Ok, well, Ill try the tri-mode first, if that doesnt work, Ill get that Alpine. But I do plan on running the e8a and Wlaurents box. So just to make sure I order the right thing, this sub is the Elemental Designs e8A.44 correct? And will 200 watts rms suffice?
gmoore

 

ok... let's hold on for just a few moments... until just recently, i didn't know you were seriously considering the e8a.44 - so i hadn't been watching for this...

the e8a.44 is the correct speaker, however it is a dual voice coil 4 ohm speaker... meaning you'll have to wire it in parallel for a 2 ohm load... we need to make sure that the amps that you're looking at can handle a 2 ohm mono load...

if they can then 200 Wrms should suffice. but, the Alpine amp does not look to be 2 ohm stable on the sub channel. so, if you're very seriously wanting to use the Alpine, you might need another sub other than the e8a. and if you're wanting the e8a, you'll need a different amp other than the Alpine option.

also, the Alpine amp is actually a 5 channel amp -- are you planning to use rear speakers?

an amp like this Kicker is stable at 2 ohms on the sub channel (producing close to 400 Wrms as well...)

this Xtant is also a sweet amp w/ a great reputation... it is stable to 2 ohms on the sub channel as well...

i'm not the buffest out there on amps, so you might want to ask around, but i feel confident that both of these amps tote a good reputation and a solid sound quality.

 

Well, I already bought the e8a, so thats the sub Im going for. I was only interested in the Alpine because thats the first one I knew of to power my sub and mids. However, I guess the tri-mode definatly wont work now, so Im just gonna have to order an amp also. I want it to fit in the well in the bottom of the floor, and the current Visonik one does, with measurements, 3.25" x 12.625" x 20.875" (H W L) , while the Kicker is 2-3/8"H x 16-5/8"W x 9-9/16"L . Its much wider, but not as long. So I guess it should fit in the trunk well, correct? And is doesnt anyone know if these amps sound clean?
gmoore

 

http://www.ikesound.com/product-product_id/1281

Theres another option, atleast this would get me up and running immediatly. Plenty of power also. Im gonna go talk to them and see if they think I can clean up my mids alittle more, if they dont think so, then maybe Ill just stick to this mono Alpine. Or I could just get that amp, as well as this amp,
http://www.ikesound.com/product-product_id/1283 and have everything done well. Do you think the newer series of Alpine amps are worth the extra money?
gmoore

 

first, i fixed the link on the Xtant amp.

well, if you've got the e8a, i think you've made a good decision but the 5 channel Alpine won't work. the Visonik might work in tri-mode since it is a 2 ohm mono stable amp, but if i were in your shoes, i'd replace it or get something else for the sub. still, if you've got a patient installer or some time on your hands -- you could easily setup the tri-mode yourself and give it a whirl.. just be sure to disable all your crossovers (except the passive coil on the sub).

that Kicker amp should fit into the well... i know my amps are close to 13"+ inches long and at least 10" wide and i have them side by side in the well - so the well should be more than 13" wide and over 20" long. i seem to recall dimensions at the base of the well were 15" x 22"... but don't quote me on that without letting me measure first...

regarding sound quality...

i have a Kicker ZR-240 amp (an older model) and it's a super clean amp even if a bit inefficient. the KX models are supposed to be more efficient than the ZR's were, but not as under rated, and they are still clean amps. mgiang7 had one that he really liked. the Kicker should make a little better than the numbers they have shown on the sites...

the Xtant amps are also supposed to be very high quality amps w/ great sound... and i linked you to a thread where a number of people talked and recommended the Xtant amp... considering it normally runs for $800, and they are on sale for $240, i've considered buying one myself.

if i were you, i'd try to buy from www.sounddomain.com and have them price match from ikesound. www.sounddomain.com is manufacturer authorized and they have great customer service. whereas www.ikesound.com doesn't have the same reputation. sounddomain don't sell Alpine though...

the Alpine mono amp doesn't look like a bad deal, nor does the other 2 channel -- but for the $250 they would cost you.... you can get other amps that are just as flexible and are both fan cooled... not to mention, the V-power Alpine line is their low cost line... the V-12 series in my experience is much nicer... i'm not saying the Kicker and the Xtant are your only options... but in my honest opinion -- the Kicker KX amp is a better amp than the Alpine V-Power. now, compared to the V-12? i'm not as sure... but then you're spending more money...

if you wanted to price match the Kicker amp, here's the url at sounddomain: http://www.sounddomain.com/sku/KIC02KX5503 just copy the ikesound url and click the 105% price match button on sound domain and paste the ikesound URL in... they should get back to you very quickly... you'll probably get the price match, plus and additional 5% lower... (so around $255 to $260) plus, i think Sound Domain is doing free shipping on that amp... not sure if you'll get that too though...

