What amp to power wet sounds Pro 80s?

[SDawg83]

I have decided to go with a pair of Pro 80s on the tower, and I'm looking at either the Kicker 850.4 or the Cadence ZRS 3002. Both should be plenty of power for the single pair. Later I hope to add a second pair of Pro 80s, Pro 60s, or MB-8s, depending on how the 80s sound on their own.

Does anyone have any advice on the amp? If I went with the cadence, I could run the second set of speakers in parallel and set the amp to 2 ohm. That way I'd still be getting 300 watts RMS to each speaker (more than enough power, probably have to turn the gain down a little on the amp). I've heard you want to have a little more power than the speakers advertise, 200 RMS in the case of the Pro 80s.

The Kicker amp on the other hand is 4 channel, and also supports bridged mono and stereo, which would mean it would be possible to run the threesome setup if I get a 485 later on.

I have a bid in on ebay, so I have to decide soon which I want to go with. I was leaning towards Cadence because wetsounds recommends them, but they are a little pricier and Im sure the Kicker would be a good amp for these speakers as well.

Advice?

[SuperSquirt]

RE: What amp to power wet sounds Pro 80s?

Here is another idea for you, look at the Alpine PDX 4.150 amp. I am using this amp for two WS 485's. In bridged mode, it pushes around 2x300watts at 4ohms, and 4x150watts at 4ohms in normal mode (this is the key since all WS speakers are 4ohm). The sound QUALITY is unbelievable and provides plenty of power, so much my ears have to beg mercy before the amp/speakers will. Retail is around $700 for this amp, but you can find it on Ebay for around $375. You definitely should give it a thought.

[SDawg83]

RE: What amp to power wet sounds Pro 80s?

Thanks for the suggestion. If I end up getting a second pair of Pro 80s, then the alpine would only supply 150x4 at 4 ohms. In that scenario wouldnt either the Cadence or Kicker amp be a better match? I've heard that 200 RMS is not too much for a Pro 80, and 150 might be underpowering it.

Heres what I was thinking for the Cadence: With 1 pair of speakers, set the amp to 4ohm, and put 300 RMS to each speaker.

With 2 pair, I'd set the resistance to 2 ohm, which supplies 600w x 2. If I run the speakers in parallel (2 speakers per channel) then that should put me at 4 ohms per channel, which is what the speakers desire, as well as supplying a full 300 watts RMS to each speaker.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong in my calculations. I am not an electrical engineer (:

[brodie]

Re: RE: What amp to power wet sounds Pro 80s?

With 2 pair, I'd set the resistance to 2 ohm, which supplies 600w x 2. If I run the speakers in parallel (2 speakers per channel) then that should put me at 4 ohms per channel, which is what the speakers desire, as well as supplying a full 300 watts RMS to each speaker.

THe speakers are what create the resistance. If you have 2-4ohm speakers (most car audio and tower speakers are 4 ohm) run in parallel, this will create a 2 ohm load on the amp, essentially doubling the power output of the amp(high quality amps only). If you want to spend the money, the 3002 is a great amp, and will provide ample (if not excess) power for either a 2, or 4 speaker set up. The Alpine PDX amps are great also, and although not as powerful as the 3002, would deliver plenty of power for 4 speakers, at a much cheaper price. The Kicker 850.4 will give you 175 x 4 @ 4ohms, slightly more than the Alpine on paper. I believe the PDX amps put out more power than is spec'd. The kicker will not run at 2 ohms bridged, so running 4 speakers in parallel would overheat the amp.

[SDawg83]

RE: Re: RE: What amp to power wet sounds Pro 80s?

Thanks Brodie, I think thats what I needed to hear. I actually found the 3002 on ebay new for under 400, so I think thats what I'll go with.

My last question is in regards to parallel wiring. Most diagrams I've seen show two wires coming from each of the the positive and negative terminals of the amp. I need to check how my tower was prewired, but if there are only two wires up through the tower (a left and a right) can I simply connect each terminal as follows: amp to the corresponding terminal on speaker 1, then a wire from speaker 1 to the corresponding terminal on speaker 2?

