Alpine KTP-445 "power pack".....added to an already complete system????

[JeffDeezy]

long story short i'm still wondering if this is possible, worthwhile, and if so what the consequences would be.

here's what i've got:

Alpine CDE-102 head unit

Rockford Fosgate 300-4

two alpine sps600's in the front, two rockford 6's in the back of comparable price range (model escapes me)

boston G1 10" sub in a stealth box MTX thunderform

here's the deal, the amp is split, half running the sub, half running the 4 speakers (all of which are 4 ohm). i can't really say that i know what my true RMS per channel is.

anyway, since the so called power pack is plug'n'play with my head unit, is there anything keeping me from adding it and getting any real world gains? the RMS has to stack up.....right?

somehow i doubt many if any people have done this, but i'm looking for a nice bang for the buck upgrade. have been looking at the rockford 150-2 or 250-2 amp to power the sub by itself and let the 300-4 power the speakers but i want know know if this power pack idea is worth considering instead.

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[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

It will be useless. If you have your speakers amped the HU wattage is irrelevant.

 

[JeffDeezy]

well dang, that *****.

well then, what do you guys suggest i do about getting more power into the system on the cheap? does my idea of a seperate 250-2 for the sub and just letting the 300-4 power the speakers net me any real gains in clarity and a db or two?

the guys at the audio shop that installed all this told me that for the money i have one of the best sounding systems possible. i want to keep with the value oriented style, i can't afford any $500 amps and the like. even the stealth box and sub were used.

sorry i didn't mention this sooner, my car is in an '02 Firebird.

 

[gpgtp]

It will certainly give you more adjustability, and the use of the fader on your hu, if you care about that..

 

[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

It will certainly give you more adjustability, and the use of the fader on your hu, if you care about that..

Would you care to explain? It wont add anything that the HU cant do on its own. The KTP445 only has a low gain/high gain switch and plugs directly in line with the wiring harnesses.

 

[JeffDeezy]

not concerned with fader even if that was an issue. to be blunt my concerns are more clarity, more power, and more db. just not a whole lot more. still keeping it on the cheap, since i have bills and all that jive that comes ahead of stereo equipment. just about my bang for the buck.

this being said, i am happy with my bass. a little more would be great, i don't need to rattle my trunk. my rearview already vibrates if i pop in a Three 6 Mafia album.....

maybe i should add, i am a metal head. i want the double bass to hit hard enough but where i really need things to shine is in the mid range for heavy riffing, and the high's of a guitar. i don't care about having a thousand watts RMS to a sub or three.

long story short, where do i go from here, budget wise and long term wise.

 

[zako 10+ year member]

Would you care to explain? It wont add anything that the HU cant do on its own. The KTP445 only has a low gain/high gain switch and plugs directly in line with the wiring harnesses.

My understanding is that the op is running 2 sets of speakers with only two amp channels. I assume that the left amp channel runs left front and rear, and so on. Hence, the fader can't be used and the front and rear speakers run at roughly the same volume. If you ask me, it's a lousy setup. This is terrible for sound stage unless you enjoy facing the source of music with your back. If the car audio shop set this up and then made a claim that this is the best sound for the money, they don't know about how to setup a good sounding system.

 

[zako 10+ year member]

I can't believe that this power pack will add any more power compared to what you have now. If you ask me, this KTP-445 power pack is a waste of money. I have not seen one reviewer who said it sounds any better than even a cheap 4-channel amplifier. Most claim that it's not distinguishable much from a head unit amp. Compared to head unit power, it will give you maybe 3-5dB more than HU before clipping signal. What's the price of this power pack? Like $100 bucks? If one is strapped for cash, you can always buy something like Jensen's 4-channel amplifier for like $100. Channels are rated for something like 75-80watts rms at 4ohms each. This is weak for a subwoofer, but plenty for most speakers out there. If you can spend something like $170-$220 you can buy an MB Quart ONX4.125 (4x125wrms) or MB Quart Q (4x150). The next step is probably upgrade the Type S speakers because my understanding is that they're nothing special. Alpine makes much better speakers. Compared to Type-S, Type-R or Type-X Pro will play louder and deeper while maintaining good composure.

