more. 150Wrms is not enough for a sub. well it is.. it's jus that al the 150 Wrms amps out there have tiny power supplies and no capacitance. So they have little control of sub. Oiwer in itself is not the problem. Running out of power is. For subs anythign over a good 600Wrms amp is more than you'll need for music.
so restate what I said. "Power, when reaasonably adequate...is less of a factor than......
so restate what I said. "Power, when reaasonably adequate...is less of a factor than......
10-18-2008, 12:27 AM
#6
I should elaborate more. 150Wrms is not enough for a sub. well it is.. it's jus that al the 150 Wrms amps out there have tiny power supplies and no capacitance. So they have little control of sub. Oiwer in itself is not the problem. Running out of power is. For subs anythign over a good 600Wrms amp is more than you'll need for music.
so restate what I said. "Power, when reaasonably adequate...is less of a factor than......
so restate what I said. "Power, when reaasonably adequate...is less of a factor than......
Amp design is pretty static btw. It's the same old, same old. There are only a few things to look for. I'm too tired to elaborate, but tommorow when I kill off the cap thread, I will explain.
G'nite!!
John
EDIT: SIKK...love the Avatar..looks like Fallout to me
10-18-2008, 12:38 AM
#7
Again another pseron to perpetuate the need for the extreme. Yes feeding 200+Wrms to a set of fantastic home audio towers with egligable distortion is fantastically clean and to some would not seem loud due to the wonderful lack of distotion. Unfortunately I like 99.9998% of the population do not dive a formula 1 car as my daily driver. People and forums in general are filled with all the theoretical "perfect" technical info and too many forum dwellers treat this as gospel.
It's the main reason most experienced installers and shop owners do not participate much on forums. Yes there are IASCA SQ competitiors on the board. Yes there are fanatic SPL competitors on the board. Not everyone needs to fit into the Uber category.
It's the main reason most experienced installers and shop owners do not participate much on forums. Yes there are IASCA SQ competitiors on the board. Yes there are fanatic SPL competitors on the board. Not everyone needs to fit into the Uber category.
10-18-2008, 12:35 PM
#8
0 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 31
Does anyone know anything about this amp and will it work for my situation? Spec wise it is very similar to the ab vfl 500.1 and much more afordable, I just not too sure about the quality. Will this be too much wattage for my dd2515 ?
SPL FX1-5500d
FX1 Series 1-Channel Class D Car Amplifier
RMS Power Rating:
4 ohms: 1700 watts x 1 chan.
2 ohms: 2500 watts x 1 chan.
1 ohm: 3200 watts x 1 chan.
Max power output: 5500 watts x 1 chan.
Fully regulated PWM Power Supply
Wired remote bass level control included.
LED power and protection indicators
Tuned Bass EQ (0-18 dB bass boost)
High Speed Digital Circuitry
Single channel operation
Bridging Synchronization
System distress indicator
4-Way Protection circuitry
Mono speaker output connector
Nickel Plated Heavy Duty Power & Speaker Terminals
Phase Switch 0-180
Variable low-pass filter (50-150 Hz)
Subsonic Filter (15-40 Hz)
Frequency response: 15-150 Hz
Dimensions: 17.5" L x 10.3" W x 2.4"H
Authorized Internet Dealer
1-year Manufacturer's warranty
Amplifier Specifications:
Amplifier Class: D
Number of Channels: 1 - Mono
RMS Power (4 ohms): 1700 watts x 1 channel
RMS Power (2 ohms): 2500 watts x 1 channel
RMS Power (1 ohm): 3200 watts x 1 channel
Bridged RMS Power: N/A
Total RMS Power: 3200 watts
Peak Power Output: 5500 watts x 1 channel
Total Peak Power: 5500 watts
Minimum Impedance Unbridged: 1 ohm
Minimum Impedance Bridged: Not Bridgeable ohms
THD at Rated RMS Power: .5%
Speaker Level Inputs: No
Preamp Outputs: Yes - 1 pair
Built-in Crossover: Low-pass (LP)
High-Pass Crossover Frequency: N/A
Low-Pass Crossover Frequency: 50 - 150 Hz
Subsonic Filter: 15 - 40 Hz
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 100 dB
Channel Separation: N/A
Bass Boost: 0 - 18 dB
Bass/Gain Remote: Yes
Fan Cooled: No
Fuse Rating: 30A x 5
© Sonic Electronix. All rights
SPL FX1-5500d
FX1 Series 1-Channel Class D Car Amplifier
RMS Power Rating:
4 ohms: 1700 watts x 1 chan.
2 ohms: 2500 watts x 1 chan.
1 ohm: 3200 watts x 1 chan.
Max power output: 5500 watts x 1 chan.
Fully regulated PWM Power Supply
Wired remote bass level control included.
LED power and protection indicators
Tuned Bass EQ (0-18 dB bass boost)
High Speed Digital Circuitry
Single channel operation
Bridging Synchronization
System distress indicator
4-Way Protection circuitry
Mono speaker output connector
Nickel Plated Heavy Duty Power & Speaker Terminals
Phase Switch 0-180
Variable low-pass filter (50-150 Hz)
Subsonic Filter (15-40 Hz)
Frequency response: 15-150 Hz
Dimensions: 17.5" L x 10.3" W x 2.4"H
Authorized Internet Dealer
1-year Manufacturer's warranty
Amplifier Specifications:
Amplifier Class: D
Number of Channels: 1 - Mono
RMS Power (4 ohms): 1700 watts x 1 channel
RMS Power (2 ohms): 2500 watts x 1 channel
RMS Power (1 ohm): 3200 watts x 1 channel
Bridged RMS Power: N/A
Total RMS Power: 3200 watts
Peak Power Output: 5500 watts x 1 channel
Total Peak Power: 5500 watts
Minimum Impedance Unbridged: 1 ohm
Minimum Impedance Bridged: Not Bridgeable ohms
THD at Rated RMS Power: .5%
Speaker Level Inputs: No
Preamp Outputs: Yes - 1 pair
Built-in Crossover: Low-pass (LP)
High-Pass Crossover Frequency: N/A
Low-Pass Crossover Frequency: 50 - 150 Hz
Subsonic Filter: 15 - 40 Hz
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 100 dB
Channel Separation: N/A
Bass Boost: 0 - 18 dB
Bass/Gain Remote: Yes
Fan Cooled: No
Fuse Rating: 30A x 5
© Sonic Electronix. All rights
10-18-2008, 03:43 PM
#10
And a DD2515 in current form is rated for up to 750w rms, while it may take more than this in bursts, to play it at a sustained level is not in it's best interest unless you are in the market for a new sub as well.
When I get into the shop I will start having a look into some Quality (not Kwality like the flea market one you linked to above) amps for you.
Are you going to have any more room upfront in the van to add a set of 6.75" midbass drivers?
You have a Soundstream Condominium do you, nice old amp. Keep it for sure. Make a second system around it.
When I get into the shop I will start having a look into some Quality (not Kwality like the flea market one you linked to above) amps for you.
Are you going to have any more room upfront in the van to add a set of 6.75" midbass drivers?
You have a Soundstream Condominium do you, nice old amp. Keep it for sure. Make a second system around it.
