I just recently got two 10" Downfire Kicker CVTs, for my SuperCab FX4...the RMS rating is 400 each, with the peak being 800....I was wondering about a wattage for an amp...and any advice on a economical brand as well. any help would be greatly appreciated...thanks!

 

Do you have the 2 or 4 ohm versions?

 

Four

 

That mean you can wire them to 2ohm or 8ohm. To get the power you need I would suggest 2ohm as your most cost effect method.

I would be looking for an amp that did at least 800watts at 2ohm.

Check these sites out.
http://www.woofersetc.com
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/


This one is complete overkill any you would need to keep the gains really really low.
http://www.woofersetc.com/p-9691-zrs...amplifier.aspx

I am not really big on Hifonics but if it does rated power then one can't complain.
http://www.woofersetc.com/p-9395-brz...amplifier.aspx

Not quite as much power but might work.
http://www.woofersetc.com/p-9372-gto...amplifier.aspx

Some people like the MB amps.
http://www.woofersetc.com/p-8810-onx...amplifier.aspx

Not sure of this one.
http://www.woofersetc.com/p-7767-rub...amplifier.aspx

 

thanks! now....would obviously spending the money on a good amp is logical...but do you think its neccessary...pockets are a bit tight at the moment...so do you think its worth it to spend the money on $200+ amp...or would i be able to run them with an amp in the $100+ range?

 

100 dollar range for that power is kinda pushing it. I am not saying it couldn't be done but I would question the reliability and if it is truely doing rated power without a huge amount of distortion.

Another option is to buy used. All 3 of the amps I am currently using were purchased on the used market and I have been quite happy.

Here is one that would work very well. It is actually one that mSall150 recommended to me a while back.

http://www.caraudio.com/forums/ampli...ml#post7663397

Here are a couple of car audio forums that have classified sections. Keep an eye out and you can find a really good deal.

http://www.caraudio.com/forums/ampli...ds/index4.html
http://www.caraudioclassifieds.org/f...no-amplifiers/
http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/...o-classifieds/

 

thanks for the help man!

 

I have the same subs but the 2 ohm version. I am running a kicker ZX 1000.1 amp.

 

At one time I had a 2010 model of the Kicker ZX mono amp and there was nothing wrong with it. It did more than rated power and was really reliable.

Finding at 1000.1 under $200 might be a challenge.

 

from what ive heard about the kicker amps...a 500w kicker is more like 800 true watts...but thats just heresay i have no experience with them.

 

but in general...do yall have any certain brands you prefer...and any certain brands you reccomend to stay away from?

 

I had a kicker ZX500.1 and it was rated at 648. If you could find a 10ZX750.1 in your price range that would work well. I checked eBay and looks like you could get one for around $180 shipped.

There is also a MB Quart that does close to 800watt at 2ohm. I think that would still be plenty.
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...NX1.1000D.html

I would stay away from Boss, new Lanzar, Crunch, Hitron, Kole, Jensen. Basically anything that looks to good to be true probably is, I.e 4000watts for $89.99. If it looks like someone would try and sell at a flea market I would pass.

I like a lot of stuff. Some of it is well out my price range. Tru, ZED, Zapco, Sinfoni, Audison.

For your needs,
I like Cadence for the price.
JL Audio is always good, but like Sony you are paying a premium for the name IMO. Even though some people hate on them Kicker makes good mono amps.
Alpine is always nice but finicky and can have a little "noise".
I am intrigued by JBL.
MB Quart has a good bang for the buck, but some say they can run a little hot.
Older Soundstream, Orinion, and PPI are always good finds.

There are a lot of brands that have older amps that are really really good. But then they were bought out and went downhill. Old US Amps rock.

One thing I always do when researching equipment is to do a google search on the model and look for review or opinions are car audio sites. I don't trust reviews on retailer web sites. They can get stacked with fake entries.

 

Yea that would be a challenge. And yes kicker under rates their amps. My 1000 watt is really pushing 1185.

And yea I agree make sure to research an amp real well before you buy it. Especially if it isn't a well known brand. And stay away from the cheap ones like stated by Langlowe

 

I have a Soundstream STL 1.600D running my 2 CVT's and it thumps! It puts out 600 watts rms at 2 ohms, but it pushes these subs hard. It's cheap too, I think it's only $150 or less on ebay. Only problem I've had with it is it turning off for a few min when it gets too hot, but thats only when I run it hard on a hot day with the AC off. If I have the AC on and keep the cab cool it's fine.

 

I have a single 12" CVT in my truck and use the Rockford Fosgate Prime R500-1 to push it. The speaker, as you mentioned, is rated at 400 watts RMS at either 4 or 2 ohm, and unfortunately my amp was tested and rated at 582watts RMS at 2ohms.

The amp is rated at 320 RMS @ 4ohms, so if it was pushing out almost 85 more watts at ohms, then maybe it does the same at 4 and its VERY close to 400 @ 4ohm, ideal for the CVT. I know it's not an apples to apples comparison, but it pushes the sub extremely well and sounds great.