Budget SQ - minimum sub requirements.
11-23-2008, 04:19 PM
#31
500 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 723
Firstly, I just want to thank you for taking the time to go through this for/with me. I really appreciate it.
I understand what you're saying about power. When we listened to a pair of Boston Acoustic 6.5" co-axial speakers powered by a head-unit alone, and then by a Clarion amp, the difference was astounding. They went from 18W (approx.) to 60W off that particular amp - and the mid-bass came to life, as you say. This wasn't ideal equipment, but the essence of what you're saying it backed up by it.
I guess giving a high-quality speaker a low level of power is counter-productive.
In that case, would the 100W we'd get from that Hifonics Zeus ZXi 8408 work for us then? I'm just afraid that this amp is going to give us 100 Kwality watts, instead of another amps 60 quality watts. Again, the difference between the two in question might be negligible.
I understand what you're saying about power. When we listened to a pair of Boston Acoustic 6.5" co-axial speakers powered by a head-unit alone, and then by a Clarion amp, the difference was astounding. They went from 18W (approx.) to 60W off that particular amp - and the mid-bass came to life, as you say. This wasn't ideal equipment, but the essence of what you're saying it backed up by it.
I guess giving a high-quality speaker a low level of power is counter-productive.
In that case, would the 100W we'd get from that Hifonics Zeus ZXi 8408 work for us then? I'm just afraid that this amp is going to give us 100 Kwality watts, instead of another amps 60 quality watts. Again, the difference between the two in question might be negligible.
11-23-2008, 05:54 PM
#32
Firstly, I just want to thank you for taking the time to go through this for/with me. I really appreciate it.
I understand what you're saying about power. When we listened to a pair of Boston Acoustic 6.5" co-axial speakers powered by a head-unit alone, and then by a Clarion amp, the difference was astounding. They went from 18W (approx.) to 60W off that particular amp - and the mid-bass came to life, as you say. This wasn't ideal equipment, but the essence of what you're saying it backed up by it.
I guess giving a high-quality speaker a low level of power is counter-productive.
In that case, would the 100W we'd get from that Hifonics Zeus ZXi 8408 work for us then? I'm just afraid that this amp is going to give us 100 Kwality watts, instead of another amps 60 quality watts. Again, the difference between the two in question might be negligible.
I understand what you're saying about power. When we listened to a pair of Boston Acoustic 6.5" co-axial speakers powered by a head-unit alone, and then by a Clarion amp, the difference was astounding. They went from 18W (approx.) to 60W off that particular amp - and the mid-bass came to life, as you say. This wasn't ideal equipment, but the essence of what you're saying it backed up by it.
I guess giving a high-quality speaker a low level of power is counter-productive.
In that case, would the 100W we'd get from that Hifonics Zeus ZXi 8408 work for us then? I'm just afraid that this amp is going to give us 100 Kwality watts, instead of another amps 60 quality watts. Again, the difference between the two in question might be negligible.
Sound quality is about power too. Just when you thought you had enough, add some more, and it will get even better, and then add some more lol.
I cant speak for Hifonics, cause I dont think I have ever heard one in action, but I think for your application you need to go for brand name which it is, and mostly power, so try to find an amp as big as possible, and you will not regret it. Do it right the first time, and dont look back. If you ever gonna spend time in your GF's car, I'd make sure the sound is good to my ears. Not sure why you want to buy a new amp so bad. Plenty of excellent used gear for sale. If your budget is $700 cash, I've seen used Zapco Reference 1000.4 selling for this much, and thats a beast for sure. But I guess you made up your mind.
Sorry, if I cant be much help finding you proper amp for your budget, it's just I feel more at home with higher budgets, where I could be more useful at making recommendations. I just dont know much about gear in lower end market, and if there is anything that stands out above the rest for the money. But then again, I buy used amps most of the time. If Sundown Audio had a 5-channel amp or big enough 4-channel, I would say go for that, cause their prices are surely right for new gear.
11-23-2008, 07:25 PM
#33
power! always the way to go. Example; My JBL c608 gti's are rated for 150 watts rms, 600 watts peak. I run them active, meaning i don't use the passive cross overs that came with the set. I was giving my tweeters 20 watts rms, and the mids 60 watts rms, this was very good, clean, lots of volume, etc...Then I got another RF amp (p 400-4) bridged it to get 200+ watts per channel (into 2 channels now), and ran the mids off of it. I then used the older p4004 in 4channel mode to power the tweets with 60 watts rms each, and used the rear 2 channels for the rear speaks(110 watts rms at 2ohms since the JBL 963 are 2ohm speakers).
Results:
Unbelievable midbass, high frequency clarity, and impact. The loudness is obviously more, but it's not that, it's the depth of the sound, the richness of the notes...each one seems to be more there, cleaner. It's as if I had a hat covering my ears...not that it sounded bad before, but it's the kind of difference that you can't ever go back to! So now, I have 520 watts to my front components, 220 watts to the rear, 50 watts to my centre channel and 1200 to the subs....sounds heavenly!!
Results:
Unbelievable midbass, high frequency clarity, and impact. The loudness is obviously more, but it's not that, it's the depth of the sound, the richness of the notes...each one seems to be more there, cleaner. It's as if I had a hat covering my ears...not that it sounded bad before, but it's the kind of difference that you can't ever go back to! So now, I have 520 watts to my front components, 220 watts to the rear, 50 watts to my centre channel and 1200 to the subs....sounds heavenly!!
Last edited by veeman; 11-23-2008 at 07:32 PM.
11-23-2008, 07:36 PM
#36
11-23-2008, 08:47 PM
#38
500 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 723
Checked it out. Is that too good to be true? $1000 under retail...?
Clarion DPX2250. 125 x 2 @ 4 ohms. This is linked to the Number1Sound site. Appears to be last years model, as the Clarion site lists a 2251, which puts out 180W x 2. If he's bringing in the new models, maybe he'll want to move these for less.
We're not getting all this gear at once. Probably going to take 8-12 months to piece it together. We've got a wedding to plan and pay for as well, lol. Geez, do I have my priorities straight, or what?
We have picked out a Kenwood Excelon KDCx592. It's being installed on the 28th. $315 after tax for H.U, wiring harness, hardware kit, and this shop has a free install deal going on right now.
Clarion DPX2250. 125 x 2 @ 4 ohms. This is linked to the Number1Sound site. Appears to be last years model, as the Clarion site lists a 2251, which puts out 180W x 2. If he's bringing in the new models, maybe he'll want to move these for less.
We're not getting all this gear at once. Probably going to take 8-12 months to piece it together. We've got a wedding to plan and pay for as well, lol. Geez, do I have my priorities straight, or what?
We have picked out a Kenwood Excelon KDCx592. It's being installed on the 28th. $315 after tax for H.U, wiring harness, hardware kit, and this shop has a free install deal going on right now.
Last edited by TragicMagic; 11-23-2008 at 08:50 PM.
11-23-2008, 09:15 PM
#40
The Soundstream Little Wonder 5 channel is on sale right now. It is conservatively rated at 55w x 4 (4ohm) + 280w x 1 (2ohm) or 220w x 2 (4ohm) + 280w x 1 (2ohm). This amp would land at your door inc. tax and shipping for your budget. It is a proven solid performing amplifier.
It is most certainly enough power in that little car to get loud and to make speakers sound great while doing it.
It is most certainly enough power in that little car to get loud and to make speakers sound great while doing it.
