Need a 4 channel amp recommendation

[Chowder Head 10+ year member]

Don't run the tweets off the HU power. You'll regret it. It'd be a disappointment on just about every level.
Depending on your total amp budget, you could look at a small 5 channel amp. You'd run the front speakers active on the 4 normal channels and the sub off the mono 5th channel.

Really? Can you explain exactly why this is? I'm not doubting you by any means, it's just I've heard that running tweets off of the HU is fine if you're not looking to win competitions with it. In a nutshell, how can the quality of a tweet be affected if it were to run on the HU as opposed to amp?

At any sense, if I did decide to run a 5 channel amp, are there any on the market that are in similar price range of $200 that will supply the required juice?

350, are you selling those? That's why you added BNIB? I've been hearing great things about Sundown 100.4.

Thanks again for help guys, I really do appreciate it! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[350zspl 10+ year member]

Really? Can you explain exactly why this is? I'm not doubting you by any means, it's just I've heard that running tweets off of the HU is fine if you're not looking to win competitions with it. In a nutshell, how can the quality of a tweet be affected if it were to run on the HU as opposed to amp?
At any sense, if I did decide to run a 5 channel amp, are there any on the market that are in similar price range of $200 that will supply the required juice?

350, are you selling those? That's why you added BNIB? I've been hearing great things about Sundown 100.4.

Thanks again for help guys, I really do appreciate it! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

if interested in anything i posted BNIB PM me

thanks Travis

 

[aleborjas 10+ year member]

crunch GP 2350crunch GP 4100

crunch GP 4150

cadence txa1502

sundown 100.2

sundown 100.4

all BNIB

are Crunch amps good? They are pretty cheap!

 

[350zspl 10+ year member]

very good

 

[aleborjas 10+ year member]

very good

Is the same compani as hifonics and mb quart and i'v heard bad things about hifonics :confused:

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Really? Can you explain exactly why this is? I'm not doubting you by any means, it's just I've heard that running tweets off of the HU is fine if you're not looking to win competitions with it. In a nutshell, how can the quality of a tweet be affected if it were to run on the HU as opposed to amp?

The power from the HU is tiny and has a ton of distortion. Most HUs can only muster around 12w before distortion gets over 1% Distortion is typically over 10% before the HU amp starts to clip. Referenced to 1w you're only talking about 10dB of dynamic range before distortion gets into unacceptable. You can get over 16dB with only 50w and distortion should still be below 1% for a decent amp. If you're goingto bother running real speakers and even considering running active, a real amp is a must.

At any sense, if I did decide to run a 5 channel amp, are there any on the market that are in similar price range of $200 that will supply the required juice?

You won't find anything new in that price range. I assumed that since you were considering a pair of amps and you had $200 to spend on a 4 channel you had more to spend on the second amp. There is a Hifonics 5 channel that might do what you need. Haven't looked at the price on it in awhile. Kicker makes a small 5 channel as well that can be had fairly cheaply on the 'bay.

I've been hearing great things about Sundown 100.4.

Great amp. Not in your price range though unless you find a great deal on a used one.

 

[Chowder Head 10+ year member]

Thanks for the great information helotaxi, I appreciate it.

I just started browsing for 5 channels amps and I found a Hifonics ZXi8006 for $188. This seems pretty good for the price, but then again, it almost seems a bit low. What do you guys think?

helotaxi, in your opinion, or anyone else that wants to answer, what's the best 5 channel amp for the money? Your right, I can probably swing a little more than $200. Are there are recommended 5 channel amps for around $300? I would like something good for the money.

Last question. The sound quality of a sub won't be affected it's bridged or ran off of a mono channel correct? Does it solely depend on what the amp itself can pump out?

Thanks again!

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

All you need to worry about for the sub is power at the right impedance.

If I were looking for a 5-channel and wanted a solid amp I'd be looking at Kicker or Memphis. If I was on a tighter budget, Hifonics or Soundstream. If I didn't mind used, either a Soundstream Reference 405 or 705.

Not sure what any of the above are currently selling for, but that's where I'd be looking.

 

[Chowder Head 10+ year member]

Thanks again for the help man. Would you happen to know part numbers for a good Kicker or Memphis that will do the job without breaking the bank?

Speaking of Hifonics, have you had any experience or heard anything about the ZXi8006's? They seem awfully cheap but I don't know if that's because they're affordable, or just junk.

 

[Chowder Head 10+ year member]

Hey guys, just did a search for Kicker amps and found this Kicker ZX700.5 for $289 shipped. Is this a solid amp? Should I highly consider purchasing this one?

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?Source=googlebase&ProductID=16919

Thanks again everyone.

 

[speedfreak28 10+ year member]

that should be a perfect amount of power to run active and an idq sub.

 

[Chowder Head 10+ year member]

Great to hear man, thanks.

Looks like there's some cheaper deals on ebay as well. This one I saw is $238, brand new.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-KICKER-ZX700-5-5Ch-Car-Audio-Sub-Amp-Amplifier_W0QQitemZ350081874898QQihZ022QQcategoryZ39739QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Should I jump on it? I saw some other cheaper options that were refurbs. Should I consider getting a refurb one if the price is lower or with amps, should I stick with buying new?

Any more opinions about that particular Kicker would be appreciated. It looks solid but I want to completely reassured that will do the job before I purchase it.

Thanks!

 

[Chowder Head 10+ year member]

Last bump, I promise.

I'm 95% sure I'm going to order the ZX700.5 amplifier. I was just looking for a few more replies that this amp will be perfect. I trust what you said speedfreak, it's just before I make purchases, I always want a unanimous decision from a few people that it will work. And I was also thinking about being it refurbed to save myself some cash. Good idea or not?

Any reply, even another "that will work fine" would be very much appreciated, thank you!

Thanks.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

That was the Kicker amp I was referring to, it will work fine.

 

[Chowder Head 10+ year member]

Thanks, I'm about to pull the trigger on this refurbed one. I asked what the birth sheet was rated at and the dude said the sheet says it has a max rating of 919 watts. I've heard Kicker amps were underrated and have seen reports of in the 1,000's or so. But still, do you all think that's still a pretty good rated sheet?

It's only $175 too. Seems like a steal. Do you all agree? The bidding ends in an hour so please confirm my thoughts, haha.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120287538800&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123

Thanks!