Need an alternate amp

[NaplesBill]

I have had several MTX amps in the past and they all overheated and shut off. My best friend has Eclipse amps and they have overheated on him as well. My JL amp doesn't even get hot, a little warm sometimes but never hot.

I do not order audio equipment over the net too often. I would rather buy from a local shop and let them deal with problems or service. I get pretty close to online prices anyway, and still get a full warranty(which you sometimes do not online). I have heard good things about Focal but nobody in my area has them.

You guys are entitled to your opinions but I can tell you that nobody walks away from hearing my system dissapointed. The one thing that's just as important as the equipment is the install. A good install and proper tuning will yield good results even from second rate equipment. I always do my own installs.

I'm one of the few people who can actually hear the difference between good SQ and great SQ. It takes me several weeks to get my systems tuned to a point where I like them. Just having it bump is not enough. I have to tweak it to a point where I don't miss any frequencies and that the mids and highs match the bass output. I could have been happy with a lot of other equipment but I bought what I like and I don't have any regrets. To each his own.

Also, the last three cars I've had have all been at 13.5 volts or higher at idle. I assumed that was the norm.

Here is a review on the 500/1(helps illustrate what makes the amps better than average):

Dead Link Removed

 

[HotCtyPlaya]

I believe your are right with the 13.5 volts more or less i believe i was wrong with the range I believe it is 12.8 to 13.5 volts....but what kind of diff are you seeing at 13.5 volts as apposed to a 12 volt system....

I have torn 1000/1 with W7 apart in comps score wise...or course its not official cause they are a class above me but i think that still counts

If they are quality class D they should not be overheating...A/B maybe but i have never had a class D get hot...my concept runs cool as a cucumber and my boys eclipse does the same.....

Sorry im not gonna read the review on the 500/1 right now i have to get out to have a meeting with some guys with out trucks

 

[expo5.0]

i can respond to everything you said about overheating and the proper installation being everything etc. with one sentence-

The most common source of an amplifier overheating is improper installation...


besides- you really think hotcityplaya or I don't know how to install?




btw- i'm serious about the focal subs if you can afford them. you could pick up the discontinued k38spl subs mua ha ha

 

[NaplesBill]

Why would you compare a 2400 watt amp to a 1000 watt amp. Also, all the comps I've been in were based on cone area and enclosure(IASCA). I've never seen the type your talking about!

 

[HotCtyPlaya]

USAC

I am comparing the pricing and the bang for you buck...i paid less for what I believe is a better amp....for more power and for no problems....

 

[expo5.0]

you would compare them because the bigger one is cheaper and we're talking bang for the buck i guess

there are many different competition rules- rather than argue just build to the class you want to be in according to the governing body of your choice... or else just build whatever you want for yourself and then enter whichever class they throw you in when you go the competition. Personally thats what i think is best. car audio is meant for your own enjoyment. I could never build a system just for spl or sq. I need the combination that allows me to love listening to everything from dave mathews to 36 mafia.

Also- just because a system can hit 155 dbs at one frequency doesn't mean it will sound louder than a system that can only hit 152 as you actually listen to a song with varying frequencies of bass. There are so many other variables to take into account. this is a total tangent and i'll stop.

all the equipment we're talking about is great and it truly is primarily in giving the equipment proper working conditions etc.

lets just all get along though- but don't try to pop off on my install skills unless you can back it up

 

[chente]

umm... I just wanted it too sound good and hit some bass... didn't mean to cause a dog fight... Which amp for the E12a? Doesn't look like they sell the avionixx 800.2 anymore... At least not on the website.

 

[davesexplorer]

Why dont you try e-mailing elemental designs yourself?

mailto:tech@edesignaudio.com

they should be able to help.....straight from the horses mouth !

What are you guys fighting over?

 

[HotCtyPlaya]

*Backs up* nobody is dissing yer install skills expo...lol

Expo is right though I am just real used to building for a very goal oriented reason however I do remember myself saying that i was not going to go with the 8 cube setup because i wanted to mix music with SPL FQs so expo is very right and yes i was comparing in bang for your buck......

P.S.
Don't diss me at all lol....

 

[Ford_Racing_Guy]

MA audio is decent stuff

my buddy picked up a 2800 watt amp for 300 bucks brand new with warranty at a store that was going out of business

the amp was actually 750 bucks,
but he got it for 300
lucky *******!

 

[NaplesBill]

Originally posted by expo5.0
i can respond to everything you said about overheating and the proper installation being everything etc. with one sentence-

The most common source of an amplifier overheating is improper installation...


besides- you really think hotcityplaya or I don't know how to install?




btw- i'm serious about the focal subs if you can afford them. you could pick up the discontinued k38spl subs mua ha ha

I wasn't questioning your install skills. I was just saying that the best equipment you can buy will sound like crap if not installed correctly. It had nothing to do with either of you personally. I really don't feel like I'm arguing, just discussing a subject. I have not said anything bad about any of the equipment you are running. Somebody said JL amps were crap and this is not true. I was just trying to make sure that people understand that yes JL is expensive but you get a lot of product for your money.

