Which amp???

[groovespacer]

Let me clear up some fallacies....
When the manufacturers say the headunit puts out 4X45 or whatever it is completely a marketing ploy. At most the headunit itself will put out 5 watts RMS. Think about it 4X45 is about 180 watts. A amp that can produce that much wattage is substantially bigger than a headunit and has a big heat sink to cool it down. There have been numerous tests done to prove that the headunit does not put out that much power.

Do run the rears off the headunit or ditch them completely. People are always fascinated by surround sound. "Look I have surround sound" In a car environment "surround sound" is not cool and distracts away from the sound stage. Music is 2.1 stereo. The only place surround sound is beneficial is when watching movies with are encoded for 5.1. If you wanna read about this do some research on the web. I ditched mines and the sound stage if way better and has less listening fatigue with a distracting rear stage.

Recomendations:
600 bucks is a great budget for both.

HU:
Like other people mentioned alpine and eclipse are great. Do not skimp on a HU. Other suggestions are blaupunkt and pioneer.

AMP:
I would go for an ARC 2100CXL(find one used for about 200, New for 400)
TRU(definitely need to get this one used)
These are great sq amps.

If you prefer new try:
Phoenix gold(very underrated)
US Acoustics(budget amp but very very capable)

[oompah2788]

Ok...a new question has arose....

Which set-up should I go with? A seperate amp for the components and a single sub (2channel/mono), OR a single 4 channel amp and use the first 2 channels for the comps and bridge the other two for the sub. If I go the 4 channel route Im thinking of getting the PG Ti 500.4, and If the two amp set-up probly the Soundstream Rubicon 500.2 and another mono amp. Any input?? Will one set-up have more significant SQ than the other? I know that the one amp set-up would be better as in less wiring... Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[groovespacer]

I would go for 2 different amps. One to power the components and one to power the subs or else you would need some sort of external crossovers to limit with frequencies are sent out to which speakers.(unless the amp had capabilities of doing this itself..as most 5 channels amps do this) The tantrum is a great choice by the way.

[pro956]

Ok...a new question has arose....

Which set-up should I go with? A seperate amp for the components and a single sub (2channel/mono), OR a single 4 channel amp and use the first 2 channels for the comps and bridge the other two for the sub. If I go the 4 channel route Im thinking of getting the PG Ti 500.4, and If the two amp set-up probly the Soundstream Rubicon 500.2 and another mono amp. Any input?? Will one set-up have more significant SQ than the other? I know that the one amp set-up would be better as in less wiring... Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

what sub/subs are you looking at?

[oompah2788]

Well, the CDT components have a seperate external crossover for them so i would use that for the comps and there is a built-in low-pass crossover in the amp that i could use for the sub but im not sure if i can have channels 3/4 only lowpass but if i can then there would be no problem right? (hope that made sense). Oh, and the amp Im considering is the Titanium line not the tantrum. SD has a sale on them.

I dont know exactly what sub im going with, but its probly going to be a single ten, and if i go the 4 channel route ill pick a sub with a wrms of about what the last 2 channels bridged can put out.

[oompah2788]

Are there any other 4 channel amps at 100 X 4 rms @ 4ohms??? Would the Pg Ti 500.4's 75x4 be enough to power my 90wrms cdt's??? COuld i do better with a bigger amp?? any roccomendation? THANKS!

[pro956]

Are there any other 4 channel amps at 100 X 4 rms @ 4ohms??? Would the Pg Ti 500.4's 75x4 be enough to power my 90wrms cdt's??? COuld i do better with a bigger amp?? any roccomendation? THANKS!

you'll be fine with the pg ti 500.4

[oompah2788]

so PG Ti it is?? Do you know how the Soundstream Rubicon 600.4 would compare to the PG?? The SS does 80x4@4ohms compared to the 75x4@4ohms PG does. I can get the SS for $290 and the PG for $340. Thanks

[Rudy]

At most the headunit itself will put out 5 watts RMS.

you're missing a 2 in there aren't you?

[WortownSolara]

numbers arent everything, its more of how much USABLE power there is here.

[Rudy]

numbers arent everything, its more of how much USABLE power there is here.

he's still missing a 2

[oompah2788]

Ive decided to go with the soundstream amps. one rubicon 500.2 for the components (100w x2) and one rubicon 500.1 for a single 10" cdt sub (either HD or CL). Before i get them though i wanted to make sure this is the way to go. Sounds good? and, can anyone reccomend a good amp kit for these amps or should i buy the wires seperately from like knukoncept or something? THANKS!

[pro956]

At most the headunit itself will put out 5 watts RMS.

you're missing a 2 in there aren't you?

i hope he is... otherwise, he's completely lost

i think it's more around 14-18w clean watts rms x channel on higher quality decks

[pro956]

so PG Ti it is?? Do you know how the Soundstream Rubicon 600.4 would compare to the PG?? The SS does 80x4@4ohms compared to the 75x4@4ohms PG does. I can get the SS for $290 and the PG for $340. Thanks

50 dollar difference, go with the ss

if you want to save a lot more money for a fairly similar amp i can ship you a usx-4065 for over $100 cheaper

these are the older higher quality us acoustics amps that were made in the us

65w x 4 rms @ 12.9volts (so you'll see more with your car running)
the low pass filter is also 24db and not the average 12

18db bass boost

you can save the extra money on a better install

ie- components in your kicks instead of the doors

[WortownSolara]

dude thats an AWESOME price on that amp. I remeber those. Although alot of people up here dont run them, ive heard them at a few SQ shows. Id be pleased. My only consern with the Soundstream stuff is their long-term reliablilty. although there stuff is phenominal, i sold my DiVinci in 2 weeks, because of the failure rate. Just couldnt afford to have one blow up in the lanes.