Amplifier options

[tasnautique]

Hello everyone
I recently installed 2 rev10s on my 2004 sante over the winter months now I am looking for an amplifier to power them.
I am looking at a wet sounds ht6 and was planing on running it bridged so 300w to each of the rev10s and 300w to my subwoofer (12" alpine type r sub in custom enclosure). Is this enough power for these speakers?
Or should I get the sd6 and have 585 watts to each speaker.
Now keeping in mind that I may add a rev410 next season I would like an amp that can run all 3 revs and if I have to add an extra amp for my subwoofer so be it as I already have an alpine 1200 watt mono block amp that I could use.
I was just thinking of running the revs and the sub off the one amp to keep the number of amps down.
Obviously the sd6 is quite more expensive but I do want it to sound good and Loud so i am happy to spend the extra dollars. I would just like a few opinions as there is probably a better way to power my setup.
Cheers in advance.

[shawndoggy]

Arc audio ks600.2 will power a pair of revs very well. A second one could be bridged to a rev410 no problem. Might be about the same street price as an sd6 by that point tho.

[David Analog]

The HT6 is a nice amplifier when used in the right application. But this is not one of them. It's too much for that amplifier to be loaded down to the minimum impedance on all six channels simultaneously, especially when driving the most demanding zones such as the tower (on the largest of HLCDs) and sub. This is a job better suited for the SD6. There is more to it than just the difference in power rating.

[nyryan2001]

Tas- I'm not a pro installer, but I've had 3 sets of rev10s on different configurations now over 3 years.

a quality 400w ea rev10 should be your target. 585w ea you are at risk of damage, even with a conservative tune. 300w ea is a. 75% solution in my opinion. That 300w ish at 14.4 turns to a weak 220w ish when you cut the engine off. Weak. You don't drop that kind of money for 220w performance.

folks will tell you the difference between 300-400w ea isn't distinguishable. I think it absolutely is, I'm routinely around 4 Rev setups.... There is a difference. If you are gonna drop the coin on the Revs, put the 400-425w ea on them and open them up.

[MLA]

The SD-6 is absolutely the ideal single amp setup for a pair of Rev-10 and a 4 ohm sub or a Rev 3-Some. or a pair of Rev-410 and a sub or 2 pair of in-boats.

[nyryan2001]

Mla- you routinely power the Revs at 585w rms? No issues?

i'd think the only way you could tune that for safety , even with a conservatively low gain, is to have the lpf set pretty high. Then you'd lose a lot of midbass what the Revs have to offer sound wise.

[MLA]

@ nyryan,

Yes. Although those types of system are not the norm, but yes, without hesitation. Ive been running my Rev 3-Some demo setup with a SD-6 since the SD amps came out. I do not hesitate to let it loose for a customer demo. For 2 pair of Rev-10 is the plan, an SD-2 is perfect, but when the over all design calls for it, we will use an SD-6. Earlier this summer, we did a 2014 247 with 2 pair rev-10 and dual SD-6. 2 spare chnls where used to drive the 4 8" main cabin R/F's @ 145W rms and the last 2 open chnls where used to drive the factory 12" R/F sub @ 585W rms. 3 amps allowed us to drive 4 towers, 4 main cabin, 2 bow and 2 walkway and a sub. Everything factory got an an increase in power.

We always run on hi-pass, regardless, but no loss of mid-bass at all.

[David Analog]

I've watched Rev10s driven by 750 watts each (@ 12V supply) for several seasons in a showroom environment without a failure or even a hint of damage. And, the dynamics are simply startling sometimes. But in this case the users are pros and they are very sensitive to the first audible signs of clipping and compression. And they only use clean demo material. Yes, it is a matter of proper tuning but it is also a matter of the user education and staying disciplined.

[tasnautique]

Ok thanks everyone for the feedback. By the sounds of it the ht6 is not the best choice for my application. I am leaning toward the sd6 now although I am a bit worried about doing damage to the speakers. I have no doubt in my ability to install the amp but I have little to no real experience in tuning high powered setups like this. Taking my boat to a wet sounds dealership is out of the question so where is the best place to start. I am guessing the lowest gain setting.

[David Analog]

The place to begin is with an objective measurement to set a maximum guideline, especially in the light of using this much power. A test tone CD and either a distortion detector or a handheld scope will get you started on the first phase. The final fine-tuning and balancing the zones will be done by ear.

[EarmarkMarine]

My opinion - a single SD6 is absolutely perfect for 2 pairs of REV10 and a REV410. In ANY system, proper gain structure, crossover settings and overall system fine tuning is critical to get the best performance and best sound from your system, and certainly with 585 watts to each speaker the setup and tuning will be critical to the longevity of your equipment.

Keep this in mind...any speaker can be blown with any amplifier. If you use your properly installed and well tuned system responsibly I wouldn't expect any problems, and with that extra power comes the ability to run an extremely conservative gain stage, which keeps the noise floor low and the dynamic range and headroom high. Extra power is always a good thing if everything is properly installed and tuned, and if the end user is responsible. If you are the type finds yourself with everything cranked up all the way at the end of each day on the lake, or if you let various friends/random drunk party cove girls play with the volume knob then you might want to consider a lower powered system that is tuned very conservatively (or keep the volume knob under your control).

I've run "overpowered" speakers in all of my vehicles for many years because I like the dynamic headroom that having extra power offers. I have never blown a speaker, and I listen LOUD. But I know where the line is, and I won't overdrive a speaker to the point of causing damage.

Odin

[nyryan2001]

My opinion - a single SD6 is absolutely perfect for 2 pairs of REV10 and a REV410. In ANY system, proper gain structure, crossover settings and overall system fine tuning is critical to get the best performance and best sound from your system, and certainly with 585 watts to each speaker the setup and tuning will be critical to the longevity of your equipment.

I assume you meant 1 pair of Revs and a 410.

[EarmarkMarine]

I assume you meant 1 pair of Revs and a 410.

Correct, 2 REV10's or 1 pair of REV10's.

[tasnautique]

What about thoughts on a syn4 bridged for 400w each may be a safer option of course I will need a separate amp for the sub

[nyryan2001]

Yep there are a lot of quality 400w x 2 options. Arc 600.2, Polk 4000.4 etc