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US Amps I/S 4085 VS Eclipse EA4000


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mattmc 
Member - Posts: 8
Member spacespace
Joined: August 02, 2006
Posted: August 03, 2006 at 11:46 PM / IP Logged  

Greetings all!  I have had the honor of poring over the many informative posts (especially the stickies) for the last few days and increased my understanding ten fold.  I have especially appreciated reading the posts by haemphyst, DYohn, Steven Kephart, the12volt, and forbidden.

I finally feel like I have a pretty good idea what kind of an amp I want/need to improve my system.  Here is my current setup:

Honda civic 2001 lx coupe
70 amp alternator
The basslink is a class D 200 watt rms with a 20 amp fuse. (not yet installed)
infinity kappa 6.5 component systems in the front (2-90 rms wattage handling) 4ohm
infinity kappa 6x9's in the back (2-110 rms wattage handling) 4ohm
12 gauge streetwires ultra wire throughout
Alpine cda 9813 (3 sets of preouts 4V)  (currently powering the system with 27 wrms)
I am planning on performing the "Big Three Upgrade" as described by DYohn.  I will run either 2 or 4 gauge power cable from the alternator to battery, battery to chassis, and engine to chassis to help my alternator and voltage.

I think I have narrowed down the amp choices to the US Amps I/S 4085:

IS 4085 Retail is: $299.00.

Power: 85wx4 @ 4 135wx4 @ 2 270wx2 @ 4
S/N Ratio: 101dB
THD: >.01%
Channel Separation: 45dB
Damping Factor (@14.4v): 95
Crossover: HP 12hz-200khz LP 40hz-200khz
Protection: Reverse Polarity, Thermal, Short Circuit
Fuse Rating: 30Ax2
Size (LxWxH): 14.5 x 9.5 x 2.5

Or the Eclipse EA4000: with a 2x30 amp fuse

What do you guys think?  How would you compare the two amps?  Are they right for my system?  Any other recommended options?  I am a little worried about the current I will be drawing from my stock alternator.  But according to the different formulas:  basslink 200 watt x 1.25 (class D) / 14.4V = 17.36  +++  75x4 = 300 watt x 1.5 (class AB) / 14.4V = 31.25     ===  48.61.  Might the remaining 21.39 amperes be enough to run the car's headlights (or air conditioning) and the many electronic systems?

I would greatly appreciate any diagnosis/analysis.  As far as wiring is concerned, I was planning on running 4 gauge from the battery post  (with an 80 amp fuse within 18" of battery) to a fused distribution block in the trunk.  From here the current will be split between the basslink and whichever 4 channel amp is decided upon.  They will both be grounded to the same bolt in the trunk.

Thanks in advance for your analysis!  I look forward to reading/participating in the responses.

-Matt

josh1979 
Silver - Posts: 320
Silver spacespace
Joined: July 03, 2006
Location: United States
Posted: August 04, 2006 at 12:13 AM / IP Logged  
how many $$$$$$$$$ is the eclipse amp?
bring back the rotary phone so i dont have to press 1 to proceed in english
mattmc 
Member - Posts: 8
Member spacespace
Joined: August 02, 2006
Posted: August 04, 2006 at 12:15 AM / IP Logged  

The Eclipse is $225 shipped and the US amps is $145 shipped.

cutlass013 
Copper - Posts: 95
Copper spacespace
Joined: July 27, 2006
Location: United States
Posted: August 04, 2006 at 12:20 AM / IP Logged  
oh i think you will have plenty of power to run all that.. and it looks to me like the cost is the factor here or brand prefrence i think eclipse is more popular brand not to familiar with either thoughUS Amps I/S 4085 VS Eclipse EA4000 -- posted image.
mattmc 
Member - Posts: 8
Member spacespace
Joined: August 02, 2006
Posted: August 04, 2006 at 12:46 AM / IP Logged  

I should probably mention that I am solely interested in SQ.

