Good 5 Channel Amps

[jwangyue]

I have a nice Kicker 550.3 (40x2 @ 4ohm + 400x1 @ 2 ohm) for sale for $200 shipped. It would be perfect for your application.

I was going to get that oringinally, but when I found out it only give 40W rms at 12.5V, it is kind of a turn off. Anyhow, thank you anyways though...

 

[jwangyue]

Based on your listening preferences I would go with the 10" sub to save space over the 12" sub. I looked up some prices on www.Crutchfield.com and this is what you're working with so far:

Infinity Reference 6800cs - 179.99
Infinity Perfect 10.1 - 134.99
Q-Logic QLH-CS10 Single 10" Box - 53.99
Total = 368.97

I skimmed through Crutchfield's selection of Amps and none of them stood out as an obvious choice. I am partial to MTX so I would probably choose the MTX Thunder564 ($339) which will send 70 watts to your components and 280 watts to your sub.

The Alpines will give you slightly better SQ but none of them have the power output that would be ideal for the Infinity Perfect. For example, if you went with the Alpine MRV-F340 ($399) you would send 55 watts to your components and only 130 watts to your sub. You pay $60 more for less power, an LCD screen, enhanced noise reduction, subsonic filter (only really needed for ported enclosures) and the Alpine name.

Since you mentioned Kicker in your original post I will mention the Kicker KX-550.3 3-channel amp ($379.99). I don't particularly like Kicker but this amp may suit your needs. It will send 75 watts to your components and 420 watts to your sub from its 3rd channel. Please note that if you choose this amp you will want to purchase the Infinity Perfect 10.1d dual voice coil model to get a 2ohm total load. I think this amp probably has the best value per dollar for what you want to do.

Now, if you are willing to spend the money, the JL Audio 450/4 is a great choice but I think it is about $700, far more expensive than anything else I mentioned. This amp will obviously sound much better than the MTX, Kicker or Alpine and will give you 75 watts for your components and 300 watts for your sub. There is just no comparing this amp to the others...it is simply better and worth the higher price.

Thank you for the long reply. How is MTX? I see that a lot in the big box stores, how is their quality?

 

[chuyler1]

I have a pair of 2000 models in my car. MTX produces the best sound for the price...only when you pay $200-300 or more for a high-end amp will you get better SQ. They don't use flashy designs to sell their amps and they have slowly perfected their designs over the past few years by making very few changes to their circuit boards.

You will notice that for the past four years they have maintained the same heat sink and only added a little extra chrome to keep up with the times. They have added a few features to their circuit boards and managed to squeeze a little more power out of them without starting from scratch.

With some manufacturers, every amp is like a first model year of a car. This is not the case with MTX and the result is tried-and-tested build quality. Their design works so why change it.

 

[jwangyue]

I have a pair of 2000 models in my car. MTX produces the best sound for the price...only when you pay $200-300 or more for a high-end amp will you get better SQ. They don't use flashy designs to sell their amps and they have slowly perfected their designs over the past few years by making very few changes to their circuit boards.

You will notice that for the past four years they have maintained the same heat sink and only added a little extra chrome to keep up with the times. They have added a few features to their circuit boards and managed to squeeze a little more power out of them without starting from scratch.

With some manufacturers, every amp is like a first model year of a car. This is not the case with MTX and the result is tried-and-tested build quality. Their design works so why change it.

I see... maybe I will seriously consider a MTX amps now... Thanks again

 

[Pivo187]

jwangyue: Id be willing to sell you my audison 3 channel amp. SQ is amazing, u can search the net and read about them. Many people consider Audison the Ferarri of amps. The amp has won awards for its performance and I love it but I need an amp that can push at least 400 watts for a new sub I bought so I need to sell it.

 

[chuyler1]

Do you have a link on the specs for your Audison amp? I might be interested.

 

[DeanSweet]

I am a little biased but I say go with the Kicker(reference my signature?)... I have never had a problem with any of thier stuff. New or old school stuff still seems to have the same lasting build quality.

