I have had the most bizarre experience. After reading tons of stuff on amps, subs, etc., I had decided to upgrade my stock '02 system like this:

Keep stock HU
Add 2 blaupunkt amps, one for the fronts and one for a rear sub
Add JL Stealthbox sub
Evaluate upgrading front components depending on cost of above, possibly delay this for Phase II, at which time I'll probably add a new HU as well

So I went to two different Blaupunkt dealers, as I want to have the install done by someone. At both dealers, they told me, "Well, you really don't want those amps, you will be much happier with this amp ..." and steered me to some other traditional style amp. Even after I explained that the reason I wanted the Blau's specifically was due to the fact that they will fit under the seat and seem to push enough power, they both said they felt I wouldn't be happy with them.

I am really stumped about why they are doing this. The JL Stealthbox wants 300W continuous, so there are a couple of the blaupunkt amps that should provide that. What gives? Do you think they are getting marketing incentives on other brands and not making as much on the Blau's? The two Blau's would cost more than one of the other types of amps, so I would be spending more money ...

Now I'm considering just ordering the Blau amps online and paying an installer to install and tune ...

 

They are probably just being honest. I have never heard good things about their amps. The only thing they have going for them is size IMO.

 

What exactly happens with a "bad" amp? Poor sound clarity? Lower power than advertised?

 

I've also heard that they stay cool and are a little underrated...

I was considering one for a while but ended up going with an Autotek

 

Yep, add to that list poor reliability, bad warranty service, etc.

 

Reliability/Durability are probably most important to me...

 

If you're talking about the "plastic" Class T (Tri-path) amps, they have been discontinued due to reliability problems. It looks like your dealer was being honest.

 

Wow...really? I hadn't heard about that...thank God I arbitrarily picked the Autotek

So AlgaeHater, heard any bad things about the Autotek Street Machine series?

 

Autotek used to make decent products back in the late '80s, early 90s (one of the first manufacturers to mass produce low impedance compatible, high current ams). Leading up to its aquisition in 1999 by Millenium Electronics, the brand has gone downhill. I hate to tell you this but Autotek amps have remained basically unchained (internally) for many years and are (in my humble opinion) comparable to most mid-price equipment on the market today. Despite the retail prices, IT IS NOT high end equipment. I've met and talked with Autotek's one man "engineering team."

If you can get an amp for a reasonable price (40-50% off MSRP), they're not bad. At minimum advertised prices (~10%-20% off MSRP) they're waaayyy overpriced. Millenium Electronics also manufacturers G&S design products (absolute junk).

Algae

 

Yikes!

I got the SX-4160 for just under the price of a Blaupunkt PA-4100...both were 4 x 100w @ 4 ohms but the SX-4160 was rated a bit higher when bridged (320w to 300w) and it was a little less pretty (read "less likely to attract those damn thieves around here") and it was still pretty small...

SX-4160: 10.25" x 2.5" x 12.75"
PA-4100 w/o cover: 9" x 1.8" x 7.5"

Dang...so say they all cost the same and say also that I have an S2000...which would have been the best between the SX-4160, the PA-4100, or the Hifonics Z8000?