Thread: picking the right amp?

Originally Posted by SeanGTP

Oh, and you're aware you said JVC's amps suck. You are aware ALL head units have a built in amplifier to power at least the stock speakers, right?

False all head units do not have built in amps.

I believe alpine still makes a head unit with out power. There f1 has no amp and so did a lot of there copper chassis high end decks.

so i take it JVC is out of the question...

Yeah I'm talking about high SQ decks. I'm just saying ALL decks don't have built in amps. I Agree with you 100% jvc decks are good for people that like color changing buttons and gimmicky functions. If you want a good head unit get an eclipse, alpine, or even a high end pioneer.

well this thread is more about the amp than the head unit... but i am also looking to get a head unit. i want a double din touch screen preferably. dvd would be awesome (cause you can bypass the parking break right?). but then again i also dont want to spend a fortune on it! (any suggestions?) and as far as the amp goes im leaning towards the hifonics 1000w or even maybe 1500w amp. good choice right? because in a few years ill probably want to upgrade my subs to a little nicer.

when you say a multimeter do you just mean the simple hand help ones found in most garages? how would you check it anyways?

Originally Posted by SeanGTP

I have a JVC that came with my camaro, and an alpine that i put in my GP. The alpine delivers cleaner sound to my speakers than the JVC does. The build quality on JVC products is poor. They work, but everything else sounds better. I've ran both stereos on the same power with the same set of speakers in the same car, and the Alpine sounds better.

So lets see here: I own both stereos, and I've done a sound comparison using the same equipment and power levels. There isn't any doubt that most brands are superior to JVC.

Oh, and you're aware you said JVC's amps suck. You are aware ALL head units have a built in amplifier to power at least the stock speakers, right?
Unless someone else designs their HU amps and not their regular speaker amps...

Most any HU that comes stock with majority of cars is going to mediocre at best. I said jvc HU are pretty good and you say their cheapos. Arsenal line is jvc. Im going to go out on a limb and say the jvc arsenal im running is quite a bit better than your alpine

Alpines are good dont get me wrong but your paying for their name as well. Unless you go high end on the alpine decks, their more basic decks arent worth the money for the lack of features that other brands offer for the same price.

Originally Posted by SeanGTP

Almost all current aftermarket head units do. Any that do not would mean your speakers would have to rely on an external amplifier to power them.

I literally tried to find the cheapest radio I could, and even when I found some that cost $30 new, they still had built-in amps.

Find me an aftermarket deck without an amp that isn't "out of stock" or "discontinued".

My jvc has the option to shut off the internal amp . Im not going to start a debate in this guys thread though. If he gives us a $ amount he is willing to spend on a HU im sure we can find something he will like.

Originally Posted by I800C0LLECT

Having an opinion is ok but you should provide input as to why it might "too much". At 4ohms it produces 500 watts. He can easily wire his subs for 8ohm and that amplifier would last pretty much forever, including upgrades or changes. Good price for what it is too

It is a very nice amp i agree. However from reading his posts and some of these amps he has been posting it appears he wants something cheapish. He just got these subs so im assuming it will be some time before he upgrades. If he isnt going to upgrade, its a waste to buy that powerful of an amp.

I have faith in that line of MB quart amp that it would last for his needs has it wont be strained for power at all. I think what we need to know is how much OP is looking to spend and if he plans to upgrade any time soon. Otherwise were tossing all these amps around that "can" work for his situation.

Edit: 3rd post in this thread states he doesnt have a budget so to speak. I think just a rough price range would help us help him.