Another car audio question

[hpkeeper]

okay, I got the two infinity kappa perfect 10" now what kind of amplifier should I get? I want a 2 channel at least 250 Watt amp, so if that helps any of you out, are there any reccomendations? also, with the purchase of those subs, my pocket is running short of change... under $200 is within my range... so please help...

thanks,

ThE KeEp

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Despite what Infinity lists, those subs can handle around 300-350w. Anything less and you might as well have not bought them. I'd recommend the JBL BP600.1 but brand new it would run you around $300 at TMS or woofersetc. ($499 @ Crotchfield) (It would be able to push 300w to each one)

 

[hpkeeper]

no other reccomendations?

 

[TrevorK]

For ~200, you might have to go with a brand like Cadence. They are supposed to make decent amps for the money actually...

Or try Hifonics, they are within that range too.

Trevor

 

[BigLance]

I used to own a Perfect 10. before my HX2's (see link) You can send them 4-500w RMS if you want to push em real hard. So anything between 300-450or500w ish is good. That JBL is a good amp. I had a Cadence A5HC (600-700w RMS @ 2OHMs) at one time, nice amp, but won't push those quite like they could be pushed.

Please get a good amp, its very important.

Check these places out:

CarMedia1
Sound Habit
SQ Audio
Woofers ETC.
Matrix Car Audio

 

[Brill]

Might help a little if we knew how u were setting your subs up as far as load, you certainly can't choose an amplifier or expect us to recomend one until you fill in some blanks. maybe you should do a little research... enclosure?ported?sealed? bandpass? load plan 8ohm 4 ohm 2ohm 1ohm??would be glad to help if u fill in some blanks


Bri

 

[BigLance]

Infinity Pefects are 4 OHM SVC. So he can get 4 OHM Stereo, 2 OHM Mono or 8 OHM Mono. I would get a Class D Mono Block like the Cadence, many manufactures make these now, That JBL is a Mono Block also. They are much more effecient than a regular amp, they won't produce mids and highs but you don't want that for subs anyway. My RF BD1000a1 is Class D also and I love it !

 

[Emulex]

you want to run the amps at 2ohm mono, for the most sound. You'll need an amp that can reliable push (@ 2ohm) about 1/2 of the total rated power handling capacity.

So if the speakers can take 600watt's, you want to run good clean 300watts RMS, Peak power output means nothing, never will.

The pioneers have dropped GREATLY in price lately, making them very competitive according to my audio store sources. Their new head units rock much too, and will be uber-cut in prices recently.

good stuff.

Cheap = crap sound. Remember that. It always applied. $200 is not much of an amp . My advice, get a lower output fosgate punch amp, even though the output is lower, the output is cleaner.

i'd rather have a 50x2 fosgate punch amp than a 1800 watt pyramid any day.

 

[glen]

The cheapest amps in the world are about 1,000,000 times better than the best speakers in the world. So, spead as much as you can on speakers and installation, and as little as possible on amps.

 

[flippinfleck]

I'd say it all depends on your preference. There are many good amps out there right now. Definately go with a mono for those subs, maybe even a 2chan and drop it down to mono. As for cheap amps + quality speakers... if you need your music now, go for it. But upgrade in the near future. Or save some more money and get the better stuff now. I am waiting to get an extant amp. Right now, I have a Pioneer that I got for ~$50 cuz it was an open box. Works fine, wonder why it was returned.

 

[StealthX32]

er glen, bad idea.

I agree that SQ is achieved more thru subs than thru amps, but compare a BOSS amp to something like a PPI POWERCLASS or any Phoenix Gold amp and you'll see the difference. Actually, the first thing I'd spend money on would be the HU; if you HU puts out a dirty signal, you could have a vacuum tube amp with 4 Boston Acoustics Pro 12s and it'll sound like crap. Also, cheap amps = low life. I've seen at least 3 600w Profiles blow, even with their "4 in-amp fuses and an external fuse".

As for the Kappa Perfects, my friend was pushing 900 RMS thru a signal 12" Kappa Perfect. The only way to really blow a sub is to set the gain up so you bottom out the driver.

Bottom line is, go to a car audio shop, and pick what you like...and then order it online to get it cheap. Guessing on what you like will make you end up spending more in the long run. Choose wisely...

 

[BigLance]

<< The cheapest amps in the world are about 1,000,000 times better than the best speakers in the world. So, spead as much as you can on speakers and installation, and as little as possible on amps. >>



Whoa ! Don't listen to this guy !! He is totally wrong. Spend the most on your amp, you want to push clean sound, even if you speakers are not the bst they will still sound descent with descent power. If you get good speakers they WILL sound like crap with a cheap amp !!!

