Need help selecting a 4ch amplifier

[jCube]

Hi,
I've an Accent CRDi 2006 with Infinity Kappa 5 1/4" speakers at the front. The rear speakers for now are the factory defaults. I recently purchased an Infinity Kappa Perfect 10.1 (10" subwoofer) and I've decided to have an enclosure built for the same. So here starts my queries.

1) There is a metal plate just behind my rear seat over which there is a tray(wooden??) on which the rear 5 1/4" speakers are mounted. Do I have to cut hole/s in the tray/plate for the sub woofer to be audible within the cabin?

2) I have decided to get myself a 4 channel amp. 2 channels to drive the front Kappas and the rear 2 in bridged mode to power the 10.1. My req is that the bridged output of 3 & 4 should have 300watts rms ideally, or atleast 200 watts rms as the 10.1 can take up to 350watts rms. Which all 4 channel amps do you recommend for great sound quality? If possible please provide me the expected street price too.

3) Do I need a capacitor?

4) Which is the best place to mount the amp? There is some space under the front left seat. Will it do?

5) Any suggestions/recommendations as to the thickness of the MDF panels to be used for the subwoofer enclosure?

I know there are a lot of car audio gurus in there. Come on and help me out..

Thanks in advance
-jCube

[Sam Kapasi]

Good setup.

1) No. Bass will travel through, not required really.

2) There are a few options here. Please do not go in for a lower pwered or entry level 4 ch. amplifier

3) Not really. However it wont hurt to have a 1F capacitor. Do ot only if your budget permits it.

4) Yes it will. Or against the back of the back seat is better, more ventilation and out of harms way.

5) 0.75" MDF, braced. Inside your Subwoofer carton you will find dimensions for the box. Follow them to a T. Simple.

[jCube]

Wow.. thanks for the QUICK response and the "Good setup"
Sam, would you let me know the few 4ch amp options? I was looking strongly at the Alpine MRV F345. How good is it for the money? Its around 18K in TVM. How much is it in other cities?

[rsjaurr]

Great set-up except ur factory default speakers.Man,throw them to some nearby pond if they r some local made dhoom,yomato or x-plode spk
Sub is even better than speakers so will need great amplifier and not just VFM option to get the great SQ from this sub which i am sure is very much capable of.

Around 18-20k,I would look for tru-tech/audison mono amplifier if available in this price range.[PM Gunbir to confirm]
Alpine and JBL 300.1 r the other options.

As Sam said,go acc. to TS parameters for building sub box.If u like tight & punchy bass,then get the sealed one....u will like it.

BTW whats ur HU?

[hydrashok]

Hiyah, jCube, welcome to the ICE section!

1) A ported box on the boot will sound really good, without your having to cut the rear parcel shelf, or punch holes in it.

2) Here are 2 good options (4ch Amps):

a) JBL GTO 75.4
b) Audison LRx4.300

Both these should do justice to your Infinity Kappas. But I'm not sure if they will be able to feed your sub 250 rms.

Excellent choice on speakers, bro. And you definitely are on the right track (amping fronts and sub only, leaving the rear-fill for later). Make sure you spend a little on a good amp, so you will give the power input due to both your front comps and the sub. If you don't give them the power they need, you'll be wasting them.

I'm afraid I have no idea of the prices on these amps. Sam will be able to help you on deets on the JBL (email/PM him), and Gunbir (where areyou Paaaji?) will be able to help you on deets on the Audison (PM him).

I'm not sure if you will get Audison amps in TVM. I'm certain you will get the JBL amp there.

You could also PM JKDas for info on the dealer who did his JBL install in TVM. JK is our resident JBLfier :-) and TVM's premier JBL Evangelist. JK's not in TVM now, but I'm sure he can point you in the right direction. (JK's been missing for some time too. Where are you Bro? Bangalore?).

I'm afraid have no idea about the Alpine, so I can't help you. But there will be someone here who will give you the gyaan you need on the Alpine.

3) Uhhh... I'm not good at caps and wiring and electrical stuff. I think SAM has given you the info.

4) I second Sam's suggestion to mount the amp is on the back of your rear seat. (I have both my amps there). Under the front seat is fine, but there will be too much exposure to dust and potential splashing of water (from personal exprerience). Mount it behind the seat on the floor, and your passengers will step on it. And the dust & water issue is worse there. Behind the back seat in the boot is the BEST place.

5) Go with Sam's suggestion.

Enjoy your install and do let us know what you decided on (and it would be nice if you could post some pics).

[jCube]

Thanks rsjaurr Yes the rear factory defaults will be on their way out.. But for now I'm just experimenting.. To me, music is best enjoyed when its stereo. Surround gives you a different effect but I prefer visualizing a stage before me . As I'll be in the driver's seat all the time, a rear speaker will not benifit me much as far as a front soundstage is concerned.

