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just bought a 12" Pioneer sub but need help

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2.2K views 3 replies 4 participants last post by  shnitz  
#1 ·
I just bought a 12" Pioneer sub TS-W309D2 from Best Buy on sale for $40 thinking it was a good deal (was it? lol). it's a 400w rms 2ohms sub and I'm having a hard time deciding which amp to get. I understand adding just a sub, I should get a mono amp and from my noobish research, I've come up with two amps to choose from: the Kenwood KAC-8105D and the Alpine MRP-M500. both amps are similar in specs and I don't know which to choose or which one is better. are these even the right amps for me? are there any other amps I should be looking at? I'm just looking for a reasonably priced amp to properly handle the Pioneer. This will be connecting to my '12 Accord SE stock radio. any help would be appreciated, thanks :)

Links to specs:

Pioneer Specs

Kenwood Specs

Alpine Specs
 
#2 ·
#3 ·
Honestly don't think you can go wrong with either one they are pretty much spot on with each other on everything and both have speaker level inputs which is a definite plus seeing as your plugging into your stock stereo. So I'd say which ever one looks better to you go for it. Looking at that price range though I would go for a refurbished Xtant 600x1 amp on ebay instead. I have one and it is an excellent amplifier feels very solid and performs flawlessly, plus I love the looks (others have different opinions). Also allows for speaker level inputs like the two amps you mentioned.

XTANT 600X1 AMPLIFIER 600 WATT RMS CLASS D MONO VERY HIGH END FREE SHIPPING MTX | eBay
 
#4 ·
It was a good buy, but you shouldn't have bought a single subwoofer, if it's the DVC 2-Ohm version. Right now, your wiring options are either to wire it down to 1 Ohm (makes your amp generate a ton of heat, and many amps aren't 1-Ohm stable), or to wire it to 4 Ohms, but both amps you list make less power at 4 Ohms. You'll still be fine with "only" 300W going to the subwoofer, it's not like you'll hear a difference, but it's something to be aware of, that you need to be looking at the 4 Ohm rating, not the 2 Ohm. This amp, for example, has almost perfect power for your situation:
Amazon.com: JBL GTO7001 Grand Touring 700-Watt Mono Subwoofer Amplifier: Car Electronics
Or, you can get something like this Kicker, which is 1 Ohm stable and will give you more power:
Kicker DX500.1 (10DX500.1) Mono Class D Car Amplifier
This JBL gives you an extra 50W at 4 Ohms:
JBL GTO-501EZ Monoblock GTO Series Class D Car Amplifier

Or look in our hot deals section, threads like these:
http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/hot-deals/130683-nvx-amps-similar-specs-ppi-phantom.html
http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/hot-deals/132973-polk-refurbs-amps-subs-speakers.html

Edit: I haven't researched to see which of these have line-level inputs, or the best way for you to go around getting the subwoofer to interface with your stereo. I do know that those newer Accords have wonky setups. A friend of mine got a system wherein he kept the factory head unit, but had to get a secondary volume adjust installed. The new Hondas change the EQ as you change the volume. They cut bass output so that you don't blow your speakers jamming down the street, so I recommend going to some Accord forums and doing some research. If you just try and splice line-level off of the rear speakers, you may get bass cut as you turn up the volume.