Ive been searching for weeks, and I'm drained. I think I narrowed it down to two amps. Please help me decide, just dont decide via price,because I can get them at roughly the same price.
They will be powering a set of Polk components MMC5250 (100 watts rms) and a Rockford Fosgate RFD2110 sub (Power range 150-500 watts RMS (250 watts per voice coil)).
Im going to place te amp under the back seat(drivers side) So Ive basically got 12" X 16.5".


First Amp
Audiobahn A1004DP
RMS Power (4 ohms) 100 watts x 4 ch.
RMS Power (2 ohms) 200 watts x 4 ch.
RMS Power (1 ohm) 300 watts x 4 ch.
Bridged RMS Power 200 watts x 2 (4 ohms); 400 watts x 2 (2 ohms)
Peak Power Output 2400 watts approx. (1 ohm)
Min. Impedance Unbridged 1 ohm
Min. Impedance Bridged 2 ohms
THD @ Rated RMS Power 0.05%
Speaker Level Inputs No
Amp Preamp Outputs Yes - 1 Pair
Built-in Crossover HP (50-250Hz), LP (50-250Hz)
Bass Boost 0 - 12 dB
Signal-to-Noise Ratio 100 dB
Fan Cooled Yes (Dual Cooling Fans)


Second Amp
High Speed, High Voltage Output Devices
New 20th Anniversary HiFonics Heat Sink
PWM Mosfet Power Supply
Dual Variable High-Pass / Low-Pass Crossovers
Variable Bass Boost at 40 Hz
2 / 4 Channel Input Selector
Full-Range Line Output
Gold-Plated Terminal Block Power and Speaker Connectors
3-Way On-Board Diagnostic
Amplifier Type: Multi-Channel
RMS Power: 100W x 4 @ 4 Ohms
RMS Power: 200W x 4 @ 2 Ohms
Bridged RMS Power: 400W x 2 @ 4 Ohms
THD at Rated RMS Power: <0.03%
Speaker Level Inputs: No
Preamp Outputs: Yes
Built-In Crossovers: HP/LP
Bass Boost: 0 - 18 dB
Frequency Response: 10-30,000 Hz
Channel Separation: >70 dB
Signal to Noise Ratio: >95 dB

Whats the good and the bad for each amp, and are there others I should consider at less then 12" X 16".

 

You're looking at 2 of the most overexposed, mass marketed lines on the planet right now. To me that's not necessarily a good thing. You will hear people sing the praises of both, and you will definitely hear people slam them both. What a dilemma! Actually, the truth is somewhere in the middle of those 2 things. These are both "mid fi". They are a cut above "low end", but they are definitely not "high end". Having said that, either of these could serve well for years IF used within its design capabilities and isn't abused or misused. That means connecting everything properly and then USING it properly. Either one should be fine for what you suggest. Personally, with those two as the choices, I would have to go with Hifonics. I have a Z8000 5 channel that has served me well in my daily driver now for about 4 years. I bought it in a hurry and because it was cheap after having another amp stolen and it is not a bad amp at all. I'm about to replace it, but not because it has failed me in any way.

 

I dont like either brand, But I would go with Audiobahn if it was me. I hear their subs suck, but they make decent amps.

 

x2

I would probably go with the bahn cause i have experiance with that. But i know a few people that love their hifonics. Really they're pretty much the same, whichever one you can get cheaper or with some sort of warranty would be the one id go with.

 

While on this subject, keep in mind when throwing these "brand names" around that Hifonics, for example, is NOT the Hifonics of the late '80s and early to mid '90s. At that point they were truly high end gear. Made in USA. I just sold a 1994 Hifonics AtlantisX that was 1 ohm stable in 2 channel and 2 ohm stable in bridged configuration. Bridged into 2 ohms it would produce in the neighborhood of 1000 watts RMS. Functionally, it was perfect. I was able to get $100 for it. Pyramid @#$% at the flea market sells for that to the unsuspecting, uneducated, unknowing newbies, which is exactly what these mainstream companies count on. That's why they put those huge numbers on them and make them appear to be flashy. Remember, the real substance of any amplifier is "under the hood", baby. There are amps of much better quality for very nearly the same $$$. You say you've looked and looked. What are some of the other 4 channels you've seen?

