My dilemma: amp purchasing related

So, I want to redo my car stereo, I currently have a hodgepodge of stereo in my car, which I'm selling, and I want something that sounds clean and looks nice. This isn't going to be a 5000 watt stereo, I just want something in the neighborhood of 65-100 watts per channel for the speakers, and 600-1000 watts or so for subwoofers.

I would like ot jus thave 1 4 channel amp and 1 monoblock, but I would like them to be the same brand, too match, and look nice next to each other. I, of course, want it to sound decent, but I know i'm not going to get a SQ system for what I'm looking to pay, I just want something better then stock and less chaos then I currently have. SO...

Anyone recommend a brand/series of amps that has something in a 4 channel and a monoblock that match?

Some things I have looked at our hte MB Quart amps, they have a 4 channel and a monoblock that look identical from the outside, but I can't find the 4 channel any longer. I have also looked at US Acoustics, but they are just hard to find in general.

Thanks for replies.

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2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STi
Kenwood eXcelon KDC-X579 HU
More on the way...

I guess there is no way to edit posts on this forum?

I should point out also that I'm looking to spend around $500-700, not a whole lot of money to work with...

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2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STi
Kenwood eXcelon KDC-X579 HU
More on the way...

That price range might make it tough to get the wattage you want, but there are lots of good deals out there you just have to search hard enough.  If you want a really clean install Alpine amps have excellent simple looks and you can get a middle space cover so you can mount the amps together, and it will look like one big amp.  I know the old rockfords had a similar feature.  Really if you are creative with your install you can make amps of the same line look good with each other.  I have had a lot of success with Kicker and Kenwood amplifiers.  The new Kenwood stylings aren't as nice as the old  in my opinion.  Just keep searching for exactly what you want, and don't rule out a creative install to help you achieve the look you want.  Good Luck!

take a look at Blaupunkt's new Velocity series amps......

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Kevin Gerry
Certified Electronics Technician
MECP First Class Installer

Owner/Installer
Classic Car Audio
since 1979

Yea at a $700 cap two amps like that are gonna be real hard to find... especially when you start adding RCA's, wires, speakers...

How do you feel about factory renewed stuff?  I saw these this morning and Sounddomain is a top retailer.

https://www.cardomain.com/item/JBLPX3004Z

https://www.cardomain.com/item/JBLPX6002Z

This stuff would be no different than an open-box buy from Circuit City...     and leave you *plenty* to grab some nice front speakers and a sub eh?

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"I'm finished!" - Daniel Plainview

Keep looking for closeout deals on the USacoustics amps.  Here's a start, get two...one each for front and rear (you'll find 50 watts / channel plenty enough for the interiors)....and keep looking for a USB(X)800D or 1000D which turn up from time to time as closeout deals.  These amps share the same shell design.

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Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

thats not a $700 cap, I would just prefer not to spend much more hten that, furthermore, I already have all the power cables and RCA cables, this is ONLY for the amps.

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2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STi
Kenwood eXcelon KDC-X579 HU
More on the way...

The biggest problem with posting this stuff is that I hate sounding like a n00b, but, the truth is, I pretty much am, as compared to many people. As far as theory, and stuff like Ohm's law, I'm proficient, but as far as what brand has good stuff on certain years, i'm in the dark.

These two amps seem to be exactly what I'm looking for as far as matched looks, specs, and price, which leads me to the question...

What's wrong with these?


Mono
Multi-channel

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2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STi
Kenwood eXcelon KDC-X579 HU
More on the way...

Ahh $700 on *just* two amps eh?  Dude you can get a massively awesome pair of amps for that price.

Much more fun! 

I know nothing about USAcoustics except that this board respects their products... never seen or heard an amp from 'em.

Do you have any shops around ...  I betcha with $700 you could get a really good deal on a pair of matching amps like that.. just don't tell them what ur limit is before you guys start talking a deal eh?  Boston Acoustics, JL Audio, and MB Quart all make outstanding amplifiers and have excellent market penetration in the States.  In fact, JL has a pair of matching amps that sound *right* up your alley.

https://www.jlaudio.com/amps/3004.html

https://www.jlaudio.com/amps/5001.html

These amps are built into precisely the same chassis.. underrated too... the 500/1 puts like 800 watts into a reactive load. (I think the 300/4 does about 95 watts a channel) These amps sound so good next to each other you see them in cars in "Dub" magazine.  I'd check 'em out.  A dealer ought let you walk with those for $750 at most.

If you're stuck to the internet for stuff.. I'd stick with authorized retailers so warranties and returns and what-not can be dealt with easily..  I mean..  any of a hundred different products would probably make you quite happy with that budget. 

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"I'm finished!" - Daniel Plainview

Pheonix Gold Octane stuff is good gear. 

Absolutly nothing wrong with either amp.  Audio-snobs 'round here might knock it a peg or two.. its the on the lower end of PG's line.. but I've heard good things about the stuff.

For what you want, it looks like a real good buy.  Wayyy cheaper than that JL stuff I was hawkin eh?  I betcha, just kinda looking at your post, you'd be just as happy with the PG amps. 

Get'em.

