Amp suggestion for Focal Utopia Be No. 6 - Focal, McIntosh or JL?

[saxguy]

I am going to have a system installed in my car - space is very limited. We are going to use a DQL-8 off the HU and mains will be Utopia Be No. 6. Space wise, the JL 5/900 will work well. Going with the Focal line I would need one 4.160 and one 1.500 (for the sub). If I go with McIntosh I would go with two MCC301s and maybe another Mc amp for the sub.

I would like to know if anyone has experience pairing these amps with these speakers? Any comments regarding sonic differences would be appreciated.

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[SPLAudioHz 10+ year member]

I am running Utopia No. 7 line. I am going to power them with a Zapco DC ref 650.6. ch 1/2 to the Xovers and channels 5/6 to the Mid bass drivers. As I wish I had the funds to run a MX406, I would probably still run the Zapco over the McIntosh amps just because of the built in DSP. Just MO

 

[lilpride 10+ year member]

I hear both focal and mcintosh amps are pretty great

WoofersEtc.com - FP 5.500 LE - Focal 5 Channel 700 Watt F Power LE Series Amplifier

WoofersEtc.com - Dark Blue 5 - Helix 5 Ch 700 Watt Amplifier with digital woofer channel

 

[SPLAudioHz 10+ year member]

Focal makes great speakers, not such great amps. Good amps, yes, but not great. McIntosh makes awesome amps. If your looking in that range also look into Audison, or Sinfoni Amps as well.

 

[SPLAudioHz 10+ year member]

It never hurts to look into old school amps. Some of the cleanest power came from those old tube and mosfet bastards. You can also look into Butler Tube amps. Few guys (engineers) that worked for PPI left the company and started making them. Great amps. Bulky, but hey they are tube amps after all.

 

[LaserRed38 10+ year member]

All good suggestions in here. Or you could go all digital and get an Audison bit one and Thesis amps!

 

[saxguy]

I was just talking to my installer and he is recommending that we do a custom Tru Tech amp to minimize space. I don't know much about Tru Tech. How do their amps compare to McIntosh?