Alpine vs. Zapco vs. Audison

[siebo]

Like many others I am ready to get different amps. I am currently running Phoenix Gold RSd 500.4 @85 x 4 rms and 1200.1 @ 1200 x 1 rms. I really like the sub amp but I need more power for the front/rear stages. I've been doing a little searching and now I have a few prospects for replacements. I will admit that I have not heard any of the models I am about to mention. This is where YOU come in for assistance.

Alpine PDX-4.150 and PDX-1.1000 (4 x150 rms/1 x1000 rms)

Zapco Reference-1000.4 and Ref.-1100.1 (4 x 150 rms/1 x 1100 x rms)

Audison LRx-4.150 and LRx-1.1k (4 x 135 rms/1 x 1090 rms)

I know that all the power ratings are very similar, but can Alpine even compare to these two brands or are Zapco and Audison in a class of their own? As of right now I am leaning towards Alpine because I Love the small footprint. And the price is a little easier to handle too. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Thanks to all in advance, siebo

Click to read more...

 

[R/T Pimp 10+ year member]

Yes Zapco and Audison are in their own league.

 

[Eugenics 5,000+ posts]

I'd probably get the Alpines. Yeah, i'm crazy i guess.

 

[learn2swim]

the audison better than all listed above

 

[limitkid7 5,000+ posts]

include cost, lol

 

[dragnix 5,000+ posts]

i'd get the alpine just because of cost, they should be around the same. But if money doesn't matter to you then i suppose you can go with the Zapco or the Arc, just to say that you can

 

[stuckinok 5,000+ posts]

alpine...

 

[LaserRed38 10+ year member]

I'm trying to sell my Audison, to pick up some PDX amps. It is a very nice, well made amp, but I just couldn't afford a matching 1.1k at the time. The dealer was going to hold it for me, and did, but someone else came up with the money faster. That's my fault, yes, but the new ones are black and won't match my blue one. BUT, now I need something with a smaller footprint, and I love the ability to stack the PDX's. As far as sound quality, now that I have lived with the Audison for 5 months, I just went back to my old Alpine MRV so I could sell the Audison, and honestly, with the exact same settings and Xover points, they both had a pretty unique sound. Some details stood out cleaner/louder/softer with both of them. Build quality, even though I have the LRx line, it is better than my Made in China Alpine MRV, but the PDX amps are built really well and I would say are on par with the LRx, and better than the SRx line. I can't speak for Zapco as I have never heard/used them, but they are very nicely built too...Again it goes back to recognition. Yes, there are many CA champions running around using Audison, Brax, McIntosh, Zapco, Focal, MB Quart, Rainbow, etc but to the average person, getting the job done with mid-level components can be achieved. Not really sure what you should take from all of this though haha.