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"I'm finished!" - Daniel Plainview

I really like the look of those JL's you put up there, will take a deeper look into those. But yeah, like I said, at this point, I'm just looking for something better then stock.

You are right though, about the audio-snobs, make it hard to ask any questions, seems like each person has their one brand that they tell you to buy, and if you don't then you are just wrong.

Thanks for the suggestions, i'm definately open to more if anyone has any other thoughts.

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2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STi
Kenwood eXcelon KDC-X579 HU
More on the way...

Every amp mentioned so far would be good.  I have heard some really good things about the PG amplifiers even though they are the low end of PG.  The JBL amps are good and so are the JL's.  I don't think you would go wrong with a US Acoustics amp either.  It really comes down to exactly what look you are trying to achieve and finding the amp that best suits your need.  I think this forum is pretty good about being opened minded when it comes to products. 

Blinden wrote:

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I really like the look of those JL's you put up there, will take a deeper look into those. But yeah, like I said, at this point, I'm just looking for something better then stock.

You are right though, about the audio-snobs, make it hard to ask any questions, seems like each person has their one brand that they tell you to buy, and if you don't then you are just wrong.

Thanks for the suggestions, i'm definately open to more if anyone has any other thoughts.

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There are *alot* of very good manufactuers in this arena.  Anyone that completly trashes every brand except X is stupid and should be ignored.  They just wanna feel good about their own purchases so they walk around telling everyone and then they sound like a product brochure.  I recommend JL stuff cuz its critically reviewed and outstandingly well built... but that goes for lotsa products too.

When you say "something better than stock" that means HU power on coaxials and 100w amp on a 10 or 12" ...  bi-amping a system in the manner you are talking about is a total car stereo dude.  You can get extream quality when you start using two amps in this manner.  The two PG amps are quite suitable for this ... of course, the JL's would start you *considerably* higher on the totem pole...

For all of $400 you'd spend on the PG's, I couldn't imagine you'd find anything else that you'd like more.  If you compared the JBL's I recommended earlier with the PG's you're looking at, you really wouldn't be much happier with one over the other.  I'd tell ya the JL's are a definate step up.. as would something from Boston Acoustics..  but given what you're looking at you'd be just as happy with the $300 in you pocket.  If you really like the JL's, check out their lower tier stuff too...

https://www.jlaudio.com/amps/e4300.html

https://www.jlaudio.com/amps/e1400.html

Just remember, with stuff like this, often times, more isn't better it's just more. 

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"I'm finished!" - Daniel Plainview

Keeping in mind I am a Diamond Audio fan so I am quite bias, I do belieeve that a D3600.1 and a D3400.4 would fit the bill quite nicely here. Plus lifetime warrenty is a wonderful thing if you have a somewhat local dealer you can go to, they will install them quite cheap if it is just a matter of switching some wires.

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2003 Chevrolet Silverado Standard Cab ~ Alpine CDA-9851
Diamond Audio D3600.1 ~ 2x Diamond Audio TM310D4
Diamond Audio D3400.4 ~ Diamond Audio Hex S600s
AstroStart RS5204 Remote Start/Alarm

Forgot to add the link, wtb edit post option!

Diamond Audio D3 Amplifiers

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2003 Chevrolet Silverado Standard Cab ~ Alpine CDA-9851
Diamond Audio D3600.1 ~ 2x Diamond Audio TM310D4
Diamond Audio D3400.4 ~ Diamond Audio Hex S600s
AstroStart RS5204 Remote Start/Alarm

one other option that you could consider is goin with some eclipse amps. they have a bridge for two of them that simply covers the wires and makes it look like one whole amp. i'm currently running one eclipse amp and i love it. i'm not quite sure about pricing seeing how i haven't priced them lately. but it's just another idea.

one other idea, and it is farely lame, just hide the amps under a false floor or something like that where no one can see them. you can get amps that cater more to your rating preference and not worry about looks. i realize you probably won't do this, but i thought i'd just throw it out there.

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hightek
alpine cda-9827
12" Brahma
Eclipse DA6213

and still working on it

i think you should checkout www.ikesound.com and maybe look at some soundstream products online thats just my 2cents 

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1974 ford pinto 4 15" punch Z power punch bd 1001 pioneer DEH-6700

Have you considerd a 5 channel amp?

Memphis Makes a fantastic 5 channel called the Memphis Belle, its 75X4@ 4ohms and 1100X1 @1ohm
heres a link https://www.memphiscaraudio.com/products/details.asp?cat=&id=29&p=2 and you can get it for around $700

Just a thought

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2004 Honda Civic Ex 4Dr

Kenwood DDX-7015/W Nav
4 Fosgate T152C
Hifonics Brutus BX1500D
RE XXX 12 in a 4 Cube Snail Shell

The Memphis amp is nice.  I recommend Hifonics ZX8000 75x4 + 300 x 1 not as strong as the Belle but you can get it for like $200 shipped.

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(1) Kenwood Excelon Head Unit KDC-X589 (24 bit Burr Brown DAC, 3 X 4 volt RCA).
(1) RF Punch 250A2 - running the components.
(1) Hifonics 6.5" Atlas Components (18db crossovers).