Is my class AB or D?

[RSDXzec 10+ year member]

I have this amp Ampliefier azx800m

It's pretty crap but it was cheap, so I'm looking to upgrade to a class D. (to a Hifonics Zeus ZRX1500.1D, looking for bang for buck here)

This doesn't say what class it is, does that mean that it's class AB?

Because most amps that are class D advertise it clearly, I'm assuming because of the 80% efficiency they offer. And what efficiency do class AB amps generally provide compared to a class D?

I see most people on here estimate 80% ideally for a class D, haven't seen much about class AB.

Cheers.

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[Hintzyboy 5,000+ posts]

Never even heard of this brand, and I can't seem to find any other information on it. However, judging from the fact that it has 2 30 amp fuses, I would guess class A/B. A/B run around 60% efficient or below. If the amp is pulling anywhere near 60 amps to make 300w, it's not very efficient.

What equipment are you running that you're jumping from 3-400w rms to 1500w rms? Granted, the hifonics is probably overrated by a good 300w, but that's still a big jump.

 

[RSDXzec 10+ year member]

Never even heard of this brand, and I can't seem to find any other information on it. However, judging from the fact that it has 2 30 amp fuses, I would guess class A/B. A/B run around 60% efficient or below. If the amp is pulling anywhere near 60 amps to make 300w, it's not very efficient.
What equipment are you running that you're jumping from 3-400w rms to 1500w rms? Granted, the hifonics is probably overrated by a good 300w, but that's still a big jump.

Thanks for the opinion, glad it's class AB because I'm trying to improve efficiency so I keep a moderate load on my electrical, hence my reasoning to get a class D.

It's a budget brand here in australia, I don't have availability to most of the good brands in the US so my options are limited, I'm also trying to keep it cheap.

Well right now I have a single soundstream picasso 350WRMS 12" sub, and I've just bought 2 more (bought them second hand real cheap), so I'll be able to have up to 1050WRMS going to them. I also want headroom to move to 1400wrms if I decide to go to 4.

If you're looking at the fuses for it, the hifonics amp I'm looking at has two 70 amp fuses

Hifonics ZRX1500.1D 1500W RMS, Monoblock Class D Zeus Car Amp

rated at:

4 ohms: 500 watts x 1 chan.

2 ohms: 1000 watts x 1 chan.

1 ohm: 1500 watts x 1 chan.

So with 140 amps of fuses I'm guessing it should give a decent 1400wrms.

I'm looking to get decent power for cheap, and the only cheap brands I've found which people say are decent for the price are hifonics and audiopipe. At this point the hifonics is cheaper and looks more solid imo.

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

have you taken a look at any of the sstream rubicon amps? budget amps,and will/do perform and are reliable for just over $200???????(-NEW-) Soundstream RUB1.1600D 1600 Watt Class D Mono Block Amp w/ Remote! 709483032392 | eBay

 

[RSDXzec 10+ year member]

have you taken a look at any of the sstream rubicon amps? budget amps,and will/do perform and are reliable for just over $200???????(-NEW-) Soundstream RUB1.1600D 1600 Watt Class D Mono Block Amp w/ Remote! 709483032392 | eBay

unfortunately they only ship within the united states. The ones available to me unfortunately are more expensive.

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

unfortunately they only ship within the united states. The ones available to me unfortunately are more expensive.

thats a real shame my friend..im sorry to hear that:crap:

 

[RSDXzec 10+ year member]

thats a real shame my friend..im sorry to hear that:crap:

yeah it ***** not having access to most good brands, and the ones I do have access to would be considered overpriced compared to prices in the US.

my options right now are the hifonics zrx1500.1D Hifonics ZRX1500.1D 1500W RMS, Monoblock Class D Zeus Car Amp and the audiopipe AP-15001D Amplifiers | AP-15001D

after postage the audiopipe would be about $10 more, not sure which to go for. Efficiency is a real factor for me considering my electrical system, though not as much as budget because I am a student.