 

Totally agree. If you are not set in stone on these two amps, what is your budget. There are better choices.

 

Eclipse EA3422 New, 50x4 into 4 ohms $150, nice amp, it has all the features you could ever want

xtant 403a true high end, 50x2 and 100x1 into 4 ohms. Underrated, but still might be too little power for what you want. $130/professionally refurbished, this amp sells for about $600 new

Phoenix Gold Tantrum 600.4 75x4 into 4 ohms. This amp is stable into 1 ohm in 2 channel mode. 2 ohms bridged. $200

These amps are all three on ebay right now with the "Buy it Now" option. If I was in your position I would be on that Phoenix Gold like a hobo on a bologna sandwich. It's a last year's model from a store's demo display. MSRP is $550. I did a google search to read all the specs, and this is a very nice amp. Actually, all three are. Much better choices than audiobahn and the new Hifonics line, in my opinion. But, it's your choice, no one else's.

 

Im looking to spend no more them 400.00 for the amp, but will budge if worth it. I wanted to get the q-logics sub box 170.00, Sub for 95.00 and the amp all with the next pay check. Then after some overtime get the polk components. Then far down the road replace the head unit.
I seen the hifonics for 220.00 and the audiobahn for 260.00.
I also looked at soundstream, mtx,alpine,rockford fosgate, and so on. Too many to list, most were to large for the space, but it all came down to not being able to trust the specs without some real opinions. Some looked too cheap for the specs, some looked like you were paying for a pretty box.
To bad I wont get my next check untill friday or I would get the phoenix gold, I guess another good deal will come around like that sooner or later.
Thanks in advance for the help.

 

For $400, you can have your pick of some of the best amps out there. Look on ebay for:

JL 300/4
Diamond Audio
Arc Audio (rare on ebay)
Audison SR series
Zapco Reference
Phoenix Gold Titanium

These are some of the best amp brands in your price range of $400. The two you listed will not even come close to the quality of the above or the ones 97F250 mentioned.

 

Hows this Look?
Pheonix Gold TI500.4

Should I rethink the sub?

 

That amp is a thing of beauty. As for the sub, it doesn't necessarily HAVE to be driven with its RMS rated amount of power to sound and perform great. The RMS ratings are merely guidelines to let the user know the boundaries and capabilities of the equipment. I'm sure 2 channels of that amp bridged will make that sub really work.

 

What every you do shop around on e-bay. Its is hard to beat the deals. I have purchased an Audiobauhn 6004T and a Phoenix Gold Xeon 400.1 both under $200 ea.

 

The 05 line for hifonics, has bumped them up a notch from mid-low end to a solid mid end amp. Now they are putting out close to rated power, if not right on. Still i would pick a different amp tho. The Phoenix Gold, atleast the older amps, seem to be a bit under rated as well as the zapco. Those two being my top choices, then the Jl or Diamond. However i would sacrifice a high end amp for a better sub and a mid end amp. Also for 170 i would look into a custom box.

 

The best amps are still out there I reccommend ARC Audio and ZedAudio, and they are the best sounding period rich detailed highs and excellent bass response. Check out http://www.arcaudio.com or http://www.zedaudio.com, trust me spend a little more and be extremely happy later.

 

I ended up ordering the Pheonix Gold TI500.4 for 350.00. Picked up a Knukonceptz 4 guage wiring kit for 40.00, and 100 square feet of fatmat for 130.00 . Also picked up a bass blocker for 15.00 with a 150 hz cutoff for the rear speakers because they wont be hooked to the amp, and a N-7V LOC for 40.00 from davidnavone.com. All prices Include Shipping. Kinda sucks each piece was bought from a different place so I didnt get a break on shipping.

I guess the polk components ,sub, and enclosure will be a few months from now. I'd rather start with a good amp, then want to replace a year down the line.

Its funny though , I found the exect amp at an audio/video place locally. They wanted 550.00 for the floor model, and they had only one new one left in stock for around 800.00. I bought the amp for the amount they wanted me to leave as a down payment.