4 Channel Amp Recommendations?

Stereo, security systems, vehicle electronics, and electrical-related discussions
Post Reply
JustinVGT
Posts: 982
Joined: Sun Jun 30, 2002 1:45 pm

4 Channel Amp Recommendations?

Post by JustinVGT »

Well, a week or so ago one of my nice Polk EX3560 tweeters began to buzz. I don't know what killed it since I usually don't even listen to music at very high volumes and I'm using the stock M&T amp. So, I plan to buy some new tweeters and replace them both, probably with some Polk DB1000s sine the EX series are no longer produced. I'm looking into buying an aftermarket 4 channel amp to replace the stock amp to have some better quality sound and to get more out of my Polk speakers. Can anyone recommend a model? I don't want low end poor quality, but also not a very expensive model either, hopefully I also plan to hook up my Bazooka sub that I had in my last car. It has a built in amp. This will give me a pretty nice set up.
Justin 2003 Vibe GT - Mille Miglia Evo5 18x8 Wheels (now stock)- Magnaflow Cat-Back Exhaust (now stock)- Tein S-Tech Springs (now stock)- Injen CAI - Red Painted Calipers - Hella Supertone Horns - Polk Speakers - Bazooka RS8A-HP Sub - Kenwood Headunit - Still love my Vibe, but I've just turned it back into a basic daily driver.
Jahntassa
Posts: 2979
Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2003 2:06 pm

Post by Jahntassa »

You should be safe with Sony, MTX, Infinity, and Audiobahn, to name a few.. and JL.Most people poo-poo Sony's, but their 4 channel amps are actually pretty decent. I have one in my wife's car running next to the 500w polk amp on her sub. I have a JL under my seat, personally.Make sure you get one with variable crossovers, and don't go to the flea market. (Notice I didn't say Alpine, most of theirs don't have variable crossovers)
2003 Vibe GT Lava"He inched his way up the corridor as if he would rather be yarding his way down it.""For a moment, nothing happened. Then, after a second or so, nothing continued to happen." - Douglas Adams...we all miss you
JustinVGT
Posts: 982
Joined: Sun Jun 30, 2002 1:45 pm

Re: (Jahntassa)

Post by JustinVGT »

How about this Profile HA1040 amp at Crutchfield http://www.crutchfield.com/S-H...cc=02? I haven't heard of the brand, but it seems to have some good features except for the speaker line in. I've found it at other stores online for around $85. Definitely low cost, but then I don't know about the quality, but Crutchfield doesn't usually carry crap.
Justin 2003 Vibe GT - Mille Miglia Evo5 18x8 Wheels (now stock)- Magnaflow Cat-Back Exhaust (now stock)- Tein S-Tech Springs (now stock)- Injen CAI - Red Painted Calipers - Hella Supertone Horns - Polk Speakers - Bazooka RS8A-HP Sub - Kenwood Headunit - Still love my Vibe, but I've just turned it back into a basic daily driver.
Jahntassa
Posts: 2979
Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2003 2:06 pm

Post by Jahntassa »

Profile, depending on who you talk to, is either good or bad. It's definitely cheap, and definitely not as good as 'brand name' gear. Don't know if you'd run into any problems with it or not, or what the quality is, but I haven't seen many people return them when I was working at CC.
2003 Vibe GT Lava"He inched his way up the corridor as if he would rather be yarding his way down it.""For a moment, nothing happened. Then, after a second or so, nothing continued to happen." - Douglas Adams...we all miss you
JustinVGT
Posts: 982
Joined: Sun Jun 30, 2002 1:45 pm

Re: (Jahntassa)

Post by JustinVGT »

I'm thinking about a Bazooka EL460 http://www.onlinecarstereo.com...12355. I read some good reviews, it has all the features I think I need, it's 60 watts x 4, and I have been happy in the past with my Bazooka RS8AHP tube with the built in amp. It's only $129 at that site above and I think I saw some reviews where people paid over $300 a couple years ago. Some questions I have:1. Since I'll have my Bazooka tube in the trunk, I'll ground it near that amp. I plan to put the other amp under the front passenger seat and ground it near there. I read that you should ground your amps at the same location, but that conflicts with grounding close to the amp in my situation. Can those of you with amps please tell me where the best places to attach a ground cable are?2. Is it best that I buy a distribution block for splitting the power between two amps off one power cable? 3. Last question is, do I need to worry about the alternator supplying enough power for the two amps? The tube's wattage is 150 RMS and the other amp wattage is 240 RMS.Thanks for the input,
Justin 2003 Vibe GT - Mille Miglia Evo5 18x8 Wheels (now stock)- Magnaflow Cat-Back Exhaust (now stock)- Tein S-Tech Springs (now stock)- Injen CAI - Red Painted Calipers - Hella Supertone Horns - Polk Speakers - Bazooka RS8A-HP Sub - Kenwood Headunit - Still love my Vibe, but I've just turned it back into a basic daily driver.
Jahntassa
Posts: 2979
Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2003 2:06 pm

Post by Jahntassa »

1. Grounding location, in your case, shouldn't matter.. I have my amps grounded off the same location, with a distribution block in the little 'hideaway' area in the trunk. I don't -think- it'll be a problem to ground the amp under the seat right there.2. Depends on what kind of power cable it is and where you have it running. Usually i'd count up the number of amps the fuses are rated for and go with that. If both amps together have fuses totaling more than 60 amps, i'd either upgrade the power cable to 4 ga and distribute off that, or run seperate 8 ga to both amps, just to be safe. I am a big supporter of extra thickness in power cable.3. No, I would think you should be just fine.
2003 Vibe GT Lava"He inched his way up the corridor as if he would rather be yarding his way down it.""For a moment, nothing happened. Then, after a second or so, nothing continued to happen." - Douglas Adams...we all miss you
Post Reply