Where to buy RAINBOW AMPS?

[krisfnbz 10+ year member]

I have a pair of rainbow 265SLX comps... and im looking to get a kraftwerk amp... I think thats what they were called back a few months when I checked em out... but id really like to know what they run...? Or what a good match would be for my rainbow comps... right now they are runnin off a kicker amp...

Click to read more...

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

PM 6spdcoupe for prices/etc.

Why do you want to change out the Kicker ?

 

[krisfnbz 10+ year member]

because im about to re-install them in my girlfriends civic and would like to make a very nice quality setup.. and ive heard nothing but good things about any german audio especially rainbow and figured I would match the slx's up with a rainbow amp

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

The kicker amp works fine and isn't going to degrade the sound at all.

You're probably going to be looking at well over $500 for a basic 2-channel. They're quite proud of their amps and so many people have a boner over them. The same folks that call JL overpriced, too.

 

[6spdcoupe 5,000+ posts]

The kicker amp works fine and isn't going to degrade the sound at all.
You're probably going to be looking at well over $500 for a basic 2-channel. They're quite proud of their amps and so many people have a boner over them. The same folks that call JL overpriced, too.

Definately agree on the point of 'sounding' or performing differently, But none of their two channels even approach to $500 mark at full SRP. Theyre not as proud as some other. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[krisfnbz 10+ year member]

so you guys are saying that kicker is in the same category as rainbow with amps as far as sound quality? wow...

 

[dragnix 5,000+ posts]

i believe for the kraftwerk series u need to buy an add-on unit for processing and gain control, unless u already have that in ur hu

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

Bear in mind the factors that affect amplifier "sound quality".....power, distortion, gain, frequency response and noise.

You haven't complained about noise from the Kicker that I've seen, so you gain nothing there by switching to the Rainbow. The Kicker has more power bridged (how I would use the amp) than either the 2-channel Rainbow in stereo or the 4-channel bridged....so you are actually taking a setup backwards by switching to the Rainbow. Both are capable of operating with inaudible levels of distortion, so you gain nothing here either. Frequency response I haven't seen measurements for either, but assuming both are competently designed there shouldn't be major deviations present in either so that should be a non-issue as well.

So what are you really gaining by switching or why would you expect the Rainbow to sound better ? The Kicker's are solid amplifiers, so there's no reliability issues to really consider.

If I had my choice between the Kicker KX650.4 bridged to my front stage and the Rainbow amps.....I'd stick with the Kicker.

 

[Eugenics 5,000+ posts]

so you guys are saying that kicker is in the same category as rainbow with amps as far as sound quality? wow...

No, they are simply saying that the difference will most likely not be audible and/or the upgrade would not be cost effective when compared to an upgraded source unit or set of speakers, deadening... etc.

 

[krisfnbz 10+ year member]

Im not even bridging my kicker right now on my rainbow 265Slx's and Im quite amazed with them. I dont think the Slx's could take that much power?? they are high passed @ bout 100-125 or so.. its been quite some time since I have messed with em.

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

It's called "headroom".

http://www.caraudio.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3480810&postcount=3

 

[tee 10+ year member]

Im not even bridging my kicker right now on my rainbow 265Slx's and Im quite amazed with them.

That alone tells you something.

 

[krisfnbz 10+ year member]

I guess my kicker amp wasnt as bad as I thought compared to higher end amps

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

But none of their two channels even approach to $500 mark at full SRP.

I stand corrected on the price, and stand by the "not worth the upgrade," too

 

[kmanian 5,000+ posts]

Don't we all know that specs can not tell us the true story of how one amp will preform vs. another. The warmth, image ... I don't know which one will sound better, I do question those who have opinions here, have you had the oppertunity to listen to the rainbow amps? If not, how can it be determined that it is "not worth the upgrade,"