Do amps really affect the sound?

 

Silver Member
Username: Iufan4lifeul

Post Number: 962
Registered: May-05
I have started hearing a few people say amps will make subs sound completely different. Basically, will I notice a difference between a Kicker KX450.2 and an Orion 600D SQ wise
 

Silver Member
Username: N2audio

Lawrence, Ks USA

Post Number: 690
Registered: Mar-04
not much. The class D vs a/b debate is based largely on opinion, and the few tests I consider reliable showed now audible difference, between class a/b's and class d's of equal power driving subwoofers.
However, 600w will be slightly louder than 450. Then again, Kicker is known to be very under-rated so actual power might not be that different.
 

Platinum Member
Username: Glasswolf

Wisteria, Lane USA

Post Number: 11266
Registered: Dec-03
if you stay within the limitations of the amplifier and it's power supply, you don't clip the amp, and you have gains set properly, you really can't hear a difference between amplifiers generally speaking.
That being said, cheaper amps are moe easily pushed to their limits, at which point you can hear a difference. They begin to sound strained or flat nd two dimensional as they lose headroom and dynamic range. They also tend to have shorter lifespans than amplifiers built with tighter toleranced, higher grade components.
 

Silver Member
Username: Iufan4lifeul

Post Number: 965
Registered: May-05
the Kicker was only rated at upper 400's. Glasswolf, would the Orion be considered a "cheaper" amp? I always thought of them as same level as kicker.
 

Silver Member
Username: Iufan4lifeul

Post Number: 966
Registered: May-05
Also, should I get last years model Orion 600D or wait and get the new one they have on their site now?
 

Bronze Member
Username: Judgedredd

Post Number: 31
Registered: Feb-06
I've been told by both a boston acoustics engineer and a JL engineer (not that you can really call these people engineers..but thats what they call themselves) that the wattage isn't the only thing to consider in an amp. The quality of filters/capacitors/resistors etc inside the amp aswell as the quality (not output)of the psu in terms of amperage do have a say in the quality and lenghth of life in subwoofers/speakers

But like I said..this is just something I was told...Best thing is to do your own testing I guess
 

Silver Member
Username: Alteraudiousa

Concord

Post Number: 346
Registered: Jan-06
all amps have different attentuation which can effect how they sound, this is more relevant in full range amps and not really class D amps as these are limited in the frequency range. If power is power and thats all an amp is, than getting the cheapest amp would be the route to go(even if you had to buy a larger one to make up for it not making its rated power) but its not exactly like that. Each company uses different caps, resistor, coils,etc which can lead to a difference in sound.
 

Gold Member
Username: B101

Queen City, NC USA

Post Number: 1402
Registered: Sep-05
X2 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^
"Each company uses different caps, resistor, coils,etc which can lead to a difference in sound."
It will lead to a difference signal attentuation!
 

Silver Member
Username: Lewass

Bloomfield Hills, MI USA

Post Number: 147
Registered: Jan-06
Chris man, I thought enough people told you that the Orion 600D will be the biggest waste of money you could imagine. You will not get any noticable difference. Those subs need 1000 watts, get the thought out of your head. Seriously. This is like the third time I've mentioned this in ur threads. Listen to all the experts when they say that you need to let those subs get the power they want. Don't waste a ton of money on something that WONT EVEN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!!!!!

225 watts per sub vs 300 watts per sub = HUGE DAMN WASTE OF MONEY

Someone with like 5000 posts tell Chris that he is worrying about something that doesn't matter very much, when he should be worrying about giving those subs the power they need!

If you don't take our advice I don't think "I told you so" will make me feel any better, and I know you won't be happy if u get the 600D. You've been warned. Good Luck.
 

Silver Member
Username: Lewass

Bloomfield Hills, MI USA

Post Number: 148
Registered: Jan-06
BTW He has 2 12" Arsenal's, great subs, but they need 500 watts each to really make them pound like they ought to.

Anyone know of a good 1000 watt amp he could use for close to the same price as a orion 600D??? <-- Thats the million dollar question..
 

Silver Member
Username: Iufan4lifeul

Post Number: 967
Registered: May-05
ok Lewass. First off it will make a difference. If the Orion doesn't produce any more than it was rated for then (which I have heard it does) then I will be increasing the power by roughly 1/3. At this low of power, 1/3 is a decent size difference. Plus, if someone with 5000 posts tell me how a 1000rms amp is going to easily run off my stock electrical system, then that would be awesome. It is impossible for me to upgrade my alt right now. Maybe 3-4 years down the road...
 

