Can any one tell me who makes the best mono block? I have two Infinity Perfect 10.1 350 rms each. What should I power them with? I was thinking of going with the Alpine MRD-M500 to match my Alpine deck. But people are telling me to use JL, Audiobahn, Phoenix Gold, or Rockford.

Who's best for SQ, Power and Price???

The best monoblock amps are actually class A/B ones. If you're really concerned about SQ, you want not Class D.

I agree, I noticed a HUGE diff between class A/B and class D for subwoofers. The class D mono block I used (although it was very accurate) didn't reproduce the harmonics that makes the bass sound 'warm'

But, if you want to use class D for subs, JL and MTX make some very nice units.

What makes an amp class D? I thought it was only about efficiency?

Most of the mono block amps on the market are class D.

Sould I go with a 2-ch instead?

-Henry©

Several companies make good Class D mono blocks. I would say that it all depends n what brand you are particular to. As for what it sounds like, the difference will not be as noticeable to you as what has been posted, maybe a mic will pic up the differences, but even then it wont be a big issue. There are several things you might want to take into account before you decide:

1) Are you going to compete?
2) What is your current system set up for?
3) What are your music tastes?
4) How much are you willing to spend on your mono block?


Maybe that will be a guide line for your decision, as well as the fact that A/B's cost more than D's. Clas A/B's only differ from D's in their power supply, as far as I know, I could be wrong, and there might be somme other differences top them, but basicly I say its the power supply. Good luck in finding a good A/B or D amp for your system

class d amps are completely different from class a/b,but the difference in efficiency is only 10-20% at max output anyways.i've used both and feel that class a/b are far better for sound quality, and class d (depending upon brand)are more suited to spl. the jl class d are faily clean,and most that are above a 1000wrms rating are usually better for spl(include mmats 300) :cool:

How are the MTX class D amps for SQ?

Class A/B amps transition smoothly into clipping whereas Class D amps clip hard right off the bat as a general rule.

As most people tend to turn up the bass it is easy to push an amp into clipping, and most people are clipping a bit when the bass is cranked...you just notice it a lot more with Class D amps because as soon as you cross the line into clipping you can pretty much hear it.

That's why I got 1500W Class A/B to my subs heheh.. [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]

islandphile, I wouldn't say that is a repeatable characteristic of a class-D amp. Some of them have behaved very well in fact when pushed hard. Off the top of my head, the Rockford and MA Audio class-D's were cleaned and more 'usefull' in clipping that even some of the A/B amps I have tested.

There is a complete explanation of the Class A/B and Class D topology on my website in the Tech > Equipment section. www.ofsoundmind.com

Dave, thanks for the clarification ;) . I should have qualified that...I haven't heard the new stuff from the manufacturers you mentioned, I'm sure the sound quality of Class D is improving year by year.