OK, this is my last matchup question, promise! Researching car audio has really been proof of the old axiom, "the more you know, the more you don't know."

1. Eclipse PA5422, $235 + s/h
2. PPI PCX-480, $210 + s/h
3. Soundstream EGA4220, $170 + s/h

All of the above are eBay prices.

It will power a pair of component front speakers (100w rms), and one sub (350w max rms) and will have to somehow fit into the back of my cramped little Nissan extended cab. Music: rock, jazz, classical---loud but not earth-shaking volume, SQ is key, sub mainly for fill-in bass not thump-o-rama.

thanks for your input!

 

I would choose the PPI or soundstream over the Eclipse in that order. The Eclipse I think seriously lacks the power output of the other two by comparison in the price range. Eclipse is still a well respected name so they are still a good choice as well. It really boils down to personal preference but I think the soundstream and PPI offer power with less coloration from the built in x-over's.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I'm leaning strongly towards the PPI, but am a little worried at its 18" length...definitely won't fit under my seats!

I may have to ask around about how wall mounting works if I stick with that one... And I love the fact that it has a cooling fan built in; wish I did too, down here in ever-muggy Houston!

 

cgorris,

could you explain the importance of having built-in crossovers? I thought my component speakers already have crossovers, and possibly my Pioneer HU too.

Also, I thought that the Eclipse and PPI have about the same rms: 4x85 for the Eclipse and 4x80 for the PPI.

I guess I'm intrigued by Eclipse because it's Japanese made (I think) and I've had very good experiences with Japanese electronics, laptops, and cars especially in terms of reliability.

 

The crossovers on amps simply are low pass or high pass at a certain frequency. In other words, the crossover allows frequencies above or below a desired point to "pass" to the speaker/speakers. If you are using the amp for a component set, you will set the crossover to high pass and usually somewhere between 50-80hz, depending on your system. You will still need your component set's passive crossover system to filter the proper frequencies for your tweeter and mid. If you are using the amp for a sub, it's simpler, because you only need set the crossover to low pass at the proper frequency for the system.

 

so do you mean that with the PPI and Soundstream amps, their built-in crossovers would let me apply a high-pass filter to the two front channels going to my components, and then a low-pass filter to the two rear channels being bridged into the sub?

As opposed to letting all frequencies go to all 4 channels if the amp does not contain built-in crossovers?

 

actually, according to their Website, the Eclipse PA5422 does have crossovers:

http://www.eclipse-web.com/



200W × 4 Channel Max. Power Output at 2

120W × 4 Channel 0.1% THD at 2 Stereo, 20–20,000Hz@13.8V
(RMS Continuous Power)

85W × 4 Channel 0.1% THD at 4 Stereo, 20–20,000Hz@13.8V
(RMS Continuous Power)

ChannelFlex Crossover
High-Pass Crossover (12dB/octave, 120Hz)
Adjustable Low-Pass Crossover (12dB/octave, 50–200Hz)
Adjustable Pre-Out High-Pass Crossover (12dB/octave, 50–200Hz)

Subsonic Filter (0–50Hz)

Free-Flow Signal Circuit

Double-Sided PCB

High-Current, High-Speed Output Devices

High-Efficiency, High-Energy MOSFET Power Supply

Audiophile Grade Component Selection

Intelligent 7-Way Discrete Protection Circuitry

Music Reproduction with Low Distortion & Ultra-Low Negative Feedback

Efficient Cooling with Low-Profile Heatsink

Multi-Mode Configuration

Stereo/Mono Switch

2 Stable Design