I would like some honest advice regarding amplifiers for the system I am currently piecing together.

I will be purchasing either this SoundSplinter subwoofer:

http://www.soundsplinter.com/rli_ser...formation.html

or this Arc Audio subwoofer:

http://www.arcaudio.com/arc-05/subwoofers/kar_10d4.htm

Both of which are supposed to be top-tier as far as construction and SQ goes (which is what I'm looking for).

Now, here is where I am having difficulties. Which amp should I purchase? To go with the ArcAudio sub, Don has presented to me this Arc 5150-XXK amplifier:

http://www.arcaudio.com/arc-05/amplifiers/xxk_5150.htm

However, the amplifier and wiring alone will cost me around 550 dollars (not shipped). Basically, this is do-able, but is definately not an amount of money that comes easily to me. So, like a wise consumer, I have been looking around for some other options. One brand that has been brought to my attention is HiFonics. Their Zeus amplifier is 5 channel, like the ArcAudio amp, and provides me with the wattage I would need to run all of my mids/highs as well as my subwoofer.

Here is a link:
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_368.html#



Now, I know that you often DO get what you pay for, but also there have been many times in my life when I have either only needed what I could afford or didn't need as much as I payed for (I'm sure many of you feel the same way about certain purchases). At first I was willing to shrug my shoulders and say, well, I might as well buy through Don and get it over with. But the price difference here is a bit too much for me to overlook. Hopefully you can all tell me what you think of both products, and what you would do in my situation.

Thanks,
Jonathan G.

 

wow your setup would sound so great with that arc amp and sub. ARC equipment is top of the line bro, well its up there. that hifonics zeus is in no comparsion, i mean its not a bad amp but its not as reliable. The arc and the hifonics are 2 different classes. i would suggest looking at some other options first then decide.

i would save up for the ARC man, do it right the first time and save some money in the long run. think about it that ARC is basically pushing all your mids highs and sub. you need something dependable just like that amp

i belive arc has lifetime warranty on the amp and 3 year warranty on the subs, so if you think about it it pays for it self, not a bad investment

 

Well, yes, I figured that the Arc Amplifier is in a "class of its own", but I'm really not looking for something that is better or even the same. I am looking for something that is cheaper, but will still sound good. I imagine that no matter what I purchased I would get bass that sounds good to my ears since this is my first setup.

Also, the Arc is warrantied for 2 years IF it is installed by a certified Arc Audio dealer, which it would not be. Because I am not one of those. And I do not know any of those.

I also reply that the HiFonics amplifier would provide the same amount of usefulness to my system (powering all my speakers and sub). Just a few things to say and you can all consider before giving your varied opinions.

-Thanks,
Jon G.

 

do you know of any other 5 channel amps?

 

The HiFonics is 5 channel, Phoenix Gold makes one, there might be others, I can't really think of them though.

Is it necessary to run the whole amplifier in 2 ohm? Or can I run just the subwoofer channel in 2 ohm and the rest in 4 ohm? The impedence is determined by the speaker and wiring (series vs parallel) more than it is by anything in particular on the amp, right?

 

Infinity makes a 6 channel that would also probably work for this application:

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_2580.html

Although I am not exactly positive on how the wiring would work for this amplifier and a single sub. I don't really know, is Infinity a good brand for amps?

 

Actually the Arc warranty is for 3 years if installed by a dealer, but again my feedback/traderrating would have to speak up for me on this one. If its been 1-2-etc years and you have a problem I will still honor the warranty, provided it wasnt abused.

It would be useless for me to post my opinion here, as you already know where I stand. Also as the person making a sale it would seem biased.

Ive dealt with tons of other companies (including ones posted above) as I do on a regular basis, and came up with this one as to a best bang for the buck solution. Reliabilty,dependability and reputation all speak for themselves.

 

Don, don't get me wrong. I dont' doubt your expertise at all. I KNOW that that Arc amp would be the BEST solution for my needs. However, it IS a little bit pricey. Alright, I'll just be honest, I only make about 250 a paycheck right now (and pay two fifty a month towards my max and insurance and gas approx.) That means that what I'd be paying you all together is about 3 or 4 months worth of savings, at least. And I will only be able to afford the amp and wiring until at least one more paycheck from now.

If you really think that none of these other solutions would be viable (and I'll take your word for it, I'm sure you're not making a truckload of money off of this sale to me anyway) then I will simply buy the Arc setup from you. On the same note, is the arc subwoofer the best woofer to run off of that amp? As long as I'm going for the best quality I might as well get the best subwoofer too.

-an empty-pocketed Jon G.

 

I dont want you to get the wrong idea here. Any amp will technically work. So the Arc isnt the only thing out there. I just proposed that due to its quality,reliability,dependability,etc.. Will another cheaper amp 'work'? Absolutely. Will it provide the above listed things? Most likely not.

As far as the sub, I just suggested that one because from alot of experience its been proven to be an excellent sub, especially for the cost of it. I cant compare it to the SS sub, as I dont have experience with them, so judging would be unfair.

 

Alright, how can we setup payment Don?

How much extra for the sub?

How soon can we get everything shipped out? and what gauge was that wiring kit?

Sorry for sounding a little bitter, I know you're hooking me up with a good deal, especially considering what you said about honoring the warranty even though I'll be installing the amp myself (believe me I won't be abusing something that expensive).

-Jon G.

*add* sorry for being a jerk about all this. it tends to happen whenever I am spending large amounts of my hard-earned cash (especially when it's really hard to choose who to give all your money too and I have been having a niccotine itch for the past week... ) so anyway, sorry for being a jerk.

 

either way you will have a nice setup. i'm also planning to go with a sound splinter sub mated to an arc amp

don will set ya straight. i trust his judgements

 

Either amp sounds like they're fairly comparable as far as power output & features. I don't know anything about reliability, but as Don said, he'll stand behind the warranty - which is a huge plus. But if your one and only concern is money, I think you'll be very happy with the HiFonics. Your ears will never hear the difference between the two amps.

Tony

 

i like the sound splinter