Need a 5 channel amp to run my system.

First, the system it'll be driving:
-Front: Polk/MOMO MMC6500 - 10-125 watts RMS, peak: 250 watts
-Rear: Polk/MOMO MMC650 - 10-80 watts RMS, peak: 160 watts
-Sub: JL 10w1v2 - continuous power handling 150 watts RMS, peak: 400 W

These are the teo amps I'm considering, both can be had for about the same price:

1. http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_1613.html
-Phoenix Gold Octane-R 9.0:5
-RMS 50 watts x 4 chan. + 150 watts x 1 @ 4 ohms
-Peak 125W x 4 + 400W x 1

AND

2. http://www.kicker.com/06/tech-suppor...0c01%20WEB.pdf
-Kicker ZX700.5
-RMS 70 watts x 4 chan. + 210 watts x 1 chan. @ 4 ohms
-Peak 85 watts x 4 chan. + 420 Watts x 1

Which is better? The Phoenix gold seems to be matched to the power needs of the speaskers, right? I don't want to have too much power for them, do I? Or is it good to have extra power on tap? I don't know much about how you should match up the power of the amp to the requirements of the speakers. Please help!

 

not to sure about all the specifics but i know that Phoenix Gold amps rock!!

 

I have the Kicker 700.5 and it's great...more than enough to drive all of my speakers and sub.

I'm running kicker's 6.5 components in the front, coaxial in the rear, and their 10" L5 sub.

looks like the phenoix amp might under power the front speakers, while the Kicker will have more than enough power for the sub...if you go with the Kicker, at least you know that it has enough power for all of it and you can just turn it down to make sure you don't blow anything.

-Peter

 

IM SURE about all the specifics, I do allot of DIY systems and you should go with the phoenix gold based on the info you posted and your speakers

 

the problem is the rms on his sub is not good and im telling you, your going to crank that *** all the way. its going to blow his sub. Its allot easier to FADE forward for the power distribution on the phoenix gold amp. to get the maximum performance of the front witout blowing the backs.

 

Hmm, yeah, I don't want to blow any speakers; that's for sure. I'm not one to really crank my stereo; I just want decent sound at reasonable listening levels. I listen to rock mostly and like balanced sound that is not too bass heavy.

Maybe I should have gotten the 10w3v2 sub? I could always swap it out; it's still NIB. I'll be using a small corner enclosure, though, so things need to be kept moderate.

I want to make sure I have the best performance out of the fronts as possible, as that's where you hear it most...

 

I was looking at this thread: https://my350z.com/forum/audio-and-video/121516-my-system-by-wicked-cas.html

That's the sub and box I'll be using and from what this guys says about it, it'll be plenty fine for me. Will the PG amp not be enough for the front speakers, though? Like I said I can always swap out to a 10w3v2 sub (300 watt RMS) and go for the more powerful amp, if that'll make for a better rounded system. If the PG will be adequate, for the fronts, though, I'll just go for it and keep the sub I have. What say you?

 

PG is nothing like hwat it was back in the day...and honestly IMO, the octane R is a cheaply built amp and not deserving of the PG name...

i would persoanlly take the kicker of those are your only two choices...having more power than you need is never a bad thing, just adjust hte xovers and gains properly and it will be fine...

 

Well, not that those are my only choices; dunno what else to look at, though. Looking for a 5 ch amp to run the whole system in the $250 range.

So am I ok with the speaker setup I listed or should I swap out the sub?

 

$250 range? why didnt you say so, You can get better amps for that price.

 

Well, gimme a list! The ones above I can get for $230-$250 shipped, so that's where I'm looking to stay.

 

I have the same set up as you do front & rears, only I have the JL 10W - 0 subs and a JL 500 X 5 .. I love it...

 

PM memeber airtrakk, aka Sean, i think he has a brand new hifonics 5 chanel hes selling for less than that, a decent piece, at least comparable in quality if not better than the PG and quite a bit less...

tell him i referred you.

his SN is airtrakk or airtakk...you will find it by a simple search

b

 

Ok, I'll shoot him a PM; thanks. Do you know what amp it is? I looked on the Hifonics site and didn't see any 5 channel amps... I'd like to look up the specs.

*edit: Found it on Ebay ZXi8006:
4x55W @ 4 ohms + 1x200W

So what makes Hifonics a better amp than Kicker or PG? I'm clueless on amp quality. They're selling for $200 on Ebay; cheaper than the other two...

 

I did extensive searching for a 5-ch amp for my Xterra install and when it came down to it, the best quality and watts/dollar value was with the Crossfire VR705d. I was blown away by this amp. It came highly recommended by a guy on the XOC forum that used to design the amps for Crossfire. It was my first Crossfire experience, but certainly NOT my last. I will be turning to them for my 350Z install come spring.

Here's the info on the amp (click on "vr705d): http://www.crossfirecaraudio.com/nav...Cat=17&Sub=32#

Here's one on ebay $275: http://cgi.ebay.com/CROSSFIRE-VR-705...QQcmdZViewItem

I had bought mine NEW from an authorized dealer here in NJ for $425.

 

I disagree.

Circuit design in the Xenon amps were far more advanced than anything PG ever tried before with the exception of the zpa amps. The newest series RSD, I have no personal experience but has been compared to the tantrum series of amps.

I ran an octane r for a long time. The octanes were more reliable than the xenons at the beginning of the xenon series release. PG moved production overseas. In the first production units, there were problems. Once the issues were worked out, surface mounted devices have proven to be more reliable than the through hole design of PG's previous amps which were susceptible to catching fire from stray wires shorting out devices on the boards.

Octane is no Tantrum series, Titanium or anything else, but it is a very good entry level amp comparable to the XS series which is solid.

 

Ugh... so many conflicting opinions...

So anyone have an opinion on the Hifonics ZXi8006? Looks like it has pretty good power for my app (yet less than the Kicker...).

 

Go with the Kicker. It is an excellent amp IMO.

 

You know, I'm kind of leaning that way. I like the power it has for the F/R speakers and I can always dial it back for the sub. From what I've been reading, it's good to have an amp with some overhead. I've been looking up reviews and ratings and it seems good (heck, so do the others); seems there's alot of subjective personal preference in amps and my listening preferences in a car are nowhere near the point I'd notice any amp's shortcomings. I just want something that sounds better than stock that actually has some bass; I don't expect audiophile sound in my car, nor am I going to dampen the hell out of my properly loud sports car for the sake of the music I'm listening to.

 

I know numerous people with kicker set-ups including that amp and everyone really likes them. They're dependable, pretty good sound quality, (especially when matched to there speakers), and just a good all around product. I highly recommend anyone to Kicker especially when doing a high entry to mid level stereo.