 

[1sty]

To choose an amp I would start by only considering those that give you atleast 25% more power then you think you want. This will give you the head room to get the volume you want without a chance of distortion even as the amp heats up. Some amps are cheaper simply because as they play intensly, they start degrading in power output and sound quality. Most of the more reputable brands won't do this. Most everything from best buy will. Rember inflated power numbers cna be created 1000 different ways so look for the CEA2006 logo to be sure the amp has tested to put out its claimed power. To me, at this point there is no excuse for an amp manufacturer to not have had their equiptment tested. If they haven't, they are hiding something. Yes, even the high end amps.

Next, be sure the amp has adjustable crossovers. I would suggest this to anyone that isn't looking for the bare minimum of a system.

Last get feedback from the installers of the shop your going to about the amp your thinking of buying. Somethimes they try to sell it, but often they tell you if it really sucks. Ask for there suggestion on an alternative if they don't like it. Then bring that info back here.

MTX is alot like General Motors. They make Aveio and Corvette. In other words, they have awsome products and some to aviod in most cases.

Kicker I don't like any more. I used them for the year tweeter carried them. Although they stood up to time well, I didn't like how they performed and they in general felt crappy. Its a personal baise at best so don't let that deter you form them totaly.

Just because I am a JL *****, I would say that there e series 6 channel might be the way to go for you. There several cominations you could use in this install and the next. Plus it is of top notch quality. Remeber that alot of amps mught be very high end, but what they hell good are they if everytime you pull off and RCA, they risk being damaged? I have seen this several times with Macintosh, Xtant, and Alpines.

 

[jwangyue]

To choose an amp I would start by only considering those that give you atleast 25% more power then you think you want. This will give you the head room to get the volume you want without a chance of distortion even as the amp heats up. Some amps are cheaper simply because as they play intensly, they start degrading in power output and sound quality. Most of the more reputable brands won't do this. Most everything from best buy will. Rember inflated power numbers cna be created 1000 different ways so look for the CEA2006 logo to be sure the amp has tested to put out its claimed power. To me, at this point there is no excuse for an amp manufacturer to not have had their equiptment tested. If they haven't, they are hiding something. Yes, even the high end amps.

Next, be sure the amp has adjustable crossovers. I would suggest this to anyone that isn't looking for the bare minimum of a system.

Last get feedback from the installers of the shop your going to about the amp your thinking of buying. Somethimes they try to sell it, but often they tell you if it really sucks. Ask for there suggestion on an alternative if they don't like it. Then bring that info back here.

MTX is alot like General Motors. They make Aveio and Corvette. In other words, they have awsome products and some to aviod in most cases.

Kicker I don't like any more. I used them for the year tweeter carried them. Although they stood up to time well, I didn't like how they performed and they in general felt crappy. Its a personal baise at best so don't let that deter you form them totaly.

Just because I am a JL *****, I would say that there e series 6 channel might be the way to go for you. There several cominations you could use in this install and the next. Plus it is of top notch quality. Remeber that alot of amps mught be very high end, but what they hell good are they if everytime you pull off and RCA, they risk being damaged? I have seen this several times with Macintosh, Xtant, and Alpines.

I've heard a million good things about JL from just about everybody. My biggest concern is how much does it cost? I don't really have a lot of budget for the audio system. I am not looking to the best of the best out there. I do, however, want something that is best quality and value for the money I pay.

 

[1sty]

I've heard a million good things about JL from just about everybody. My biggest concern is how much does it cost? I don't really have a lot of budget for the audio system. I am not looking to the best of the best out there. I do, however, want something that is best quality and value for the money I pay.

First off, for Best of the Best, your talking $5K for a 2 channel amp. JL is one of the best main stream brand. They are the current top tog that everyone is shooting at. The "e" series is their entry level amp, not their best. Thats the "/" series. So they are definitly not the best for possible SQ. However for a budget amplifier that will last a long time and do exactly what it claims you'll be hard pressed to find its equal.

http://www.jlaudio.com/amps/e6450.html

As you can see, it will push 150x3 at 12.6 Volts. At 14.4 volts you'll get even more. The CEA2006 rating is 215.5 watts x 3 @ 4 ohms.

