Choosing 5-Channel amp, please help!

[96s14]

Hey guys I here iS my setup

DecK JVC Mp3 KD-Sh707Front & Rear : Pioneer 6.5 ts-d160R 225W 60rms, Sub : MTX thunder4000 t4124A 50-200 w RMS

So I had this so called 1600W 5 channel Amp Lanzar Vibe 531 5 channels.. it worked pretty well in term of bass but after 3 months it just broke! (wheneer I turned it up it goes to protected mode)!!! SO I need to get a new 5-channel amp (maybe channels so that I can install without technicians..since the harness is all there..My budget is less than 200 shipped. So my options are to buy refurbished or used. And here are some of the 5-channel options I have.

-Clarion APX600.5http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...=4950

- MTX Thunder 4405http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...=4950

Also, this Hiphonic zx8000 has more power than the previous 2, just wonder if anyone uses it and have any inputhttp://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...=4950

HELP HELP HELPAnd what's the requirement to run at 14.4V??Help!!!!

[Rex]

Wow, less than $200, hmmm.

I always had good luck with the Autotek 5075 I think it is, but may be out of your price range.

14.4V is the voltage that alot of amps base the power ratings that they "tout" using. You should see 2 wattage ratings, 1 at 12V and 1 at 14.4V. Kind of look at it as the HP with and without the turbo boost. Unless you're going to re-do your electrical system with a high output altenator and (possibly) second/dedicated battery, you're am will not see 14.4V, very often or at all.

You may be better off buying a low end (read - cheap) 4 channel amp for the front and rears and then a mono amp for your sub. I have a Kenwood KAC-718 I used to use for an MTX 10, and it helped keep the bass above the road noise in my old honda.

[Checkered-Member]

on your budget, the MTX is a nice amp, that’s will be my first choice, the clarion is also a good one, my second choice.

that’s pretty much all I can say...

[Altiman94]

save money and go with a JL 5 channel amplifier.

[Simmsled]

Just fyi... i have a real-time voltmeter in my alty up front... voltage while driving around is consistantly 13.7/8 volts. It drops slightly when you play your system loud, and it increases when the car is first started. The "14.4" that everybody thinks that their car runs at is not ever achieved stock, or even with capacitors or any kind of stuff like that. Just FYI. If you are a broke college guy like me... go with the mtx or the clarion. If you can wait a paycheck or three go with the JL.

[ayjay]

if your gonna go with a 5ch, i wouldn't spare too much money... a 5 channel amplifier is a complicated thing, and i would leave it up to the better name brands to handle that kind of application...

JL is good, but you should also look into the Memphis amps... they have a Memphis Belle MC1300D...

it's 4 x 75W @ 4ohm, and the fifth channel is 1000W @ 1ohm (all RMS of course) which is good for some serious sound pressure levels, and generally memphis amps aren't too crazily priced, and they are quality/good looking amps. just another suggestion...

[QX4MIkey]

If you REALLY want a 5 channel amp, then the brands mentioned above are fine...Alpine also makes a nice 5 channel and Kicker albeit they are a little more than the 200 budget.

I would suggest a 4 channel amp utilizing the front channels for the component set/or Coax set and the rear channels for the sub bridged...if you MUST have rear speakers, you can always use the Head Unit to power the rears.

I hope this helps

Mike

[Micah]

Alpine also makes a nice 5 channel

I would suggest a 4 channel amp utilizing the front channels for the component set/or Coax set and the rear channels for the sub bridged...if you MUST have rear speakers, you can always use the Head Unit to power the rears.

Ditto that. Alpine makes very good 5-channel amps. The 4-channel amp suggestion is good, also. The rears don't need much power. The 15 - 18 watts from a HU would be plenty. Going with a 4-channel amp opens up the selection quite a bit.

[Simmsled]

The Memphis Belle is a badass. I dont think they have made that amp for years. It is actually a 4 channel amp and a 2 channel amp in the same chassis. That amplifier is not for the meek and you will not find one with a warranty if they do not make it anymore. But man is it sweet. It is DEFINITELY overkill for your setup. And since you are going to amplify the entire system... do all the speakers. You will be glad you did. Ditto the Alpine amps... good stuff.

[ayjay]

The Memphis Belle is a badass.

yaaa! glad to get your approval, cause i want/getting one

[QX4MIkey]

Heres an Autotek amp ...its a little more than you wanted, but I think its well worth it.

Mike

[Rex]

^^ That's the one I was talking about. Aside from being all chrome and sexy, it's a stout amp.

[96s14]

ok..actually i bought the hifonics z8000.. it's 50X4 and 200 rms..

for 280 shipping tax included..it's pretty powerful..except it doesn't come the the remote base control

[Simmsled]

its a good amp.

[Jookmasta]

that memphis bell is as long as the top portion of the car seat. lol. for 280, you could have gotten the mtx 895.............70 x 4 with 495 rms.......

[maxI30t]

dude...autotek or HIfonics. I thought about getting an autotek but i found a killer deal on ebay for a Hifonics Zeus amp. but both amps will will do the job.

john

[maxI30t]

oh yea....the amps hifonics make will NEVER shut down on you. I've had the amp for 6-7 months now and i abuse it everyday and never once has it shut down on me.

[Rex]

ok..actually i bought the hifonics z8000.. it's 50X4 and 200 rms..

for 280 shipping tax included..it's pretty powerful..except it doesn't come the the remote base control

Once you get it installed, let us know what you think, about the amp and the seller.

[96s14]

Thanks guys for helping me. I feel like I should at least have somecontributions by telling what I think about the amp and the seller.

Hifonics z8000

Pros- good size for a 5 channel amp- good price for power, quality and realibility- I had Alpine MRV-f357 b4. Same quality with more output.

Cons- low S/N, >90. (Honestly, Can you tell?)- no remote bass control for this model- hard to mount ( I dunno how to use the mount parts provided, maybe I am just stupid)- 8000zx is newer model and have lower price.

For the Seller, John Kim, [email protected], San Jose- Not the lowest price. (low already) but Very NICE and HONEST- When I bought the amp, I thought there's problem with the 5th channel. He told me to go back to him and exhange. I was late for 2 hours because of traffic and he was supposed to leave for work. He still waited for me. After I tried the new amp, I found the it's in fact the problem of my Sub. He didn't complain at all.(maybe he actually wanted to kill me in his heart). And He just let me take the newer amp. What a seller! He is a korean fob.

[Simmsled]

Good stuff!

[maxI30t]

dude are you sure about the remote bass controller? i think all of the Zeus's come with one. no...i'm sure they come with one try asking the seller.

John

[96s14]

i am positive about the remote

1) no remote port (the telephone-line-like jack)2) stated in manual

usuallt 5-channel Zeus doesn't come with it. I am disappointed at it too. SInce the diagnostic remote looks pretty cool with the LED.

[robmcole]

You could get a good kicker amp on Ebay. I did and I have loved it. It is a 5 channel amp, but is basically 2 amps connected. 1 class AB amp that drives 4 channels, and then a 1 channel class D amp for bass. I was surprised the deal I got on it. It was mint condition in the original box. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...&rd=1

The model is the Kicker IX405D. Check around, I am sure there are more out there.

Some people are skitish of Ebay, but I have had good results. I am all about bang for the buck!