Used to own some Zapco amplifiers that worked pretty well. Apparently the chief design guy (Robert Zeff) from Zapco moved onto ARC. Noticed the ARC amplifiers at a local stereo shop. Very compact (class D & H) with decent looking specs. Very similar sizes:

XDI 804 (Class D):

4 Channels @ 4 Ohms - 80 Watts

Amp Dimensions 8.125"(L) x 6.5"(W) x 2.25"(H)


KSM1253BX2 (Class H):

Power @ 4 Ohms 2 Channels x 70 Watts
Amp Dimensions 8.25"(L) x 4.8"(W) x 1.7"(H)

I'm rather focused on the dimension spec. Has anyone tried a similar sized AMP? I was going to try and see if it would fit underneath the passengers seat. The AMP would drive 6.5" Dynaudio speakers up front and keep the small headrest speakers hooked up to the head unit. The Class H seems to have a leg up when it comes to sound quality. The Class D is handier for driving more power.

Any feedback is welcome!

thanks,

Gizmofreak

 

I think the only amp that Robert Zeff designed under the ARC brand is the ARC Signature Edition Series... Other ARC series are rebranded US Amps... And ppl do say ARC SE are better than Zapco...


FYI I am using the ARC SE2075 right now, and I have just compared with the JL HD900/5. All I can say JL HD being a Class D amp sounds really good, almost as good as the ARC SE. So if size matters I will look into the JL HD series.


Also ARC do sell direct from their website, I think you might be able to get better price from here. http://store.arcaudio.com/

 

I have an ARC Audio Mini KS 125.2 under my passenger seat.. it's pretty snug

Size: 8.25(L) x 4.8" (W) x 1.7"(H)

 

hi afzan,

I actually hail from Ottawa. Used to cruise down to Toronto from time to time. Nice town. Living in Texas now after touring the US West Coast.

Thanks for your response. How did you wind up mounting the Mini KS 125.2? What speakers are you driving with it? How does it sound??

Any interference between the AMP and the seat? Like when you are moving the seat back and forth? Does the bottom of the seat contact with the AMP when you get a "big person" sitting down?

thanks,

Gizmo

 

I have it driving my passenger footwell sub and it sounds good to me (for a car), I do have a giant home stereo but I don't like the attention a super loud car stereo attracts. I have the alpine KTP-445 driving my door speakers (hidden behind the passenger dash panel). The arc mini is just sitting under the seat and doesn't move around much, it does barely touch/rub the seat in some spots.

I'm going to tear apart my interior as soon as I can have some time to sound deaden my interior (quietcar) and I'm going to reevaluate how to mount it a bit better at that time

hope that helps, I bet you don't miss the winters!

 

Think I might opt with the passenger panel for fitting the Arc Audio amp. No immediate plans of fitting a sub. I will upgrade the amp and speakers and see what it sounds like then. Already ripped out the stock head unit.

Was the "passenger panel" amp install easy?

I miss the summers! Dallas (work here) had 82 days of over 100 degrees F last summer. Not fun. Summer top-down driving is done either first thing in the morning or evening time.

cheers,

Gizmo

 

I doubt you'll be able to fit a real amp behind the dashboard panel, the KTP-445 is a tiny piggy back amp for my alpine deck

 

How about on top of the fuel tank?

I have a JL250/1 in there (see my sig for pics) but obviously potential heat issues need to be considered.