Help me choose an amp please

[wake_fun]

I'm building a small system for my 95 SS. So far I've ordered 2 pairs of JL Audio XR650-CXi's to replace my stock speakers. These come with crossovers. http://www.jlaudio.com/evolution/XR650CX.html

I'm still deciding on a deck, maybe an Alpine CDA-9855.

I'm lost on picking an amp. I would like something that will drive these speakers and then maybe also be able to push a 10-12inch woofer later on. Or should I just buy a 4 channel amp now to push these JL's and then later on buy a mono amp to power a sub?

[Mikeski]

RE: Help me choose an amp please

Buy a good 4 channel amp, later on when you get the sub you can run the boat speakers off the two front channels and bridge the rear channels to the sub. Just pick your flavor, I just starting using Hifonics stuff. It's made in china but it seems it's working for now.

[Onthewater]

RE: Help me choose an amp please

most major companies make 5 channel amps, 4 channels for speakers and a mono for a sub. i've got the kicker 700.4 a 400 watt mono for a sub and 4 channels (300w) for speakers. save space in your boat and go with one amp. K.I.S.S.

[Hollywood]

RE: Help me choose an amp please

I vote 4-channel. More versatile to use in future applications and is exactly what you want now. Plus who knows what you'll need later on, don't waste money on something you *might* use next year, it might not be enough power or you'll go in a different direction with the system.

[wake_fun]

RE: Help me choose an amp please

Thanks for the reply's!
If anyone else has comments, let me hear them

[Daytomann]

RE: Help me choose an amp please

4 channel, I'm partial to Kicker amps as well. I'm running a 300w to run the 6.5s in the boat and an 850 to power the 2ea 6.5s and 2ea 8s on the tower and the 10" sub in the boat.

[clubmyke]

both jl and zapco....both are reliable and sound very good. to do better, you are going to have to spend a lot more $$$$$ ( brax, addison, tru, etc)

i use the jl class d for the subs (state of art here) and either jl or zapco reference for the mids/highs ( zapco and image dynamic sound very good together)

if you dont want to spend as much then mmats...not very fancy, but powerful and decent sound quality ( the sq for mid/high and class d ofr subs)

good luck !!

[wake_fun]

I was thinking the JL 300/4 amp to power my JL XR650's.......anyone have good things to say about that one?
http://www.jlaudio.com/amps/3004.html

[FatBoy]

On my setup I have the stock Clarion XMD3 head unit feeding a Audio Control Matrix line driver. I have the Clarion amp that came with my boat ( 4 channel x 80 watts each ) driving the six Polk 650 cabin speakers. Four on one side and the front two on the other side, I have it on high pass. They are all running off the rear channel (I split the RCA to feed both sides of the amp).

I have a Rockford Fosgate Punch 5002 driving the Evid 6.2's on the tower. I have the speakers wired together and the amp bridged to make a 4 ohm load at 250 watts RMS on each speaker. This amp is also on high pass, I have it cut off at 100.

I have the RCA's passing thru the Rockford to a JL 250/1 driving a Orion 12 inch sub in a custom downfireing box under the observers seat. The only thing different that I want to do is to add sub vents like Grant has done.

The way I have this set up I can cut the cabin speakers off with the front and back fade option on the head unit and run the tower speakers and sub only when I want to.

[Franz]

I have used a 300/4 for 4 years running 4 JL 570's bridged on front channel and a 12W3 bridged on the rear. It pushes the H E double toothpicks out of them. I recently started using the 300/4 on a set of Klipsch SA-3s for tower speakers. At 80' back, you need ear plugs.
Franz

[wake_fun]

Awesome.......I guess I will go buy that today then!
I will just use all 4 channels for my 4 650cxi's though.

I have used a 300/4 for 4 years running 4 JL 570's bridged on front channel and a 12W3 bridged on the rear. It pushes the H E double toothpicks out of them. I recently started using the 300/4 on a set of Klipsch SA-3s for tower speakers. At 80' back, you need ear plugs.
Franz

[FatBoy]

I recently started using the 300/4 on a set of Klipsch SA-3s for tower speakers. At 80' back, you need ear plugs.
Franz

I can't imagine why anyone would ever need tower speakers any louder than those things are. They are wicked loud and the sound is clean as a bell.