Best amp <$200?

[MrTurtle 10+ year member]

Perhaps this will get me laughed at, but I want to upgrade my stereo with an amplifier (My head unit gets plenty loud for me, but from what I've read an amp will make all music at all volumes sound better, clearer.) My dash speakers are 3 1/2", and have a max power rating of 35 watts RMS so I figure a 4 channel amp with 40 watts per channel RMS will give my music a boost all around without blowing out my dash speakers. I'd like it to live under my front seat (I have a small car, so space is an issue) so it can't get too hot. Right now I'm considering the Alpine MRP-F250 and the Pioneer GM-4300F. I've used products from both brands, and have confidence in their quality, but if anyone has suggestions that meet my criteria, I'd be appreciative.

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[DBBOOM 10+ year member]

Dont think your gonna see an improvement, maybe............. just not worth the effort or cash to amplify OEM speakers IMO.

 

[GAM3OVR 5,000+ posts]

true

get some decent speakers. even coaxials. Pioneer has some great comps for the cheaps... and amplify those. It will be helluva lot better

 

[MrTurtle 10+ year member]

****, that was quick! Okay, I maybe should have provided more information: I don't have a factory stereo, I basically did a full swap: Factory HU for an Alpine CDA-9885, and factory speakers for Infinity Kappa coaxials in 6x9, 6.5 and 3.5 inch. The head unit, near as I can figure is 4 channel (I only connected 8 speaker wires) and I'd like to improve the way everything sounds all round.

I don't have a subwoofer, but I'm thinking about getting an amplified model at some point, before anyone suggests doing that to improve my sound.

 

[DBBOOM 10+ year member]

****, that was quick! Okay, I maybe should have provided more information: I don't have a factory stereo, I basically did a full swap: Factory HU for an Alpine CDA-9885, and factory speakers for Infinity Kappa coaxials in 6x9, 6.5 and 3.5 inch. The head unit, near as I can figure is 4 channel (I only connected 8 speaker wires) and I'd like to improve the way everything sounds all round.
I don't have a subwoofer, but I'm thinking about getting an amplified model at some point, before anyone suggests doing that to improve my sound.

That was important info. Under $200, many choices, personally i would research online sales sites and compare specs, then ask the forum about the ones you narrow it down to.

 

[MrTurtle 10+ year member]

Okay, I guess one of the things to ask now is: What are the most important specs to look at? Signal to noise sounds like it would have a fair bit to do with how clean my system sounds. But what of the Low Pass Filter? When it says the LPF is 40-400 Hz, does it mean that I can set it somewhere between those numbers, or do I have to choose one or the other?

 

[DBBOOM 10+ year member]

Look at THD, lower is better. The filters are usually adjustable by turning a screw, which means they are set by you listening preferance. Low pass 40-400 means you can adjust what freq is sent from 40-400, it allows from the set point and down to pass(this is for the sub). The high pass is used for the mid and high speakers. It allows freq from the set point and up to pass. Most amps allow you to bypass these filters and run full range also.

 

[Crownvicon28s 10+ year member]

How much power you looking for?

 

[drumman8524 10+ year member]

How many watts are you looking for? and how many speakers is it for? there are so many amplifiers under 200 ...US amps is a good company to look into..they make some great amps ive been looking into getting one myself

you should look here

http://www.rickiesdiscountelectronics.com/

they seem to have a lot of amps on sale right now..

 

[MrTurtle 10+ year member]

How many watts are you looking for? and how many speakers is it for? there are so many amplifiers under 200 ...US amps is a good company to look into..they make some great amps ive been looking into getting one myselfyou should look here

http://www.rickiesdiscountelectronics.com/

they seem to have a lot of amps on sale right now..

Six speakers: a pair each of 6x9, 6.5 and 3.5. The three point five dash speakers have power handling limit of 35 watts RMS so I figure a 40 watt amp (per channel for 4 channels) will be fine without destroying the speakers. Then again, I don't listen to my music too loud, I just want it to sound better, so maybe a more powerful amp, knowing that I won't be pushing its limits?

 

[Crownvicon28s 10+ year member]

Six speakers: a pair each of 6x9, 6.5 and 3.5. The three point five dash speakers have power handling limit of 35 watts RMS so I figure a 40 watt amp (per channel for 4 channels) will be fine without destroying the speakers. Then again, I don't listen to my music too loud, I just want it to sound better, so maybe a more powerful amp, knowing that I won't be pushing its limits?

I have a Kicker zx 200.4 for sale. Its 35 watts RMS @ 4 ohms per channel. $100 shipped. You could get a matching 350.2 or 350.4 for your other speakers. I currently have the 200.4 on eight speakers until my Titan arrives tomorrow and it sounds fine. PM me if your interested.