Question on a Hifonics amp

[zorphon 10+ year member]

So I'm fairly sure my current amp died, and I'm looking for a new one.

That being said I want to buy new this time, because the one I have that died was used and put a bad taste in my mouth for getting used amps, even though I know most if not all on here are trustworthy.

Anyway so it was a junky Sony Xplod 800w max 2-channel (Don't laugh too hard).

I'm just running two Kenwood KFC-w112s. It's an entry-level just daily rider and I'm not looking for moving the earth, just a little bump in the truck. They were hitting pretty hard with the Sony, but now comes the question that I made the thread for:

Would the Hifonics Hfi1000.1d be a decent replacement for that Sony Xplod? It has more power, is a better brand (at least I'm fairly sure?), and it's a class d mono versus a class a/b 2-channel that ran hot when I bridged it. Would it be a slight upgrade compared to that Sony? I want something pretty cheap but new, and that Hifonics is only ~$120 with shipping new.

Thanks in advance.

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[jolly_26 10+ year member]

Would be a huge improvement, makes a lot more power

 

[zorphon 10+ year member]

Would be a huge improvement, makes a lot more power

Yea for my price-point Hifonics has a lot of good entry-level amps (or at least so it seems), is the Hfi1000.1d a good one or would a Brutus/Gladiator be better? Granted the Hfi1000.1d is cheaper and either way it's going to be more power than what I have now. Also would it being a class D be better on my electrical?

*EDIT* Or what about the new Hifonics Zeus monoblock class D? http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_44490_Hifonics-ZRX1000.1D.html

Would that be better?

 

[zako 10+ year member]

I would not use any of MB Quart or Hifonics amplifiers in an SQ install where every effort is taken to produce consistent imaging and frequency response. If you're upgrading from Sony Xplod, chances are good that this is not the kind of build SQ you have in mind right now. My beef with the current maxxsonics mono amplifiers is that they throw away the signal on one channel, say right, and you have to split the left channel signal with a Y splitter. They don't add left and right signal. (check the manual) Why? Because someone at maxxonics decided to save a few pennies on a resistor circuit in pre-amp section. Some people argue that this should not matter because all bass is recorded in mono, but how do they know? I have lots of old recordings, a lot of foreign language, some live concerts from the 80s, etc. How can I be sure that all 100% of them were recorded with bass in mono?

However, if the goal is to buy an amplifier that "hits hard" with the least amount of money, I think they should be good for that application.

 

[zorphon 10+ year member]

I would not use any of MB Quart or Hifonics amplifiers in an SQ install where every effort is taken to produce consistent imaging and frequency response. If you're upgrading from Sony Xplod, chances are good that this is not the kind of build SQ you have in mind right now. My beef with the current maxxsonics mono amplifiers is that they throw away the signal on one channel, say right, and you have to split the left channel signal with a Y splitter. They don't add left and right signal. (check the manual) Why? Because someone at maxxonics decided to save a few pennies on a resistor circuit in pre-amp section. Some people argue that this should not matter because all bass is recorded in mono, but how do they know? I have lots of old recordings, a lot of foreign language, some live concerts from the 80s, etc. How can I be sure that all 100% of them were recorded with bass in mono?
However, if the goal is to buy an amplifier that "hits hard" with the least amount of money, I think they should be good for that application.

Yea I understand. This is just a basic application for me, and I just want something to replace and/or upgrade my Sony Xplod. Granted it's in mono like you said, would it still be any better than the Sony Xplod? That's the goal here. I know I can always go bigger and better, but I just don't need/want that right now.

 

[zako 10+ year member]

Yea I understand. This is just a basic application for me, and I just want something to replace and/or upgrade my Sony Xplod. Granted it's in mono like you said, would it still be any better than the Sony Xplod? That's the goal here. I know I can always go bigger and better, but I just don't need/want that right now.

I don't have experience with sony xplod. It seems like the general opinion is that their product are very low end, except for a product or two. I wouldn't be surprised if Hifonics Zeus is much better. I would have preferred to spend a little more coin and buy PPI P1000.1. Actually, when there is a good sale, they cost about the same as Hifonics. Sonicelectronix has them on sale for something like $170 until a few weeks ago.

