5channel vs mono and a 4channel

[Hockeydude80]

having a **** hard time with this, i love the thought of running my highs/mids and sub off one amp. i was looking into maybe a kicker 700.5. i think for about

329.00 new of ebay. im just looking for an amp for my daily driver. then again should i just get like a 400.1 and a 4channel amp instead? not looking for a ton of rms for the sub just enough for it to sound decent, i plan on building a box to spec for best performance with little as 400rms going ot a sub. i havnt picked out the sub yet but was looking at a 12l5 i can get one for like 90.00 new.

what do you thing i should do? would it be that bad of purchase? the install of any product can make or break the system so i plan on dotting all the i's and crossing all the t's with this install, so im looking at about 450.00 shipped for the amp and sub , what are the advantages/disadvantages to this set up? any advice would be great thanks

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[xSomeguyx 10+ year member]

I'm using an Alpine MRV-F450 5-channel right now, and I really like it. Then again, I'm not exactly on a big budget or am I looking to shake windows. It'll do 4x50, plus 1x200 at 4ohms, or 4x60w @ 2ohms and 1x200w @ 4ohms (sub channel isn't spec'd to go below 4ohms). Small footprint, clean install, and a pretty low current draw (the fuse they recomend is 50amps, although there's two 20's on the amp itself) made it pretty attractive to me. Not to mention that I got it for about $175 (the guy thought he blew it, but everything inside is pristine, and works perfectly) on Ebay.

Then again, if you get two sets of amps, it would mean it would be quite a bit easier to swap out one for a bigger sub amp, or a bigger 4 channel amp, instead of replacing the whole thing. However, you'd need to install the two seperate amps, which would mean a little more work.

 

[supa_c 5,000+ posts]

mosty what someguy posted. simple, cheap and easy to install

2 amps would be a better buy. IMO

 

[3.5Max6spd 10+ year member]

only three 5ch amps I've heard- are Arc Audio XXK5150, Soundstream D'artanagan, and Kicker 700.5 - and they all sounded great, with plenty of output-

some may think the sub channels dont put out much, but these amps are perfectly balanced to put out great SQ soundstage

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

Another problem with a 5-channel is that you are stuck with the power it offers. It may have enough power for your speakers, but lacking in power on the sub channel; or vice versa. That's why I'd prefer the 4-channel + mono amp, because you can "customer tailor" the power to your needs. And like someone said earlier, with a 4 channel + mono it is easier to swap amps out if you only want to upgrade only, say, the sub channel or the power going to your fronts.

 

[blackgeltabs 5,000+ posts]

Ive been tossing the idea of a 5 channel around for sometime. Ive decided im probably gonna get a Memphis belle to take the place of my 800a2 and the 600a4 I was looking into buying. The one i was looking at is 75x4@4ohm in the front and 1100x1@1ohm in the rear. Front is class AB rear is D. They also make a less powerful one the mc600d i think. Might be a little more expensive than the kicker, but better overall I think.