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Best sounding high-power 4ch class D under $1k

  • ESX QE900.4

  • AD ADK1200.4

  • Focal FDP 4.600

  • Hertz Mille ML Power 4

  • Diamond HX600.4

  • Ground Zero GZRA 4HD

  • MMATS HiFi-6150D

Amp Showdown: Battle of the High Power, Class D, SQ-oriented 4ch's under $1k

18K views 55 replies 27 participants last post by  Fizzy  
#1 ·
I've been eyeing the miniDSP CDSP 8x12 DL for a while, and implementing that means moving on from my current Amp/DSP combo unit. I'll need a 4ch amp to pair with the CDSP for my active 2-way front stage. I've curated a shortlist of small-footprint, high power amps that I consider middle tier - somewhere in the $500-1000 range. I'm looking for a minimum of 125Wx4 into 4ohm or 200Wx4 into 2ohm.

Please let me know what you think will sound best and why! Or, if there's something I left off the list, please add a comment.

Choices are:

Model$RMS 4ohmRMS 2ohmW in.D in.
ESX QE900.4655150225116.5
AD ADK1200.489922034011.87.5
Focal FDP 4.600849150200107.7
Hertz Mille ML Power 474912025011.46.7
Diamond HX600.484916025011.97.7
Ground Zero GZRA 4HD59917527510.67.3
MMATS HiFi-6150D114915025010.49.5
 
#3 ·
Good question, no, I don't require class D. But I am looking for something compact (which I loosely defined as less than 12" in either direction). I think that pretty much rules out A/B, including the SI you suggested (which is 16.5" long). Thanks for the suggestion though!! Those are nice looking amps.
 
#5 ·
Not on your list, but I would suggest the JL HD 600/4. I've tried a lot of amps but these keep going back in. GB60/15 combo. 750/1 for sub duty.

Plenty of power if you like it loud. I also like that it's "their" design, not just another rebadged amp.

They also hold their value and sell quick if you ever want to change.
 
#16 ·
Thanks for the feedback and ideas everyone! Kind of interesting that more people are suggesting amps that are not on the list, than those that are.



Thanks yea I looked at that but I don't like that it doesn't have a gain setting. It seems to be specific to the line voltage for Harleys.

The arc audio x2 600.4 ticks all the boxes as well. Controls on the top and speaker plugs. I’ve had two focal 900.6/6.900s (bigger brother) and it takes a lot of line input voltage to get the output (Or high gains, but it gets noisy above like 1/4 gain). Nice looking amp though, I like the angled terminals and the two mounting options.
I had the X2 600.4 on the list but took it off because it only does 150W@2ohm.

There's a reason why the MMATS amp is more expensive than all others...
If you must have a Class D, and you are set on that list of options; then it would be the 'go to'.

I currently have a handful of Audison Class D amps (which I'm likely going to sell soon), that you may also want to consider:

I've owned the MMATS amps, and they are monsters. 100% recommend them.
I've also owned the Focal FPD amps. They sound great, until you really crank them... then they crap the bed.

The Audison's that I currently have, are very nice. No complaints. I'm ditching them, because I just got a pair of Brax amps.
I've been back on forth on the MMATS. There are lots of ppl who love it. Some things that are holding me back are the fan and the cheap RCA connections. Also there is something about their online presence that bothers me. The website is terrible, and there are inconsistencies in the info online and in manuals. That type of stuff induces skepticism.

Thanks for the SR 4.500 suggestion. That one came to attention after starting this thread. Definitely fits the bill.

Great feedback on the Focal, thank you!!

Is the Alpine X-A70F in the mix at $799 msrp? No experience with the newer X series, but I loved my PDX V9.
Small footprint, plenty of power 120 x 4 @4 or 175 x 4 @2 (thou the PDX birth sheets usually showed a higher actual test output)
Solid rep for being built well and longevity.
I hadn't considered that one...

Agree that the XM-GS4 are really great amps regardless of the lowish cost. But the OP asked for amp suggestions with 125+ watts x 4 @ 4-ohms. And I'm fairly certain that it's a Class A/B topology as well.
Class D isn't a necessity, I just thought it was inevitable given most A/B have a larger footprint at this power level. But yea that's less power.
 
#10 ·
The arc audio x2 600.4 ticks all the boxes as well. Controls on the top and speaker plugs. I’ve had two focal 900.6/6.900s (bigger brother) and it takes a lot of line input voltage to get the output (Or high gains, but it gets noisy above like 1/4 gain). Nice looking amp though, I like the angled terminals and the two mounting options.
 