 

[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

My understanding is that the op is running 2 sets of speakers with only two amp channels. I assume that the left amp channel runs left front and rear, and so on. Hence, the fader can't be used and the front and rear speakers run at roughly the same volume. If you ask me, it's a lousy setup. This is terrible for sound stage unless you enjoy facing the source of music with your back. If the car audio shop set this up and then made a claim that this is the best sound for the money, they don't know about how to setup a good sounding system.

Doesnt matter. Even if that were the case adding the KTP445 still wouldnt give fading abilities.

I can't believe that this power pack will add any more power compared to what you have now. If you ask me, this KTP-445 power pack is a waste of money. I have not seen one reviewer who said it sounds any better than even a cheap 4-channel amplifier. Most claim that it's not distinguishable much from a head unit amp. Compared to head unit power, it will give you maybe 3-5dB more than HU before clipping signal. What's the price of this power pack? Like $100 bucks? If one is strapped for cash, you can always buy something like Jensen's 4-channel amplifier for like $100. Channels are rated for something like 75-80watts rms at 4ohms each. This is weak for a subwoofer, but plenty for most speakers out there. If you can spend something like $170-$220 you can buy an MB Quart ONX4.125 (4x125wrms) or MB Quart Q (4x150). The next step is probably upgrade the Type S speakers because my understanding is that they're nothing special. Alpine makes much better speakers. Compared to Type-S, Type-R or Type-X Pro will play louder and deeper while maintaining good composure.

First off depends on what Alpine HU you have. The 9887 and 117 dont clip. They are internally regulated. Secondly that Jensen amp wont do even close to rated power. Even then the Alpine I can guarantee would do more power and it would be a much cleaner signal. 170-220 is alot when your strapped for cash. The KTP445's goal is not to get loud. Its there to add that extra oomph to lower rms speakers that are very efficient.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

I can't believe that this power pack will add any more power compared to what you have now. If you ask me, this KTP-445 power pack is a waste of money. I have not seen one reviewer who said it sounds any better than even a cheap 4-channel amplifier. Most claim that it's not distinguishable much from a head unit amp. Compared to head unit power, it will give you maybe 3-5dB more than HU before clipping signal. What's the price of this power pack? Like $100 bucks? If one is strapped for cash, you can always buy something like Jensen's 4-channel amplifier for like $100. Channels are rated for something like 75-80watts rms at 4ohms each. This is weak for a subwoofer, but plenty for most speakers out there. If you can spend something like $170-$220 you can buy an MB Quart ONX4.125 (4x125wrms) or MB Quart Q (4x150). The next step is probably upgrade the Type S speakers because my understanding is that they're nothing special. Alpine makes much better speakers. Compared to Type-S, Type-R or Type-X Pro will play louder and deeper while maintaining good composure.

Mine is great. Im running a 1600 watt sub stage and my mids and highs are crystal clear. You not getting reviews from the right people

 

[JeffDeezy]

zako....what's your idea of a good sounding system?

guys, i didn't ask for any comparisons of amps vs the power pack, i KNOW a real amp is better. hence, why i have a real amp.....

as for knocking the shop that did my install, you have to realize what i said. FOR THE MONEY. i literally paid about 75 for the sub and box, the amp was 200, and i already had the head unit and the front speakers, all they added was the rear speakers, and they were 100 dollar speakers at that.

so i don't have a lot of money in my setup, it's loud enough, clarity is ok, bass hits good enough for me. let me make it clear that i don't want to be the loudest or have more watts than the next guy or any of that.

i simply want to know what will be my best bang for the buck upgrade, and the idea that the power pack might stack was the first thought i had. so meh. i'm not an audio expert, still new to the game.