Should I upgrade amps? Does the brand make an SQ difference?

[hari-bhari 10+ year member]

I am probably opening up a can of worms here, but here goes.

I have a Kicker ZX700.5 (75 x 4 @ 4ohms + 420 x 1 @ 2ohms), feeding DLS MS6a components in the front, focal 690CAs in the deck, and a sealed 12" IDQ12D4 v.3 sub. The front doors are sealed very well with raamat, plexiglass, and speakers are mounted on 3/4" with modeling clay.

Overall, I am pretty happy with my setup, but the person I bought the sub off of fed it with a 500W JL, and it just sounded punchier. My friend also has a Diamond D5 feeding MB Quartz components, and his midbass is tighter. I have tried all kinds of equalization, but can't seem to get the results that I feel I should.

Keep in mind, I dont have any hissing, distortion, etc and the amp plays louder than I can handle. So, would an amp upgrade to a JL or Diamond help in this situation with getting more punchy bass and midbass? Or is 75 watts pretty much equal across the board?

Thanks!

EDIT: Looking at a budget of around $350

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[Wingman0121 10+ year member]

well the install has a lot to do with how a speaker sounds, the crossover points, how sealed-up are the speakers in the doors, EQ, etc...

All 5 channels in your Kicker amp could be sharing the same power supply whereas you'll have two independent power supplies in each amp if you have one 4 channel amp and one sub amp, that could explain why the JL 500/1 sounded punchier.

If money is plenty, get a Kicker 4 channel and a ZX750.1.

 

[Bassin Buick]

well the install has a lot to do with how a speaker sounds, the crossover points, how sealed-up are the speakers in the doors, EQ, etc...
All 5 channels in your Kicker amp could be sharing the same power supply whereas you'll have two independent power supplies in each amp if you have one 4 channel amp and one sub amp, that could explain why the JL 500/1 sounded punchier.

If money is plenty, get a Kicker 4 channel and a ZX750.1.

If you are after SQ PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS!!

Look to a different company. My uncle owned a 350.4 and i owned a 750.1 and neither were impressive at all in the SQ department.

Look into arc audio or if you don't mind used amps check around for a PPI art,pc,or pcx series amp or a zapco amp. Also most anything designed by zed audio is a SQ monster also. And i have to plug my favorites , SONY MOBILE ES Circa Mid '90s.

 

[gunz4me2 10+ year member]

I'll go on record to say that if the OP isn't at least doubling his RMS power, he's wasting his money.

Also, no offense Bassin, but I can not in good faith recommend that the OP look for 16 year old amplifiers either. Been there, done that, ended up disappointed.

 

[Wingman0121 10+ year member]

Those old school amps have to be hunted down on classified and there are no warranties, not sure if OP wants to go that route.

OP if you want to switch amp brands then go with JL Audio, they're expensive but should suit the install well, never heard of anyone said JL amps don't sound good so...

 

[pro-rabbit 5,000+ posts]

One word

McIntosh

 

[hari-bhari 10+ year member]

So I guess my main question has been answered, the amp CAN make a difference in SQ even if RMS power ratings are similar. I supply audio through a carpc so I have control of crossover, eq, and time delay for each speaker and I've tuned it as much as I can over the last 3 years but still feel something is lacking. I'm not sure how much more power I can get for the speakers, they are rated to 75, I believe.

 

[pro-rabbit 5,000+ posts]

It has nothing to do with the amount of power you are using. If you want some SQ and have the extra funds(lots of funds) get McIntosh amps. I have a few from when I did SQ. They are simply amazing!!

 

[Bob Saget]

Zed Audio Leviathan

Zed Audio Corporation

 

[hari-bhari 10+ year member]

maybe i should add that i have a budget of around 350 for the amp (assuming i can get 150 for my current kicker 5 channel).

 

[95BlackGA 5,000+ posts]

maybe i should add that i have a budget of around 350 for the amp (assuming i can get 150 for my current kicker 5 channel).

You should easily be able to get $150-$200 out of your Kicker amp, just not on this forum. List it on CL for $225, and you should have somebody ready to buy it...

 

[Bassin Buick]

I'll go on record to say that if the OP isn't at least doubling his RMS power, he's wasting his money.
Also, no offense Bassin, but I can not in good faith recommend that the OP look for 16 year old amplifiers either. Been there, done that, ended up disappointed.

No offense taken but i will go on record to say that 2 channels of my brothers jl 300/4 could in no way shape or form produce the sound that my pc275 could. I don't recommend him to go out and buy the first amp he finds. LOL. I did that with the old sony's i have now. After weeks of hunting down parts and schematics to fix them i am happy with them. But most people don't wanna go that route. I was talking about buying one from a trustworthy source like one of the regulars here. I GUARANTEE you won't find another amp of comparable ratings that will produce the sound quality AND power that ******* bobb's a1200 can and its 19 years old. Until i hear something better i will always be a nuthugger for pre-'96 PPI's and sony ES's for ultimate sound quality. Yes i can probably bet the mcintosh's are better but i have never had the pleasure of hearing one in action so i can't comment but i have heard a LOT of amps by many brands and i can honestly say the PPI's and ES amps are the best hands down (that i have heard).

 

[hari-bhari 10+ year member]

How about something in my budget of $350 //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Any suggestions?

 

[Bob Saget]

No offense taken but i will go on record to say that 2 channels of my brothers jl 300/4 could in no way shape or form produce the sound that my pc275 could. I don't recommend him to go out and buy the first amp he finds. LOL. I did that with the old sony's i have now. After weeks of hunting down parts and schematics to fix them i am happy with them. But most people don't wanna go that route. I was talking about buying one from a trustworthy source like one of the regulars here. I GUARANTEE you won't find another amp of comparable ratings that will produce the sound quality AND power that ******* bobb's a1200 can and its 19 years old. Until i hear something better i will always be a nuthugger for pre-'96 PPI's and sony ES's for ultimate sound quality. Yes i can probably bet the mcintosh's are better but i have never had the pleasure of hearing one in action so i can't comment but i have heard a LOT of amps by many brands and i can honestly say the PPI's and ES amps are the best hands down (that i have heard).

I love Zed Audio & oldschool PPI, but the old Earthquake pwns it in the SQ department.

 

[Boomsday 10+ year member]

find some tube amps and call it a day