I don't know whats good anymore

[IslanderOffRoad]

I've been out of the Car Audio game since the end of high school and have decided I want a very mild system in my 94 Jeep Cherokee. I have no idea whats changed in the world of car audio in the past 6 years; who's good, who sucks, etc. Its a wheeling toy that I take on overnight camping trips so I don't want to lose cargo space. I'm planning on going with this box:

http://subthump.com/cherokee.htm

with a JL 10-W1 that I'm picking up used tonight. The JL will stay in its truck box until I get the Cherokee box in a few weeks.

I'm not looking for big bass, just a more balanced system. The Jeep only had a 2 speaker factory stereo that I've upgraded with a JVC Arsenal KD-AR300 head unit, and some 6.5" Kenwood speakers in the door, but it still sucks for bass.

I ran a 10-W1 years ago with a JL 250/1 amp in my reg. cab Chevy S10 and sounded great to me, I'd love to go the same way but I don't feel like spending money on a JL amp. Ideally I'd like to spend around $100 on an amp, but will go to $150 if it makes a huge difference in what I can get.

I've been looking at the Alpine M450 and the RF Punch 250.2 on Crutchfield, are either of these good choices? Should I be looking at something else? I'm willing to buy used as well.

I'd love to find something a local store would have as I'm impatient and bored and want a project for the week.

Thanks in advance.

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[dragnix 5,000+ posts]

look in the classifieds for some good amps for cheap. I've got one for you too //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[gunz4me 10+ year member]

Hmm, let's see. The JL Audio handles about 250 to 300 RMS with 300 being towards the top end. I would suggest either purchasing a 2 channel amp that has a bridged power of 250 to 300 watts RMS in lieu of going with a class D mono amp.

Personally, THIS is what I would go with, but it is a little above your budget.

If you wanted to save a little scratch AND go with a 4 channel amp that would take care of your front stage as well as power your sub, I would go with one of THESE. That way, you could use two channels for your front stage and bridge the rear channels to your subwoofer!

Other than that, look around in the classifieds section of this forum, you might just find something you like.

 

[dragnix 5,000+ posts]

cadence has some good budget stuff, only problem is their huge footprint

 

[snoopdan 5,000+ posts]

Id say just wall it with 4 15's. Cargo space is for wussies //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[IslanderOffRoad]

Id say just wall it with 4 15's. Cargo space is for wussies //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

those 4 15's won't help me if I break an axle shaft //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[IslanderOffRoad]

Hmm, let's see. The JL Audio handles about 250 to 300 RMS with 300 being towards the top end. I would suggest either purchasing a 2 channel amp that has a bridged power of 250 to 300 watts RMS in lieu of going with a class D mono amp.
Personally, THIS is what I would go with, but it is a little above your budget.

If you wanted to save a little scratch AND go with a 4 channel amp that would take care of your front stage as well as power your sub, I would go with one of THESE. That way, you could use two channels for your front stage and bridge the rear channels to your subwoofer!

Other than that, look around in the classifieds section of this forum, you might just find something you like.

I'm planning on putting my stock 5 1/4's in the hatch as I've heard the wiring is there even if the Jeep was optioned with a 2 speaker system; assuming everything works i'll probably buy some speakers for back there too, and eventually add a 4 channel amp for the 4 speakers; for now I'm interested in just a sub amp.

I've lurked the classified for almost a week now, but often find I have no idea what I'm looking at.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

[lyttleviet 10+ year member]

Hmm.. what ohm load does that thing run @?

 

[IslanderOffRoad]

JL's website shows the 10W1v2 in the truck box is 4 ohms final impedance.

the ohm stuff confuses the crap out of me, i hate electical. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[drumman8524 10+ year member]

they have a US Amps which is the same company ar re on sale for $129 and its normally $200

http://www.rickiesdiscountelectronics.com/us-amps-xterminator-xt-1000d-500w-rms-1-ch-mono-class-d-mono-amp-16487.html

XT-1000D 500W RMS 1 CH Mono Class D Mono Amp

Class D Mono Amp

75W RMS x 1 @ 4 Ohms

150W RMS x 1 @ 2 Ohms

500W RMS x 1 @ 1 Ohms

Variable Crossover Control : Low-Pass 40Hz-250Hz, 24dB/Octave, Butterworth

Variable Bass EQ : 30dB Boost @ 45Hz

Subsonic Filter: 15Hz - 40Hz, 24dB/Octave

Low Level RCA Input

Low Level RCA Pass-Though

8 Gauge Power Inputs

8 to 18 Gauge Speaker Terminals

Power and Protection Indicators

i hope this helps

 

[NewAgeKing 5,000+ posts]

PM'ed

 

[IslanderOffRoad]

they have a US Amps which is the same company ar re on sale for $129 and its normally $200http://www.rickiesdiscountelectronics.com/us-amps-xterminator-xt-1000d-500w-rms-1-ch-mono-class-d-mono-amp-16487.html

XT-1000D 500W RMS 1 CH Mono Class D Mono Amp

Class D Mono Amp

75W RMS x 1 @ 4 Ohms

150W RMS x 1 @ 2 Ohms

500W RMS x 1 @ 1 Ohms

Variable Crossover Control : Low-Pass 40Hz-250Hz, 24dB/Octave, Butterworth

Variable Bass EQ : 30dB Boost @ 45Hz

Subsonic Filter: 15Hz - 40Hz, 24dB/Octave

Low Level RCA Input

Low Level RCA Pass-Though

8 Gauge Power Inputs

8 to 18 Gauge Speaker Terminals

Power and Protection Indicators

i hope this helps

So at 4ohms which is what JL says the sub runs at, its only getting 75 watts with that amp?

 

[gunz4me 10+ year member]

That is why I didn't recommend one of the class D amps! IMHO 75 watts is NOT enough for your sub in that small of a box. Personally, I wouldn't give it any less than 200 watts RMS, but that is me!

Also, I wouldn't spend too much money on an amp, just in case you decide to upgrade in the future.

 

[IslanderOffRoad]

That is why I didn't recommend one of the class D amps! IMHO 75 watts is NOT enough for your sub in that small of a box. Personally, I wouldn't give it any less than 200 watts RMS, but that is me!
Also, I wouldn't spend too much money on an amp, just in case you decide to upgrade in the future.

Trust me when I say I won't be upgrading the sub in the future.

200-250 RMS is what I'm looking for.

 

[drumman8524 10+ year member]

So at 4ohms which is what JL says the sub runs at, its only getting 75 watts with that amp?

My bad i thought it was a dual 4 ohm thats why i recommended it i know that was a tad bit under what you wanted...but i thought it was dual 4 thats why i was looking at wattage at 2 ohms...its a good amp for that price just not what u need..you are right your probably better off with a two channel amplifier since most are bridgeable at 4 ohms....since on a mono your max wattage is usually around either 2 ohms or 1ohm....or 1/2 or 1/4 if you have a really high end or older amp