First up the usual packaging. The box is nicer then the usual car audio box we see. It opens up like a treasure chest and the packaging is simple with just a bit of foam to keep the amp secure.
When looking at the amp, I find it to be a particularly handsome design. Simple black anodized heat sync. I love these small foot print rectangular shape amps. A lot of people like the square shape that fits under a seat, but I find if you want to hide an amp anywhere else, the rectangle is the way to go.
So lets look at the specs.
120 x 4 rms @ 4ohms(ClassAB) and 800rms x 1@ 1 ohm(classD).
That's a lot of power for such a small package. I included the audio precision PDF files for the NX4 and the N2 (the NX5 is basically those 2 amps in the same chassis). As you can see it's pretty much right on. Of course the 2ohm rating for the multi channel part is more of a "peak" rating and is not realistic at all, however I don't particularly care about that since I use them at 4ohms.
Lets look at the guts, we all love that.
I was a bit worried about how these would end up working day to day, being class AB and such a small chassis.These amp I am told have protection if they overheat. I have not witnessed overheating though so I can't talk about that part. I didn't have them during the hottest part of the summer. They do get hot to the touch after a bit of playing time. I can easily tell what side is the AB side and what side is the class D hehe.
So what are my impressions? They are SMALL the biggest is the 5 channel at only 15" x 5.5" x 2.1". Ever since small foot print amps have been made available I go crazy for them. I have used -in the small amp category- sony xm-4s and xm1s as well as the planet audio BB75.4 and 175.4 and I prefer these by far. The nx4 and nx2 are ridiculously small, one could easily fit one per door bridge for dedicated midbases. The noise floor is lower then the sony and the PA amps, and I didn't find those bad in the noise department. I have not had any engine whine either. This makes me a happy camper.
Power wise,subjectively I feel I am getting more power then with the sony's (rated at 50 x 4) and similar to the BB amps(140 x 4). OF course the PDF's show exactly what one gets when buying these amps. Rarely will a company provide this type of info on their products.
I also got the stacking hardware for these and the base knob. The RBK is a boost centered at 50hz that I have not used yet and I haven't tried the stacking yet either. These went right in the car and were put to good use.
The xovers and gain knobs have detents or clicks which I really like. Unfortunately massive has not "normalized" or averaged the clicks to set points. So when setting them one has to go by ear as it really is a guess. One thing I don't like is the front channels on the nx5 and nx4 can only by all pass or high pass, no low pass and the rears can't be band passed.... but that's nitpicking as most amps don't offer this especially in this regardless of foot print. Also the RBK and stacking kits have to be bought separately.
I started originally with these bridged to the massive ck6 stage 3 set and boy it got loud and those mids shook the car without problems. These tiny amps deliver the goods.
Usually I am always looking at changing amplifiers, trying to find better or smaller. But really, it doesn't get any smaller and they are powerful enough to satisfy my requirements fully (And then some). I bought a pair of the NX5's and they take up almost no room and I get a total of 10 freaking channels in a 15" x 5.5" x 4ish" foot print that can be stacked vertically or horizontally.
I really didn't think I would be able to get such a nice small foot print 5 channel with a powerful sub channel, but these fit the bill nicely.
Big thumbs up on my end.
Also a note about the customer service at Massive audio. Their forum is full of positive experiences , but I have to say that it is the best service I have ever received bar none. Not to mention they have some of their techs on their sites forum to give advice and opinions.
Positives:
-Handsome, simple design (These are really nice in person)
-Tiny foot print
-Big power
-bridgeable (some small foot print amps aren't)
-1ohm stable (sub channel) I know many prefer not to run at 1ohm, I personally run them at 2ohm and feel I get enough power, but I like the flexibility aspect.
-stackable
-optional base knob
-All the latest protection circuitry one would expect
-The speaker terminals can handle big speakerwire and the metal "clamp" and screw can't be completely unscrewed making it easy to stuff huge wires in there.
-All power and speaker terminals require the same Philips head to tighten and un-tighten.
Negatives:
-limited xovers
-amps don't come with RBK
Thank you for posting this review. I appreciate that you waited until you had used the amps a few months. I've been wondering why there is so little discussion on this forum about these amps.
I had one channel go out on one of the nx5's. It started making noises after the amp warmed up. Pretty strange. Sent it back to massive for fixing. they didn't give me any troubles. Haven't gotten it back yet. I miss it already.
Never had any reliability problems out of the HD1600.4 I used/reviewed. And it powered everything from tweets, mids, midbass, to a pair of 12's. Seemed rock solid from what I could tell. Still going strong too running a 6.5" mid and 1" tweet in one of my other cars.
MECA Judge for California
Team DIYMA, Zuki Audio, and Stereo Integrity member
HEre you can see the terminals where it is particularity easy to use , you can't unscrew the screw and square metal plate completely since there is a plastic part keeping it from popping out completely, so feel free to unscrew it completely and jam in huge wire. Not using disconnects has never been so easy hehe.
8awg wire
Below you can see ALL terminals use the same philips screw... I am in love.