#11 ·
So by "amp shpwdown". do you mean you are going to buy all these amps and test them out and let us know what they are all about? Or are you just looking to buy an amp for your system? In which case isn't this just another what amp should i buy thread?
 
#13 ·
There's a reason why the MMATS amp is more expensive than all others...
If you must have a Class D, and you are set on that list of options; then it would be the 'go to'.

I currently have a handful of Audison Class D amps (which I'm likely going to sell soon), that you may also want to consider:

I've owned the MMATS amps, and they are monsters. 100% recommend them.
I've also owned the Focal FPD amps. They sound great, until you really crank them... then they crap the bed.

The Audison's that I currently have, are very nice. No complaints. I'm ditching them, because I just got a pair of Brax amps.
 
#14 · (Edited)
Is the Alpine X-A70F in the mix at $799 msrp? No experience with the newer X series, but I loved my PDX V9.
Small footprint, plenty of power 120 x 4 @4 or 175 x 4 @2 (thou the PDX birth sheets usually showed a higher actual test output)
Solid rep for being built well and longevity.
 
#18 ·
I don't think you could go wrong with the MMATS.
Have you looked at Biketronics? I think they can make those with gain controls, you'd have to call to find out.
 
#20 ·
I don't think you could go wrong with the MMATS.
Have you looked at Biketronics?
Yea someone recommended them earlier in the thread. The only model with gain control is $1000, and at that point I'd just go with the MMATS.

Do you have experience with Biketronics? How does that work without gain control? What are your thoughts on the gain rollback feature (when not used with a Harley)?
 
#19 ·
Really appreciate that feedback @JimmyDee !! It's valuable coming from someone who has used more than one model on the list. Have you used anything else on the list besides the MMATS 6150 and Audison SR 4.500?

Maybe I'll reach out to David to see if there are dealers in my area. That portion of their site will not load for me.
 
#24 ·
Really appreciate that feedback @JimmyDee !! It's valuable coming from someone who has used more than one model on the list. Have you used anything else on the list besides the MMATS 6150 and Audison SR 4.500?
Ya... like I mentioned in my previous post:
I've also owned the Focal FPD amps. They sound great, until you really crank them... then they crap the bed.
 
#23 ·
Wow awesome post @bbfoto thank you for taking the time!

I have to admit I'm in the camp you are describing. I doubt a bike amp would sound great, the shoddy website is not confidence-inspiring, etc. But posts like your do help me get over those hesitations. That said I don't really care what the amp looks like.

Option to add gain control is cool. And even cooler that he will mod it for new scenarios.
 
#26 ·



This one had great results on the dyno with Big D Wiz. I have yet to install it so I can’t say how well the sound quality is. But the footprint is within what you are looking for, about 12” by 8” and the price is reasonable.
 
#28 ·

These are even smaller, 7” by 5.5” and put out plenty of power as well. They’re just more expensive.
 
#30 ·
If you're looking for a competitor to the mmats, maybe check out the arc series 1000.6 (can be had with or without built in dsp)

 
#32 ·
Thanks yea I looked at Arc but that's 15.5". I'd have to get creative to make that fit, if it would.

Voting based off the list, I would be for the ESX or the Mmats, both are going to be the best quality. You cannot go wrong with either, well built, great sound quality for class D, good thermal handling, and always underrated.
I do like the ESX but saw that it's only 50-70% efficient, which is pretty poor for class D :(

I did hit up David at MMATS and he confirmed that the fans have been swapped out for quieter models but there isn't a dealer in my area.

In other news, we started demo in our bathroom for a DIY remodel over the weekend and found black mold. So that's been fun to deal with. Also I parked my car on the street last night (garage space occupied with new vanity and tub on pallets for the bathroom project). Someone hit my car overnight and didn't leave a note.
 
#31 ·
Voting based off the list, I would be for the ESX or the Mmats, both are going to be the best quality. You cannot go wrong with either, well built, great sound quality for class D, good thermal handling, and always underrated.
 
#37 ·
I have a Mmats 6150 that David did what he calls a 2k upgrade last March, including the new 9 blade fan.
Can you elaborate on that? Just curious.
 
#39 ·
Keep in mind they recently increased prices to, if you can find bnib at $750 jump on it and SNCTMPL is an excellent seller and all around great guy. I vote work out a deal with him and end the search and get ready to smile every time you start your vehicle.
 
#40 ·
$850 is a VERY reasonable price for that MMATS 6150, provided it's not all banged up.
 
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