AMP Confusion
 

I'm really stuck here on which amp to buy. Either a less powerful name brand (sony) amp or more powerful off-brand amp. Which one should I buy and how much improvement will I see over the stock stereo with each one. (I plan on subs soon.) I'm also putting in additional tweeters, but can the stock speakers handle these amps or would it be better to replace them.
Sony:
http://cgi.ebay.com/SONY-XPLOD-XM165...d=p3286.c0.m14

Offbrand:
http://cgi.ebay.com/MASSIVE-NEW-3200...d=p3286.c0.m14

Please guide me in the right direction :)

The right direction is a few of your local stereo shops. Sit down with them, tell them what you want to do with your car, and get a few opinions and quotes from them. The question's you're asking here are the tip of an iceberg, and it would be very difficult to answer any of them without lots more information from you, as well as you educating yourself a bit more about car audio.

Thank you, i will do that.

haha An answer that can be given to 3/4 of the topics on this forum.:lol2:

But Socket is completely correct. You have much to learn. Educate yourself before you waste money on junk.

Ok anouther question, if I have a four channel amp and use it to run the rear speakers and two subs (one channel per speaker) will the front speakers being not amplified become distorted compared to the other speakers or will it be unnoticable?

I really don't mean to sound like a jerk....

But we can easily tell you know very little about car audio. I don't mean that in a derogatory way at all. We are simply cautioning you from jumping in too fast and wasting your money or ghettoing up your RX8.

If you're dying to buy something and will do so very quickly despite our warnings, post up what equipment you have now, what equipment you're looking to buy, what type of sound you want to achieve, and how much money you want to spend. That will at least give us something to work with.

Your completely correct i'm a beginner. As of now everything is stock with the non-bose system. I'm not out to impress an audiophile but I just want some bass and a little more power. I'm willing to spend about 400$ on the entire project.

And you have no equipment what-so-ever now? You plan on dumping more into this later?

Not yet, I just bought the car. Is Boss a good brand? Theres mixed reviews of them.

They suck ass. So does Sony. And so does the other off brand you linked.

Box:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vented-Car-Subwo...QQcmdZViewItem

Sub:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-ALPINE-2-Ohm...QQcmdZViewItem

Amp:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-HIFONICS-BXI...QQcmdZViewItem

Wiring:
http://www.knukonceptz.com/productDe...?prodID=KLM-K4

LOC:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Metra-ALOC608-2-...d=p3286.c0.m14

That's about the best you're gonna get for $400.

I did mine the simple way, stay with a single brand you trust;

Alpine speakers in the doors replaced the stock (non-Bose)
Alpine 70 Watt per channel x 4 amp running off the stock head unit speaker outputs.
The amp has a line level output for the sub's amp (Alpine 10 inch sub)

When I (finally) replace the head unit, I want the 7 inch LCD Alpine DVD with NAV unit dock.

Thanks for the links. Is 70 watts per channel that much of improvement over stock though? Whats the stock system rated at?

wow, $400 is a TIGHT budget. For mine, I spent WAY over that and I only did subs!

2 JL W1's- $300
JL Amp- $249
Rockford Fosgate Wires-$ 120
Some JL Wires- $70
Rockford Fosgate Capacitor- $ 100

My Est Total- $839.00

And my bass is FAR from skull crushing. Maybe you should save a little bit more unless you dont care too much about quality?

$400 is quite a tight budget. I wish I could have kept mine to that (I spent way more than that, but I replaced it ALL, except the HU) Just do your research and do not rush into this. I spent months, literally, researching my options. When you ask about 70 watts being enough.....YES, especially with some good aftermarket speakers. I personally think that 50 watts RMS per channel is a good baseline to bring your speakers to life. The stock radio system puts out barely enough power to really enjoy it IMO.

We will all try to help you as best we can, and don't be scared to utilize the Search button because there is a TON of useful, and not-so-useful information regarding this subject.

You're not going to replace any of the stock speakers and power them off an amp AND have a sub with amp. You have 400 bucks. Pick one or the other. From what you've said thus far, I'm sure you'll pick the subwoofer option.

The recommendations I gave you are trustworthy reliable gear that will perform for years to come. One 12" in a ported enclosure is plenty of bump. Are you going to beat down the block? Of course not. But it will EASILY outperform any upgraded oem system in any car. Yes, including the Mach system in the Stangs and Monsoon system in the Maros. I've been doing this awhile. That's the best you're gonna get for 400 bucks. Cheap. Reliable. Effective.

I'm lucky.. when I get to the day I want to replace my stock sound I'm just going to kidnap socket7 since he's local.

For $400 bucks I would invest in something else, lol. Buy a short shifter and springs and get the stereo when you have more money. My .02 take it or leave it :)

I think 400 is doable. Especially if you know what you're looking for. People may crack on your gear but who cares?
I would by a twelve in a box, and something like a cheap single coil visonik. Make sure you get their pulp cone deal, if you go with this brand. These are decent (considering the man's budget) subs that last and sound pretty good. I used to buy trailers of them from pepboys and sell them out of my "shop" a few years back, and I have never had one blow that was only playing bass.
You could definitely find one on eBay for less than $60 bucks delivered if you were patient.
Then I'd do find an old us acoustics 600f, which can usually be found on ebay for under $220 shipped. This is an incredible amp and bullet proof. Steve Mantz actually made old amps for lots of small and second rate companies like "Boss" back in the day and there are some really good ones to be found if you know what models to look for. PM me if you want me to find you something decent.

I'd then spend the remaining cash on the best pair of jumper cables (at least four gauge wire) you can find and a big fat 120 amp fuse. Oh, and a $18 line converter from walmart.

Keep the rest of your cash.

I don't think amping your rear stage is going to help you, and it would take a ton of work to amp you front speakers, so I would just start with the bass and see if you like. That's really all some folks need. PM me if you'd like help executing or with specifics, I have been in the car audio business a long time.

Thank you so much hayasa. I'll just do the subs, and maybe rears and see how i like it.

lol, for 400 bucks itll prob just be the sub and amp. Dont forget installation unless your doing it yourself.