I need a new amp. I want an amp that can put 400 x 1 @ 2 ohm load. Will i need a bigger power wire to get a 400 watt amp hooked up. I have an 8 gauge power wire now and ground. I was think rockford fosgate or phoenix gold. Anyone got any recommendations. I looked at 500bd it is rated a 600 watts x 1 @ 2 ohm. I wanna get it at the end of this month. Anyone have any recommendations.

 

If you plan on upgrading your subs in the future like you talked about, you might want to look at more powerful amps...so you only have to upgrade once. If the "tornado" subs can't handle the extra power, it will give you an excuse to get some good subs.

 

The tornadoes have 2 year warranties on them. They were 109 for two and for the two year warranties i have $180 in them. No questions asked on the warranties. I wanted go on and get a good amp. Then upgrade to elemental designs subs a little later. How much power can you get without having to run 4 gauge amp wire.

 

You might also look into the JBL BP600.1.. this amp will give you 600 watts at a 2 ohm load OR a 1 ohm load. JBL is becoming pretty renowned for VALUE in their class D MONOBLOCK subwoofer amplifiers. They deliver the power they advertise at a cheaper price than some other brands.

The JBL amp will offer you a great deal of flexibility with the added power over the 400 watts you indicated AND being able to handle a low impedance load and still offer the 600 watts of power.

Just a thought.

Although.. I certainly recommend Phoenix Gold.. considering Phoenix Gold is the type of amps I currently use.

 

4 gauge wire is not that expensive.

A word of advise.. having too small of power wire will cripple your amplifiers ability to produce FULL POWER... better safe than sorry on the power wiring.

 

I was lookin at the JBL.300.1. Seems to be what a want. Gives you alot of wiring options. My Lightning audio amp sucks. LoL It doesn't really hit to hard. I am getting 75x2 @ 4ohm. Which isn't nearly enough. I want to get good bass but the JBL.600.1 might be to much. Would that drowned out vocals. I have never heard an amp that big.

 

Go ahead and get the NINE.1. I assume the subs are SVC 4 ohm..you can wire them to a 2 ohm load and give them 250 watts each. Then when you upgrade subs you can get DVC 4 ohm subs and wire them to 1 ohm to get the full power. The amp doesn't cost much more than the JBL 600.1. Your subs will love the power...as far the subs drowning out the music, that is all in how you have your EQ's & bass boost set.

 

INVALID.... QUIT BEING IMPATIENT AND BUYING CHEAP NOW. PLAN AHEAD AND SAVE YOUR MONEY. I'm just trying to tell you to NOT TO BUY the 300.1 because IT WILL NOT SUIT YOUR NEEDS in the future. I can tell already that you're not satisfied with 2 mediocre 12's.. if you get the 300.1 you'll STILL be underpowered once you decide to upgrade your subs.

300 watts is barely enough power for 1 12" Elemental Design sub... much less trying to power 2 of them.

Go with a higher power amp now if you're going to buy one.. buy one that will provide you with plenty of power to the upgraded subs from your Tornadoes.

QUIT BEING IMPATIENT.. Impatience is the worst thing you can let take control of you when buying car audio equipment.. take your time and plan carefully. You'll save yourself A LOT of money and A LOT of frustration by being patient and saving for what will satisfy your wants.

 

Very nice post Tek...

Its going to be a while before the NINE.1's will be shipped out. If you don't want to wait (or you want something different), you should check out the Better Audio M1600 (1500x1 @ 1 ohm) from www.betteraudio.com. There is also the JBL 1200.1 (will handle 1 ohms, but isn't very reliable at 1 ohm). Also, Planet Audio makes some really nice amps. You can check them out at www.planetaudiousa.com

There are tons of amps on the market...but take Tek's advice, don't get in a hurry!

 

I am not in a hurry. I just don't know much about putting that big an amp in a regular cab truck. That nine.1 is huge man. Might be to much for me. What kinda amp are you running 2trucks1wife?
I am still looking at alot and I am not planning on buying a better amp till first of June when I have plenty of money to put in one.Btw I only want one elemental design ten the 2 ohm dvc one. It has 350 watt rms. I think i could get a 300 watt JBL and hook it up at 1 ohm load and it would hit.

 

I don't have anything in my truck right now...I sold my Planet Audio P850D to a friend of mine & I am waiting on the NINE.1 to be shipped out, but they haven't made it to the US yet. 300 watts will be enough power for the one 10" but I have heard a lot of people on car audio forums complain that the JBL amp craps out easily if run at 1 ohm. You could always get DVC 4 ohm subs and wire them to 2 ohms, powered by the JBL 600.1. Or you can buy a bigger amp (not much more $$$) and wire the DVC 2 ohm sub in series for a 4 ohm load. That way if you ever want to upgrade subs or add another one you will have the power available.

 

I have been thinking alot lately. Probably to much. What do you think man will this amp push that elemental design ten or do i need to get a bigger one.http://nexxon.com/dbdrag.htm Tell me how that ten would handle with the amp i picked out.

 

There is another brand of Amps that I have not seen mentioned on here, they have been around a very long time and are top end. HiFonics makes some killer amps maybe worth a look as well.

http://www.maxxsonics.com/hifonics/

 

I think it would perform VERY WELL!!!

P.S. be sure to have a Fire Extinguisher on hand JUST IN CASE.

 

I agree with Rugby.. HiFonics is known to make some great amps. I've often considered going with them myself.. the Zeus series are really good I believe.