Silver Member
Username: N2audio

Lawrence, Ks USA

Post Number: 697
Registered: Mar-04
What car chris?
 

Gold Member
Username: Jonathan_f

GA USA

Post Number: 5671
Registered: May-04
It's never been proven that anyone can tell a difference between any type of amplifier, regardless of topology. Through numerous double blind tests with thousands of dollars as motivation, noone has been capable of consistently choosing which amp is which. Like Glasswolf stated, though, this is in a controlled test.

It isn't just about getting an amp that will get the job done. It's like telling a potential Mercedes buyer to just buy a Honda, after all, they'll both get you from point A to point B. A lot of it is that one can appreciate the material quality and build quality.

Is there a such thing as amplifier sound? No. Power IS power. The only time you can tell a difference is when you're driving the amp into clipping.
 

Gold Member
Username: Jonathan_f

GA USA

Post Number: 5672
Registered: May-04
"ok Lewass. First off it will make a difference. If the Orion doesn't produce any more than it was rated for then (which I have heard it does) then I will be increasing the power by roughly 1/3. At this low of power, 1/3 is a decent size difference. Plus, if someone with 5000 posts tell me how a 1000rms amp is going to easily run off my stock electrical system, then that would be awesome. It is impossible for me to upgrade my alt right now. Maybe 3-4 years down the road..."

It takes twice the power to create a 3db increase. You may notice a minute difference, but it's going to be extremely minimal and isn't worth the money spent.
 

Silver Member
Username: Iufan4lifeul

Post Number: 968
Registered: May-05
But the other reason that I would be switching is so I can go to class D, I don't draw as much current off the alternator, and I keep the amp cool
 

Bronze Member
Username: Sw9152

Post Number: 57
Registered: Feb-06
unless you have some really tiny car with a tiny alt, running a 1000 watt amp shouldn't be a big problem as long as you don't play at full volume constantly.
 

Silver Member
Username: Iufan4lifeul

Post Number: 969
Registered: May-05
What about a Crossfire 600 watt class D amp? I saw a report that claims 879rms at 1 ohm 14.4volts? That sounds high but what about that amp?
 

Gold Member
Username: Suleman36

Maryland U.S.A.

Post Number: 3212
Registered: Feb-05
CrossFire is a excellant choice. It will give you more power if you electrical system is up to par. If not then just expect the 600 watts rms and no more. With a extra battery and a HO alternator it will run sweet and up to 879 rms as the birth sheet claims.

I ran a VR1000D and that amp is a powerhouse and extremely efficiant. Not once did i have problems with dimming lights etc... Of course i didnt blast the music that loud all the time either. Just be smart with the volume knob and know your limits. They are great amps for the money.
 

Silver Member
Username: Iufan4lifeul

Post Number: 970
Registered: May-05
thats what I am getting. I can get one on ebay for less than $250. Thanks MO. I just won't keep the volume cranked but when I want to blast the crap outta someone in the passenger seat I will bump it up to the 879. I am excited now lol. That will run those arsenals pretty good.
 

Silver Member
Username: Lewass

Bloomfield Hills, MI USA

Post Number: 160
Registered: Jan-06
Ok Chris if you are really worried about the electrical, then go for something around 800 watts.

Like Jonathan said, "it's going to be extremely minimal and isn't worth the money spent."

Just chill out with your system for a while, save up a little extra dough, and get a more powerful amp later on.
 

Silver Member
Username: Lewass

Bloomfield Hills, MI USA

Post Number: 161
Registered: Jan-06
Or if you really want it to be louder, make a nice custom ported box for them. I just bought all the supplies to make mine today, and it was $20 for the 4' x 8' MDF board, and about $17 for wood screws/ring terminals/wood glue/2 nuts/2 locking washers/2 regular washers/2 bolts

If you have access to the tools then it costs less than $40 for supplies.
 

Gold Member
Username: James1115

Ct

Post Number: 5320
Registered: Dec-04
^^^^^^^^ that will deff give you a giant increase. A new amp kicker 600.1 and a ported enclosure for the 2 would be a great upgrade.
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