What's the difference between these amps?

[kozik 10+ year member]

okay so just out of curiosity im looking at getting a 4ch amp and while looking at them i noticed a huge price difference between this Jensen 4ch amp and lets say a kicker 4ch amp.

The Jensen im looking at is this one

Jensen Power-760 (power760) - 4 Channel Amplifier | Four Channel Amp - Sonic Electronix

75wx4 @ 4ohms RMS for $75

compared to a similar RMS power Kicker

Kicker IX500.4 (10IX500.4) 4-Channel Class D Car Amplifier

75wx4 @ 4ohms for $450

i mean is it really worth that $375 more? that seems like a lot to me i can maybe see for competition style system it might be worth it but if you just looking for something with power in a daily driver is there any reason to go more expensive than that jensen?

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[Stalin-ohaulic]

okay so just out of curiosity im looking at getting a 4ch amp and while looking at them i noticed a huge price difference between this Jensen 4ch amp and lets say a kicker 4ch amp.
The Jensen im looking at is this one

Jensen Power-760 (power760) - 4 Channel Amplifier | Four Channel Amp - Sonic Electronix

75wx4 @ 4ohms RMS for $75

compared to a similar RMS power Kicker

Kicker IX500.4 (10IX500.4) 4-Channel Class D Car Amplifier

75wx4 @ 4ohms for $450

i mean is it really worth that $375 more? that seems like a lot to me i can maybe see for competition style system it might be worth it but if you just looking for something with power in a daily driver is there any reason to go more expensive than that jensen?

People don't ask these types of questions enough. KUDOS to you! Is the jenson a great amp? No. It's made from poor quality components and probably will not do rated power and if it does, it will not be at an acceptable signal to noise ratio.

Will the kicker do rated and sound good? Yes. Is it overpriced? YES!!!

There are many other great amps that fall in the 100-200 dollar range that are equal quality to the kicker or better. Look at sundown amps, aq amps, mb quart, etc. Check the Classifieds on here. You will get a great deal on a great amp as long as you watch out for scammers.

 

[kozik 10+ year member]

if the jensen is CEA-2006 Compliant shouldn't that mean that the power that is stated is the exact power you will get? or did companies find a way to get around this?

 

[kr15 5,000+ posts]

CEA pertains to 4ohm ratings, so yes, at 14.4v it will do rated power, but it might do it at a higher distortion level than say the Kicker, or other "better" amps...The kicker is not really worth that much more, and the Jensen Power series are "ok" for an entry level setup requiring little power

 

[Rodek 10+ year member]

The Jensen amp has some good reviews and quite frankly, they've been in business for a long time. That has to account for something. A brand new amp for 75.00 that puts out rated CEA2006 power is a good deal....even if it's not a "favorite" brand to some.

I've owned Jensen products since the 80's. Never had a problem with any of them and still own a couple items. I'd go for the Jensen and pocket the 375.00.

 

[Stalin-ohaulic]

The Jensen amp has some good reviews and quite frankly, they've been in business for a long time. That has to account for something. A brand new amp for 75.00 that puts out rated CEA2006 power is a good deal....even if it's not a "favorite" brand to some.
I've owned Jensen products since the 80's. Never had a problem with any of them and still own a couple items. I'd go for the Jensen and pocket the 375.00.

Then why ask if you already know everything?

As stated before CEA 2006 is only at 4 ohms. How much power does it put out at 4 ohms? What is the THD at 2 ohm? The reviews are most likely from people who have never heard anything else. If that jenson is good enough for you then it's a perfect situation. It's not good enough for the rest of us not because of brand name but because of it's lack of quality. We pride ourselves here on going with boutique brands that are less expensive yet perform better or equal to the name brands. We are not going to tell you jenson sucks just because it's less expensive or because the name isn't huge. We don't like jenson because it doesn't perform.... plain and simple. Get over it.

 

[smgreen20 10+ year member]

Because Rodek isn't the original poster, kozik is.

 

[Stalin-ohaulic]

Because Rodek isn't the original poster, kozik is.

good point

 

[kr15 5,000+ posts]

I do not know what the DSC480s are going for, but I know they are not much over 100$ and much better then Jensen and probley as good if not better than the kicker

 

[Sweet'n Low 10+ year member]

Because Rodek isn't the original poster, kozik is.

whatta twist! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif

 

[SpeedEuphoria 10+ year member]

I do not know what the DSC480s are going for, but I know they are not much over 100$ and much better then Jensen and probley as good if not better than the kicker

NEW MB Quart DSC480 4-Channel Car Amplifier/Amp DSC-480 - eBay (item 360290011453 end time Aug-24-10 04:18:36 PDT)

Better amp for the money

$110 shipped all day

 

[kozik 10+ year member]

thanks for all your input another problem im facing is i'm from canada so something thats 120-140 end up being 200-220 after all the bs charges we get over here...

Just wondering is SPL a reputable company? are they better than Jensen about the same or MB quart level?

 

[kr15 5,000+ posts]

is SPL a reputable company?

no

 

[Rodek 10+ year member]

kozik,

I suggest stopping by a local audio shop to audition some gear that falls within your budget. I think you'd be better equipped to make a decsion after doing so.

 

[Rodek 10+ year member]

Then why ask if you already know everything? As stated before CEA 2006 is only at 4 ohms. How much power does it put out at 4 ohms? What is the THD at 2 ohm? The reviews are most likely from people who have never heard anything else. If that jenson is good enough for you then it's a perfect situation. It's not good enough for the rest of us not because of brand name but because of it's lack of quality. We pride ourselves here on going with boutique brands that are less expensive yet perform better or equal to the name brands. We are not going to tell you jenson sucks just because it's less expensive or because the name isn't huge. We don't like jenson because it doesn't perform.... plain and simple. Get over it.

Jensen doesn't perform? Ok..... Maybe not to the level of higher end gear but it does perform to the satisfaction of many budget minded people who don't have the funds. The brand has survived for decades. That must account for something.

Addtionally, thanks for not noticing I was the original poster. BTW, it's Jensen not "jenson". Anyway, if you're interested, research the history of the brand. They have some interesting history behind them. Their ATS amps were quite good as were their Triaxial speakers.