 

The Kicker sounds ridiculous with its specs, especially for the price. The Xtant honestly doesnt seem that impressive. My dilemma now is that the Visonik is starting to sound better, as I tune it more, so its getting harder for me to get rid of it. The problem is, if I decide to keep it, and buy the Alpine sub amp, and am not happy with it, then Im out even more, when I could have just got the Kicker in the first place. Which do you think I should do? Just bite the bullet and go for the kicker, or see if the Alpine amp sub will work?
gmoore

 

well, the Kicker is a pretty potent amp, but it's normally $450 at most places... i'm not sure why ikesound has it for so cheap, but generally speaking -- car stereo is usually marked up a LOT. like i wouldn't be surprised if that $450 Kicker amp was actually costing the store something closer to $220 or so... i know that Kicker is phasing the KX series out and replacing it w/ something else, so that could be why it's marked down so low...

and the Xtant is a sleeper amp... while the Kicker will make it's numbers and maybe a little more, the Xtant is under rated by a lot and will probably make a whole lot more in actuality. William (WLaurent) mentioned that his Xtant amp made over 320Wrms at 2 ohms when it is rated to only make 200Wrms at 2 ohms. chances are the Xtant would come w/ a 'birth sheet' which will tell you what it actually makes.

my older Kicker ZR-240 was that type of amp... it is rated for 240 Wrms at 4 ohms when bridged mono... but in reality, according to its birth sheet, it actually produces over 360 Wrms at 4 ohms and 450+ Wrms at 2 ohms. companies sometimes do that so that you can get a lot more power into a lower power class when you're competing.


this is where it gets hard and i'm torn... it is very difficult for me to tell you what to do, especially when i'm no where near your gear... and then, if i tell you wrong... *sigh*

i will say this much... i wouldn't buy an Alpine V-power amp. there is a reason why the V-power and the V-12 make almost the same power, but the V-12 costs almost 2x's as much... if you're really looking to do an Alpine amp -- look at the MRD-M300, it will be cleaner and will produce it's rated power... i also like Kicker amps... i've had a good experience w/ mine, and know no one who has had a bad experience. i personally DO like to have 2 separate amps (and have 2 myself), because then if you want to upgrade or change -- it is easier to do.... however, it generally costs you more for 2 amps since you're buying 2 casings, 2 power supplies, etc.

so, you've got to decide... do you think you can sell the Visonik easily? do you think you could sell the Alpine and Visonik easily? if you generally like to swap stuff around -- i'd go w/ 2 amps. if you want to set it up and leave it alone... maybe 1 amp is a good idea.

 

I definatly like to leave it. I could probably sell the Visonik pretty easily, but I would lose some money. It sounds like the Kicker is a definite, but two seperate Alpines would be just as good. Im confused by what you said about the Alpines though, are you saying the V-12s are worth the extra money? In which case I would run these two, http://www.ikesound.com/product-product_id/1191 , http://www.ikesound.com/product-product_id/1286 , which would cost me 376. Over 100 dollars more as opposed to just the Kicker, and probably wouldnt sound as good in the end. The ability to upgrade and switch around definatly isnt worth 100 bucks to me, especially since Im just setting myself up to swap again if I want to. I would rather have a limit performance wise so I stop spending money. So, I guess the Kicker is it?
gmoore

 

well -- in my experience, the V-power Alpine series is their amp that's designed for a lower price point. they cost less because you get less of an amp. the V-12 series are known to be strong good sounding amps... the V-12's also generally have a better power supply which equates into better power delivery. so, if you're set on the Alpines - that is why i would recommend going w/ the V-12's. i'm experienced with them and i know they sound good. the V-power's just aren't the same quality amp.

i wouldn't say the Visonik is a piece of junk or anything -- so if you did want to try and keep it and just add a sub amp, that wouldn't be a complete disaster. and that is something that you can consider. but the Visonik seems to be a pretty large amp, so you might have fitment issues with any amp that you'd choose to go with it. by the way -- are you sure it's the V400HC and not the V500HC or the V600HC? looking at the Visonik manual the V400HC is listed to be only 12" x 3" x 12" or so...


still, i think that the Kicker would better serve you in the long run as a good all around amp. plus (in all honesty) at that price - it's a lot of amp for the money.

 

Yeah, its the 400HC. Ill look at both the Kicker and Alpines more closely. But Im still tworn between those two. And do you know if WLaurent still gives 10% off his boxes to us? And in that case, do I just Paypal him 90% of 177?
gmoore