Hey-

I went to Best Buy to purchase an amp for a friend of mine (she is clueless). She has 2 Rockford Fosgatte HE-2 Punch subs (800W peak, 400W RMS, 4 ohm each). We were told by the who was in the audio department that we cannot buy a mono amp, because the speakers are not 2 ohm. He said that we would have to buy a 2-channel amp, then bridge it, in order for the amp to not overwork and fry itself (which is what he said would happen with the mono amp).

We are looking at the Pioneer GM-5100T. It claims 380W RMS @ 4-ohms. This is the best claim that is within our price range (its only $160).

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?sk...d=1099388426171

I was wondering if the guys @ Best Buy were blowing smoke up my ass about the mono amps and whether Pioneer pushes "good" amperage? The guy also told me that there is no uniform way that controls the Watt claims by the manufacturers, and that Alpine is usually under rated (pushes more than claimed) and some push less (sony). If this is true, does Pioneer push good or bad?

 

The new ranger pioneer amps have ratings on them which are in conjuntion with CEA 2006.. Bascially means that these are accurate ratings for the consumer to go by.. check out the CEA website for further information

 

Thank you much....

The CEA rating is the same as the Pioneer claim. Guess it means they push "true" watts. I think if I get the amp I am going to order it from etronics.com, as they only want $99 for the amp and $20 for the install kit (4G).

thanks

John

 

a good friend works for pioneer corporate,

with that said, try to find a different amp. thier new line is garbage.

 

thanks for the heads up. any suggestions? Is Phoenix Gold any good? Infinity? Sony?

 

I've got phoenix gold in my car right now. couldn't be happier.

Infinity is also good quality.

There's better than sony.

old pioneer amps are just fine, but they cut many corners on thier new line. It's a huge headache for the company and thier consumers. just figured i'd let you know since you asked.

 

thanks again.

I am still looking at the Pioneer. Other people on other sites seem happy. I will do a LOT more research now that you have told me about the problems. Any in particular? I am looking at the GM-5100T. I think it is last year's model, as it is is a sale item at Best Buy. I have read reviews on etronics.com and 5 people like them. I will do a specific search for problems, though.

If this turns out to be bad, I will go with Infinity (cheaper anyways).

thanks again.

John

 

200% markup at bestbuy.

 

the guy at best buy is a retard. that amp will NOT work for your application.
if you've got two 4 ohm subs -- you'll want to wire them in parallel for a 2 ohm load. (only other option is series for an 8 ohm load) that Pioneer amp is only stable when bridged at a 4 ohm load.
it will not work for what you need....
and at 380 Wrms, it's just not making enough power to drive both of those subs.

not to mention @ $160, you're almost paying MSRP for it.



mono amps will work fine. just fine an amp that can output in the 500-800 Wrms range @ 2 ohms for 1 channel.




which infinity are they steering you towards? if it's the 7520a, it is ALSO not stable at 2 ohms when bridged mono, and doesn't output enough for those subs.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Mz0O6Sxq326/c...108R7520A&g=110


what's your budget? $200?

 

if you're comfortable w/ etronics, i've been doing some looking there...

this Phoenix Gold fits your needs:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Mz0O6Sxq326/c...130&I=218OCR801
priced at $235 at etronics
http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?stk_co...tore=&catid=307
it's making 600 Wrms @ 2 ohms x 1 channel.