So, AMP ======= [Speaker 1]=======[Speaker 2]

[gride300]

RE: Re: RE: What amp to power wet sounds Pro 80s?

dont get the 850. it has issues with clipping and stuff. that is from my dealer who is very reputable. i'd go with the alpine pdx4150 or email wetsounds and ask them. if you are going to add another pair you might want to wait and do it all at once. i know it sucks but it makes the install easier, and you won't get stuck with an amp. wet sounds' amps will be available in june or july. they will have a strong 4 ch you can run on your pro 80's or a 6 ch that you can fool around with and configure alot of different ways. to me it's nice to match speakers and amps if possible and you know ws amps are going to be amazing im running a kicker 900.4sx on my 3some and it screams

[brodie]

Re: RE: Re: RE: What amp to power wet sounds Pro 80s?

Thanks Brodie, I think thats what I needed to hear. I actually found the 3002 on ebay new for under 400, so I think thats what I'll go with.

My last question is in regards to parallel wiring. Most diagrams I've seen show two wires coming from each of the the positive and negative terminals of the amp. I need to check how my tower was prewired, but if there are only two wires up through the tower (a left and a right) can I simply connect each terminal as follows: amp to the corresponding terminal on speaker 1, then a wire from speaker 1 to the corresponding terminal on speaker 2?

So, AMP ======= [Speaker 1]=======[Speaker 2]

Yes! just wire + to + and - to -.

[AuMDLST]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: What amp to power wet sounds Pro 80s?

I would talk to WS and see what they recommend - the kicker 850.4 appears on paper to be twice as much power as WS is looking for on the 80's - it is interesting to see info about the 850 clipping though - I have been running one on NVS entity's with no problem ( One Year ) - perhaps the clipping is due to bad installation techniques rather than the amp itself!

[gride300]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: What amp to power wet sounds Pro 80s?

we are talking about the 2008 zx850.4 right? i was going to get one but my shop said they had some issues with it so he suggested i go the other route. whatever the 80's are rated at is less than they would really like to soak up according to the people i talked to at wet sounds, but the rms they list will make it sound just right still.

[AuMDLST]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: What amp to power wet sounds Pro 80s?

Kicker 850.4 2007 version - it is a shame they made some change that caused a new problem with a perfectly fine amp as far as what I own is concerned.

[gride300]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: What amp to power wet sounds Pro 80s?

ya i know. i was really bummed when they told me i should go with a different amp. i'm happy with the sx9 but i agree. if ain't broke don't fix it

[Mikeski]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: What amp to power wet sounds Pro 80s?

I like the versatility of the four channel amps but I am not a fan of Kicker amps in general. I have heard speaker manufacturers claim they have more blown speakers returned from Kicker amplifiers than any other.

www.bcae1.com all of your wiring questions will be answered.

[SDawg83]

Thanks for the help guys, just went ahead and purchased the ZRS3002. If anyone knows a good rep for wet sounds, let me know. I'm looking to pick up a set of Pro 80s and possibly a 420.

I was wondering if I'll need a capacitor for the amp, since its a considerable amount of amperage I'll be pulling. If so, are certain capacitors more fit for this application?

[brodie]

Thanks for the help guys, just went ahead and purchased the ZRS3002. If anyone knows a good rep for wet sounds, let me know. I'm looking to pick up a set of Pro 80s and possibly a 420.

I was wondering if I'll need a capacitor for the amp, since its a considerable amount of amperage I'll be pulling. If so, are certain capacitors more fit for this application?

IMO, a cap will only help with your sub amp, because it helps with the short bursts. Your tower speakers are going to run continuously, and a cap would not be able to keep up. It might have a marginal benefit, but I doubt anyone would know the difference.

[gride300]

i would say no cap. i was told by john guyver at wet sounds that in a boat it really doesnt do it's job because you turn it off frequently. i had one in my old boat and it did not hurt it, but with just one sub i didnt need it. i have a kicker sx900.4, jl marine sub amp, clarion 4 ch marine and clarion 2 ch marine. that runs the 3some, xs12, and boat speakers with 3 optima blue tops. i at wake speed my volts are around 13.8-14.2 and in neutral with the boat on around 13.6-13.8 definitely talk to john g. he knows what he's talking about and is super nice. enjoy the system. i'd go with a 420. even if you don't want the equalizer the seperate vol. control for the tower, in boats, and sub is really great.