Affordable amp for subwoofer?

[heat23 10+ year member]

I have a Kenwood KDC-215s headunit that has a rear right and rear left RCA connections. I want to add a little bit of punch to my system by getting an amp and subwoofer. I don't need anything too loud, just to make the music I listen to more enjoyable. Can you guys recommend an amp and subwoofer for under $200 total. And also point me to an amp kit to use with that amplifier?

Thanks

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[bonesninja 5,000+ posts]

wow for $200 you may not find too much but i would check around on ebay or go to the for sale ads in this site. And once i thought i didn't need alot of bass either---years later if i can't collapse a lung with my subs i don't want em.

 

[heat23 10+ year member]

What specifications do I need to look for when shopping for an amp? Do I need to worry about compatibility with my headunit or will any amp work? Also, do I need to get Mono or 2-channel? What amps should I stay away from?

 

[heat23 10+ year member]

I see quite a few amps for under $100 at http://ikesound.com/category-category_id/47

any of those you recommend? Also what amp kit do I need?

 

[CarlB 10+ year member]

Okay, probably the best sub for your budget would probably be an Alpine Type S or a Kicker Comp or CompVR.

As for amp, the best bet will be to get a nice two channel amp, and bridge it, which will put out a good amount of power at 4 ohms. To get it the sub and amp to match, you should get either a single voice coil 4 ohm, or a dual 2ohm. The Alpine's and Kicker's are dual voice coils, so make sure you get a dual 2 if you go my suggested route.

The Refurb Orion 3002 should be just fine to power it. Unless you don't want to go refurb, then another good amp to look at might be the MTX Thunder202, which is a pretty good amp as well, though a little bit weak.

Go and look though the used classifieds, might find something good for cheap.

 

[jaboran 10+ year member]

try going to http://www.the zeb.com

hifonics merlin mono d class amp 300rms @2ohm $145.95

cerwin vega HED-D1202 12" subwoofer dual 4ohm $ 57.95

i think that would be a half way decent set up for ya.. although i would think about getting a good sub box and power cable kit(an 8ga. would work but i recommend a 4ga.).. for the box, go for a ported(boomy sound) to get a simulated "loud" from the speaker.... i just hope that no one hates on this post or any elses post because $200 is hard to work with, but it can get ya started with a half way decent sounding system.. so i hope this suggestion helped

 

[jaboran 10+ year member]

oh i just read u asked something about compatibility of your head unit to your amp... do not worry about that.. as long as the head unit has a preout(rca outs) in the back then u are set

and about 2-channel/mono amps... i would suggest getting a mono d class.. they seem to be a little more efficient at producing bass without over heating.... get a mono amp and a half way decent subwoofer (recommend dual voice coils for mono amps).. so again.. glad i could help with the limited knowledge that i have

 

[heat23 10+ year member]

Hows this Profile California CA600M (http://ikesound.com/product-product_id/1181) ?

Is that dual voice coil or class d? If not, how is this amp anyways?

Hows this Blaupunkt Amp and subwoofer package for $129? http://www.cardomain.com/sku/BLAPCA12COMBO

 

[heat23 10+ year member]

Hows this MTX Audio Road Thunder RT251D (http://www.cardomain.com/item/MTXRT251D) for $120 (trying to pricmatch for $90)

 

[jaboran 10+ year member]

the blaupunkt package is a good price.. but i wouldn't trust blaupunkt subwoofers as far as i can throw a rock(bad personal experience)

the profile is not a very good amp.. it says it can do the watts.. but it actually does not.. don't even look at it

the MTX is a good deal if u can get it for the $90 u want it for(besides it is a more efficient amplifier for bass production)

 

[jaboran 10+ year member]

what did u think of the siggestions i have given ya?..more fuel to the fire huh?.. hmm... and i see u have been doing your research on amplifiers... so hows the search on subwoofers?

 

[flakko 5,000+ posts]

Actually, Profile amps are pretty good for the money ya know, i got a CA600M rite now and it actaully overpowered my Perfect 400wrms(not a suprise) but still, they do thier rated power