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recommendations on adding amp

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=23063
Printed Date: March 29, 2024 at 10:42 AM


Topic: recommendations on adding amp

Posted By: dcgc
Subject: recommendations on adding amp
Date Posted: December 19, 2003 at 8:49 AM

As you can see my stuff below, I got to wondering about the subs, they are rated at 400w RMS. Would it be safe to add another 500/1 and have one 500/1 per sub. I realize I might not get but a couple db's. But I have already become imune to this system.

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2003 Silverado Ext. cab
Kenwood mp922
Kenwood kgc6042a EQ
JL Audio xr650-csi
MB Quart PSC 213
JL Audio 300/4
pair of JL Audio 12w6v2
JL Audio 1000/1



Replies:

Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: December 19, 2003 at 1:42 PM

Add an Audio Control Epicenter, upgrade to an Eclipse CD8443, lose the equalizer, all this will have an amazing difference in sq and output levels and depth for the subs. Just .02 cents worth of opinions.



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Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.




Posted By: Geeque
Date Posted: December 19, 2003 at 4:37 PM

Adding an extra amp will also increase the quality of the bass, since each amp will be dedicated to each sub.



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Gary Kline
MECP Master Technician




Posted By: dcgc
Date Posted: December 20, 2003 at 4:15 PM
OK, if I go with another 500/1 amp, get the Audio Control Epicenter (any suggestions on model/ make), upgrade my deck to the Eclipse CD8443 (which I admire very much). Would this one ACE be sufficient for both amps or would I need one per? I don't know anything about these ACE's.

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2003 Silverado Ext. cab
Kenwood mp922
Kenwood kgc6042a EQ
JL Audio xr650-csi
MB Quart PSC 213
JL Audio 300/4
pair of JL Audio 12w6v2
JL Audio 1000/1




Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: December 20, 2003 at 4:52 PM
One Audio Control Epicenter is all you will need. It is usually wired into the sub pre-out line between the head unit and the sub amplifier. The Epicenter has a level control knob for the amount of restoration to be used, it is dash mounted.

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Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.




Posted By: Durwood
Date Posted: December 21, 2003 at 3:00 AM

forbidden wrote:

One Audio Control Epicenter is all you will need. It is usually wired into the sub pre-out line between the head unit and the sub amplifier. The Epicenter has a level control knob for the amount of restoration to be used, it is dash mounted.

Actually, the Epicenter needs to be connected to a full-range output, NOT a sub pre-out.  The owner's manual makes this very clear.  The way the Epicenter works is by listening for harmonics and re-creating the bass notes that created them if the bass notes are missing.  For instance, the Epicenter might detect a harmonic at 150 Hz and then check to see that the 75 Hz note that created the harmonic is still there.  If not, it will re-insert it into the music.

If you were to connect the Epicenter to a low-pass signal like a subwoofer pre-out from your deck, some the harmonics would likely be blocked before the Epicenter could detect them.

As for what model to use, there are two basic types.  The first type has a brain box with no controls on it connected via phone cord to a control knob within easy reach of the driver.  This model is called "The Epicenter", and there have been a couple different revisions of it over the years.  The other type is a half-DIN dash-mount unit that has a built-in SPL meter.  There have been two of these, the EPIC-150 and EPIC-160.  I believe the only difference between the -150 and -160 is how high the SPL meter will read.  I have both types - an Epicenter in my wife's car and an EPIC-160 in my car.  They're great, but it really depends on what you listen to most.  The Epicenter/EPIC processors make less of a difference with CDs, since there's less low-frequency content that gets lost during the recording process.  But on tapes, MP3s, or FM broadcasts, it makes a big difference.

Scott Gardner





Posted By: jeffchilcott
Date Posted: December 21, 2003 at 8:48 PM
honestly, i would sell the 500/1 and get one 100/1 jl amp, or another maker..zapco, clif, orion, amps like that   give them a little more power rms then they are rated at...with a good clean amp you can overpower a sub and not have trouble...i have given a 10w6v2 2400watts peak using a zapco amp, the sub ran perctly till the day i sold it and it still runs just fine set up like that over 1 year and 4 months...thats my $.02

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2009 0-1000 Trunk WR 154.0DB 2009 1001+ Trunk WR
2007 USACI World Champion
2007 World Record
2006 USACI Finals 2nd Place




Posted By: jakita
Date Posted: December 21, 2003 at 9:20 PM
Honestly I would make sure what you have is working well first.  Have a good installer check it all out and fix anything that needs it and get their recommendation.  I am not saying that you other guys are wrong I am just saying that with as much as you already have you should be close to happy and it might be better to tweak it then to blow alot more money.




Posted By: dcgc
Date Posted: December 21, 2003 at 10:43 PM
Oh no, stuff is right it rattles my teeth, but I want more, won't be happy until my back window falls out.

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2003 Silverado Ext. cab
Kenwood mp922
Kenwood kgc6042a EQ
JL Audio xr650-csi
MB Quart PSC 213
JL Audio 300/4
pair of JL Audio 12w6v2
JL Audio 1000/1




Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: December 22, 2003 at 4:05 PM
Scott (Durwood), you are correct about how to hook it up, that is also why I underlined the "usually " portion of the statement. Some cd players but not all have a non fader (sub pre-out) output that is full range, thus can be hooked to the sub out. Just thought that this needed to be added.

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Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.




Posted By: Durwood
Date Posted: December 22, 2003 at 4:34 PM

forbidden wrote:

Scott (Durwood), you are correct about how to hook it up, that is also why I underlined the "usually " portion of the statement. Some cd players but not all have a non fader (sub pre-out) output that is full range, thus can be hooked to the sub out. Just thought that this needed to be added.

A non-fading sub pre-out that isn't already low-passed out of the head?  Thanks for filling me in - I had no idea such a creature existed.  That must be nice to have a dedicated pre-out for the subs, but be able to do the crossover downstream.

Scott Gardner





Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: December 22, 2003 at 5:04 PM
I really like the older Eclipse cd player for that fact, the 5303R was an awesome cd player.

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Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.




Posted By: bobs94
Date Posted: December 22, 2003 at 11:48 PM
Add another amp, the jl's can take it, and you would be much happier if you like to feel your music. I am running 4 jl 10w3v2's with a crossfire vr2000d and can not hurt those speakers. The w6's are suppose to be able to handle more than the w3's. Also, you may want to consider upgrading your charging system/battery, as anything over 1000 watts will take a toll on your electrical system while driving at night. As far as the Epicenter goes, you will probably get more boom for the buck with another amp. Just my opinion.




Posted By: dcgc
Date Posted: December 23, 2003 at 7:55 AM
for sale 500/1!lol: I'm going with the 1000/1

-------------
2003 Silverado Ext. cab
Kenwood mp922
Kenwood kgc6042a EQ
JL Audio xr650-csi
MB Quart PSC 213
JL Audio 300/4
pair of JL Audio 12w6v2
JL Audio 1000/1





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