Looking for small 2ch amp for under dash install

[frankc29]

I'm looking for a good quality 2ch amp for an under dash install to drive my 6X8 door speakers. The important thing is SMALL. I'm trying to avoid installing way in back and having long wire runs. If I can get it under the dash without bothering anyone it would make life easy. I have a $300 budget for this, so I am not too picky on price. Suggestions?

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[diatribe 10+ year member]

The Arc KS 125.2 mini would fit the bill nicely.

http://www.arcaudio.com/productdescription_pages/amplifiers/ks-series/ks-125.2-mini.asp

Not much bigger than a passive X-over.

 

[frankc29]

wow that is the smallest I have found by far, thanks. this would do the job perfectly. the closest authorized dealer wants $280, and it's a 60 mile drive. I can't seem to find any online source for Arc amps. Anyone know of one?

 

[dcole18 5,000+ posts]

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?Source=googlebase&ProductID=14081

slightly larger but does more power and is cheaper

 

[ENDER_XVICM 10+ year member]

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=6866

only site i have found that sells it.

 

[dcole18 5,000+ posts]

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=6866
only site i have found that sells it.

its nice but that lazar amp is FTW... moar power for less money

 

[avinar 10+ year member]

Mmmmm Alpine PDX series! budget?

 

[frankc29]

Well I picked up the Arc mini, thanks for the heads up. Wow, this thing is tiny. It puts out 250W bridged at 4ohm (and it will fit in the glovebox with plenty of room to spare), although I won't be using it this way, I just want some decent sound out of my front door speakers, some Pioneer 6X8's. Quick question. I have 4 speakers, all identical pioneer 3-ways I bought a few years ago, in my Ford F-350. The rears are pretty well buried behind the rear folding seat. I almost always drive alone. Should I bother hooking up all 4 speakers in a 2 ohm arrangement or just ignore the rears and hook up to the door speakers alone?

 

[frankc29]

I hope a slight bump here is okay. I'd really like an opinion on my last question. On a side note, what is the solution when you want a 2 channel amp to feed 2 mid-range speakers on channel 1 and a single 2 ohm subwoofer on Channel 2? Is this possible considering there is only 1 crossover adjustment for both channels? Will I even notice 125 watts from a 10" sub?

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Don't run the rears off the amp. Not worth it.

Also, you definitely don't want to run the fronts off one channel on the amp and the sub off the other. If you want a sub, get a dedicated amp for the sub. You could possibly run that amp in a tri-mode config with passive crossovers, but it won't like that with a 2 ohm sub.

Unless you're trying to get attention, 125w on the right 10 is plenty. I know from experience.