Need small footprint 3 channel amp

[zako 10+ year member]

DLS amps are very high quality amps, not really comprable to the brands you mentioned. Used much more in SQ setups, where watts per dollar isn't the only factor. Kenwood amps tend to be kind of junky. The Polk might be okay, but the specs I find don't list current draw and say the amp requires 4 gauge wire, and as you said, the Massives are known to be overrated and to run hot. You get what you pay for.

This specific Kenwood XR-4S and Polk both have been tested on a bench and both prove to be very good amplifiers, with good power output, low noise, good channel separation, etc. I kind of doubt that the OP will notice any difference in sound between one of these vs a DLS amplifier with the rest of his equipment. He is upgrading from Boston Acoustics GTA full range amplifier, Boston Acoustics's MB Quart competitor (at best).

 

[Hintzyboy 5,000+ posts]

This specific Kenwood XR-4S and Polk both have been tested on a bench and both prove to be very good amplifiers, with good power output, low noise, good channel separation, etc. I kind of doubt that the OP will notice any difference in sound between one of these vs a DLS amplifier with the rest of his equipment. He is upgrading from Boston Acoustics GTA full range amplifier, Boston Acoustics's MB Quart competitor (at best).

Tested by whom? I'd be interested to see the tests if you have a link. The OPs other equipment looks pretty SQ-oriented, so depending on his music tastes, he might want something a bit more geared towards that. Granted, the ZED and the DLS cost as much as the rest of his system, but if he ever wanted to step up his other equipment, he wouldn't need to upgrade the amp.

 

[zako 10+ year member]

Tested by whom? I'd be interested to see the tests if you have a link. The OPs other equipment looks pretty SQ-oriented, so depending on his music tastes, he might want something a bit more geared towards that. Granted, the ZED and the DLS cost as much as the rest of his system, but if he ever wanted to step up his other equipment, he wouldn't need to upgrade the amp.

Russian magazine avtozvuk tested the XR-4S and the 5-channel version of Polk. Pasmag tested the 4-channel Polk D4000.4:

Òåñò ÷åòûð¸õêàíàëüíûõ óñèëèòåëåé. ÷åòûð¸õêàíàëüíûé óñèëèòåëü Kenwood KAC-X4D - avtozvuk.com

Download (Polk D5000.5 test is on some page, it's a PDF issue)

PASMAG | PERFORMANCE AUTO AND SOUND - Polk Audio PA D4000.4 Amplifier

 

[Hintzyboy 5,000+ posts]

Russian magazine avtozvuk tested the XR-4S and the 5-channel version of Polk. Pasmag tested the 4-channel Polk D4000.4:
Òåñò ÷åòûð¸õêàíàëüíûõ óñèëèòåëåé. ÷åòûð¸õêàíàëüíûé óñèëèòåëü Kenwood KAC-X4D - avtozvuk.com

Download (Polk D5000.5 test is on some page, it's a PDF issue)

PASMAG | PERFORMANCE AUTO AND SOUND - Polk Audio PA D4000.4 Amplifier

The Russian mag review is completely unintelligible, even after Google translate does its thing. Even if it was coherent, it doesn't look to be very thorough. As for the PASmag review, it's definitely understandable, and it looks a bit more involved, but it lists max current draw at 86 amps. Granted, you're not going to hit that playing music, but that's considerably higher than what you can safely pass through 8 gauge wire. I wouldn't want to run the risk of blowing fuses or starting any fires.

 

[zako 10+ year member]

I know. The Russian review is pretty good, but google translate is not very good at translating. The most important part of review is the table with the measurement summary. For example, in the case with Kenwood XR-4S everything looks pretty good, the RMS wattage, THD, noise, and channel separation. The only strange thing was the frequency response (0db/-1dB) band is "only" 11 — 18400Hz. I could live with that "limitation" (my ear can't hear 20KHz at all) for the price. The interesting thing is that the amplifier did not get warm enough during the tests to turn on the internal fan. The Polk D5000.5 review was a bit more thorough because it involved a listening test.

I don't understand the 8 gauge comment. Does the Polk amplifier accept only 8 gauge wire? I didn't think so. Anyways, I own a PPI P800.4, which is supposed to be very similar to Polk D4000.4, and it does accept 4 gauge. I think they're the same design, down to the circuit board and the controls/connectors side plates. I wouldn't run 8 gauge wire all the way from the battery, but I would have no problem with running 2-ft long 8 gauge wire from the distribution block to the amplifier. However, 8 gauge should not be necessary in this case.

 

[maylar 10+ year member]

I don't understand the 8 gauge comment. Does the Polk amplifier accept only 8 gauge wire? I didn't think so. However, 8 gauge should not be necessary in this case.

The 8 gage comment is from my original requirement of not having to upgrade my wiring. My wire runs under the car through conduit and it was almost a day's work for me to install, I'd prefer not to have to redo that. Kicking myself now for not having done 4 gage in the first place.

The Class D amps that make 400W bridged seem to be fine with 8 gage. Again, thanks for the suggestions bro's.

 

[oldschoolboomer 10+ year member]

Ppi p900.4

145x2 + 450x1

Very small footprint

Clean. Powerful. 175 shipped

 

[maylar 10+ year member]

Ppi p900.4145x2 + 450x1

Very small footprint

Clean. Powerful. 175 shipped

Thanks a lot for that. Who do I buy it from?

 

[oldschoolboomer 10+ year member]

Sorry I sold it last night

 

[maylar 10+ year member]

Swell. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif