The Phoenix Gold 500.4 isnt enough power. Its only 75x4 @ 4 ohms....

Soundstream 500.4s are 125x4 @ 4ohms. If you want a 4 channel, go Van Gogh

 

Only 75x4??? Depending on the speakers, that's enough to blow you out of the car. This isn't an SUV where the speakers are 8 feet away. They are barely 2-3 feet away. I've done DJ gigs in a Gym with 200w total and it was more than loud enough.

This is a small car, with an amazingly small volume of air to push around. I'd think a 75x4 would be plenty unless he wants to compete. What's the use if installing (and paying for) 500w of power if you keep the volume knob on "3" all the time because that's loud enough.

Maybe I'm just getting to old!

 

Why wouldn't 75x4 be enough power? I'd be running the mids and highs off two channels and most likely at 2 ohms, which usually increases the power. I'd bridge the 3rd and 4th channels for bass.

My PPI was 100x4, and it had plenty of juice.

Prior to that, I had an Eclipse 75x4, and although it was pretty good power, I blew it up! When I was getting ready to replace it, the shop suggested this same Phoenix Gold amp, but I decided to go to the PPI instead.

If the Phoenix Gold isn't enough power, then I'd rather go with the Zapco, as they make some nice amps that put out a helluva lot of power, usually more than the 75-100x4 that the amp is rated at.

Any other suggestions? I looked into Soundstream, but I'm not so sure there newer stuff is as good as the old amps.

And yes, I have checked out the various system thread and seen all the photos. So I've gotten some ideas and will look into some of the sub enclosures that were recommended.

Nate

 

Well, the 500Ti is not an excessive amount of power, but it all depends on the fronts and sub Nate chooses. And what Nate wants his system to do.

But I know for a fact that the PG Ti's are severely underrated. The actual output will closer to 90 watts per channel. And that is sufficient with efficient speakers. The Focal 165V2's are well suited for 75-90 watts per channel. Any more would be too much. Check the specs:Focal 165 V2
The Focal 165 K2 could use a bit more power, but the 500 Ti would work.

I would get a bigger amp with these babies:Focal165 K2P

More power = better sound, for sure. But as far as i can tell, this is not a competition car as far as audio is concerned.

If you feel that you need to have $500 speakers in your car, the PG500Ti is not the way to go. You will need more power. The same is true of upper tier subs, you will DEFINITELY need more power. But to have a great system in your car, that isn't outrageous, i feel that the 500Ti will be fine.

But it's not up to me, Nate, it is up to you.

 

Okay, I would like a competition sounding system, as I want as close to perfect as you can get with sound quality. But competition sounding systems don't have to have a huge amount of power. But it should be enough to be clean and clear, and loud as necessary.

I'm getting more confused now, as there are so many choices out there. You'd think it would be simple to put a system in the S2K. But the more I think about it, the more aggravated I get.

It's easier when a custom shop gives recommendations and actually puts something together that works well.

I saw many nice looking systems on the thread of everyone's cars. And some didn't seem too crazy as far as price of compenents.

I do want to have as much trunk space as possible. I want to keep my spare. I want to put a single 10" sub in the back, similar to what many others have done.

I want to mount my amp(s) on the side panels of the trunk, or to the sides of the sub (as many have done).

I like good sounding systems that have enough power to give clean sound and enough bass and volume as needed.

I prefer running a four-channel amp for the whole system, but if space is an issue and getting enough power is a problem, then maybe I need to have two amps so they will be smaller and be dedicated to mids/highs and bass.

I wouldn't mind having a competition type system, just in case I do a car or stereo show and want to have my car on display. Overall, I want the install to be clean with good asthetics, but it doesn't have to have glitzy lighting or specially made amp racks covered in plexi-glass, etc.

Aaaarrrggghhhh!!!!!

 

WillieGee, according to that site, the Phoenix Gold Ti500 does 150x4 at 2 ohms. This is how I'd run it. I'd think that would be enough power for both of the Focal mids/highs.

Or, I could go with Zapco!

Those are the two brands I trust the most and have heard good things about. I don't know about any other newer amps that are affordable and have the power/features I want.

As for sound quality, what mids/highs are recommended? I am thinking Focal or Boston Acoustics as my top two choices.

But I've heard good things about the Infinity's (I've never been a fan) and even the CDT Audio (never heard of them until today).

I JUST WANT HIGH QUALITY SOUND AND A KICKASS SYSTEM!

 

Take the speakers out for a test drive. Listen to the Infiniti's, Boston's and Focal's. Telling you what kind of speakers to buy is like telling you what kind of toppings you like on your pizza. So try 'em out.

While you are there, pick out a sub.

But, please, DON't buy it there! Esp. If you are installing them yourself.

Post your findings here and you will get a plethora of opinions and online venders at which to purchase. Use the suggested power ratings of the speakers you are buying to decide on the wattage of your amp. This way you will get adequate power for all your drivers. The more power, the better and the more expensive.

We need to know the sub you are getting before we decide on an appropriate amp/s.

Keep in mind that you are in a convertible and the difference between excessively great and generally great at 80 mph with the top down is negotiable. So, IMHO, don't go totally nuts with it, unless you absolutely have to and you can fund it.

 

Funding: ~$2,000 total (Ideally: $1,500)

Sub? I have no clue. I only know JL, TREO and Kicker. The ones that other S2K owners are using are subs I've never heard of (or heard personally). So I have no clue.

I just know that I want to do a 10" sub in the trunk in a custom box like many others have done.

Suggestions?

I'll start looking around for some stuff, including prices and post here.

I'll need to start listening to some speakers to find out what I'll like best.

 

If I wanted a sub that would pound, and give good sound quality, and cost was a factor, I'd be looking Eclipse Aluminum. Reasonable power requirements, and it sounds VERY good. Few people will disagree. Very, very hard to go wrong with an Eclipse sub in either the Aluminum or Titanium.

 

get the eclipse deck i have 8443, set of boston pros like i have and a decent sub and amp, i think a jl amp would be perfect and a jl 10w6. If you are looking for a 8v deck, I may sell mine for an alpine due to the fact that i want my xm integrated now lol.