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Which amp to buy? Very Confused - HELP

1227 Views 20 Replies 12 Participants Last post by  thehatedguy
The stereo stores I've been to are confusing me with which amp(s) to buy for my system. I've almost decided to try the install by myself.

Through some research I've got 4 amp combo's in mind that fit my budget. I need to know which set up would be best based on speaker output and the fact that some will be 2ohm and others will be 4 ohm.

Here is my set up

Front - ID CXS62 v2 (2 ohm)
Mids - ID OEM's (4 ohm) - running mids due to having the speaker panel already made for it
Sub - ID Q12D4v3 (DVC 4 ohm)

Here are the amp choices I am looking at

1. DLS A5 + DLS A2 - the A5 running at 2ohm to power the CXS (at 100W each)and the IDQ12 (at 500w). The A2 will run the OEM's at 4 ohm giving them 85W each.

2. JL Audio 450/4 v2 + 500/1 v2 - the 450/2 will be running at 2ohm to power the CXS (at 150W each) and the OEM's at 4 ohm giving them 75W each. The 500/1 will be running at 2 ohm giving the IDQ12 500w.

3. Arc Audio KS900.6 - the 900.6 will be running some channels at 2 ohm and some at 4 ohm. CXS62 will get (2ohm) 100w. The OEM's will get 60w (4ohm) and the IDQ12 will get 310w (2ohm)

4. DLS RA50 - the DLS RA50 will be running some channels at 2 ohm and some at 4 ohm. CXS62 will get (2ohm) 110w. The OEM's will get 70w (4ohm) and the IDQ12 will get 365W (2ohm)

Will the last two give the OEM's enough power and should I run an amp at 4 ohm and 2ohm loads?


Which amp selection will best suit my needs.

All advise is appreciated.

Thanks
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Anyone??
The stereo stores I've been to are confusing me with which amp(s) to buy for my system. I've almost decided to try the install by myself.

Through some research I've got 4 amp combo's in mind that fit my budget. I need to know which set up would be best based on speaker output and the fact that some will be 2ohm and others will be 4 ohm.

Here is my set up

Front - ID CXS62 v2 (2 ohm)
Mids - ID OEM's (4 ohm) - running mids due to having the speaker panel already made for it
Sub - ID Q12D4v3 (DVC 4 ohm)

Here are the amp choices I am looking at

1. DLS A5 + DLS A2 - the A5 running at 2ohm to power the CXS (at 100W each)and the IDQ12 (at 500w). The A2 will run the OEM's at 4 ohm giving them 85W each.

2. JL Audio 450/4 v2 + 500/1 v2 - the 450/2 will be running at 2ohm to power the CXS (at 150W each) and the OEM's at 4 ohm giving them 75W each. The 500/1 will be running at 2 ohm giving the IDQ12 500w.

3. Arc Audio KS900.6 - the 900.6 will be running some channels at 2 ohm and some at 4 ohm. CXS62 will get (2ohm) 100w. The OEM's will get 60w (4ohm) and the IDQ12 will get 310w (2ohm)

4. DLS RA50 - the DLS RA50 will be running some channels at 2 ohm and some at 4 ohm. CXS62 will get (2ohm) 110w. The OEM's will get 70w (4ohm) and the IDQ12 will get 365W (2ohm)

Will the last two give the OEM's enough power and should I run an amp at 4 ohm and 2ohm loads?


Which amp selection will best suit my needs.

All advise is appreciated.

Thanks

Damn! That is confusing. I'd probably go with option #2, but put the 75w on the CXS62's & the 150w on the OEM's.
I like #3 or 4
Damn! That is confusing. I'd probably go with option #2, but put the 75w on the CXS62's & the 150w on the OEM's.

Why do you prefer the Jl's over the DLS?

Just wondering....
I like #3 or 4

Which one out of the two and why?
Which one out of the two and why?
Then the dls ra50. It provides all the needed power to each of the components and has more power on the sub channel.

The id oems are a second set of midbass in the front doors or rear speakers?
Then the dls ra50. It provides all the needed power to each of the components and has more power on the sub channel.

The id oems are a second set of midbass in the front doors or rear speakers?
The OEM's are for the door. The car I bought already has door buildouts (for two 6.5") in them.

I realize that two 6.5" is a lot of midbass but it will have to do for now.
I like the idea of the single Arc the best. Any of your 4 choices would make a fine system. For me the Arc would be the cleanest set up, less to wire, less mess, less to go wrong.
Would the Arc provide enough power for the OEM's?
You have no overhead with the Arc but I bet its also a bit under rated in power. If your buying from a factory authorized dealer and worried its not enough power many times its possible to have factory mods done to increase power/SNR/THD. I have four Zapco DC reference amps that have had this done.
To really throw a wrench into your plans you might want to look at Zed Audio amps. Stephen Mantz the man behind Zed is recognized industry wide as one of the best amp makers in the business. Zed is supose to have a new 6 channel amp out that might be one of the best amps to hit the streets in years. Last I heard the price was going to be very good but I am not sure when/if its out yet. Would be worth looking into. I believe it was 150w per channel @4ohm
prob is zed dosent have any info yet as to its build... no dates yet or whatsoever... it could be months or simply a year or so till it comes up...
i'd go with dls... under rated clean power, and they look sexy :)
DLS RA50. One amp solution with enough power for what you want to do. Doesn't hurt they look good also.

Other thing you might look at is the Hertz HP5 not sure of the cost though.
It would do:
120w x 2 2ohm
80w x 2 4ohm
500w x 1 2ohm
You might want to look at Sundown amps as well.

I have not used them myself but I've read nothing but good things on CA.

Can anyone here chime in on Sundonw?
i'd go with dls... under rated clean power, and they look sexy :)
Which one...the RA50 or the A5 + A2 and why?

Arc or DLS
Again which one..the KS900, RA50 or A5+A2 and why?
Just get the 5-ch if you do DLS, you can get an A7 used here on the forum for a good deal in the clasifieds or there is a NIB RA50 on ebay for about $420 shipped, either will be a great amp
i would look into some db drive amps they are pretty good bro, i prefer over the brands u named, itd be worth taking a look
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