Looking for a 3-channel amp ...

[Sutliff]

I am in the market for a 3-channel amp to power a set of 6.5" door components, & a pair of FI IB312's (12" infinite baffle subs in 15.5'ish cf).

The front components have an RMS of 100W, & a peak of 400W.

I do not know yet if I am going to order a set of 2- or 4-ohm FI's, but either way, the mono side of the amp will see either 2- or 1-ohm. Being that I am NOT going for SPL, etc., maybe around 250W per FI sub should be enough for my application - 2003 Monte Carlo -? Someone think I really need more wattage for these? The subs will hang in the trunk on a baffle where they will "fire" up through the OEM 6x9 speaker holes into the cabin. (The two brand new 12" Kicker Comps I was stuck bumpin' this summer while I saved some $$$ actually worked rather well, but I have afeeling the FI's are going to be head & shoulders above in sound & performance ... fingers crossed!)

Suggestions?

PS: I would consider a 5-channel amp if it is reasonably-priced. Also, if I can bridge the 4 channels to 4-ohms stereo for the door components for the time being, because someday I could be talked into adding abother set of components or shallow-mount 8" mid-bass drivers.

[BobbyG2]

If you got the money:

http://www.woofersetc.com/p-9683-sax-2004d-sundown-audio-800w-4-channel-amplifier.aspx

Cheaper choice:

http://www.woofersetc.com/p-10924-sax-1254-sundown-audio-4-channel-full-range-amplifier.aspx

Here's an even cheaper choice, only 200watts/woofer though, and no warranty. I.D. is known for their SQ:

http://www.woofersetc.com/p-8940-i5800-image-dynamics-5-channel-760-watt-i-series-amplifier.aspx

Cheapest option, only 170/woofer:

http://www.audioque.com/AQ-1204_p_150.html

[dolarbilz]

I have a id 5 amp.installed in my dads truck for while tell he sold truck.super good amp.sounds lot stronger then the ratings.clean and small.

[Watch the bass]

The only real 3 channels i know Audisons http://www.ebay.com/itm/BLOW-OUT-SALE-AUDISON-AMP-SRx-3-3-CHANNEL-AMP-600-W-RMS-1-YEAR-WARRANY-/140861800828?pt=Car_Amplifiers&hash=item20cc04817c, http://www.audison.eu/index.php?page=product&id=8 but both over or under the power what you search for.

Why not going with a 2 channel and a small mono.

[BobbyG2]

I'd personally go with either an AQ or Sundown 2 or 4 channel for the mids/highs, and an AQ 750 or AQ or Sundown 1200 for the pair of IB3's. The 1200's might be a little over the subs RMS, but as long as you set your gains right, maybe lower the gains a little after you find where they distort, you should be fine.

Other good amplifier brands to look into: DC sound Lab, Rockford Fosgate, Crescendo, Image Dynamics (Out of business but they still have some back stock they're selling on woofersetc.com), SKAR, Incriminator Audio, ZED Audio, Sound Digital. There's quite a few other good ones too.

More good suggestions:

Crescendo C1100.4: http://store.soundsolutionsaudio.com/products/crescendo-audio-c1100-4-300-watts-x-4-channel-concerto-series-amplifier.html

This one should match your 250watts/woofer perfectly, DC 175.4. You'll have to email them for a quote:

http://www.dcsoundlab.com/175k.html

[Sutliff]

The only real 3 channels i know Audisons http://www.ebay.com/...=item20cc04817c, http://www.audison.e...ge=product&id=8 but both over or under the power what you search for.

Why not going with a 2 channel and a small mono.

Why not a 2-channel & a mono?

It is just how I have things set up in my amp area, & the cable(s) coming from my head unit, battery, etc. that I cannot, plus, with respect, & at the risk of alienating some from further helping me, I find it a pain in the arse ... I have done it before ... my last build. A Kicker mono, & a MTX 275X.

[BobbyG2]

Are you going to go with one of the aforementioned amps or is there something you don't like about them? There's loads of options, if there was something else you wanted me to factor, we can continue trying to help.

[Sutliff]

- I am not understanding how a 4-channel amp works for me.

Do not get me wrong, I completely understand 2-channels (L&R front) run the

components, & then bridge the other "side" (2 channels) of the amp & run the

subs from there.

What I do not get is where do I get the crossover points & other do-dads I get

with a dedicated mono-block 1-channel amp? Is there something I am missing

here? I am not pulling out the "friend told me this" angle, or else I wold just not

be here, but I was directed TWDs using the 3-channel amp that I have now over

buying a stronger 4-channel back in the spring by him, ... he said it wouldn't work

right, & I would really be better off with a 3- or 5-channel set-up.

So I went all summer with my 3-channel amp I have had since I bought it new

(Kicker 550.3 - the original one), & I loved what it did for me, but at 420W x 1

@ 2-ohm (it is NOT 1-ohm stable), it is not going to do justice to the FI IB312's.

really want a nice Class D amp.

Maybe I am all out-to-lunch with what I know/have been told which is why I

came back here. I joined last year & became a big fan of Steve's a few years ago

of his vehicles, videos, & him being a fanboy of RF. Then he released the DD-1, I

bought it, & I was instantly sold.

I am NOT against running two amps, mono & a 2-channel, but as I am extremely

anal, I would need them to be the same manufacturer, & in the same "line" ... asthetics

are everything to me, ... but even with that need, I know it is easily attainable these days.

I do not want to have a Sundown sub amp, & then a RF 2-channel, or the like. I think

folks get the idea.

I still want to lean TWDs a 3- or 5-ch, but am interested in the difference(s) - pros/cons - I

would get from a 3-channel, & a 4-channel that I would bridge one side for subs ...

Thanks, peoples.

[Sutliff]

As I have looked around at various products, etc., ... I found the following: http://www.soundstream.com/html/amps-reference.html .

SoundStream Reference Series - The REF5.1000, to be exact. Specs state RMS (14.4v) is 95W x 4 @ 4-ohm, which would be an upgrade in wattage as well as "cleanliness in power" over my Kicker. In addition to that, RMS (14.4v) is 500W x 1 @ 1-ohm, which would seem to be an excellent specs if I snag two IB312's in 2-ohm configuration. RMS @ 2-ohm is still 460W. I know I read that 250W per sub is nearly ideal. Clearly either option, 1- or 2-ohm, @ RMS - 14.4v, gives me 250 or 230W per. Moreover, there is not one single high-end amp that I have bought over the past 20 years that has not come with a test card, etc., that did not show that the amp is actually somewhat underrated ... I expected nothing else from SoundStream & their Reference Series. Does anyone else?

I definitely would like someone's input when it comes to the sub's ohm load in a situation like this ... situation = taking advantage of an amp that is 1-ohm stable.

[MrSkippyJ]

There is good info in your other thread.