Switching to Class A/B for Subs?

[Justintoxicated 10+ year member]

I'm thinking about switching to a class A/B amp for my subs. But as it is my Class D Hifonics Zeuse is already dimming my interior lights when the Bass hits. I think using 0Ga wire made the problem worse... If I get another sub amp I'll be wanting 1000 watts and I think I will need an alternator at that point.

Will Class A/B really improve the SQ coming from my subs? It's been a while since I listened to subs on a class A, but I think I remember my old POS Diehard Generic FAMART amp sounding better than my Hifnoics Class D....(amp being the only thing changed).

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[jeeper07 5,000+ posts]

If u switch to a/b the amps are MUCH less efficient. ur best bet is to try doing the big 3 and see about maybe a new batt. u dont want to power ur sub with a/b in most situations

 

[Justintoxicated 10+ year member]

If u switch to a/b the amps are MUCH less efficient. ur best bet is to try doing the big 3 and see about maybe a new batt. u dont want to power ur sub with a/b in most situations

I know they are less efficient but I want SQ, subs will be in a sealed box. I do need a Battery so thats not an issue, I have done the big 2

(have not upgraded the power wire from alternator to battery which is I believe is 4ga and a short run, and would be a nightmare to change because the fuses all integrated etc).

But every thing else is done.

My Alt is just weak, so maybe it needs to be replaced. how much SQ will I gain switching to a high end class A/B amp? Maybe a DLS Ultimate Monoblock, or some kind of arc audio amp (I think they are class D though). I only have a Hifonics right now.

I have heard an amp is an amp etc, but I beleive there is a difference in SQ going from D to A/B? Would I get the same difference by switching to a newer Class D amp?

 

[Max_Power 10+ year member]

yeah, I agree, class D were a godsend to subwoofers, and still are. for the slight difference you might here, you are going to have a helluva time tring to keep your subs happy.

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

I doubt you'll be able to hear any difference for subbass...

 

[Justintoxicated 10+ year member]

You doubt I will hear any difference?

or I won't hear any difference?

Would for example, a digital class D amp sound better?

or would I be better off getting a higher end Arc Audio amp?

I know DLS Ultimate amps are supposed to be really good, they are ALL class A/B even the 1000 watt. I heard there are arc audio amps that get close though?

If I don't get Class A/B I need something small because I have to stack 2 amps under my seat (for comps and for subs).

I want a new amp for my iridiums as well, my eclipse has always been flaky since it was new. Every so often a channel will shut off / malfunction off for a week. This happens every year or two. I doubt it can be repaired since it's intermitten and I can't find anything wrong with it (bad connection etc).... Plus I want more power anyways.. Iridiums reccomend 100x2, so I want to upgrade front and subs at the same time.

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

You won't hear a difference.

Spend the money on amplification where it matters the most (i.e, above 100Hz //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif)

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

You won't get small and Class A/B in the same package. No way, no how. For a real 1000W Class A/B amp (there are only 2 that I know of currently made that I would buy, one a Zapco and the other the DLS) you are talking about a HUGE amp. The amps are only 60ish% efficient at full power where they are at their most efficient so the amp has to be able to shed at least as much power in heat as it is producing. This makes for a big heatsink and thus a big amp. Factor in that you will be asking even more from your electrical system than you are now (and it's already struggling) and you'll end up with a lot of money spent for less efficiency and no audible increase in performance.

 

[Twistid 5,000+ posts]

my rft10002 is small and packs a punch ... not to mention isent such a huge current hog //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[Polecat 5,000+ posts]

spend the money more getting current/voltage...class d's like mentioned are far more efficient. I doubt you'd hear the difference anyhow.

 

[Justintoxicated 10+ year member]

You won't get small and Class A/B in the same package. No way, no how. For a real 1000W Class A/B amp (there are only 2 that I know of currently made that I would buy, one a Zapco and the other the DLS) you are talking about a HUGE amp. The amps are only 60ish% efficient at full power where they are at their most efficient so the amp has to be able to shed at least as much power in heat as it is producing. This makes for a big heatsink and thus a big amp. Factor in that you will be asking even more from your electrical system than you are now (and it's already struggling) and you'll end up with a lot of money spent for less efficiency and no audible increase in performance.

I know I would need a high ouput alt, which is why I was asking if it was worth while. I like the DLS amps, they arent not Huge, but like 14 inches and 4 inches tall if I remember without looking up specs... They are going undermy seat but would stick out one inch.

Otherwise small and good clean output would probably do the trick.

Why are ARC amps so highloy recomended over others? I'm thinking that if I get new amps it would be nice to have a matching set for Comps and Subs. Still working on getting subs as well since I doubt I will find another Assassin 10" anytime soon I'll probably have to buy 2...

 

[shiipseki 10+ year member]

us amps 2000 is class ab i believe

 

[Louisiana_CRX 5,000+ posts]

It seems like I read something on here about a month ago....A guy started to change out his old school Soundstream 10.0 and go with a newer and more powerful Class D ,....Soundstream...Well end result I think he went back to the Old School AB 10.0 claimed the D sounded like crap....

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

It seems like I read something on here about a month ago....A guy started to change out his old school Soundstream 10.0 and go with a newer and more powerful Class D ,....Soundstream...Well end result I think he went back to the Old School AB 10.0 claimed the D sounded like crap....

And, no offense to that person....but his "comparison" is completley and utterly worthless in every sense and no conclusions or validations can be drawn from it. Absolutely none, zero, nadda.

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

Why are ARC amps so highloy recomended over others?

Great build quality and excellent customer support