Hi there, I have a set of Focal 130V1's (5.25" slim) to go into my MR2. Its a small cabin, so I won't be running any rear fill, but do plan on getting a single 10" sub. I want a GOOD 4ch amp to power the 130V1's (nominal rating: 50w, max: 100w), with the other 2ch to be bridged and feed plenty of juice to the 10" sub. I want SQ about SL. The other alternative is to buy a 3ch. I want to stay with a single amp as an MR2 is VERY cramped, and I don't want to lose what little free space I have completely to my stereo. Looking to mount it under the seat (best place for it - given that I use my car on a daily basis, and regularly stow gear inside the car). MR2's are very small cabins, so I don't think I should worry too much about going crazy on powerful equipment, just getting a good speaker and amp combo and a smart install and setup should do the trick and give me a very nice sounding system. I have locked on to a few different models. I am after any advice or alternate recommendations as to my choices.... Focal 4.75 - I have heard these run hot, so am concerned about it being mounted under my seat. Also, can they be bridged into 2 channels running the fronts with a bridged channel for the sub (all at 4 ohms)? Audison SRX3 or SRX4 - I have heard these are amazing, and I can source one a little cheaper than the Focal 4.75. I would lean towards the SRX3, as I heard it gets a little more power from its 3 channel setup, than the SRX4 bridged into a 3 channel (60w x 2, as opposed to 75w x 2). Is this correct? Arc Audio KS300.4 - Maybe a little expensive for me. Again, wondering if they are really that much of a step-up in quality over the Audison/Focal to warrant the extra $$. I think they have a little more power, but I don't think I should need it with the speaker/sub setup... Opinions? Cadence ZRS9004 - These are substantially cheaper than the other amps I mentioned. Not sure about Cadence products; I know very little about them. I believe they can be bridged into a 2 x 90w/1 x 250w setup. Should be plenty of power, but what's the SQ like?? Rockford Fosgate T400 - What's the quality like of RF's? They are about the same price (here in Japan) as the Audison stuff. Surely no comparison right?? Alpine PDX / MRP range - More expensive than the Audison/Focal amps. Is it worth the price? I also was considering the Kicker/Diamond range, but figured they may be a little low in quality to think of hooking up to the Focals. No disrespect to those brands, but I want the Focals to have a comparable amp in quality to give them good, clean power. What other options are there to fit my application, with comparable quality and similar/cheaper prices to the amps I have mentioned?
first off welcome to the site. now lets see.....you want SQ over spl. then i think the audison amp is what your looking for. ive heard some SQ systems using these amps and WOW! clean power and lots of head room too. the fosgates are good amps too, but if there the same money as the audison then i think i'd do the audison. i dont know too much about the cadence amp. i know they've been around for a wile but not sure on its SQ. i know the alpine will fit under the seat no prob, but like you said it's pricey. hope some of this helps. good luck with your purchase, and post some install pics. we like to look at diff installs.
Apologies for the noob questions - but if I leaned towards the SRX3 channel Audison over the SRX4 Audison, would it produce less heat? (given that I will have to bridge the SRX4's rear channels for the sub?) What is the verdict on the Focal Solid 4? It seems like a tough little amp, puts out decent power, and no doubting the quality of Focal - but what are their amps like? Up there with their speakers? It's more expensive than the Audison here in Japan, BUT, its about 17cm shorter in length (the Audison is 47cm long!), 8cms shorter in width and a couple cm shorter in height - all things I should be considering as I really can only mount under the seat of the MR2.
Focal is very well known for the Speakers but not so much for their amps. You don't see they're amps being used in any competitions for SQ so that in itself tells me something. I would go with the Audison out of the choices and since you want more of a SQ set up i would suggest the SRX3 which puts out: •3Ch 75Wx2(4 Ω) + 270Wx 1 (4 Ω) •3Ch 65Wx2 (4 Ω) + 380Wx 1 (2 Ω) •3Ch 110Wx 2 (2 Ω) + 250Wx 1 (4 Ω) •3Ch 95Wx2 (2 Ω) + 350W x1 (2 Ω) I think the SRX3 is way better for your needs than the SRX4 which puts out: # 4 x 60 Watt at 4-ohms # 4 x 85 Watt at 2-ohms # 2 x 60 + 1 x 190 Watt at 4-ohms # 2 x 85 + 1 x 170 Watt at 2/4 ohms # 2 x 170 Watt at 4-ohms As you can see the SRX3 is superior to the SRX4 especially in your application. Will the audison fit under your seat though? Also, you may want to look into brands like STEG or Celestra which are VERY good matches for Focal speakers. they may be cheaper in Japan, they are both italian amps but I know i can get them here in the Philippines cheaper than what you can get them for in the U.S.
