Tirefryr

That I do, buy it does not prevent illness.

Not sure I can live with this weather roller coaster any longer.

I can't agree more with this. Also, you have experience with the Type Rs and they're great drivers so don't be afraid to stick with the known quantity as well.

I've found some information that the Arc XDi amps sound very similar to AB and I found a dealer fairly close so I may try to audition them. I've also been thinking about removing some foam from the rear seat backs giving me space for more traditional amps. The seats will mostly be unoccupied for the life of ownership, and there's no comfort if you're in the back anyway. We're supposed to have 50s and 60s again this week, so I should have some time to tear into this thing and get a good idea of what I have to work with. Good to hear Zapco is still making a quality product. I've been hesitant of them since Zeff no longer designs them.

Those old Punch amps are great! I love the small form factor, but I love a big no bullshit heat sink too.

I'm not at all concerned about the sub section. With such a narrow band in relation to everything else, it's pretty much pointless to me. I don't even purchase a sub based on sound. They all sound same, given a quality design. But that's a discussion for another place and time.

This could all be psychoacoustics as well. I've not ruled that out. This comes from someone that won't buy a driver unless it has a paper cone, or mostly paper. . . . Aside from tweeters of course

So, the amp auditions were today. I got to the dealer and they were closed, nobody there, and all the windows were covered up. Called the guy I spoke with last week and he told me he was 5 minutes away. Apparently they recently closed up and he still answers the phone to liquidate his inventory. We go inside and he has very little inventory left, so I'm thinking instant bust. We go put into the bay and he's got an '02 F150 with a full EQ install rising their Mini series amps. He fired the truck up and we had a listening session. Now,there was nothing fantastic about them, but they did the job well. I don't know specifics, but he had four 4 channels, two 2 channels, and a mono run to each of 3 subwoofers. They performed respectably, and were fairly small, but not quite as small as I'm looking for. We sent outside do get a couple of the CV amps and wired them up to a soundboard which was comprised of a set of Soundstream 3 way components, some coaxials, and a 15" Tarantula sub. The CV amps were smallest in height and depth to the EQs, but the mono amp was a hair longer. They look and feel like solid amps. He wouldn't let me open anything's up, so no idea on guts. I don't know what it is or if it even IS at all, but every "digital" amplifier install I've every heard all sounded the same to me. I can't describe it other than it just sounds a bit dull to me. I've experienced this IN the home audio realm also, but only on mid and lower level amps. Budget wise, I don't even partake in thinking high end for home audio. Just me. So I've auditioned two companies "mini" amplifier lines and both sound identical to me. This is a good thing as I feel amps should do nothing but amplify, but of you're expecting a "normal" AB sound, you're not going to find it. He also had a SS Stealth 2 channel amp. The thing was tiny and he said they've installed many in some Harley baggers and some side-by-sides. Unfortunately, I did not get to audition it. So far I'm getting that a "natural" sound I'm accustomed to cannot be found with these smaller "digital" amps. I could live with this before, but the current platform (ecoboost Mustang) is relatively quiet versus my previous V8 cars and the inadequacies of the stock system were readily made apparent, so why sacrifice sonic nirvana, at least in some achievable form, for space. There's got to be room somewhere in this bitch!

Yeah. Fucking stupid. Like I don't know I'm not flying.

Well, that went fast!

I missed this somehow, but are you doing AP or IB on the mids?

So I found a local shop they deals Earthquake and has a friendship with a Cerwin Vega dealer, so they're going to get some Stealth Bomber amps to audition and I'm going to check out the EQ amps too. Found a Punch BR at Best Buy, but was in their clearance bin and could not audition it. I remember 10 or so years who when some sub companies would send around a driver to audition. I think amplifier manufacturers need to do this especially given the vast range of "value" within the market.

Use your elbows!

Damn, it looks like molded plastic. That's some crazy stamping!

I also need neighbors that keep their dogs in their own yard or at the very least pick up their shit.

I BADLY need a garage!

Yeah, but it will melt ABS and PE though, and I think that insert is HDPE.

OMG, they used spray foam for mounting?!

It does to me. I've often seen vanish darken, but you can still see red in it. They looks black.

Nice!

Shannon, do you have any contact info for the VE distributor? Thank you.

Any and all.

I'm looking for some experiences, reviews, and/or opinions from those whom use small amplifiers. Post your brand, model, and opinions. Thanks!

Did you move NE?

Shit! Congrats!