Posted August 11, 200817 yr What about channel separation, is it important when shopping for a car amp? If so, minimum value? What am I supposed to look for when choosing among the different makes and models? Which parameters, par price is most important? I would like to get suggested minimum and maximum values where appropriate. Values are for me like a walking stick, I doubt my progress without it/them. Not as face value, but more as a guidance. This is just for the gross sorting phase, to keep the numbers of prospects as low as possible. I am looking for a 4 channel amp, with at least 4 x 100W @ 4 ohm to drive my front system. The amount of information on some home pages are appallingly sparse, I think it's remarkable that they sell any units at all, and then there are some that seem to have it all, how hard can it be? I guess the power supply is of importance, but I've only seen specs once, for me, thats odd.
August 11, 200817 yr Specs can be fabricated. You can't really look to them for guidance unless you're comparing two trusted brands.What's your budget like for this 4 channel amp?
August 14, 200817 yr Author Specs can be fabricated. You can't really look to them for guidance unless you're comparing two trusted brands.What's your budget like for this 4 channel amp?Well, I've heard of fabricated data, and what I have been trying to do, is go for brands that I've heard could be trusted, but I do not really know if I've picked the correct ones. I was using numbers because that way I could scan many more products than any other way I could think of, because I like to do some looking by myself to start with and then ask for advice, but I might be better or doing the reverse in the future?Anyway, my budget in total, including eventual shipping etc, is around 700 US. I have compiled a smallish list with 4 ch. amps that I think I can afford, or squeze into my budget if I have to. I would really like to get a cheaper amp and put more money on my front speakers (that I don't know which yet). Any thoughts about any of them, pros and cons? (I have only looked for amps that are said to be able to deliver 4x100W into 4 ohm, with the Celestra as an exception, I think I can get to listen to it in a supposedly very nice install.) I might have forgotten to tell, but the amps are for a smallish SQ install.The amps are as follow:Alpine PDX-4.150DigitalDesigns DDC-C4aCelestra FA475DLS RA40Helix P400 PrecisionMac Audio ZX 4500Mac Audio Fearless 4000 (14,4V)Massive Audio Pro P800.4SPL Dynamics S-6004Sundown Audio SAX-100.4US Amps. Merlin 43US Amps. XT-1600.4VIBE BlackBox Stereo 4VIBE Slick A4If I also could get someone to explain the differences between the pairs from the same manufacturer, I would be highly pleased!PS. Why I initially posted this subject was that I had a Carpower amp in mind very much, and then I saw it only had something like 45 dB in channel separation, and to me, that sounds like nothing, please, do correct me if I was wrong!
August 14, 200817 yr You are way over analyzing details that aren't measured to any standard. Many of the amps you listed would be fine. Either way, I hope you are spending as much time analyzing your install as you are your gear. That is where the difference will be made.
August 14, 200817 yr The amp is honestly one of the least important pieces in a SQ install. Speakers are most important as far as equipment goes, but the install itself is infinitely more important than any piece of gear in the car. I'd give the speakers about 6% of the final outcome with the install getting about 93%. The processing about 2.75%. The last 0.25% is divided between the HU, amps and wiring and weighted in that order.
August 15, 200817 yr Author You are way over analyzing details that aren't measured to any standard. Many of the amps you listed would be fine. Either way, I hope you are spending as much time analyzing your install as you are your gear. That is where the difference will be made.That is my problem, being inexperienced, I really do not know how to go about selecting equipment, as you have noticed, but I have a lot of fun during my forays on the internet. That's why I appreciate forums, where more experienced folks can steer me in a more proper direction when needed. And yes, I am very thourough when I do anything, so lots of research will go into the install when I finally get going. Even though, I will not strive to perfection on this one, my first, as I only see it as a primer for my next project, that will be when we get a new car.Which part of an install, would you deem to be the most difficult?
August 15, 200817 yr Author The amp is honestly one of the least important pieces in a SQ install. Speakers are most important as far as equipment goes, but the install itself is infinitely more important than any piece of gear in the car. I'd give the speakers about 6% of the final outcome with the install getting about 93%. The processing about 2.75%. The last 0.25% is divided between the HU, amps and wiring and weighted in that order.I haven't realized that the install would be that important, but I do have realized that speakers are much more important than the amps. Then I can relaxe, about the amp. business, I think I have more than enough to choose from, and do some finetuning in the speaker department instead.
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