I'm in need of an amp to power 4 subs. The subs are 4-ohm dual voice coils, and require 250w RMS. I am okay with either 1 or 2 amps, but don't want 4 amps (for obvious reasons -- price and space). I was looking at the Alpine MRP-M500, and just getting 2 of them. However, I wouldn't be opposed to a single mono (must be class D though) which would provide 1000w RMS @ 1ohm. The obvious problem there is finding an amp that is stable at 1ohm -- this limits my choices.

The following are a few set-ups I could go with:

• 1 mono amp, putting out 1000w RMS @ 1 Ohm
• 2 mono amps, putting out 500w RMS @ 2 Ohms
• 2 2-channel amps, putting out 250w RMS x 2 @ 4 Ohms
• 1 4-channel amp, putting out 250w RMS x 4 @ 4 Ohms

Again, I want a Class D amp, because this is going in a daily driver, and I do make several-hour-long trips sometimes, and plan to have the subs blazing the whole way. I have taken a trip to UVA (from Atlanta, GA -- Georgia Tech) and back with no problems from my current Class D amp, and want to be able to keep that ability. So I want Class D just to be safe, which creates a little conflict when looking at multi-channel amps (because they are usually Class A/B). Do you guys have any amp recommendations? Any thoughts on the Alpine amp I listed above? Thanks for the help.

EDIT/NOTE: I'm not looking to spend millions of dollars on this amp either. Yes, I know there are some really nice amps out there, but I'd like something that is more of a most-bang-for-your-buck sort of amp.

 

ithere is a mono amp you might want to check out. its a kicker 750.1, but kicker actually rates it at about 950 watts (dont know if that will be close enough to 1000 for you). there is a guy on ebay that has a store that sells a crap load of these. its a $500 amp that o got for $248 w/ shipping and everything else.

just a thought for you...

 

Another thought I had -- would it be possible to get 1 2-channel amp that puts ou 500w x 2 @ 2 Ohms and just put 2 subs per channel (2 DVC4's wired in parallel would put out a 2-Ohm load)?

 

DVC4's
1 sub parrallel= 2ohm
2 subs parrallel= 1ohm

 

Hmm... We are both wrong.
1 DVC4 to a mono amp = 2 Ohms
2 DVC4's to a mono amp = 4 Ohms

But to answer my own question...
4 DVC4's to a 2-channel amp = 2 x 4 Ohms

 

So... After spending more time at work not working, I decided to invest my time in looking into this and drawing it out (I work better with pictures). I used Crutchfield Advisor with help on this (they did most of the work).

Here are my choices (these set-ups/values are a per-channel basis and would supply each sub with 250w RMS):

• 2 2-channel amps, 1 sub per channel: 250w RMS @ 2 Ohms (per channel)
• 1 2-channel amp, 2 subs per channel: 500w RMS @ 4 Ohms
• 2 mono amps, 2 subs per channel: 500w RMS @ 4 Ohms
• 1 mono amp, 4 subs per channel: 1000w RMS @ 2 Ohms

Seems to me like the 2nd and 3rd options are the worst, being that it's a lot harder/more expensive to find an amp that can supply 500w RMS @ 4 Ohms. The 1st set-up seems like it would have the most choices, but I would have to buy 2 amps, which could make it more expensive than the 4th choice. That being said, I think I will probably be going with option 4. So can anyone recommend a mono Class D amp that'll run at 1000w RMS @ 2 Ohms?

 

no big deal but i wasn't wrong, i just gave you one option for 2 DVC4's. oh well.

 

Haha, okay, fair enough. Man, I love work. I have been getting paid to sit on my bum all day.

 

500w @ 4 ohms is ALOT more expensive than 500w @ 1 Ohm

 

lucky

 

Yeah. I think I've decided on an amp. Since I love my current amp, I think I am going to go with another Kenwood -- the Kenwood Excelon KAC-X1R. Crutchfield has it listed for $500, but I know I can get it cheaper. It puts out 1200w RMS @ 2 Ohms, so I think that'll be more than sufficient for my subs. Plus, it's one of the shorter ones on the market at 13 5/16" long (which is important when it's going under a rear seat). Thoughts about this amp? Anyone heard anything good/bad about it? The reviews on Crutchfield seem to be pretty good (from what I remember, but maybe that was for a different amp).

 

Okay.. Your final load options are .5-, 2-, or 8-Ohms with four DVC-4 drivers. Stick with a mono class D. Much more simple. Find any mono amp that will do a TRUE 1000wRMS @ 2-ohms. There's plenty. Or find an amp that is .5-Ohm stable with the supporting power. The 0.5-Ohm amp would be more efficient, but also take its toll on your electrical system. The 2-Ohm amps are usually cheaper and much more common. I'd suggest something along the lines of a Kicker ZX1000.1 or an Alpine MRP-1000.

Cheers!