My Infinity kappa 5.25s are doing a great job even without an amp in the mid & high freq range. I read in some reviews that they sing when they are amped. Cannot wait to hear the entire system with the 10.1 perfect too. Amp is eluding me. :(

I'm inclined to the Alpine MRV F345 but for the price. (18K in Tvm). I'm open to JBL too. I'm looking for 4ch models.

My HU is Pioneer DEH 6850

[rsjaurr]

oops....he asked for 4-ch amplifier and not mono..sorry mate.
I was only thinking of 300 wrms and forgot what u had asked for.

But still not many 4-ch amplifier would give u 300w rms power even in case of rear 2-ch r bridged.

[jCube]

Hi Hydrashok, Thanks for the warm welcome. I already feel at home in team-bhp on my very first day . Thanks for the amp contacts.. Sam & Gunbir. I'll get in touch with them after I research the options. I understand, that behind the back seat is the best place to install an amp as the other option(under the front seat) is prone to water and dust.

When I finally finish the install I'll post pics and probably write a mini review too on the amped kappas.

[hydrashok]

(Uhhh... edit time is over.)

jCube, the Audison LRx4.300 will feed your sub 210 watts RMS in bridged mode. Not exactly the 250 watts RMS you wanted :-). But I think you'll be hard pressed to find a 4ch amp that can put out that much (250 w RMS) from a bridged rear channel at around 20K.

[Sam Kapasi]

The GTO75.4 will do the job perfectly. Have used it before with this model subwoofer very succesfully.

[jCube]

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

The GTO75.4 will do the job perfectly. Have used it before with this model subwoofer very succesfully.

The spec for the amp says the max current draw is 85A. While the battery in my Accent is rated at max 84A. The is a minor difference. But given the fact that, the battery supplies juice to other electrical systems too, will there be any issues like dimming headlights, or a silent horn ?

Sam, in TVM is there a shop which you recommend, where I can get a fresh amp. Most car accessory shops here have just a single piece which they use in their demo vehicles and sell of to unsuspecting customers. I dont want to purchase a used amp.

Also, what length of speaker wire would I require to wire my front kappas, considering my amp will be placed in the boot?

Which brand of car speaker wire, available in India, is recommended for this application?

[low_bass_makker]

pioneer 944 can also be used to get 250 x 1 at 4 ohms which could be more if driven in 2 ohms....and rest of the two channels would be 75 x 2 at 4 ohms....which would do a fine job....and it costs nearly 13k for brand new but without b/w.................

[jCube]

Originally Posted by low_bass_makker

pioneer 944 can also be used to get 250 x 1 at 4 ohms which could be more if driven in 2 ohms....and rest of the two channels would be 75 x 2 at 4 ohms....which would do a fine job....and it costs nearly 13k for brand new but without b/w.................

Hi LBM, I just checked out your swift in www.sounddomain.com. Cool setup. Just wanted to know your opinion on the Alpine amps compared to the others available like Pionner 944 and JBL 75.4? What is the price of Alpine MRV F345? In some thread I read that the alpine amps available here are dupes. I really liked the bridged power - 300wrms

Thanks,
-Joseph

[Sam Kapasi]

Originally Posted by jCube

The spec for the amp says the max current draw is 85A. While the battery in my Accent is rated at max 84A. The is a minor difference. But given the fact that, the battery supplies juice to other electrical systems too, will there be any issues like dimming headlights, or a silent horn ?

Sam, in TVM is there a shop which you recommend, where I can get a fresh amp. Most car accessory shops here have just a single piece which they use in their demo vehicles and sell of to unsuspecting customers. I dont want to purchase a used amp.

Also, what length of speaker wire would I require to wire my front kappas, considering my amp will be placed in the boot?

Which brand of car speaker wire, available in India, is recommended for this application?

1. The car will be run with the alternator and charging system on. Secondly the MAX draw is 85A. on an average it will not need more than 25 to 40A. Don't worry about it.

2. The distributor for Kerala state is A.M. Distributors, based in Cochin. You can call Bashir 9388839596, he will guide you. Remember to tell him you are a my friend.
I don't think anyone in TVM will have a used amplifier, he may have one piece in a box, but you can voice your concerns to Bashir, I am sure he can help you.

3. Car speaker wires are not specifically made. You can buy many including monster (look out for fakes though) even a good indian cable 16 gauge will do the trick (also called 40/36) You will need about 5.5 metres per set so about 11m should do the trick.

[low_bass_makker]

Originally Posted by jCube

Just wanted to know your opinion on the Alpine amps compared to the others available like Pionner 944 and JBL 75.4? What is the price of Alpine MRV F345? In some thread I read that the alpine amps available here are dupes. I really liked the bridged power - 300wrms

the alpine is comparable to both JBL and pioneer....it all depends on the budget you are going to spend...the alpine are costing in the range of

545 b/w -> 29k
545 without b/w ->20k
345 b/w -> 19k
345 without b/w -> ????

I think go for JBL it is a very safe bet and will sound great......