Xtant vs. Alpine vs. US Acoustics
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=16393
Printed Date: September 10, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Topic: Xtant vs. Alpine vs. US Acoustics
Posted By: SiDogg
Subject: Xtant vs. Alpine vs. US Acoustics
Date Posted: July 17, 2003 at 2:56 PM
What's better? That's a sweet deal for that Xtant, but it sounds like that US Acoustics is the best bang for the buck, plus it has just as good DB rating and even more WRMS which is always better.. :)
Although the Alpine LOOKS the best.. :D
https://cgi.ebay.com/dll?ViewItem&item=3035737777&category=4950
https://cgi.ebay.com/dll?ViewItem&item=3034994499&category=39740
https://www.sounddomain.com/sku/USAUSX4085
Decisions Decisions... 
Replies:
Posted By: Sebastian018
Date Posted: July 17, 2003 at 3:16 PM
ALpine
Posted By: Sweekster
Date Posted: July 17, 2003 at 3:24 PM
I'm actually using the US Acoustics 4085 amp in my 97 altima and I'm happy with it. But if you're comparing those 3...Alpine
Posted By: sonicsound
Date Posted: July 17, 2003 at 3:26 PM
I would have to agree with Sebastian, if you read the reviews on the new alpine V12 amps, you'll see that it will most likely be the best line of amps of the year. they have the quietest start up sequences in the world. And the performance is unbelievable. Working at Circuit City, I've been able to play with most of their amps and they will run under the hardest conditions you can think of, no matter what is going on with your car. Read a couple reviews on them and you'll see what I'm getting at. Otherwise I would get the Xtant before the US Acoustics. Hope that helps...
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Sonic
Pioneer AVH-P4000DVD
Zapco 360.4
Zapco 500.1
Zapco SP-4SL Processor
Two JL 10 W3v3d2
Alumapro 15 Farad Cap
Posted By: SiDogg
Date Posted: July 17, 2003 at 4:29 PM
Wow, I'm surprised that there is little interest in Xtant. Is Xtant not "the sh*t" anymore or something? :-)
Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: July 17, 2003 at 4:53 PM
I would go with the Xtant it will give you the cleanest and most crisp sound out of the 3. My 2nd choice would be the Alpine and the US Acoustics would come in at the bottom of my list.
Posted By: SiDogg
Date Posted: July 17, 2003 at 7:45 PM
Anyone else?? I'm pretty much decided to be against the US Acoustics now.. So it's down to Xtant and Alpine.... Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm...
Posted By: Big Purds
Date Posted: July 18, 2003 at 5:09 AM
I like Xtant more myself as well...mebbe some of us are more into SQ than others eh bberman, lol...
I have never been a huge fan of Alpine amps since way back in the day...I dont think they suck, I just think there are better amps for the same money...I havent had a chance to play with the brand new ones however, but past experience directs me towards that Xtant...
Posted By: SiDogg
Date Posted: July 18, 2003 at 10:16 AM
The new Alpines are awesome, but I still think the Xtant is just a step up, in terms of reliability and clarity. Many will argue clarity is not acheived on an amp, but I disagree. If the power amplications and heat sink components are better, every little bit helps..
Posted By: SiDogg
Date Posted: July 18, 2003 at 10:17 AM
Also, I've had Alpine and Fosgate amps in the past. They're not bad, but they are "nothing special" either. Perhaps Xtant will be, although now that I will be FINALLY getting some good components (the CDTs of course), it may sound good no matter what amp I get.
Posted By: Big Purds
Date Posted: July 18, 2003 at 1:34 PM
SiDogg wrote:
Also, I've had Alpine and Fosgate amps in the past. They're not bad, but they are "nothing special" either. Perhaps Xtant will be, although now that I will be FINALLY getting some good components (the CDTs of course), it may sound good no matter what amp I get.
lol that may be a bit of a stretch...a speaker will play whatever signal you send to it, and if you have a poor source, a good amp, and good speakers, you will just be getting an amplified poor signal and you will really notice more than with a cheap pair of speakers...likewise, if you have a poor amplifier, the speakers will play whatever signal they receive, and if it happens to be a dirty signal out of a poor amp, that is what you get...
I found the biggest real difference when I went to nice equipment was all of the sudden alot of the music I listened to sounded like crap...with a good system you hear so much more, and you notice which artists put alot into their recordings and record on decent equipment...
Posted By: SiDogg
Date Posted: July 18, 2003 at 2:14 PM
Hmmm, interesting point.. That makes sense.
Posted By: tdsteele
Date Posted: July 18, 2003 at 8:30 PM
Yeah i really hate that. Been alot of cd's i love that just flat out suck on my new system. Would think with all the technology nowadays that they could make some kick a$$ sounding cd's. Bought some new ones that are just embarassing to crank up the quality is so bad.
Posted By: tdsteele
Date Posted: July 19, 2003 at 1:19 PM
Kinda curious why everyone thinks so low of the US Acoustics amp. I've got one of the 4085's on order to replace an Eclipse amp with and should be here on Monday. Something about these amps that i have overlooked cause the spec sheet i thought looked pretty good. What do you guys know that i'm overlooking??
Posted By: SiDogg
Date Posted: July 20, 2003 at 3:02 PM
I've just heard bad things about them going bad.. I keep hearing it, but it sounds like a good deal... which is why I have a dilemma.. :(
Posted By: esmith69
Date Posted: July 20, 2003 at 7:54 PM
I don't think Crutchfield would sell these amps and definitely KNOW they would not include a 3-year warranty on them, if they were not confident in their performance and reliability. I've never had problems with them. Just my two cents though.... ------------- Ethan
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Posted By: tdsteele
Date Posted: July 20, 2003 at 8:58 PM
I dunno, Ive never read a bad review on them, not one. Specs make them look good, they definately have a good price and warranty. Guess i will find out tomorrow, supposed to be delivered then.
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