I thought the reason for forums on car audio is for all of us to learn from.

Also, the MTX amps I had were both installed properly and were not enclosed so they had plenty of air movement. They would cut out from overheating after just over an hour of playing loudly. I think MTX amps offer a lot for the money. Good power and a decent price. I'm sure they have gotten better by now anyway. I have not had any heat issues with either the RF 1500BD or the JL 1000/1. It was not an install issue it was an amp issue.

You guys are taking me way too seriously! I wouldn't intentionally slam anybody without a reason.

 

[NaplesBill]

Originally posted by expo5.0
you would compare them because the bigger one is cheaper and we're talking bang for the buck i guess

there are many different competition rules- rather than argue just build to the class you want to be in according to the governing body of your choice... or else just build whatever you want for yourself and then enter whichever class they throw you in when you go the competition. Personally thats what i think is best. car audio is meant for your own enjoyment. I could never build a system just for spl or sq. I need the combination that allows me to love listening to everything from dave mathews to 36 mafia.

Also- just because a system can hit 155 dbs at one frequency doesn't mean it will sound louder than a system that can only hit 152 as you actually listen to a song with varying frequencies of bass. There are so many other variables to take into account. this is a total tangent and i'll stop.

all the equipment we're talking about is great and it truly is primarily in giving the equipment proper working conditions etc.

lets just all get along though- but don't try to pop off on my install skills unless you can back it up

I definately agree with you on the purpose of building a system. For me anyway, it has to be able to play all types of music. I don't build for SPL either. I build it to sound they way I like it. I also agree that hitting a high SPL # doesn't mean it won't sound like crap with normal music. I've had bass in every car I've driven since 1985. I'm not trying to sound ****y, just trying to give some background.

 

[HotCtyPlaya]

I don't feel its an arguement its just a couple guys that are passionate about what they do.

Can i ask what class was that MTX amp just curious and if you have a model on it so I can look around a bit and see what the problem might have been.

At the same time a high dB hitting sitting can sound reletively good but you have to be realistic about what you expect to hear from it.

My opinion still stands though and I don't feel you have steered me otherwise....your NOT getting a lot for your money with JL...in fact this conversation has strengthened my thoughts on it. I have learned that they add things that the common day system guy is not going to use and if u give it to an enthusiast he is going to look at it and say ummm i can get more and better power for my money and put it right back where he found it. I feel the JL amps are trying to satisfy an inbetween area that should never be satisified because it just ain't happening.....

 

[NaplesBill]

I don't remember the model of the MTX, but the first MTX I had was a "Road Thunder" and it heated up a lot. The second one was the all black one. It was a good amp but it also overheated after approx 1 to 1 1/2 hours of pounding.

The thing about the W7 is that it is actually designed for SQ and the SPL is just a side effect. It sounds good no matter how loud I turn it up. I also do use the added features of the JL(not JBL ) amps. The sub amp lets you tune the centering frequency of the bass boost. Also, since I will not be doing a 2400 watt system anytime soon, I am totally satisfied with my setup.

I also don't think they are having any problem selling their amps so there are plenty of other people who see the value in them. I paid $850 for it and the RF 1500BD is only about $100 cheaper around here. I was not to impressed with the RF amp. From what I understand though, RF is about to release an entirely new line of amps. They are supposed to be pretty impressive so I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Also, you can get JL's new E series amps for good prices. They are mostly the same but they do not have as good of crossovers and they don't have the triple voltage rail setup. I was talking to a JL rep and he explained the differences to me.

 

[mhn3773]

did u use any kind of cooling fan? im not an install guy but they seem to help everything else

 

[NaplesBill]

No fans. I was going to do that but ended up replacing the amps. Haven't had that problem with the JL amps.

 

[expo5.0]

i do have two fans on my amps, i've always run fans in every set-up so far.


as for the tuning frequency and stuff that can be beneficial, but in the case of most high end systems they should have a external way of doing that stuff. i have an epic160 and an eclipse equalizer, and an electronic crossover. pretty much takes care of the need for that stuff. I think many other people are probably in the same boat

 

[HotCtyPlaya]

hmmmm....no fans for me and cool as a cucumber all around...could that be thanks to the quality build of that DD sub...and trust me....you can ask expo that thing is getting passed what its "normal" ratings say it should be at....remember it is not a 9515 it is a 9015....as for the amp....Class D, that things never heats up...always nice and cool...i put my face on it on hot days to cool off

 

[mhn3773]

lol i think u should sell concepts stuff for them hotctyplaya

 

[HotCtyPlaya]

When my Tax ID comes in they are my phone call right after Focal....they have already been called for me as to a reference so I don't have to beg them to carry their product....