Of course one never wants to over tight since the it seems like it would be challenging to swap out new screws.
I'd say so but not because I sell Massive audio but they are very nice made Class A/B amps.. do rated power and sound great.
I swap a 800.4 against my Tru 2.250 and then my older Tru 4.150 and I was like wow power is there!!! I only used gains 1/2 or below ~
then wire the 800.4 to a Dual 4 ohmsub and was very impressed ....
I have used the Clarion and a few other amps that are Class D and Class G they are great amps at a great price point but they suck compared to this Class A/B
If they only made a real Class A
TEAM BOTTLEHEAD - U-DIMENSION - TEAM MUSEE - TEAM PHD
Do these amps really do their rated power? the hd1600 claims 800 x 2 bridged @ 4 ohms. That's insane at that price point
^I included the freakin power measurements for them. So the advertised 2ohm rating from what we can see from the graphs is at a really high 10% THD so the 2ohm rating is more of a peak rating.
As for their HD series... search for it there are a couple of big threads, basically they(the multi channels, not the mono's) are over rated and won't make advertised as admitted by the massive rep.
^I included the freakin power measurements for them. So the advertised 2ohm rating from what we can see from the graphs is at a really high 10% THD so the 2ohm rating is more of a peak rating.
As for their HD series... search for it there are a couple of big threads, basically they are over rated and won't make advertised as admitted by the massive rep.
ok, so if they DONT make rated, what % of rated do they typically make?
... and are the THD numbers accurate, or is that out the window?
^I included the freakin power measurements for them. So the advertised 2ohm rating from what we can see from the graphs is at a really high 10% THD so the 2ohm rating is more of a peak rating.
As for their HD series... search for it there are a couple of big threads, basically they are over rated and won't make advertised as admitted by the massive rep.
I missed that
Quote:
Originally Posted by DAT
I'd say so but not because I sell Massive audio but they are very nice made Class A/B amps.. do rated power and sound great.
I swap a 800.4 against my Tru 2.250 and then my older Tru 4.150 and I was like wow power is there!!!
then wire the 800.4 to a Dual 4 ohmsub and was very impressed ....
I have used the Clarion and a few other amps that are Class D and Class G they are great amps at a great price point but they suck compared to this Class A/B
Yeah, I was also told my Jon @ Tru Tech. that the Tru Sledge Hammer $3500 I used to own back in 2008 was a bit over rated.. it did put out power but not exactly what was rated... but then again who cranks the gains more than 1/2 and distorts the sound? I personally set up my amps with a scope and usually they are never over 30% up.
69.1% Efficiency @ 4 W (Full Power)
T.H.D.: < 0.1%
4 ohm RMS: 2,000W x 1
2 ohm RMS: 3,000W x 1
1 Ohm RMS: 4,000W x 1
Thanks for the info again AAAAAAA !!!
TEAM BOTTLEHEAD - U-DIMENSION - TEAM MUSEE - TEAM PHD
interesting that they over rate the amps, makes u wonder how the speakers are as well
You can worry if you want but these do rated Rms 2 4 ohms but like most amps on the market these really only do about 200 rms 2 ohms instead of 240W rms...
If your worried about the Ck6 don't buy them I got shit loads of buyers waiting for the next batch.. and everyone is extremely happy..
All the Nano series amps I have sold, the guys love them as well as I do.
I've had guys switch from JL HD900/5 all class D to a NX5 ( 4 channels class A/B ) and a Class D mono channel and say they sound better than the JL.
if they didn't sound good do you think he would still have these installed in his nice car???
TEAM BOTTLEHEAD - U-DIMENSION - TEAM MUSEE - TEAM PHD
You can worry if you want but these do rated Rms 2 4 ohms but like most amps on the market these really only do about 200 rms 2 ohms instead of 240W rms...
If your worried about the Ck6 don't buy them I got shit loads of buyers waiting for the next batch.. and everyone is extremely happy..
All the Nano series amps I have sold, the guys love them as well as I do.
I've had guys switch from JL HD900/5 all class D to a NX5 ( 4 channels class A/B ) and a Class D mono channel and say they sound better than the JL.
if they didn't sound good do you think he would still have these installed in his nice car???
calm down pal, i was just saying.
people cry all the time when main stream gear is overrated and whatnot, but its massive can i not comment and say its interesting?
lets not point out too that he had to get it repaired...
interesting that they over rate the amps, makes u wonder how the speakers are as well
Help yourself if you want to pay more and get less, but I sleep well at night knowing the steal I got on the Ck6 speakers. I get no compensation, discount, or anything else for saying good things about my speakers; I just believe in telling people about a great deal when I see one.
I look forward to some other recent buyers posting their opinions. I don't imagine there will be a lot of bad things to say...
Who gives a fuck, I can't hear above 15kHz anyway... Wtf????? Where this shyt com from?? Nd why the Hell they point u out??? Who told u.this? Dats Fukn childish kvndoom will become famous soon enough
massive audio nano amplifiers NX5 (NX4 + N2) Review
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