hey guys im on the look out for amps atm and have been around a few places and i searched a bit but didn't seem to find the answer...

i saw a Alpine amp for $460 which is 600WRMS which would run my 2 12" subs 300WRMS each comfortably....

orrrr

an Response jaycar amp for $220 which would run both subs at around 280WRMS each....

orrr

an Orion amp for $300 which has 600WRMS so 300WRMS each

so what you think guys is there really that much difference between names or am i paying for the badge

and keep in mind i would like all alpine gear considering i want alpine 6x9's and i have an alpine HU...

thanks guys:woot::woot::woot:

OR you could get the Response 1000WRMS Linkable Monoblock Amplifier for $469
Response 1000Wrms monoblock (http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=AA0460&keywords=aa0460&form=KEYWORD)

Personally that would be my choice. If I was going Alpine, I would be saving the extra and trying to get the PDX series... I love them!

I guess more to the point:

A: What is budget?

B: What is total power of your subs in WRMS

C: What coils does your sub have? i.e DVC 4ohm

At least then we can point you in the direction of a X ohm amp with XXX power to X much :D:D

get an amp like mine :P

Without having the info like Charisma said its a tad hard. That said, I'd prefer an amp with atleast 25% more power than required.

My sub amp has 50% more power than what the sub can handle, which means the gains are around 40%, doesnt even break a sweat :)

evoz10 - pffft as if anyone would listen to someone that listens to house music :P

you do pay for the badge, but response is good brand without the markup hype of brand names.
but that particular amp would be slightly under powered, not ideal,
but just as ERS says go 25% overpower, you dont want to risk clipping, i have burnt a coil to a crisp when i was younger, by underpowering a sub

If you know what clipping is, you can avoid it no matter what amp you use, just don't push it beyond it's limits.

as for having 25% more power in the amp than the sub needs, I'm not so sure that's important.

I have a 4x40 Alpine V12 which I used to run 2x 12" Earthquake subs and front splits. I always had the gains on the amp < 75% and did run it at full volume a lot.
It was good for 134db and I've seen cars with 200+W RMS struggle to be any louder.
And of course, I didn't need to run it at full volume to enjoy my music, 125db was probably good enough for cruising.


IMO: If you're an Alpine fan and go for it. If you're a fan of money, get the Jaycar. If one of them looks better in your installation get it.
But on paper they are all similar (~280-300W) so unless you can test them in your car, the only thing you have to go by is price and appearance.

p.s. my alpine did have to be repaired 3 times under warranty and once outside of warranty, don't know if their quality has improved since then, but I hope their repairers have a clue now.

Oggy, splits dont need much power to be loud.

As for +25% not being all that important, I would tend to disagree - there's two reasons:

a) clipping - much easier with underpowered amps
b) THD - the harder you run the amp, the more THD becomes an issue
c) amplifier life span - the harder you push any component the shorter its life will be.
d) current draw - bigger more effecient amps will run cooler and draw less current than a smaller amp thats running at 100%. Better battery life, better alternator life.

I guess more to the point:

A: What is budget?

B: What is total power of your subs in WRMS

C: What coils does your sub have? i.e DVC 4ohm

At least then we can point you in the direction of a X ohm amp with XXX power to X much :D:D

well my budget i wouldnt really go over $400 but if its worth it then maybe $500 i mean the subs arent alpine but maybe one day

subs WRMS i was told is 300WRMS each so 600WRMS in total

and their 4ohm coils i believe

this is the model of subs 2x 1000watt 4ohm GT4 JBL sub

Cool thanks for that info mate.

Alpine... don't waste your life waiting, you will be happy no doubt, but it will not give you feeling of Audio bliss. The JBL's would be my pick over the equiv Apline Type S anyways.

What you need to look for is an amp that makes at least 600WRMS @ 2ohm.

With your budget in mind most of the big boys will be out of the question ( DD, Audison, Vibe etc ), however you still have the option of:

Clarion DPX1851 - $400 ( 880WRMS )
Fusion Powerplant Mono Block 2000W Amplifier $400ish ( 900WRMS )
JVC KS-AX6801 - $360 ( 700WRMS )
Pioneer GM-D8400M - $380 ( 600WRMS )
Cadence ZXA 750 - not sure on price but is 750WRMS :D

Thats best price for an Aussie model ( quick look ) and the power they make at 2ohm inline with keeping it under $400.

for the above

would you include Response amps from jaycar they seem to have some decent feedback and good prices aswell???

Yeah mate they are just other options on top of what you have already found. Any of the amps mentioned will do the job, will come down to size, price, availability etc :D