01SILVERCL-S

Here I go again. Sorry, but I do a lot of research before I decide on things. I am somewhat happy with the stock system to begin with, first off. I also have 4 Infinity speakers (front/back) and they are (6.5 1i & 6x9 1i 2 way).

1. get a 5 or 6 channel amp (PPI, ADS or Phoenix Gold), install the speakers and add a 12" sub. Is ADS amp good??

2. get a mono amp and add a 12" sub..

3. get a 2 channel amp and add 2 10" subs.

4. get a 2 channel amp and add 2 10" subs.


I would like to get away with choices 2-4. Choice 1 will cost me. I can afford it and generally have learnt that if I am going to buy something, to do it right the first time. That is why I want the high end 5 or 6 channel amps.

Also. I want to retain the stock HU.


AArrggg... help. Any comments very much appreciated....

valuetl

Hey bro choice 3 and 4 are the same??? Seriously try run 4 channel amp for mids/tweets and a 2 channel for subs. If you have cash for 3 amps go 2 channels f/r and subs. My 2 cents.

01SILVERCL-S

valuetl... good catch. I guess I meant 2 12s... I doubt I would go 2 12s tho..

3 subs?? Man, I will have no space in the trunk. That is why I want to go with a single 5 or 6 channel amp.

Is anyone running a 5 or 6 channel amp?


Thanks for any help to a CLer..

SlyTLS

If you want good solid clarity and power running to your speakers stay away from 5 & 6 channel amps unless you are spending the BIG bucks on a highly reputable amp. If you are in the avg persons money situations then you want to get 2 amp...a 4 channel for your front & rears and a mono amp for your sub.

I'm axiously waiting to get my system done (my brother's CL is 1st). We're both doing competition systems and hitting the IASCA show circut.

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

You can buy a Helix Precision, very well built 5-channel amp for around $650. They are the same company that makes Brax, which is super high-end stuff. Go to http://www.ampmanaudio.com and check out their gear. It's all high quality.

TLTypeS

i like multi-channel amps. i am using the xtant 3300. its only a 3 channel amp, so 150 to the sub and 150 watts to each side... no front to rear fading capability....

Austin519

How much exactly are you looking to spend?

Austin519

01SILVERCL-S

Thanks for all the feedback. Man! I am still puzzled by all the choices & numbers...

I am going to get the subs first, since I know what I want. I will most likely get the square 12" Solobaric to start.

Then start shopping for an amp. I really want the PG Titanium Ti600 but that is very $$$$$$. I will see.

Austin519

01SILVERCL-S:
Just a warning about the L7 Solobarics...I have heard and seen how badly those things are made. Personal opinion...they're all looks no actual workmanship. From everyone I have installed them for or has had them installed and told me about them...they are VERY prone to coming apart, burning out, etc etc etc. Not only that, but they don't seem to push very much. Of course this is just what I've seen and heard...

Austin519

01SILVERCL-S

Well. Too late. I just bought the box for the square sub. I am not looking to push it too hard, so it should be fine.

Thanks anyway...

illusion

The L7's had a short stent of quality problems, however their sound has never been debated, you must have heard some bad setups, with people who don't want to spend money on amps.

L7s are a bit on the power hungry side of things but if you give them enough juice you'll be surprised at how they perform. If you have enough airspace I'de go with 2 ported L7 10's over 2 sealed 12"s if you're going for DB. however if you're a true SQ man, stay away from solobarics and get yourself some infinity perfect 12"s. no where near the db as L7's but much much cleaner.

Back to the quality. I've had my system for almost a year. I had a zr360 powering them for a week, then a zr-600 for about 6 months and most recently a dx-700 for about 4 months, and if the weather ever clears up I have a reworked dx-700(with a modified gain and output stage) that's supposedly charted at 1650wRms @ 1ohm that will be pushing those cute little L7's. Everyone that hears me swears up and down that I must have 15"s in the back, but it's not, it's 2 little 12"s with mild boxes.


I have 2 solobaric SD10s in my wife M, 2 solobaric L7 12"s in my AV6, I used to have 2 SD12's in my turbo prelude(got sold), that somewhat says how I feel about them.

