Help selecting an amplifier?

[King Midas]

Hey everyone,

I know little to nothing when it comes to car audio, and I've been having some concerns when it comes to selecting the appropriate amplifier. The bloke in Strathfield told me I'd need a 5 channel amp, but beyond that I know -absolutely nothing- about what specs I need on this thing, or what models would be appropriate.

Any assistance here would be greatly appreciated. I'm getting myself these:

"Infinity 6829CF 300W (Peak) 6 x 8 Inch 2-Way Speakers (Pair)"

"ROCKFORD FOSGATE PRIME R1682 6"x8" 2-WAY FULL RANGE REAR COAXIAL SPEAKERS 6x8""

"PIONEER TS-W304R Champion Series 12" Single 4 Ohm 1300W Subwoofer"

Thanks in advance!

Click to read more...

 

[Mitch86 5,000+ posts]

First thing I would recommend is to do some research on the whole system. Most of the time a person first getting in to audio can be overwhelmed and often can be easily pursuaded into buying inferior equipment at a higher cost. If you're looking to upgrade your speakers, check the speaker section and read the suggestions made by veteran members that fall within your budget. Also, its often generally acceptable to upgrade to better front speakers and completely do away with rears. There are also LOTS of options for budget friendly subwoofers that will be better than lower lines from "name brands". Basically, don't get talked into buying a product just because you know the brand name. Research, research, research some more..narrow down equipment within your budget and then you can make your purchase.

Sorry for the lengthy reply, but I get tired of seeing new people spending tons on inferior equipment because they don't do their research before purchasing!

 

[pickup1 5,000+ posts]

You need 5 channels,not just a 5 channel amp.you could use a 4 channel and a mono amp too.

The only thing about 5 channels,they usually don't have a lot of power.

Do you just want alittle more sound or alot?

 

[King Midas]

Thanks, any reply is helpful //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif (especially this quickly!)

Price range really isn't an issue here, I'm getting these particular speakers drastically reduced from their RRP's anyway (the sub for 30, infinity's for 45, rockfords for 35), I just want to know the correct amp to get on top of that, seeing as making the wrong decision can have pretty nasty consequences (i.e. broken stuff).

pickup, I literally know nothing here. If you think a 4-channel + mono for the sub would be best, please recommend it to me. I'm relying on the generosity and expertise of you kind folks here.

Thank you!

 

[naughtyca 10+ year member]

Thanks, any reply is helpful //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif (especially this quickly!)
Price range really isn't an issue here, I'm getting these particular speakers drastically reduced from their RRP's anyway (the sub for 30, infinity's for 45, rockfords for 35), I just want to know the correct amp to get on top of that, seeing as making the wrong decision can have pretty nasty consequences (i.e. broken stuff).

pickup, I literally know nothing here. If you think a 4-channel + mono for the sub would be best, please recommend it to me. I'm relying on the generosity and expertise of you kind folks here.

Thank you!

Everything comes down to your budget, if you have decided on mono amp and 4 channel we need to know how much you want to spend and people will post close to you budget amount and sometimes will give you links for a lot less than what you think, if you are not set on the sub i suggest to change it, it sound like from your pick you want a very loud spl sub stage

 

[King Midas]

Well in terms of the amp(s) I'm willing to spend anywhere from 100-400, it really depends what's recommended. Cheaper would be more convenient, but I don't want trash quality. I can change the sub, what do you suggest? Price range for that would be anywhere up to around 150, but I'd prefer to keep it low at about 50-100.

 

[naughtyca 10+ year member]

2 subs or just 1?

 

[King Midas]

Just one.

 

[CALDWELL]

What kind of vehicle do you have ??? What size sub do you want ?? these can also factor into the selection of what kind of amp you would like / need.

 

[naughtyca 10+ year member]

The problem i see is shipping since you are in australia but that Pioneer you are looking at is only 300rms, is there any website that you can order from that you can give us a link? I would suggest a sub around 600w rms and amp it around 600-750w.

 

[King Midas]

Shipping is 20-50 dollars for a sub without an enclosure, not really a big deal. I have a 2002 Mazda Tribute, it's really big and really spacious, more so than most SUV's. Sound leaks out of it a lot (by that i mean with all doors/windows closed you can still hear it from a fair way away) if that means anything?

