What qualities make a good amp?

[Macklessdaddy 10+ year member]

PDX 400.1 Run 2 Best Buy ASAP! (Clearance)

pdx 400.1 //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif

 

[Cpyder 10+ year member]

Anyone dealt with Polk Amps? What about the PA500.4?

 

[dB-r 10+ year member]

Since almost ALL amps use the exact same or similar parts, the difference is not in the parts, it's in the quality of the PCB, the capacitors used, and the customer service of the company you are buying from. If you purchased a $4000 amp but couldn't get any help with it when you have problems does that still make it a good amp? I don't know, I would guess you would be throwing it away or sending it to a repair shop to pay for it out of your own pocket... Doesn't sound like a "good" amp to me....

For a beginner, without a lot of $$$ to spend, try the HiFonics line, not too bad and if you shop around you can get them VERY cheap, but beware, as many places that sell these amps cheap are not authorized to sell them and Maxxsonics (the parent company of HiFonics and many other amps) will not warranty your amp.

And DON'T mount it to the speaker box... bad idea, will shake it to pieces over time. I know because I work on these things everyday.......

 

[dB-r 10+ year member]

The Speaker box mounting thing goes for ANY Amp.... not just the HiFonics amps...

 

[Cpyder 10+ year member]

Here's what I don't get. Some amps will say they run at 100RMS for example, but if you open up their manual, it will say 45RMS. How can they lie like this???

Ex: http://www.lanzar.com/itempage.asp?MODEL=VIBE416

Then look at the online manual, look at the table, and it clearly states a lower power rating. WTF

 

[dB-r 10+ year member]

Last time I looked there are no laws governing car audio power amplifier ratings... There is no standard.

 

[Cpyder 10+ year member]

So it's up to consumer reviews to help sort the crap from the good?

 

[GAM3OVR 5,000+ posts]

I'd say read reviews about an amp before you buy it. And read it on more then just one place.

If you see a re-occuring problem, that should be a warning light.

 

[dB-r 10+ year member]

Yes. I'd rather take other consumers words and experiences as the "truth" over questionable, inflated, deflated, etc ratings from the manufacturers or reviews from magazines etc any day.... Magazines get paid for reviews. How much the manufacturer pays determines how good the review is... or at least that's what I have been told, that may not include "all" magazines, but some, for sure. That includes ONLINE magazines as well.... not just in "Print Magazines"....

 

[Cpyder 10+ year member]

Those are very good points. Manufacturers will force anything down your throat to sell their product. Seeing through the bullshit will take you far in life!