Lets see setups I've owned to compare(I'll leave the mids and tweets out, but currently in my AV6 I'm running CDT 642DTM 3 way components being pushed by a kicker zx-460)

2 Orion XTR12 pushed by an orion 2100 hcca
4 JL 12W3 pushed by 4 Phoenix gold M50
2 Inifinity perfect 12 pushed by an orion 2100hcca
2 Kicker Competition 18's being pushed by a pair of fosgate Power 1000s
2 fosgate HX2 12's being pushes by a fosgate Power 1000

and as far as what I've installed, you name it's probably passed through my hand, everything from the absolutely gorgeous xtant subs, to alpine(bleck not the best subs around), to even installing Kef 8ohm home series in one of my friends 540i..

For DB, it's hard to beat an L7 12 for the price, and for SQ, you can't go wrong with perfect 12s

illusion

something you left out of your list that I thought I'd mention.

Why not a pair of 12"s(whatever flavor you choose) and a nice monoblock class D amp? you electrical system will thank you, as well as your eyes, since your headlights won't be dimming at night lol.


as far as configureation, I built my boxes to go 2 ways(I had to put latches on two places to hold them in but it's the price I don't mind paying.

this is my grocery config


a better pic of the grocery config


and how I normally ride around with, it sound a bit better this way.

Austin519

Speaking from a lot of competition and installation experience...I'd have to disagree with you on just about everything you said...but well there's no point in arguing personal preferences on this board. I will say though that the reports I have been getting don't signify a "short stent"...and the people who I was installing for were using PPI, RF, PG, JL, and similar type amps, so no...it wasn't from lack of amp.

Austin519

01SILVERCL-S

First. I did not want to go with 2 subs mainly cause of space as well as money.

Here is what I have ordered and is on the way. One 12: Solobaric Square, a sub box for the Solobaric and a Phoenix Gold Ti 600 amp. Had a good month at work and decided to splurge.

Here are a few more questions. Should I get a farad cap for this? Any recommendations on good wires for this and what does the gauge mean? Is a 4 gauge better than 8??

I shop alot on EBay and save money that way. Will get the all the peices together and get someone to do the install for me. I am hopeless with Sh*t like this.

Thanks for all the great feedback....

Will definitely let you all know how it sounds when all is installed.

Austin519

01SILVERCL-S:
"First. I did not want to go with 2 subs mainly cause of space as well as money.

Here is what I have ordered and is on the way. One 12: Solobaric Square, a sub box for the Solobaric and a Phoenix Gold Ti 600 amp. Had a good month at work and decided to splurge.

Here are a few more questions. Should I get a farad cap for this? Any recommendations on good wires for this and what does the gauge mean? Is a 4 gauge better than 8??

I shop alot on EBay and save money that way. Will get the all the peices together and get someone to do the install for me. I am hopeless with Sh*t like this.

Thanks for all the great feedback....

Will definitely let you all know how it sounds when all is installed."

Well two subs could have easily fit in the car...but as I said...personal opinions here I seriously doubt you need a cap for that. The amp shouldn't draw more than 50A at peak...so I would say no. Install it, see if your lights dim, if so that's a sign of a voltage drop...and you need one. Get Monster Cable or Streetwires. And 4 gauge has a larger diameter than 8 gauge. So you'd use 4 ga ground and positive cables, then possibly 8 ga to go from the amp to the speaker. If you're a thrift by shopping on eBay...why not install yourself? It's about as easy as can be, especially if you're just doing 1 sub, and an amp.

Austin519

01SILVERCL-S

Austin519 : good points made and will wait to see if the lights dim. I really wish I knew how to install this but the shop quoted $65 plus parts. What I will try to do is see if they will let me watch..

01SILVERCL-S

Here is a really dumb question. Is a 8 gauge better tah 4 gauge cable??

Austin519

01SILVERCL-S:
"Here is a really dumb question. Is a 8 gauge better tah 4 gauge cable??"
I already answered that question. Read back to the post where I answered all your Q's.

Austin519
p.s. - I'm sure you know this...but thicker wire = less resistance per unit length = less power (or sound) degradation per unit length...