Trying to decide between 2 5-channel amps

[atoz350 10+ year member]

Okay, I am trying to decide between either the Kicker ZX700.5 or the Eclipse XA5000. I was for sure going for the Kicker, as they have the most power for the sub channel this side of Memphis. I have seen the Kicker in action and have mixed feelings about it. I have also seen some Eclipse amps in action and have mixed feelings about those. I am a stickler for SQ.

Kicker 700.5 specs:

RMS power 70 x 4 +210 x 1 @ 4ohms

85 x 4 + 420 x 1 @ 2ohms

THD:1%

S/N: 95db

Eclipse XA5000 specs:

RMS power 50 x 4 + 300 x 1 @ 4 ohms

75 x 4 + 430 x 1 @ 2ohms

THD: .05%

S/N: >90db

Now off the bat the Kicker specs seem to outweigh the Eclipse in terms of power handling and signal to noise ratio. However, the Eclipse looks like it will produce music more accurately. Keep in mind that I will be running an active setup. The Eclipse is featuring their ICE Technology which is full range class D circuitry. This is both good and bad for me. It won't tax my electrical system as hard which is good, because I run underdrive pulleys, but I'm afraid that the full digital circuitry won't be as accurate as an analog system. I know Alpine is doing well with their similar technology, but I'm still a bit skeptical.

Also, the last batch of XA1000's that I've had from Eclipse has had some quality control issues that resulted in them cutting out and not putting anywhere near their rated power when paired with a set of subs.

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[954runner 10+ year member]

the kicker amp is very good. my friend has it in his car. it's birthsheet says like 945 watts or something like that. very powerful.

 

[bri487 5,000+ posts]

zapco 650.6 ref dc, end of story if you are truley into SQ.

 

[atoz350 10+ year member]

zapco 650.6 ref dc, end of story if you are truley into SQ.

I am, but I am still on quite a restricted budget!! LOL

Maybe if I bought a better car I could justify it.

 

[azbass 5,000+ posts]

hes deciding between kicker and elcipse Not zapco.

id say eclipse.

 

[bri487 5,000+ posts]

hes deciding between kicker and elcipse Not zapco.
id say eclipse.

he also mentioned alpine, so i figured he was open to other things.

 

[ravendarat 10+ year member]

Between the two and knowing that you are based more in the relm of SQ I would go Eclipse, just my .02

 

[azbass 5,000+ posts]

so i figured he was open to other things.

not crapco //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif

 

[rotciv005 10+ year member]

x2 Eclipse .03

 

[alphakenny1 10+ year member]

zapco 650.6 ref dc, end of story if you are truley into SQ.

I'm sorry but did you read? kicker vs. eclipse. not only that but he wanted a 5 channel amp. end of story //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif.

not everyone on this forum can afford zapco reference dc amps. so stop it.

my vote goes to eclipse. solid amps i must say but not sure how underrated they are. if by power then i guess it goes to kicker.

 

[atoz350 10+ year member]

I appreciate the responses. I am open to suggestions for other amps, however I can get either of the two aformentioned amps really cheap due to CC's accomodation pricing. I have heard Eclipse's Integrated series amps, and while they are quite clear, and a bit more powerful than Kicker's comparable KX series amp, I don't know how they will stand up to their ZX line. Of course the Digital Series Eclipse would be a whole different ball game. I just want to make an informed decision to avoid the ever hating "buyer's remorse" as accomodations are not returnable.

So far the votes are:

Kicker : 2

Eclipse: 4

Zapco:1

 

[MajorDzaster]

For what it's worth, I am looking for a 5 channel amp, and I am considering the Arc Audio 5010XXK. It may be a tad underpowered, but it is considered a SQ amp.

 

[bri487 5,000+ posts]

I'm sorry but did you read? kicker vs. eclipse. not only that but he wanted a 5 channel amp. end of story //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif.
not everyone on this forum can afford zapco reference dc amps. so stop it.

my vote goes to eclipse. solid amps i must say but not sure how underrated they are. if by power then i guess it goes to kicker.

bitter are we? read the who thread and come back with your attitude. and by the way, two channels are bridgable making this a 5 channel, and not to mention, a perfect amp for his application. so stop it and stfu.

 

[Beat_Dominator 5,000+ posts]

I believe ICE power belongs to B&O and is liscensed out. From what I've read it is pretty well liked SQ wise. It's also extremely efficient as Class D amps tend to be.

 

[OldOneEye 10+ year member]

I had a KX700.5 as well as currently own the XA5000. I wish the Eclipse had a remote level controller. The ZX700.5 is a pretty **** big amp (owned some Kicker SX's as well).

I think that the XA5000 is more efficient, smaller, and has more processing built in (which I don't think matters to you).

If they are priced alike, I would say the Eclipse might get my nod, but its very close without knowing what else your priorities are (efficiency, size, etc.)

Juan