So... I finally laid out my system, and figured I'd run my 4 8" DVC subs in parallel. That being said, I can run them all to a mono amp. The problem is that trying to get a mono class D amp providing 1600W rms @ 2Ohms isn't easy/cheap. Not to mention, these amps all seem to be effing HUGE (I'm talking like 20"+ inches long). Well, I found 2 amps of (what I would imagine to be) very different in both quality and price. What are your thoughts/suggestions?

I'm looking at either...
Power Acoustiks SL-2600D (~$260)
ORION HCCA-D5000 (MSRP ~$1,500)

I know I can find the ORION for cheaper, but it's still expensive. Not to mention, it's 22.8" long -- won't fit under my seat so well. Anyway, I was also wondering, would it be easier/cheaper to buy 2 smaller amps and bridge them together? I am no circuit guru, so I'm not entirely sure how to bridge amps together, or if that would even make sense to do. Basically, I'm trying to get 1600W rms @ 2Ohms in the most finance- AND space-efficient way. Any help would be awesome. You guys are my heroes.

 

i have a suggestion. i have a kicker 750.1 that puts out 943 watts. it fits under the driver/passenger seat and i know a guy with an ebay store who sells them for $242 buy it now ($250 w/ shipping). the amp usually sells for about $500.

just wanted to throw that option out there.

 

get two 2 channel amps that can do 2x400w @ 2ohm assuming your subs are dual 4ohm

 

This amp though probally overrated but still.
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...+BXi2607D.html

 

Aren't 2-Channel amps only Class A/B? I'm worried about heat being a factor if you stuff 2 amps under my seat.

Also, yes, they are DVC 4Ohms, but are you saying to bridge all channels together? or run each sub to its own channel? Because I only get to 2Ohms by linking 4 DVC4's in parallel. Here's the math:

_______________1_______________ =
1/(4x2) + 1/(4x2) + 1/(4x2) + 1/(4x2) =

_________1________ = _1_ =
1/8 + 1/8 + 1/8 + 1/8 = 1/2 = 2Ohms

If you only hook up one sub to one channel, you are putting 8Ohms load on a 2-Ohm channel. ...Damn, this is making me put my thinkin' cap on.

 

Yeah, I saw some other ones by Hifonics. They seem to have a lot out there. Buuuut... I've never heard of them, let alone heard anything about them. Granted, I don't deal a lot in car audio, but... I'm dunno. Anyone know anything about them? Do they make good products?

 

your over thinking this. WAY over thinking this. get 2 2 channel amps that can do 2x400w @ 2ohm that will give you 4 400w channels super cheap. run each sub parallel to its own channel.

 

See, this is why I come here. LOL. I was thinking that wiring a DVC4 in parallel would give me a 4-Ohm load.

But back to my heat problem -- Do you think that 2 2-channel amps (which would be Class A/B, since I don't think I've ever seen a multi-channel Class D amp. But that's not to say there isn't one...) would overheat? I loved my old Kenwood mono Class D amp because it would be able to run forever without overheating. But I'm kind of worried that 2 amps crammed under my rear seat might get too hot down there... Thoughts?

 

have you ever tried to cram 4 wires into a single hole?.... they make multi channel class-d amps... thats really not an issue tho. a watt is a watt at this point. you wont run into anymore heating problems than you would with a single amp, your making thisway harder than it is

 

That's just how I roll... LOL. Yeah, story of my life. This is why I have so much respect for my parents; they have been putting up with crap like this for 21 years now. PLUS my sister's crap. Man, I don't envy them...

 

what 8's are you running btw? shame you have dual 4's and not dual 2's the power would have been soooo much cheaper

 

Looking at the eD 9Kv.2's. You can get them as DVC2 instead of DVC4 for the same price, but then the RMS of the speaker is only 200w instead of 400w. And I wanna get my money's worth. So I'm going with the D4 version, so I can double my output for the same price (well... same price before the difference in amp prices).

 

This little calculator saves on brain power and makes you look smart in front of your friends..

http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/rftech/woofer_wizard.asp

 

for what its worth I had 450w going to one 9kv2 and mine are dual 2's

 

So... wtf. Apparently, their site is just confusion. I sent an email to their tech support asking how close to 400w RMS do I need to produce for the DVC4's. Their response:

Hello Branden.
We do not suggest 400 watts RMS power in most applications. Around 150-250 watts RMS is optimal.

I sent them an email back saying:

Do you suggest 150-250w RMS @ 2 or 4 Ohms? Since I am looking at using the DVC
4-ohm subs, this would change how I wire things. Also, if you don't suggest
400w RMS, it might be advisable to remove that from your site; your
page (http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_...products_id=29)
indicates that the output is 400w RMS for the D4 version, and 200w RMS for the
D2 version.

Model Name : 9Kv.2 Subwoofer
Available Voice Coils : Dual 2 - or - Dual 4
Power Handling : 200/400 WRms

Thanks for the clarification!

~Branden

Their response:

I'm sorry for the confusion Branden, but the 200/400 wRMS, isn't for the Dual 2 or Dual 4 ohm.

Thats actually a different way for us to list RMS Power, basically saying 200-400 watts depending on the application, as seen when you click the link that shows the picture.

I would suggest the 150-250 watts RMS with dual 2 or dual 4 ohm wired in series or parallel. What size and type of enclosure do you plan on using?

[end of email conversation thus far (aside from my response telling them about my enclosure)]

Personally, the site was a bit misleading, but their tech support clears things up and is a big help (with quick response time). So this is a big FYI to all of you do-it-yourselfers out there. If you're going with eD's 9Kv.2's, you don't need to power them with 400w RMS. That measure on their site is for "special applications" (no idea what that means), so 200-250w RMS would be optimal (150w just seams low, but I like a lotta bass so... take it with a grain of salt).

Anyway, all that being said, it should be a snap to find an amp(s) that can power 250w @ 2 ohms. So thanks for your help/advice guys!