So, my 2-year old memphis 500D decided it was time to go to the big amp rack in the sky. Repair estimate is $257 from Memphis. I haven't been keeping up with the latest and greatest amps, so I thought I'd beg for some suggestions. Here are my requirements:

The 500d was installed under the driver's seat. I'd like to do the same with the replacement. At the very least, it should be small enough to install above the gas tank or in the spare tire.

Power in the neighborhood of the 300-500 watts into a 2-ohm load, as I'm running an elemental e8a sub.

Price -- in the $200-300 range.

One thought I had was to look into replacing my blaupunkt 4100 as well and using one amp to drive both my door speakers and my sub -- but it would need to do 2-ohm the sub. I know the PG tantrum 600.4 will do it. Any others? Sounddomain has that amp for $279, but I'd be fine with kicking in more $$ if it's worth it.

So, whaddaya think?

 

Never was a big fan of memphis. Mounting an amp over the gas lines isnt that great of an idea. Sparks and gas dont mix. Plus, thats a tight area, so the amp wont breathe, thus overheat. Put it where the spare is.

Basically get what you can afford. I can sit here and tell you amps all day long.

For this application, I would highly recommend my amplifier, the Audiobahn 2601T. I have 2 of these and love them. It pumps out 210 x 2 @ 2ohms. You didnt specify if your sub is a DVC or not. If it is single coil, another amp will be in order.

 

It's a DVC 4-ohms per coil -- thus a 2-ohm load to the amp.

 

You need an amp that can do 200+ x 2 @ 4ohms.

 

My information may be outdated, but I thought it was unwise to wire each VC to a separate amp channel. I have my sub wired with the VC's in parallel, thus presenting a 2-ohm load to an amp.

 

I have never done this unless I absolutely had to. I always wire 1 channel per coil.

And there is no way you were pushing 400-500 watts with that wiring.

Anyway, you are looking at an amp that is 200+ x2 @ 4 ohms, and unfortunately for you, amps like that are big. So figure out how you want to mount them.

And I am a little rusty, but if you wire a DVC sub with parallel coils, you pretty much defeat the purpose of a DVC sub.

 

I would also wire the coils in parallel and run the amp bridged mono. I wouldn't want a stereo signal driving the two voice coils independently. Imagine playing something at a high volume with the balance shifted all the way to one side. One coil would try to move the speaker while the other was stationary. To me that doesn't seem like a great idea.

I always believed that the purpose of DVC subs was to allow greater flexibility in choosing impedance to best match your amplifier.

 

generally speaking, it isn't a sin to wire a DVC sub up in stereo, but you do have to be a bit more cautious when it comes to phasing. if you're playing a lot of music w/ mixedstereo bass information, you might have some issues with heating, but i would expect that to be a fairly rare case.

i'd vouch that the Tantrum 600.4 is a good choice imo, if you want to go to 4 channels. InsaneInNC has one... depending on geography, you two might be close enough to compare notes.

there are other options out there, but getting an amp under the driver's seat will be tricky. if you're going to go to a nice 2 channel sub amp, i'd consider spending the little extra for a 4 channel to get a better sounding amp on your highs. i just don't like those T-class amps.

anything that runs 200 x 2 @ 4 ohms will be pretty large. a 400+ x 1 @ 2 ohms will probably be more compact.

here are some suggestions... outside of the JL options, i haven't had much seat time w/ any of them (if any seat time at all).

for replacing just the sub amp:
the JL 500/1 is an option, but you'll have to get better pricing than this... .
HiFonics has been generally recommended to me as a good amp...
this PG Tantrum 500.2 could be a nice option... based on their literature, it's clearly 2 ohm stable, and makes 500x1@4... i called PG tech support just now, and they say that the Tantrum line is current limited, and will make the same power @ 2 ohms as it does at 4 ohms, so this would be your baby.

all in wonder amp options:
this Kicker is a nice option...
the PG 600.4 as previously mentioned...
here's a HiFonics option


(all wattage in this post is in Watts RMS, so no one can think otherwise and PM me or post a bunch BS about it... )

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by NFRs2000NYC
I have never done this unless I absolutely had to.

 

6.5 x 2 x 10.4 Memphis audio amp 500D (your amp?)

10.4x2.4x15.1 Hifonics amp (BX1000D)

13.4"L x 9.25"W x 2.36"H JL 500/1


It appears to me that size is going to be your enemy regardless... that is if you are going to leave the amp under the seat...

I agree with NFRs2000NYC that you are probably better off mounting an amp in the trunk, but not solely because a class D amplifier will overheat (it shouldnt), but it is better for your amp to breathe a little and there are very few options which will allow your current size to be mounted in that space...

I have hifonics amp bx1000d pushing a jl w3v2 10" and I am about to put a jl 250/1 into the s2k to drive a w3v2 also, I prefer jl speakers but as far as amps go I am more than happy with the hifonics... plus its killer bang for the buck.... and you get a bass knob with it

hope it helps...