As for the size of a sub, is there really that big a difference? I suppose 10-14 inch, but this is a decision made with no expertise and simple size guessing.

naughtyca, are you saying get a sub of 600w rms and a mono-amp of 600-700w? What about one for the other four? What requirements would that need?

As for where i'm ordering from, ebay and amazon are both giving me awesomely discounted shipping and domestic retailers have been quite douchey with prices (charging MORE than full additional shipping), most stores here wouldve tried to sell that pioneer plus enclosure for about 250-300.

If there's an alternative online merchant who would ship to australia at a good price, I'm all ears.

Thanks for the swift replies, by the way //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[mclerico83 5,000+ posts]

[quote name='King Midas']Shipping is 20-50 dollars for a sub without an enclosure, not really a big deal. I have a 2002 Mazda Tribute, it's really big and really spacious, more so than most SUV's. Sound leaks out of it a lot (by that i mean with all doors/windows closed you can still hear it from a fair way away) if that means anything?

As for the size of a sub, is there really that big a difference? I suppose 10-14 inch, but this is a decision made with no expertise and simple size guessing.

naughtyca, are you saying get a sub of 600w rms and a mono-amp of 600-700w? What about one for the other four? What requirements would that need?

As for where i'm ordering from, ebay and amazon are both giving me awesomely discounted shipping and domestic retailers have been quite douchey with prices (charging MORE than full additional shipping), most stores here wouldve tried to sell that pioneer plus enclosure for about 250-300.

If there's an alternative online merchant who would ship to australia at a good price, I'm all ears.

Thanks for the swift replies, by the way [/QUOTE]

Audio Technix 800.1 contact @cthedinger ; has an amazing deal on these at 155 shipped in the us cont and also just released his new line
http://www.caraudio.com/forums/audio-technix/582717-ct-sounds-amps-now-stock-shipping.html
great prices send him a pm on here or email. he is a great guy and stand up man

they also have a closeout on there subs

15" inch Audio Technix Dual 4 Ohm D4 Strato 400W RMS 800W Max Sub Subwoofer | eBay

for a big truck like that i would get a 15. i would see what kind of deal he could swing plus a nice amp install kit

 

[King Midas]

Shipping on that sub is 550 dollars, it only gives me the option of priority UPS...

You also mentioned "Shipped in the US cont", I'm in Sydney, Australia - He doesn't ship to me?

Also, that particular sub is lower-powered than what naughtyca suggested, at 400w rms as opposed to 600, should I be concerned about that?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-BOSS-CX15-15-1000W-CHAOS-EXXTREME-SERIES-CAR-AUDIO-SUBWOOFER-SUB-1000-WATT-/271171880929?pt=Car_Subwoofers_Enclosures&hash=item3f231a87e1&_uhb=1

This one's 500W RMS, is it any good?

 

[CALDWELL]

since this is your first time looking into a mild audio build. I would shoot for a 10'' or 12'' Sub powered in the 300-400 RMS range. Since you have the advantage of " open trunk space " that 300-400w RMS Amp will drive a sub to produce some very nice punch inside the cabin. Then If you want to amp your Door speakers, shoot for like 50-75w RMS per channel amp.

just my opinion, but I think you would be quite happy with that. That kind of power is relatively inexpensive to buy.

4 Ch Amp I have used in the past - http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_67851_MB-Quart-OA400.4.html

Mono Amp ( 350w RMS @ 2 ohms ) - http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_68562_Cerwin-Vega-HED3500.1D.html

these are just some cheap options

 

[mclerico83 5,000+ posts]

Shipping on that sub is 550 dollars, it only gives me the option of priority UPS...
You also mentioned "Shipped in the US cont", I'm in Sydney, Australia - He doesn't ship to me?

Also, that particular sub is lower-powered than what naughtyca suggested, at 400w rms as opposed to 600, should I be concerned about that?

NEW Boss CX15 15" 1000W Chaos Exxtreme Series CAR Audio Subwoofer SUB 1000 Watt 791489114011 | eBay

This one's 500W RMS, is it any good?

Contact the owner on here he will ship. I actually have an extra at 800.1 I will sell 2 you for 150 plus shipping brand new. I use one in my car 1000rms at 1 ohm. I can get a quote fedex and usps and see if your cool pm me your info ok.

 

---------- Post added at 10:45 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:45 AM ----------

 

That sub is garbage.