I've recently been investing in quality audio products in my new wrx. I just recently got a pair of Focal Utopias, 6.5". I'm looking for the best possible amp / speaker combination. I want a nice warm sound from the fronts. Any suggestions on an amp? In the 150-300 dollar range? Speakers are 100 RMS and will most likely be installed in a custom door enclosure. I looked at a Zapco Z150S2 on eBay, going for $200. And I began looking at "tube" amps with the idea that they carry a higher / cleaner sound. Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Derek
Replies (16)
Buickman94 on 05/14/2003 11:14:48
I would look at US acoustics. A friend of mine just bopught a USX 4065 and is really happy with it. check out this link for good 2 and 4 channel amps at a good price
http://www.thezeb.com/caraudio/us_acoustics.html
xplicitblitzboi on 05/14/2003 14:50:08
yes, that us acoustics 4065 would be a good amp to use, at a very reasonable price, also look into the mtx 4244, if you want the higher line of mtx you could go with the 6304 or the new thunder684. I also saw a PPI PC4200 on ebay for around 280 so i would look into that too. I saw the PPI PCX 440 for 230 too.
have fun, thats some good stuff that ur getting into, i love it.
good luck
Blitz
Swez on 05/14/2003 15:43:57
Are you only looking for an amp to power the from Comps or are there any rear speakers in this install as well?
US acoustics makes some very nice amps in the price range you mentioned. Can use the -4065 briged to a 2 channel amp for more power of try a 2 channel amp like the 2100.
About tube amps... yeah, the good old days of warm rich tones, but usually draw a bit more power. Last time I check any tube amps, they were kinda pricey. Depends on your budget and musical preferences.
Swez
dflock on 05/19/2003 16:34:19
Thanks for the inputs. I threw common sense and price out the window. Found www.tubedriver.com, BK Butler Audio. Purchased the Tube Driver Blue 175. Was very pricey, but so damn cool, I couldn't help myself. It puts out a modest 75watts per 2 channels. It will be powering my Focal Utopias, which hopefully in combination should sound wonderful!
xplicitblitzboi on 05/19/2003 20:05:55
wow, nice amp. too expensive for me, hehe, Butler is great. Audiophile grade stuff. thats a great amp for your utopias. have fun
Blitz
Swez on 05/19/2003 20:36:16
Very classy amp there dflock,
I think you are going to love that warm rich timbre of this amp and speakers combo. Not cheap... but the better things in life usually are a bit more costly... but hey, you only get one ride in life, so make it a good one! GRIN
Swez
dflock on 05/20/2003 08:51:50
Yeah, Fleet Credit Card Services will love me for a few months, but I just couldn't help but put the best possible gear in my car. After reading topics here for several months, I was also pointed towards the purchase of an Adire Brahma 12". My only big concern now is getting all this wonderful gear into my car! Its probably going to cost me another arm and a leg for a pair of kick panels to house the 6.5" Utopias. Ugh! And I'm trying to stay away from any of the install work (so it gets done the right way).
xplicitblitzboi on 05/20/2003 10:12:18
Well, its always a good thing to want to get it done right. I know that most everyone here and on B's board is in love with the brahma, its a great sub, but i'd point you to also take a look a this.
http://www.ampmanaudio.com/products/details.asp?id=1133
Thats one hell of a sub, and will have better reliability than the brahma. its cheaper 2 ;) but its your choice. I encourage you to look around on that site, they have some of the best audio products i've ever seen. :)
Swez on 05/20/2003 21:55:42
One thing you need to know about Shiva or Tempest, these are 4/16 ohm speakers. Designed for HT, they have very good SQ and if you throw enough power at them, high SPL as well. The price and quality are better than average, but you may want an SVC 4 ohm or 4/8/16 ohm DVC sub and a decent 2 channel Class A/B amp bridged , to drive same.
Also, there is a nice little product made by Infinity called the Basslink & Basslink X. These use a 10" sub, passive radiator and a Class D sub amp. They quote 200 watts power, wich is not bad for a 10 " sub.
The passive radiator is a neat funtion as it give the performance of a ported enclosure at sealed enclosre dimensions. (0.75 cf) is all. So very compact.
The only part I cannot confirm, is the low end bass performance, below 40 Hz., with this system. NO, it won't break windows, but for a single 10". compact sub... may not be a bad option to listen too. The retail for $500.00... but can be had for under $250.00
http://www.justwoofers.com/Woofer_Pages/Infinity/infinity_BassLink-X.htm
Have a look and see if this one makes sense to you?
Swez
ttocs on 05/20/2003 23:48:28
Sounds good to me... My buddy has one in his truck and i cannot say that I was unimpressed by it. I could probably own one....
Swez on 05/21/2003 05:41:39
ttocs,
How was the low end bass performance on the Infinity Basslink? The low stuff down in the 35-60 Hz range specifically? Seems the amp has enough power to drive the 10" and having a passive radiator, tends to allow a small enclosure to give good low bass response too.
Just wondering since I know you have installed and heard a lot of sub systems in your installer days. Your comment... "I could probably own one" suggests it passed your criteria for adequate bass performance?
Swez
dflock on 05/22/2003 09:16:20
I've already got an amp to run a subwoofer. Its nothing too flashy, but it does have gobs of power. Class D efficient, and It can / has run down to 1 ohm , so it should work well with the Brahma 2 Ohm DVC, in parallel.
Swez on 05/22/2003 11:34:13
OK, you have a very good start on the whole system and a sub amp that can do 1 ohm. What level of bass do you want here and how much space are you willing to give up for the sub(s) enclosure?
Swez
ttocs on 05/22/2003 11:50:04
It was jammin pretty good to some techno that he had in his truck. I would have to say that for the price and simplicity of install it works well. Yes you could do better but at what price?
dflock on 05/22/2003 14:19:10
I don't want to give up mother loads of space. My current idea is to place the Brahma and enclosure up against the back seat. In Subaru WRXs, they have a fold down middle seat for skiis or what have you. But i think that it will make a really nice place for the bass to enter the cabin of the vehicle. To the left and right side of the box will be floor mounted amp racks. Probably one amp on either side of the box, then some space for a cap and crossover. Hopefully once I do some measurements of my trunk this all will happen soon.
Enclosure Dimensions:
1.2 cf Sealed
Width: 9"/top 13"/bottom
Length: 24" sidways
Height: 15" top to bottom
Swez on 05/23/2003 09:11:31
The Brahma 12" sub will work in that size enclosure. It is speced' @ 0.70- 1.50 cf internal for sealed. Here's a link to the specs on that data... at the bottom of the page or in owners manual too.
http://www.adireaudio.com/mobile_audio/drivers/brahma_series.htm
Swez COFFEE
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