Please help me choose an amplifier...

[wsu99999 10+ year member]

Ok - here is my situation...

I need a new amp!

I just purchased a HiFonics BXI-2608D from a forum member (who was very nice, and shipped very fast). This amp, however,is garbage! The sound produced from it is just crap compared to the MTX 81000D I had hooked up to it before. It seriously sounds very sloppy, the bass isn't tight at all, and I'm hearing rattles from places I didn't know could rattle.

So, clearly, I need to get a new amp.

Right now I'm running a MTX 9500 12, which can take up to 2000 watts (which is much more than the manufacturer says, but I"ve seen them run off of 3k), but I plan on BUYING ANOTHER sub.

Ideally, I'd like to run 2 15's, not settled on a brand, but I'm looking to do that as well. If I can't find a good deal on some higher end 15's, I may get another 9500. Either way, I need this amp to do at least 2k watts, but would prefer a little more headroom.

Are there any amps out there that have decent SQ (like the MTX did, or my old JBL) and have a ton of power, and are fairly cheap?

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[Buck 5,000+ posts]

AQ 2200D? How much headroom are you looking for?

 

[wsu99999 10+ year member]

I'd say anywhere between 2-3k. Are the AQ's sound quality better than the Hifonics? It's not the amp, it's the brand I think. The amp seems to work fine, it produces power, just not clean at all.

 

[kr15 5,000+ posts]

Amongst Class D amps, I find it kind of hard to believe there was that much audible difference unless the settings were incorrect. The MTX probley is a better amp then the hifonics, but MTX is by no means Sundown, American Bass etc..

That said, "better" amps then the BXi would be along the lines of an AQ2200 as stated, perhaps a MBQ 2000d or something of that nature

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

I'd say anywhere between 2-3k. Are the AQ's sound quality better than the Hifonics? It's not the amp, it's the brand I think. The amp seems to work fine, it produces power, just not clean at all.

Yes, AQ is a good brand. You might also look at a Sundown 3000D. You're going to have to pay for the Sundown though. There are many others right now.

 

[wsu99999 10+ year member]

The settings are all correct, tuned them by ear, maybe the amp isn't putting out the same amount of power as the MTX. Although the MTX is rated around 1600W less than the Hifonics.

 

[wsu99999 10+ year member]

And I've heard an audible difference in every amp I've ever installed, especially in home audio. I've been an audiophile for a number of years in home audio, and every amp color's the music in a way (except the very very very top of the line stuff).

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

Hifonics isn't the best brand in the world. Just get a higher quality amp.

 

[wsu99999 10+ year member]

if you think the aq will do it, I'll pick one up used. The good thing about buying equipment like this used is you can just about always get your money back to try something else

 

[kr15 5,000+ posts]

The settings are all correct,

then..

tuned them by ear

= NO...The settings are not "correct". Hifonics amps seem to clip easily, and more so then other amps, should be set with a DMM

maybe the amp isn't putting out the same amount of power as the MTX

The MTX does about 1200, the Hifonics somewhere around 23-2400

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

True. AQ is good quality. There are many other good options, it's just what price you can find them at.

 

[kr15 5,000+ posts]

Anything "better" then Hifonics and especially MTX is going to start getting in the more pricey range. That said, the AQ is a solid choice

 

[wsu99999 10+ year member]

kr15 - you mentioned American Bass - There is one in the classifieds for 350, looks like it's got the power I need - I've never heard of the brand (but I'm not into car audio like you guys are). Should I snatch that up? (American Bass VFL 200.1)

 

[kr15 5,000+ posts]

That particular amp is vastly better then Hifonics and MTX and quite a bit better then AQ. IMO, American Bass is one of the better amps you can buy. That said, that amp is pretty strong, and I would not run it on stock electrical. If you electrical is good, then you should strongly consider that amp