Cost is a factor, but definitely not the only factor.  I would prefer a well made amp that will last for years and supply my speakers with the power and precision needed to sound their best.  I am hoping for a big SQ difference by tripling the rms watts going into my speakers.  All the speakers are equipped with passive crossovers.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

forbidden 
Platinum - Posts: 5,352
Platinum spaceThis member has made a donation to the12volt.com. Click here for more info.spaceThis member has been recognized as an authority in Mobile Audio and Video. Click here for more info.spacespace
Joined: November 01, 2003
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posted: August 04, 2006 at 1:26 AM / IP Logged  
If you really want to make a difference and get some value for your $, upgrade to the XA4000 which is a ICEpower class D full range amp. If you can spend the loot on it, it will be the best move you ever make. The EA series is a class AB amp and it about 55% efficient, this means that for every 1000 watts of power put into the amp, you will get 550 watts of power out of the amp and 450 wattsof wasted power(heat for example). The ICEpower series is a class D design, typical efficiency is up around 80%. So 1000 watts of power in, 800 watts of power out and 20% wasted power.
Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.
luckydevil 
Silver - Posts: 365
Silver spacespace
Joined: July 04, 2005
Location: United States
Posted: August 04, 2006 at 1:30 AM / IP Logged  
Eclipse without a doubt here.
The low end US Amps amplifiers are not up to the standards of their other amps, and I'm pretty sure they aren't even made in the same place.
mattmc 
Member - Posts: 8
Member spacespace
Joined: August 02, 2006
Posted: August 04, 2006 at 8:49 AM / IP Logged  

Thanks for the advice forbidden and luckydevil!  I checked out the XA4000 and it looks great, the only problem I see is that I would be concerned about overloading my speakers with a 125 watt x4 channel into speakers 2-90 and 2-110.  Plus, even with the increased efficiency of the XA 500 watt x 1.25/ 14.4V = 43.4 amperes whereas the EA would be 300 watt x 1.5 (class AB) / 14.4V = 31.25.  So the EA would still be drawing less current.  Or am I performing the calculation wrong?  Should it be 300 watts x 2 / 14.4 V = 41.7 amperes?  Either way, does anyone know of a good class D 4 channel amp that produces a little less power? (such as in the 75-90 watt rms range)  Or would I be able to adjust the output power of the xa4000?

The I/S 4085 was an outsourced to Asia production model.  I am assuming the Eclipses are made in Asia too as they are made by Fujitsu ten.  I value your opinion and will definitely take it into consideration.  Out of curiousity, what kind of standard are the low end US Amps made to?  And what would be the main differences between the amps mentioned?

Thanks again!

luckydevil 
Silver - Posts: 365
Silver spacespace
Joined: July 04, 2005
Location: United States
Posted: August 04, 2006 at 9:54 AM / IP Logged  
mattmc wrote:
The I/S 4085 was an outsourced to Asia production model. I am assuming the Eclipses are made in Asia too as they are made by Fujitsu ten. I value your opinion and will definitely take it into consideration. Out of curiousity, what kind of standard are the low end US Amps made to? And what would be the main differences between the amps mentioned?

Thanks again!

From my understanding the better US Amps amplifiers are assembled here in the US. The low end models are supposedly outsourced completely to Asian buildhouses.
Now it seems pretty obvious that the Eclipse amps are going to be Asian made, but I would like to think Eclipse has a higher level of standards than US Amps.
Take what I say with a grain of salt because it is very improbable that you could hear a difference between the two amps.
haemphyst 
Platinum - Posts: 5,054
Platinum spaceThis member has been recognized as an authority in Electrical Theory. Click here for more info.spaceThis member has been recognized as an authority in Mobile Audio and Video. Click here for more info.spacespace
Joined: January 19, 2003
Location: Michigan, Bouvet Island
Posted: August 04, 2006 at 10:54 AM / IP Logged  
That is exactly my car. (BTW, thanks for the kudos... I don't often include myself in the list that you included me in...) My personal opinion is definitely toward the Eclipse as well... AWESOME sounding amplifiers, and they sound far more powerful than they really are - not that they are not powerful. I, too, and an SQ quester... Too much is never enough for me!
As far as not hearing the difference, sure you will. The Eclipse ICEPower amplifiers are based on the Bang and Olufsen ICEPower modules, which have been reviewed as the "best sounding amplifiers in the world...", not to mention the new "Best sounding car stereo system in the world" accolade recently received.
If it's good enough for Jeff Rowland to build and release an amplifer built with them, they are CERTAINLY good enough for me! And CES2006, an ICEPowered Active speaker received the (not a, but the) "Best Sound" award. Yeah, I'd say you'll hear the difference.
You can get a good quality HO (170A) alternator for that car, by the way. Alterstart, in Texas builds them. Good products, I have installed several in Civics of various years. You'll want a 4 gauge cable from it to the battery post, though.
If you're looking for install tips or suggestions though, PM me, and I'll help where I can! The doors in that car like to vibe A LOT, once you get a nice mid-bass with lots of power behind it, installed in there!
It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."
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