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

well,out of those 2 there,id most deff go for the hf amp..thats for sure:wow:

 

[Hintzyboy 5,000+ posts]

Thanks for the opinion, glad it's class AB because I'm trying to improve efficiency so I keep a moderate load on my electrical, hence my reasoning to get a class D.It's a budget brand here in australia, I don't have availability to most of the good brands in the US so my options are limited, I'm also trying to keep it cheap.

Well right now I have a single soundstream picasso 350WRMS 12" sub, and I've just bought 2 more (bought them second hand real cheap), so I'll be able to have up to 1050WRMS going to them. I also want headroom to move to 1400wrms if I decide to go to 4.

If you're looking at the fuses for it, the hifonics amp I'm looking at has two 70 amp fuses

Hifonics ZRX1500.1D 1500W RMS, Monoblock Class D Zeus Car Amp

rated at:

4 ohms: 500 watts x 1 chan.

2 ohms: 1000 watts x 1 chan.

1 ohm: 1500 watts x 1 chan.

So with 140 amps of fuses I'm guessing it should give a decent 1400wrms.

I'm looking to get decent power for cheap, and the only cheap brands I've found which people say are decent for the price are hifonics and audiopipe. At this point the hifonics is cheaper and looks more solid imo.

Are those soundstreams single 4 ohm or dual-2 ohm coils? You need to make sure you're accounting for how the impedance will calculate when you're bringing in multiple woofers.

As for other brands not being available, you could always ask someone you trust on here to order and ship it to you. It would be about $75 USD to ship your average sized amp to Australia. I don't know what kind of price premium you're paying for the brands you can get, but that might be an option to get the stuff you really want.

Hifonics aren't terrible for a budget amp, but don't expect them to do rated power cleanly. You'll probably get around 1200-1300 clean watts out of that amp.

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

I would also consider having someone in USA buy and amp and ship to you.

Those efficiency ratings that are claimed by most amps are really nothing to take too seriously. All things being equal class D draws about a third to a quarter of the current of A/B.... When companies claim "80% efficiency" that's in a laboratory setting generally at only 1 frequency and at a much higher load than 99% of people will run it. ON the flip side music is dynamic so for the most part just playing normal music you won't draw as much power as you think when averaged over time.

 

[RSDXzec 10+ year member]

well,out of those 2 there,id most deff go for the hf amp..thats for sure:wow:

yeah I've seen many different opinions on this, still not sure which way to go.

Are those soundstreams single 4 ohm or dual-2 ohm coils? You need to make sure you're accounting for how the impedance will calculate when you're bringing in multiple woofers.
As for other brands not being available, you could always ask someone you trust on here to order and ship it to you. It would be about $75 USD to ship your average sized amp to Australia. I don't know what kind of price premium you're paying for the brands you can get, but that might be an option to get the stuff you really want.

Hifonics aren't terrible for a budget amp, but don't expect them to do rated power cleanly. You'll probably get around 1200-1300 clean watts out of that amp.

with 3 subs I'll be at 1.34ohms, they are single 4 ohm coils. so I'm looking for an amp well rated for 1ohm so i know it will handle a decent amount at 1.34 ohms.

I would also consider having someone in USA buy and amp and ship to you.
Those efficiency ratings that are claimed by most amps are really nothing to take too seriously. All things being equal class D draws about a third to a quarter of the current of A/B.... When companies claim "80% efficiency" that's in a laboratory setting generally at only 1 frequency and at a much higher load than 99% of people will run it. ON the flip side music is dynamic so for the most part just playing normal music you won't draw as much power as you think when averaged over time.

ah ok, didn't know it was just on a single tone, but I am glad they are much more efficient than A/B, considering my car runs my current amp fine.

The prices to ship here from ebay range between $60 to $90 for most amps, so I guess I wouldn't get too much of an advantage having someone ship them here. I also don't know anyone in the US.

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

The prices to ship here from ebay range between $60 to $90 for most amps, so I guess I wouldn't get too much of an advantage having someone ship them here. I also don't know anyone in the US.

Yeah if you're shoping in USA via ebay that's the same thing. I know most ppl from outside USA get killed on prices if they try to buy retail in other countries, that's why I mentioned shipping.