Soundstream Stealth Amplifiers v. Other Small Amplifiers

[CTGT2005 10+ year member]

Seeking feedback from those who have used the 4 channel STL4.500 or STL4.320 amps. Basically, how do they compare SQ wise to other similar offerings of other brands?

My reason for inquiry is this; I have an STL1.600D powering a subwoofer currently and I would guess that it does rated power, has good adjustability and seems to have pretty good SQ, at least at reasonable volumes.

I bought the SS Stealth amp before I made the decision that I was going to completely redo the entire system in my car. I'm planning on going active for the front stage, allowing one amp to power tweeters/mids and another amplifier to power front stage woofers and rear fill, so I need to come up with about 8 channels worth of amp.

Being slightly OCD, I dont think I can handle the idea of having mis-matched amps. One of my design goals is that the amplifiers be completely out of sight when finished. There are a wealth of new small amplifiers on the market, Alpine, ARC, Powerbass, Massive Audio etc, but the Soundstream amps are the only ones that really appeal to my wallet.

Hoping someone can provide direct comparisons between any of the other brands.

Thanks in advance

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[CTGT2005 10+ year member]

Someone has to have some experience with the pint sized offerings from various manufacturers. I need a good cheap 4 channel amp thats small enough to fit under a car seat.

 

[duanebro 10+ year member]

I would like to see a comparison of the different mini amps also.

 

[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

The Massive Audio Nano amps are over rated.

As far as other amps you could look into Vibe Audio's mini amps.

 

[CTGT2005 10+ year member]

Which Vibe amp are you referring to?

Also, anyone use the Elf audio amps or the massive audio NX series?

 

[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

Which Vibe amp are you referring to?
Also, anyone use the Elf audio amps or the massive audio NX series?

Vibe BlackAir's.

Just told you the Massive Nano amps are over rated.

 

[CTGT2005 10+ year member]

You said Arc nano... guess you meant massive. How about the Arc XDI then?

 

[CTGT2005 10+ year member]

Found this article originally posted in russian, translated by the magic of Google. Looks like the STL4.500 is good for about 50 clean watts per channel at 4ohms, which is more than any sane person would ever use to drive a set of components while in the car. Not sure if those measurements are with only one channel or all 4 driven however.

Google Translate

 

[CTGT2005 10+ year member]

Interesting Comparison STL4.500 vs Massive NX4

 

[CTGT2005 10+ year member]

Leaning towards the PPI Phantom 900.4. It might be a little above price range, but the graphs from the PASmag review shows that it seems to pack a pretty good punch and do so cleanly.

 

[Reimers 10+ year member]

i run the cerwin vega stealth amps. very satisfied with the way they sound. and the power they put out. in the review i read the 4chanel was a little underrated.

my amps

guts of the 500.1 amp

the 2 chanel 220.2

 

[CTGT2005 10+ year member]

Well I bit the bullet and got 2 of the PPI Phantom P900.4's for myself and a Soundstream STL4.500 for the GF's car. Will post my thoughts on them when they arrive.

Now the question remains, do I use the rear channels 3&4 bridged to run her subwoofer, and put her RE audio XT800 on rear fill duty, or do I keep the RE on the subwoofer and run the 4 channel on all 4 corners?

BTW, the Cerwin Vega looks like a nice amp. Love the red PCB.

 

[pro-rabbit 5,000+ posts]

The Massive Audio Nano amps are over rated.
As far as other amps you could look into Vibe Audio's mini amps.

I agree, but they are not to bad overall all. I have a customer that uses two of the mono amps and a couple of a 4ch amps to match. They do a good job, but nothing more then other "mini" amps would do.

 

[CTGT2005 10+ year member]

I thought this was pretty impressive in output considering the size of the Phantom. Low distortion in the useable range also.