hey guys, i've been looking around and considered getting a component speaker system in my car. here's what i've been looking at:
http://cgi.ebay.com/KICKER-SS65-2-SS...QQcmdZViewItem

im still sort of new when it comes to specifications (mainly RMS). it says that the RMS of the speakers are 100w. what does that mean? does that mean i need to have a 4-channel amp that has at LEAST 100w to each speaker? also, what do those cylindrical things do? thanks for any help. I would also like to know what type of amp would suffice for this type of wattage and brand? thanks for any help.

 

They told me but I don't remember word for word....So I don't want to get you started on the wrong foot. You can one day stop in a decent audio shop and ask one of the employee's. Thats pretty much what I did, I shopped around, got some info, heard some of the equipment, and got some opinions...Love the system now...I can tell you this I don't know where you are located but make sure you get an amp that has an integrated cooling system like the alpine units I think...I went with Rockford Fosgate, the amps hit hard and sound good but they overheat every hour sometime they will overheat in 30 min...but its 115 degrees out here....I'm getting some fans put in soon

 

for the speakers, i would highly suggest the diamond HEX, i know from experiance because thats the first component i've owned and i've demo'd lots of other components in its range or cheaper, and i got to say, HEX is a pretty damn good decision. i sold my HEX's about a month ago to a buddy of mine, i only used it for less then two months. as far as amps go....what is your budget?

 

Give us a budget for the amp. Not sure if you want us to recommend a $1100 amp.

Also, I've never listened to those Kickers before. I used to have the Resolutions and didn't like them. However, these new Kickers have soft dome tweeters which could make a huge difference.

 

well...i've got a pretty low budget of around 300-400. any suggestions on what type of (good) amp i can get for that price range? thanks.


Silforty- ill check out reviews on that HEX, thanks.

 

well, for that price range, you can step up to one of the lower end DLS amps or ARC which is the little bro/sis of ZAPCO. check out thoes two companys and come back and tell me what you think. theres a lot of good companys for that price range

 

heres a good amp for your budget....

http://cgi.ebay.com/DLS-RA40-4-CHANN...QQcmdZViewItem

why choose it?
http://www.dls.se/english/index.htm
read around and dont just take their word for it, you can ask on audio forums and you will know what their all about.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ARC-Audio-FD4100...QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Arc-Audio-KAR600...QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/DIAMOND-AUDIO-D6...QQcmdZViewItem

im too tired to search other sites for good prices but ebay is quick, easy, and cheap so i went their first. all thoes will meet your budget and are well worth it

 

Huh, these companies are in no way related are they?? Other than both of them making great amps.

 

"Arc Audio’s first product showing was at the 1998 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Based out of Modesto, CA, ARC Audio began with “a passion for excellence in the reproduction of music.” Headed by Robert Zeff, one of the brain trusts behind the original Zapco amplifiers, ARC Audio has set out to build high-end amplifiers for passionate audiophiles. The ARC Audio KAR 400.4 is an example of their latest work. "

http://carsound.com/articles/publish/printer_298.shtml

 

- RMS - root mean square, but that doesn't matter. so yes shoot for an amp around that number.

- The "cylindrical things" are crossovers, they split the input signal into the different frequencies to the mid and tweet. they usually are rectagular in other component sets

- You only need a 2-channel amp to run a set of components. One channel to each crossover (the input terminal on the "cylindrical thing"), and from there it splits to each speaker.

I will second the Arc and zapco recs. Great amps. I personally went w/ tru tech, but for 300, it would probably have to be used. I do have an old memphis st-300 i should try and sell soon, if you don't mind used equipment. i'd put it at above average, but probably not comparable to the others mentioned. I ran my old diamond hex's off of it. I personally wasn't extremely happy with the diamonds. The tweets were great, cause they're made by LPG/eton, but i felt it was lacking some mids, at least in an IB set up, maybe if i deadened/sealed the doors it would help.

 

Well, if you ever find a good, working PPI (aka Precision Power) amp then I'm sure you'll be pretty happy. I have the pc1400 I believe and it's an 800w 4 channel running my 2 components and my 12'' JL audio w6v2 and it's perfect for my tastes, plenty of power too. Don't know how much it helps, but if you find a good deal on a PPI amp...it's good, reliable stuff. Oh, but the newer PPI amps aren't very good...just the older looking greyish PC series (they're around 300-400 range on ebay). Goodluck on finding one!

 

Robert Zeff designed amps for both companies but, the companies are not related in any way. They are both great companies who make some of the best amps available. I have 3 Arc XXK amps in my install now. Awesome amps.

 

Also, off topic sorry but, read here to see how well the people from Arc and Zapco get along.

http://forum.elitecaraudio.com/showt...hreadid=132751