Best amp combination to power 3 12s

[Nate1]

The XTANT is a solid amp, but it's pretty expensive! Both the XTANT and HiFonics are really good buys, but IMHO the HiFonics is more power for your buck, but doesn't look quite as good as the xtant. Either way both are very solid choices and you will be happy.

 

[97XplorerSport]

Ok just to clear up some of the confusion, the subs are dual 4 ohm according to kickers site. You have two wiring options:

1) Parallel to give a 0.67 ohm load

2) Series - parallel to give you a 2.67 ohm load.

Therfore you should look for a amp that does 1200 - 1500 watts RMS. Listen to what Cartman said, he knows what hes talking about.

 

[Hartman]

OK I've changed my mind again, I've been told that a Kicker KX800.2 will be used more to it's full potential when pushing the 3 12s at 2.67 ohms.

 

[97XplorerSport]

Naw don't get the kicker, the only way to hook that particular amp up is to bridge it. That amp bridges @ 4 ohms as do most other 2 channel amps. If you use that amp i can see it kicking into protection running it @ 2.67. Plus its only 800 watts rms, y not buy a bigger amp like 1200 - 1500 and have the headroom for the future.

 

[Hartman]

At this point I don't know, I hear so many contradicting statements from so many different people that I'm more confused than when I started.

 

[Explorer94GV]

How much are you willing to spend? That will ultimately decide for what you go for. I have a RF1501bd it does run hot but all you have to do is add a cooling fan and that problem is solved. The NEW RF that everyone is talking about is the X7 series that is horrible. Very unefficent amps. Their 02 and 03 amps are great for the price. If you can find a 1500.1bd go with that one. That amp was a workhorse for me until it i got stolen. I'd say go with the RF and if warrant matters to you they honor them hassle free. Do some research on the companies that helped me narrow my decsions down on amps when i was looking. Everyone is going to just give you their own opinion on amps. BTW i got my Fosgate for $425 new off ebay.

 

[Cartman]

Hartman I am sure that what I told you earlier is true, the subs can be wired for either a .667 ohm load or 2.667 ohm load, I don't know how anyone is getting 1.333 ohms (the only way to get that is if they didn't realize they were dual voice coil at 4ohms per coil). You want about 1500 watts at 2ohms.

The KX800.2 won't work - it does 800 watts bridged into a 4 ohm load, it will not be stable below that.

 

[Nate1]

Screw this all! Can you get 2 ohm subs, that would make buying an amp alot easier!

 

[Hartman]

No I can't get 2 ohm subs. So the RF 1501BD would be a good choice?

 

[Explorer94GV]

I believe that the RF would be a great choice. Like I said earlier hook up a cooling fan to keep it cool and you will be fine. Where and how much is the one you are looking at?

 

[Hartman]

I'm looking at a few on eBay. The amp is going to be right out in the open (displayed), so will I really need a cooling fan?

 

[Cartman]

After you get the amp play it for a while and check it, if it gets hot or goes into protection then get a fan, you may be okay without it.

The RF 1501BD should do the job very well.

 

[expo5.0]

what makes you guys think that the 800 watt kicker won't run at 2.667 mono load?

i mean i've personally run a 500.2 rockford amp at 2 ohm mono, two 342 mtx amps at 2 ohm mono and a 1501d mtx at 1 ohm mono....

i don't see why the kicker won't be safe too if he uses a fan or two and besides 2.667 is easier on the amp than 2 ohm...

 

[Explorer94GV]

Since I have ran both the 1500.1bd and the 1501bd i'm postive your going to need a fan. First time I used the 1500.1bd i played it semi-hard for about 20 mins. straight and it went into protection mode. I touched it and it was burning hot. After i put 3 fans on it i ran it for 3 hours straight and it never broke a sweat. The 1501bd is a little better but will still run hot. You can look at one of these crossflow cooling fans it is a nice fan that wont look out of place if you are going to display the amp.

http://www.darvex.com/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SF3N&Category_Code=FAN

BTW if you go with this amp have the fan cooling towards one side of the fins since this is where most of the heat is admitted. Trust me the $30 dollar fan will be cheaper than frying your 400++ amp.

 

[Hartman]

A fan is out of the question. Is there an amp that will do just as good of a job without a fan?

 

[Explorer94GV]

Take a look at the audiobahn A1500 or the A1200DT Also the Phoenix Gold Ti 200.1 Titanium or Ti800.1 are great amps but a little pricey.

 

[expo5.0]

hartman

its as simple as this- buy any amp that makes 1500 watts rms at 2 ohms mono and run it at 2.677 and be on the safe side. no fan is necessary with any amp in that situation unless its 110 degrees out and yu push the amp for a few hours straight.

or buy an amp that makes around 1,000 watts rms at 4 ohms mono and run it at 2.667. in this case it will run a little hot, you'll be on the wild side a little bit but still safe with most any company as my own experience shows.

either one is fine- so long as your not getting a really crappy companies amp you can't really go wrong.

 

[Hartman]

Anybody have any thoughts on the Tsunami DB1800 that nweibley posted? Looks like a pretty solid amp for a decent price.

http://www.avionixxusa.com/ep/db1800.htm

 

[Nate1]

Tsunami made great affordable amps, and avionixx has them on a huge sale which is nice. That is a wayyy powerful amp, I think is a solid choice, but others may naysay and say to keep with the big name companies.

Either way, you are gonna get alot of wattage into those woofers if you chose any of those 2 ohm stable 1500+ watt monsters

 

[Explorer94GV]

Great price i say its worth a try out.