Which 4ch amp: Eclipse EA3422 or Rockford Fostgate 550x

[arkitek]

Anyone have any experience with these or similiar models. Trying to figure out which would be better for driving the 4 speakers in my MSP

Front: Diamond Audio Hex 600s
Rear: Stock Kenwood

 

[Natey]

I would have said Eclipse a month ago, but I got a killer deal on a Rockford amp, and it's REALLY nice. It's a 700s and I have it driving my subs(2 RF HE12s), but I have a feeling that it's pushing more than 700watts.

I'm here to vouch for RF.

 

[servoeyes]

The eclipse. It is so freakin clear and transparent, even pushing 100W+ bridged, that it's ridiculous. It is one hell of a deal, the SQ is ridiculous, and the SN ratio is matched only by JL. I don't think that you can beat it.

 

[Bass Addict]

These two don't even compare! Eclipse....all the way.

Trust me, you won't be dissapointed

 

[Rider69]

I currently have an RF 551x and I woudl highly recommend going with the Eclipse!

 

[1sty]

eclipse

 

[arkitek]

Thanks for the input guys.
Interesting! Specs-wise the RF unit looks better. On the RF, 2 ohms performance is pretty impressive relative to 4 ohms meaning it's pretty high current no? Bottomline is the SQ I guess.

Eclipse EA3422:
50W 4 Channel 0.1% THD at 4 Stereo @13.8V (RMS Continuous Power)
70W 4 Channel 0.1% THD at 2 Stereo @13.8V (RMS Continuous Power)

Rockford Fosgate 550x:

65 watts RMS x 4 at 4 ohms
137.5 watts RMS x 4 at 2 ohms
IM Distortion <.05%

I currently have an RF 551x and I woudl highly recommend going with the Eclipse!

Rider69, What's wrong you find with your RF unit?

 

[Poseur]

It does all come down to SQ. My thought on the matter is why don't you go with a 2ch and just push your fronts with it? You could likely get ahold of an eclipse PA4212 for almost the same price. That would give you 130wx2 at 4ohms, and 200at 2 (don't know why you'd do that though) THe only drawback her eis they don't have a high-pass so you'd have to either set it off your deck, or get some form of pre-amp crossover. In the rear doors, I've actually gone back to my stock speakers being run off of my h/u for the moment. Paritally 'cause surround clearance with my 6.5's in the back has always made me cringe, and partly because a Friend who's not as hook-up-lucky as I needed some decent 6.5's and didn't have thatmuch dough. Honestly I can't hear a difference. (okay, so my real excuse is I'm eventually gonna slap some 5-1/4 midbasses back there) Anyway, it's Kinda a shame to have allthat power sitting there underseat untapped, but the amp was a seriously good deal. I had an eclipse before I got my Tsunami's and it was VERY nice. actually, I had a couple other eclipses before that. They're always incredible SQ, even if they were twice the price.

 

[servoeyes]

Thanks for the input guys.
Interesting! Specs-wise the RF unit looks better. On the RF, 2 ohms performance is pretty impressive relative to 4 ohms meaning it's pretty high current no? Bottomline is the SQ I guess.

Eclipse EA3422:
50W 4 Channel 0.1% THD at 4 Stereo @13.8V (RMS Continuous Power)
70W 4 Channel 0.1% THD at 2 Stereo @13.8V (RMS Continuous Power)

Rockford Fosgate 550x:

65 watts RMS x 4 at 4 ohms
137.5 watts RMS x 4 at 2 ohms
IM Distortion <.05%

Those numbers on the Eclipse aren't exactly right...The power is correct, but the THD is actually 0.004% at 4ohms, at the rated power. it's 0.008% bridged (how I have it set up) pushing 120Wx2 to my CDTs.

Not to mention the signal to noise ratio is 105dB A-rated, and the damping factor is >200. This is very comparable to JL's e4300. That's JL's less expensive series. If you get a chance, audition the two amps side by side. You may like JL's more because it probably won't be as transparent...the Eclipse can be extremely crisp and clear. Paired with the wrong set of speakers, you could potentially destroy your hearing (which is true of any amp speakers combo, but I think especially true with the Eclipse). In other words, don't get MB Quart or something else that will sound strong in the midrange and highs.

Either way, it's gonna take some auditioning by you. Good luck!

 

[Rider69]

Rider69, What's wrong you find with your RF unit?

It is just that I have now heard both brands and the SQ of the eclipse blows away the RF. Since you are using it for front/rear channels, you would want the better SQ. For a sub, it might be different.

 

[arkitek]

I must go and audition the Eclipse EA3422 and JL's e4300 then. The reason I want a four channel is that I'm looking to get the Alpine amp-less HU model CDA-7995 or CDA-7898 eventually for the ultimate SQ signal to the amp.

I'm hoping these budget 4 ch amps are good enough powerwise for the Diamond Audio Hex s600s. I don't really listen at extreme volume. Maybe I should spend a bit more on the amp and get something with more juice like the Eclipse EA5422 or equivalent?

Or like Poseur sez, I can get the eclipse PA4212 for the front, hook up the kenwood amp that used to drive the sub to drive the rears. (It was replaced with a RF Punch 250a already which made quite a difference in bass tightness even with the stock Kenwood 8"). That's gonna be replaced too with another good 8" of some sort eventually also (trying to free trunk space). But how much trouble would it be to hook up the 3 amps in the car (including the sub amp)? I don't quite know what's involved here and whether the MSP alternator would have sufficient juice.

I'm sure there must be some very logical and elementary plan to what I'm trying to do that I can't see. Can someone enlighten me plz? Much appreciated.

 

[Poseur]

No matter really if you listen to it that loud, you can always turn it down and it'll sound thatmuch better. I had an EA5422 before my tsunami (didn't really upgrade I know, but I've got matching amps now, and it was part of how I afforded it) Anyway, AWESOME amp, if you can swing it, get it! It's always much easier as far as space, and wiring, ans, well most anything is concerned to run 2 amps than 3 anyway, and like I said, with a 4212, you'd need another form of high-pass crossover seeing as it's only got a built in lowpass. the 5422's got both built in. Heck, if you wanted you could run it in 3-channel mode, and run your front speakers off of 2 then bridge the rears to your sub.

As far as power, I really wouldn't worry about it. I'm running a 4x75 and a 1x1100. I've got a voltage meter in my dash, and I only see a healthy drop whenI listen to rolling low baseline music rediculously loud. Still, though my voltage stays above 13.5 (my resting battery voltage) without a problem. I know there's more than what voltage it reads, and I'm looking into getting a capaciter of some sort, but everything's peachy for now. I'd make sure, though to get a "class d" or T sub-amp. They're much more power efficient (draw about half as much power as a comparable A or a/b class amp for the same output) You pay for it in SQ, but with a sub it's not as vital.

Speaking of subs... CHeck elemental designs out. AWESOME stuff. They've got a pretty good deal on their 8a's going right now I believe, too. I've got a 12, and I can't really speak for anything else they make, but this thing can freaking POUND! out-hits anything similar I've heared, and it's higher-range blends very nicely with my mids up front.