rockford, legacy, Polk, kicker, does it matter?

[Bitch'nX]

I have three audiobahn twelves that can handle 800 rms so i need to get a good amp. i was set on buying the rockford-fosgate punch 801s, but i could save a hundred+ dollars if i got a cheaper brand like ultimate or legacy. Will the sound be louder and better and worth the extra money if i get the rockford over the ultimate, or does 800 RMS sound like 800 RMS no matter what brand it comes from?

 

[Alec]

You get what you pay for.

IMO new Rockford (newer than about 4 years old), pyramid, and the other cheapo brands aren't worth it. Might as well save up and get a good amp in a few months.

 

[expo5.0]

there are cheap brands that will put out the power you need for your subs. with subs the quality of the amp isn't uber important for most installs. 800 watts will sound just about like 800 watts from a different company (i repeat for most installs and most low to mid quality subs) I would think that the new sony, rockford, mtx (my favorite for cheap amps by far), audiobahn or the like (read not pyle, pyramid or legacy) would fit your needs just fine

that said pay very careful attention to the rms numbers the amp puts out and at what voltage those numbers are taken when comparing the amps from different manufacturers.

also, which subs are those? i can make you a more specific recommendation if i knew which subs they were and if they were 800 watt rms total or each...

also, what kind of a box will they be in? generic? custom to spec? ported? sealed?

alec- what do you have so against rockford? i mean i don't think their new amps are great or anything and it sucks that they have turned into such a corporate monstrosity and lost the very high quality level they used to have etc. but they still aren't nearly as bad as pyramid.

 

[Alec]

No, they're not nearly as bad as some of the cheaper brands. However, their products used to be really good and I don't think they're worth the price or up to their brand image anymore.

 

[expo5.0]

i totally agree with that alec.

if he's looking for cheap stuff that works though, i think a good deal on the rockford would be an ok option. while a good deal on the pyramid had better be like $50 bucks for 800 watts.

i say this all the time, but i i'll say it again.

i don't think you can beat mtx for the price per watt and quality level. the amps make a lot of power plenty cleanly, they are ok efficiency wise, and they look great, all for very competitive prices. I've installed 7 of them ranging from the 342 2 channel to the 1501D mono over the last three months and have yet to have any major complaints with them.

 

[Redrig]

No, they're not nearly as bad as some of the cheaper brands. However, their products used to be really good and I don't think they're worth the price or up to their brand image anymore

I got my rockfords about 8 yrs ago. I recently went to the same shop and they even told me i had the good ones and that the newer ones arent as good.

 

[88vert]

I just bought a MTX 801D mono amp and it makes my 2 12 inch HE2's slam and I got the gain not even half way on the amp.I love this amp

 

[Cartman]

I agree with 88vert, I love both my MTX amps - for the money they are hard to beat. Everyone that I know who knocks MTX has never actually owned one.

 

[KPT]

Rockford was bought by Lanzar. From what I've heard quailty went down after that.

 

[bilbo99]

Originally posted by *****'nX
I have three audiobahn twelves that can handle 800 rms so i need to get a good amp. i was set on buying the rockford-fosgate punch 801s, but i could save a hundred+ dollars if i got a cheaper brand like ultimate or legacy. Will the sound be louder and better and worth the extra money if i get the rockford over the ultimate, or does 800 RMS sound like 800 RMS no matter what brand it comes from?

Sounds like someone may have heard a bit of "A WATT IS A WATT NO MATTER WHERE IT COMES FROM" crap.

Most of your major brands are safe. Rockford, Kicker, JBL, MTX, Alpine....all decent and respectible.

Some good budget amps to pay attention to. You may get a great deal if you play your cards right...US Acoustics, Avionixx and Clarion. (Open a Clarion amp and it is strikingly similar to an Arc Audio)

Amps to run away from...Pyle, American Bass, Legacy, Most Lanzar, Excite, Boss, Pyramid, Pheonix Digital,

 

[jssong]

you can always take my a2300hcq off my hands. audiobahns mono 2400 watt amp. it powers my alum10s perfectly. 800 watts rms to each sub. pm me if interested

 

[expo5.0]

wait- that amp is for sale jssong? how much?

 

[jssong]

i guess my system has always been for sale. my audiobahn alum10q(3 of them), in a sealed box. audiobahn a2300hcq amp, two 1 farad lightning audio caps. I paid alot for this setup, and want to upgrade. but id rather keep it instaed of losing alot of money. pm me if interested.

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[jssong]

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[davesexplorer]

Originally posted by JL 3x12 Xplorer
Rockford was bought by Lanzar. From what I've heard quailty went down after that.

what?

All a matter of opinion in my mind...
My fav brands Ive had the best experience with: (amps)
Audiobahn
MTX
MA Audio
Rockford

and although everyone hates them for some reason, One of my first amps was a Profile 600 watt amp
played good, pushed subs real good! and was one of the cheapest amps you could get at that time....

Why dont you go with audiobahn with the audiobahn subs? Their class d amps are nice!

 

[88vert]

MA audio makes great mono block amps,very under rated,along with their subs

 

[NICE59FORDF100]

Maybe ill be the only one to stick up for legacy..

Before my **** got stolen, i had two 12" JL Audio W1's i believe, 300 watt rms. I had a legacy 1600 W 2 channel amp, and i had each sub on each channel, and it would shake my truck. Granted, the legacy's might be a little power overated, but i have had two legacy amps (first one went out when my **** in the cargo area kept hitting it) and i have liked both. My new setup, which im currently winning on ebay, is a Legacy la2038 2400w 2 channel, along with two Legacy LW1299 12" 600W RMS subs. So we'll see how this next setup sounds..

Plus, with my history in amp sampling, im scared to go to another brand unless someone wants me to try different amps before i buy

Moral of the story: legacy is a good brand, just do this formula i came up with:

With a legacy amp, take the power in watts advertized (ex 1600), didive it by the channels (ex 2 channels) and divide the number by two (2) and thats a ball park RMS for the legacy brand.

So my old amp was making 400 watts RMS powering 300W JL Audio Subs....not bad, and trust me, it sounded Very Good! Hope this clears up somethings!

 

[davesexplorer]

Boy you sure knocked the dust off this thread

 

[nvrenufedge]

Thats funny!! didn't notice the dates on it either til I read the last post.

 

[NICE59FORDF100]

oh crap, i didnt even see the dates on there! OOPS! sorry guys, lol. I was searching for posts aboutlegacy amps, and i found this one, and my poor little legacy brand was under attack! LOL, anyway, sorry