These are my tower speakers...help me with an amplifier...

[jmass03 10+ year member]

So I just purchased pretty much the top of the line tower speakers for my boat. Theres only two companies out there that have produced tower speakers with this much clarity, NVS being one of them. I just bought their Prodigy's...now I need to find something to power these suckers up.

NVS recommends two amplifiers off the tip of their tongue.

The Zapco REF1000.4:

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=2379

And also the Kicker ZX850.4

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=3959

The Zapco, I can't find a good deal on, for less than $700. The Kicker sells for $400 bucks on Ebay all day.

Here are the specs on the NVS Prodigy's:

http://www.nvs1.net/prodigy.html

http://www.nvs1.net/specs%20prodigy.html

Basically, I need an efficient amplifier, capable of putting out at least 300-400 watts to each set, while fitting into those specifications. I see that they are a 4 ohm set. I'm not trying to get into a pissing contest with the next guy on how many watts I'm running in the boat. To be honest, the less wattage, the better, since I am running a 100 amp alternator, with 2 batteries stock from the factory.

If there is a two channel amplifier out there that may work better, that might be good as well.

For example, the Boston Acoustics GT-28 caught my eye:

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=128

And possibly running a Boston Acoustics GT-24 to maybe power a JL12W7, or an IDMax12:

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=127

I'm already running 400 watts to the interior speakers of the boat. Just trying to decide whether I want to run 700-900 watts to the speakers, and 600-1000 to the subwoofer.

Ideas....

Click to read more...

 

[shpatb 10+ year member]

the boston amps have great clarity, but they need alot more then 100 amp altenator... gt 28 needs 100 alone and the 24 needs 60... but for the money they are awesome.

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

I'm not exactly clear on what the configuration of the enclosure is.

It says 4 ohms per "module".

Do you have two modules? Each at 4 ohms? And you need 2 ch of amplification at 400-500w each?

If it wasn't for the tweeters you could go with a class D and really save some money AND current draw, but needing L/R I really don't see a way around a big 'ol a/b amp -- well, there IS one that comes to mind.

However, just because an amp has 100A of fuse protection doesn't mean it's going to draw 100A from your alt continuously. Even at wakeboarding volume an amp like that would be in the 30A neighborhood.

FWIW - I think the kicker would be a killer amp for your app., and it's $300 shipped at sonicelectronix.com. Should do well over 400x2 bridged.

On the efficient side - the Alpine pdx4.150 will draw about 1/2 the current of the kicker. It will give you 300x2 which obviously isn't ideal on paper, but realistically the difference between Alpine's 300w and Kicker's 425 won't amount to much as far as audibility. That might be the way to go - $420 shipped at sonic.

 

[jmass03 10+ year member]

the boston amps have great clarity, but they need alot more then 100 amp altenator... gt 28 needs 100 alone and the 24 needs 60... but for the money they are awesome.

I'm pretty sure you're wrong:

http://earmarkcaraudio.com/install_superAirNautique.asp

A friend of mine in Texas, just had GT-22, GT-24, and GT-28 put in the same type of boat I have, and the only thing he upgraded were his batteries. He's running one additional one for reserves.

But, thanks.

 

[jmass03 10+ year member]

I'm not exactly clear on what the configuration of the enclosure is.It says 4 ohms per "module".

Do you have two modules? Each at 4 ohms? And you need 2 ch of amplification at 400-500w each?

If it wasn't for the tweeters you could go with a class D and really save some money AND current draw, but needing L/R I really don't see a way around a big 'ol a/b amp -- well, there IS one that comes to mind.

However, just because an amp has 100A of fuse protection doesn't mean it's going to draw 100A from your alt continuously. Even at wakeboarding volume an amp like that would be in the 30A neighborhood.

FWIW - I think the kicker would be a killer amp for your app., and it's $300 shipped at sonicelectronix.com. Should do well over 400x2 bridged.

On the efficient side - the Alpine pdx4.150 will draw about 1/2 the current of the kicker. It will give you 300x2 which obviously isn't ideal on paper, but realistically the difference between Alpine's 300w and Kicker's 425 won't amount to much as far as audibility. That might be the way to go - $420 shipped at sonic.

I really appreciate the reponse. Yeah, I can't really decide honestly. I'm really trying to stick with one company for my amps. I know they won't be seen all that much since they'll be behind a compartment, but it's just personal opinion. Kicker readily has available several amps for my subwoofer, however the Alpine has the PDX- 1.1000 which is still decent. I'm just concerned really, that 300 watts to each pair of speakers really won't be sufficient. I e-mailed the owner of the company to see -- I'm almost certain those speakers crave between 400-600 watts to scream.