Heres a review:
http://carsound.com/articles/publish/article_268.shtml

My favorite part:

Lies, Damn Lies, And Amplifier Specifications
What can I say: the JL Audio e6450 amplifier exceeds every one of its specifications. While other amplifiers struggle to make their power, the e6450 even exceeded its power rating at 12.5 Volts DC. Well done.



$400 for a total system amp. (headbang)
Thats less then the retail on any amp your originaly mentioned. ALmost 1/2 of the JL 500/5.

You can either go bass heavy and bridge 2 set of channels to different subs or put a ton of power to your front speakers and bridge all the channels. Bridge channels 1+2 to the left speaker. Bridge channels 3+4 to the right speaker and bridge channels 5+6 to the subs.
If thats to pricy then lower the power needs and get a e4300.

 

[chuyler1]

JL's amps are great but I would consider them to be overpriced for the average listener (average meaning: not a car audio enthusiast).

For amps, I would place brands like MTX, Kicker, and Rockford Fosgate in the "best value per dollar" category. Some people will disagree but these companies put out thousands of decent quality amps each year and if they were producing crap, they would be out of business very quickly. Word travels fast in the industry and if a company has a single bad product, people will shy away from everything the company puts out. You may not win a sound-off with your Kicker amp when competing against people with Phoenix Gold, JL Audio, and Xtant but you also won't be paying an arm and a leg for your equipment.

 

[1sty]

JL's amps are great but I would consider them to be overpriced for the average listener (average meaning: not a car audio enthusiast).

For amps, I would place brands like MTX, Kicker, and Rockford Fosgate in the "best value per dollar" category. Some people will disagree but these companies put out thousands of decent quality amps each year and if they were producing crap, they would be out of business very quickly. Word travels fast in the industry and if a company has a single bad product, people will shy away from everything the company puts out. You may not win a sound-off with your Kicker amp when competing against people with Phoenix Gold, JL Audio, and Xtant but you also won't be paying an arm and a leg for your equipment.

Keep in mind the series of amp we are talking about. I would agree with you about the "/" series JL amp. However, the "e" series is definitly less expensive. Also for the money, Rockford is even if not more expensive now compared to JL and is very financialy shacky. The quality of there newest amps are also something to debate. Kicker chinced out a few age, no secret there. They are chasing audiobahn. MTX is also no longer comands the respect it once did, they let there top end slide when they and Xtant became the same company.

Just compare the MTX Thunder 564 ($340) with the JL audio e4300($300)

Most of the industry does certianly not shy away form a crap product, just look at how many head units Sony has sold since they went to absolute crap. Not to mention how much audiobahn has sold since they also became useless.
Everyday at Tweeter I would get another retard in from best buy telling me that he saw an audiobahn for sale that put out way more power then the JL 1000/1 and only cost $229. One putz actualy said his head unit had more power then the JL 300/4 ( I laughed my ballz off)
Another good example is eD. They have been more critisezed by former customer, sponsored teams, and even employees then any company in history, yet people still think its a chep alaternative so they buy it. The reality is that even if reliable, companies like ed and CDT only sound as good as all the other speakers you can buy for the same price at any store.

Competition is another subject entirly. The majority of people use what they get a discount on. The reason most compeditors used to run MB quart speakers and JL subs is because they were getting the equiptment at 70%-100% off of retail. The best discounts make the most used equiptment. The oddity in that is alpine. There programs suck but there head units dominate.
Also, install is going to come into play alot more then is the equiptment, especialy the amp in an SQ test where it will only have to reach 90 db at most and will never get near distortion if setup properly.

FOr the next level down of amps, I would suggest Alpine and eclipse.

 

[badboyeee]

For the next level down of amps, I would suggest Alpine and eclipse.

Why do you recommend JL over Eclipse amps? I thought they are pretty equal...

 

[1sty]

Why do you recommend JL over Eclipse amps? I thought they are pretty equal...