Check out ECA for lotsa Car Audio help.

 

[glen]

If you can tell the difference between line matched amplifiers in a blind test, you can have my home system, Legacy Focus speakers with a custom designed sub. which plays FLAT down to 13hz.

 

[BigLance]

Well I'm happy for your home system, but your statement about the crappiest amps are better than the best speakers/subs makes 0 sense. Installation is important, but buying good amps is VERY important too, more important than the speakers or subs you buy.

 

[Emulex]

by the way , a cheap amp can and will blow your nice speakers. Distortion KILLS speakers, and thats the difference between a nice and cheap amp: distortion.

Take my advice, don't pair a cheap amp up to nice speakers, it won't accomplish what your trying to do.

 

[TheZaZ]

<< The cheapest amps in the world are about 1,000,000 times better than the best speakers in the world. So, spead as much as you can on speakers and installation, and as little as possible on amps. >>





Whoa, what the hell are you smoking? Cuz I think I want some of it.

The installation and amp are much more important than the subs. But NEVER go cheap on your amp. If I had a good quality amp (PG, Zapco, Genesis, Kicker,) I could make any sub sound good (Pyramid, Thump, Shaker), but if you go and get the cheapest amp (Pyramid, Lazer, Road Gear, Rampage) and put it on say a Perfect, IDQ, Oz Matrix, or A/D/S your gonna get some really crappy results. INSTALLATION IS EVERYTHING. But you also gotta have a good amp to go along with it. Subs dont matter as much.

Your system is only going to be as good as your weakest piece of equipment.

The JBL BP600.1 is a very good amp and it will power those perfects just fine along with good SQ.

Ooh, but you said under $200. Hmm.....Alpine T503 comes into mind. Just dont go cheap on the amp, you will regret it. Trust me.

 

[BigLance]

<< by the way , a cheap amp can and will blow your nice speakers. Distortion KILLS speakers, and thats the difference between a nice and cheap amp: distortion. >>



He is exactly right, its called clipping You ruin a sub rated to take 1000w RMS with much much less power than that if its &quot;dirty&quot; distorted clipped power...

 

[TheZaZ]

I would recommend the following:

JBL BP600.1
PG XS2500
Cadence Z1200
Hifonics Z600
Arc Audio 2100-CXL
Alpine MRV-T503 or T707
RF 250A2

 

[Doodoo]

Under 200...thats kinda rough. Check out the esx1752. Puts out 250x2.

 

[BigLance]

US Acoustics Amps are not bad, usually pretty cheap.

 

[TheZaZ]

So when can I have my new home system?



Wait a second, your probably have Craig for your receiver. I think I will pass.


Thanks anyway.

 

[glen]

<< You ruin a sub rated to take 1000w RMS with much much less power than that if its &quot;dirty&quot; distorted clipped power... >>



Not true. This is widely believed, but not true. Clipped square waves don't blow speakers, raw power does.


What matters?
Speakers
source material
room treatment

Speakers ALWAYS matter.
Amps, driven within their limits, don't matter.

If you are convienced otherwise, conduct a test and publish the results.

Here are our results and testing proceedures:
linkified

 

[MiniThug]

I have 2 Infinity Kappa Perfect 12&quot;s on the JBL 1200.1 and they sound great. I think the JBL 600.1 would be an excellent choice for an amp. May be a little out of your price range though.

 

[Emulex]

the point is that cheap amps do not drive clean sound within much safe limit.

those 6 foot long mexi-flea market 1800watt amps probably only provide 25 watts of clean power, versus a punch 100 (50x2) the punch will kick its arse.
(and not blow your speakers)


if you cannot afford a good amp, get a good amp that you can afford, that holds some resale value (PPI,rockford), that way you can resell the amp to someone else when you get more money, and not throw cash down the toilet.

 

[hpkeeper]

I'm looking for the best amp at the cheapest price, and the sooner I can get it, the better. If I wait a few weeks I can get a better amp, but I don't want to go with a mono amp, I was looking on Fleabay just a few minutes ago and that JBL BP600.1 amp was $278.... that's nutz.... it's only one channel? I could only run one speaker with that, am I being stupid for wanting to buy an amp that supports more than one channel?

I was looking at a pyramid PB1475

found here

the speakers don't go any further than 350 watts, 400 covers that, so wouldn't this do the job?

Let me know.