Help me choose a 5 channel amp please

[KChiefin29]

That's a good point DDtC...I considered this, but wasn't too sure and was hoping to get better midbass out of this....The speakers are located above/slightly behind the rear passengers heads. Not sure if this makes things any better or worse.

Still researching the whole class AB vs D for SQ.....fingers seem to be pointing towards class A/B for SQ, though class D has come a long way.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

You want mid bass up front. That's what gives that upfront bass illusion.

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

I thoughtI saw the PPI 900.5 for sale at techronics...

Will you get the amp if you order it? Maybe some day.

 

[KChiefin29]

So if you were me, you would take out the Polk mm651um in the rear. Any suggestions on good replacements? I suppose going for better 6.5 mid woofers in the front doors would five me what I'm looking for.

Sorry guys, Pretty new here...but willing to listen and learn to ensure I have a good setup. I know that a good system is determined by it's user, but there are those certain things that one would know based only on experience. Need someone with experience to guide me in the right direction to finalize my system. Thanks thus far for the info thus far.

Here's my complete system thus far:

Dynamat Extreme was placed in front doors and rear speaker bar...

Head Unit: Kenwood X997

Wiring:

4 channel xln monster rca for fronts and rears

Scosche crystal rca for sub

16 gauge xln monster speaker wire for speakers

12 gauge xln wire for sub

RF - 4 gauge power wire

RF - 4 gauge ground

100 amp ANL inline Fuse

Front Speakers: JL C5-650

Rear Speakers: Polk MM651UM

Sub: Polk SR104 SVC (in sealed home made box - 0.85cft)

All suggestions welcome as far as what needs to be changed or could make things better or more efficient towards a good SQ setup...Thanks

 

[fuster 10+ year member]

Class AB will ALWAYS produce cleaner and better sound overall than any Class D amplifier. Class D amps are smaller and require less power. A decent choice for a subwoofer, but NOT for a 5 channel amp.

If you want real good sound, the only 5 channel amplifier I would suggest is an OS Soundstream Reference 405, 405s, or a 705. I have run the 405 and 405s in several cars, with perfect SQ. You will not be running a buncha large subwoofers with the sub channel, but if you are putting in one sub it will work fine. You can run it at 2 ohms as well. The 705 is a rare find. Also large, so you'd have to have space for it. You also might consider one of the old A/D/S amplifiers. They made a Power Plate that is 8 channels, so you could bridge some to drive multiple subs. Very fine sound.

 

[KChiefin29]

Right on, so although the JBL GTO 5EZ may be considered a "lower" quality amp, it produce better SQ vs others such as JL XD700, PG, and PPI class D amps? Or is there a lot more involved than just that...such as filter processing software etc...?

I can stick with the original amp, just worried about my seat kinda resting on the amp due to heat build up or too much weight...ha i guess I could have a weight limit in the back seats? Anyways, I'd like to know if I will gain any noticeable improvements going with a smaller/better quality amp over the GTO-5EZ amp.

Thanks.

 

[naughtyca 10+ year member]

why not get a tiny footprint 4 channel amp like rockford PBR 300x4 and a rockford pbr 300x1 probably close to your budget

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

Right on, so although the JBL GTO 5EZ may be considered a "lower" quality amp, it produce better SQ vs others such as JL XD700, PG, and PPI class D amps? Or is there a lot more involved than just that...such as filter processing software etc...?

There's nothing wrong at all with the quality of JBL GTO amplifiers. They're built really well with a huge amount of heatsink surface area, plus the gain setting system with the included test CD is very nice and unusual. Keep the GTO-5EZ.

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

Zed Leviathan fits under the back seats of Jeep Grand Cherokee. Even class D gets warm in there. Expect constant thermal protect issues if you don't pick class D. Expect lackluster performance if you don't pick a good class D for full range.

 

[winkychevelle 10+ year member]

why not get a tiny footprint 4 channel amp like rockford PBR 300x4 and a rockford pbr 300x1 probably close to your budget

See I actually like your thinking here but he would need the pbr300x2 since his sub is single 4

 

[timhof13 10+ year member]

I have to say that for a class d amp, that PG sounds pretty good. They pack a lot into that little casing. I agree AB does sound better

 

[tat2bass 10+ year member]

An American Bass PH5100. Can get new from carstereogiant.com for only $269 with a warranty.

 

[raptor727 10+ year member]

Alpine has a tiny 5 channel amp brand new for only 290......

 

[KChiefin29]

Here's a few pics of the setup...first pics shows fitment of the JBL amp.

Other pics of the system....

 

[KChiefin29]

Anyways, I guess I'm now trying to decide if I should keep my JBL amp....with the previous mentioned fitment issues. I do have a JL XD400/4 laying around...I thought about using this amp, and purchasing a separate amp for the sub. So it looks like I have a few options based on just that...Also looking at options mentioned by other members.

All in all, the goal is to go in the direction of best overall SQ obviously...Seems like there are lot's of options out there, which is going to work best and why? The list could go on, but I'm certain there's an overall best/ most efficient setup. I could be over complicating things, but hoping it all pays off in the end.