Its a more solid amp, especialy when powering a bridged load. Elcipse amps aren't the best when it comes to thermal effeciency adn they aren't the best choice for an amp that will run bridged subs, although they can do it. Eclipse amps are decent but they are actualy built cheaply. They last and have good features but take the Ea3422 as an example. It sells for $250 but cost is only $125 on it. The JL produces more power when bridged per channel and won't have RCA disruction that is possible with eclipse amps.

Eclipse amps can certainly start getting into the high end world, but you will almost never see someone with highline eclipse amps in a competiont unless they are sponsored. I just see them as an entry level amp compared to the bigger names.

For a 4 channel amp that has 50x4 rms, flexibility, and adjustable crossovers, the eclipse is great. At $250 retail its hard to beat. However, it has its place and I find it best to run highs only with them. Or maybe 2 front speakers and bridge it to power a little 8" sub but not much more then that. Although Servo wasn't all that happy with his running bridged to his front components.

 

[badboyeee]

Its a more solid amp, especialy when powering a bridged load. Elcipse amps aren't the best when it comes to thermal effeciency adn they aren't the best choice for an amp that will run bridged subs, although they can do it. Eclipse amps are decent but they are actualy built cheaply. They last and have good features but take the Ea3422 as an example. It sells for $250 but cost is only $125 on it. The JL produces more power when bridged per channel and won't have RCA disruction that is possible with eclipse amps.

Eclipse amps can certainly start getting into the high end world, but you will almost never see someone with highline eclipse amps in a competiont unless they are sponsored. I just see them as an entry level amp compared to the bigger names.

For a 4 channel amp that has 50x4 rms, flexibility, and adjustable crossovers, the eclipse is great. At $250 retail its hard to beat. However, it has its place and I find it best to run highs only with them. Or maybe 2 front speakers and bridge it to power a little 8" sub but not much more then that. Although Servo wasn't all that happy with his running bridged to his front components.

Thermal Efficiency? Do you mean they run pretty hot, and when they do, don't run as well? What do you mean by RCA distruction?

I was looking into the Eclipse PA5422 model that does 85x4 rms or ~240x2 and alot of crossover functions. I'm deciding between this one or the JL e4300, but I was leaning more toward the Eclipse because it has more power.

 

[1sty]

Thermal Efficiency? Do you mean they run pretty hot, and when they do, don't run as well? What do you mean by RCA distruction?

I was looking into the Eclipse PA5422 model that does 85x4 rms or ~240x2 and alot of crossover functions. I'm deciding between this one or the JL e4300, but I was leaning more toward the Eclipse because it has more power.

For thermal effeciency, you hit the nail on the head. I find this true when they run bridged to subs mostly though, not components. Although they are more sensitive to less then 4 ohm loads when bridged.

JL mounts their RCA jacks to the chassis of the amp. This makes them almost impossible to damage. Most other amps still don't do this. They are attached by a soilder joint. This is the most common form of damage to an amplifier I was working as an installer. A carefull installer should never have an issue with either of these amps.

Keep in mind the JL test out at over 72 x4 even though JL only rates it at 45 x 4. This is also at a lower THD then the eclipse. The power difference between the amps will be totaly unoticable to the human ear.

If you were using the eclipse as just a 4 channel playing 4, 4 ohm speakers then if its less expensive, the eclipse would be a great choice. HOwever, if your bridging the amp at all, I would use the JL.

 

[badboyeee]

Keep in mind the JL test out at over 72 x4 even though JL only rates it at 45 x 4. This is also at a lower THD then the eclipse. The power difference between the amps will be totaly unoticable to the human ear.

Yeah I remember that review you sent me. JL rates it at 45x4 rms at 12.5V. However isn't 72x4 at 14.4V? What voltage does the CEA-2006 Standard use?

 

[1sty]

Yeah I remember that review you sent me. JL rates it at 45x4 rms at 12.5V. However isn't 72x4 at 14.4V? What voltage does the CEA-2006 Standard use?

Yes, CES is at 14.4 volts. JL's ratings are at 12.5 volts and Eclipse is at 13.8 volts

 

[chuyler1]

FYI, My P5 idles at 13.8v according to the guage on my capacitor.

 

[badboyeee]

Okay cool, thanks for the advice and info