Having said that, I personally have not felt a big difference in sound quality after moving my subwoofer from 250watt Class A/B amplifier running at 2ohms to a 450watt Class D amplifier running at 2ohms. Sure, the new amplifier has more potential to "hit hard", but at normal volume level I can't tell a difference. I do like it that the Class D amplifier is more forgiving in terms of heat when I drive it hard for long periods of time. I even have it mounted on a side of sub woofer box with no issues with overheating.

 

[disturbed471985 5,000+ posts]

The hifi is decent. I would only run the BRZ line but for 150 bucks u can find a quality used amp.. Id go with quality over bahhh anytime..

 

[zorphon 10+ year member]

The hifi is decent. I would only run the BRZ line but for 150 bucks u can find a quality used amp.. Id go with quality over bahhh anytime..

Do you think that the hfi1000.1d is better than that Sony Xplod though? I was thinking about grabbing a BRZ but my stock electrical was already working pretty hard on the Sony Xplod so I didn't want to get too crazy with adding more watts. The main thing is I want an amp to replace the Sony Xplod that broke and give a tiny bit more power, plus being class D and not overheating is a plus too.

 

[disturbed471985 5,000+ posts]

1kk

 

---------- Post added at 08:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:38 AM ----------

 

Do you think that the hfi1000.1d is better than that Sony Xplod though? I was thinking about grabbing a BRZ but my stock electrical was already working pretty hard on the Sony Xplod so I didn't want to get too crazy with adding more watts. The main thing is I want an amp to replace the Sony Xplod that broke and give a tiny bit more power, plus being class D and not overheating is a plus too.

Over the hifi anyday and its 125 new and does rated if not very close. No more stress then the hifi would be on ur elect

NEW AUDIOPIPE APSM-1500 1500 Watt Mono Car Audio MINI Amplifier Amp APSM1500 784644415849 | eBay

Or 110 bucks for lil less power -http://www.ebay.com/itm/AUDIOPIPE-APSM-1300-2000W-MONO-Car-Audio-MINI-Amplifier-/230801868526?pt=Car_Amplifiers&hash=item35bcdd06ee

 

[orphe 10+ year member]

That Hifonics may be a little too much for those subs.

 

[dross93ranger 10+ year member]

The HFI should suit you fine

 

[disturbed471985 5,000+ posts]

That Hifonics may be a little too much for those subs.

Gain match and use the gain like ur suppose to and it fits his needs just fine.

 

[zorphon 10+ year member]

[quote name='dross93ranger']The HFI should suit you fine[/QUOTE]

Yea I think I'm going to just order it and call it good. Either way it can't be worse than my Sony Xplod (at least I very much so doubt it), so as long as it's equal or slightly better I'd be happy. The main thing is I need a replacement, and preferably one that doesn't run as hot. In the end I might get a bit more power, especially cleaner power out of this hfi1000.1d than the sony xplod I was using.

@orphe, the amp is rated 475w x1 @ 4 ohm which I'm sure is slightly overrated. My guess is it does ~400w @4ohm, and each sub is rated at 200 rms 800 peak, I don't see it overpowering them. If I'm doing the numbers correctly, it should be a perfect match if not very slightly underpowering?

The sony xplod gave about 150w to each, so this should be tiny bit more power, but cleaner. Hmm.

 

[zorphon 10+ year member]

Gain match and use the gain like ur suppose to and it fits his needs just fine.

Yea I ordered a DMM as well so I can set up the amp properly. I had a shop set up my old one that is coincidentally now dead. I'm assuming going by this http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j23/steveo200077/RMSchart.jpg is a good way to set my gain? Judging by that I'd want to turn my HU about 80% up with a 50-60hz test tone @ 0db and set all EQ settings to flat and disconnect subs, turning gain up until I'm reading about 40v with the DMM? Am I understanding how to do that correctly?

 

[disturbed471985 5,000+ posts]

$5 more u can get the aspm-1500 just as good quality as the hifi and leaves u alot of room for future upgrades