Looks like I'll have to rip the seat out tomorrow and measure up the space underneath with a tape measure. Is there much of a rule of thumb in installation as to how much room I should leave available on the side/above/at each end of the amp for sufficient cooling & airflow? Good point about the Focal being renowned not for their amps but for their speakers. The Audison's seem the pick of the bunch, just need to see if it will fit. I checked out Steg and Celestra - some awesome specs, but unfortunately I only found a handful for sale here in Japan and they were almost double the price of the Audison (60,000 - 85,000 yen for a Steg 4 ch, only 37,000 yen for the Audison). Any other amp brands to check out no matter how obscure? It's interesting to see the price differences of audio stuff here in Japan - some quite mediocre brands are the same or above the prices of killer brands such as Focal and Audison (which are actually quite affordable here!)
For me, as long as the amp will fit under the seat you should be fine. If not you could always add some small fans but i doubt you'll have to do that. I had a friend of mine stick a DLS amp under his seat for his mazda 3 and it fit really tight but he never had any problems with it what so ever. Another suggestion for an amp? how about Zapco or even DLS. DLS makes some very clean sounding amps, i know that for sure. I've heard their amps on many occasions. Zapco, i don't think needs any more words. Its a zapco! Great amp, may be kindof expensive though.
DLS are awesome. EXTREMELY expensive here in Japan, just like all JL amps as well. I did a quick look around for some Zapco gear, and could only find a small range - all 2 channels. I have a feeling most are private importers/enthusiasts - no real Zapco Japanese distributor here. We miss out on a LOT of gear. PG and Hifonics also have no Japanese distributor as far as I know. Maybe some specialist shops here sell it, but I'd suspect there would be an insane $$ markup.
That's kinda funny. For a country that is so with the times, it would be hard to find stuff like that. I wouldn't doubt that a lot of it is expensive because Japan in general is a very expensive place to live. Here in the Philippines, I can get almost anything but the mark up is insane! That's why i just buy my gear in the U.S. and have it shipped to my door. It still comes out cheaper that way for me.
if your worried about it fitting under your seat then raise the seat with some washers. i would look for around a 1/2 inch to and inch of clearance for the top of the amp. and dont forget to recheck after someone sits in the seat. im also trying to think of any other companies that make small amps with good head room. only one comes to mind right now tho.. lunar. the make some tiny amps with reportedly good power too. you'd be surprised how loud it can get in your car with around 300 watts or so. i used to run my phoenix gold M44 in my standard size s15 pick up and it got plenty loud for only 40 x4 rated 4 ohm power. 360 dynamic. ooh one more thing. sound deadening can help too. if your cabin is nice and quiet to begin with then you wound need too much power to get loud and clean inside.
Ok ill give you some other choices thats have not been mentioned. I have the same Focal speakers as you but in the 6 1/2 version. I have a Hifonics 4 channel running them and they sound great, no problems at all. The other brand that I really like is Crossfire, they have always made top quality amps. They also rate them at 12.5 volts so when the engine is running you will get more power. I would alos choose Audison if it will fit, but Crossfire is really good.
I have a Focal FP4.75 amp. I am useing it with Hertz fronts and bridging channels 3&4 for a JL 10". Under your seat the amp will be fine. I have it under a rear sub floor in my Mini Cooper and it runs hot there. My installers is swapping it out for a JL HD600/4 this week. As far as sound goes the Focal FP4.75 amp is clean and plays loud with head room. No issues with SQ at all.
Thanks for the advice. I will probably mount it BEHIND the rear seat, up against the bulkhead. Definitely won't run hot there! Which Hertz fronts are you using? Do you know anything about the Hertz ECX165 2 ways?
UPDATE: The Audison is WAY too large to fit an MR2. At 470mm long (almost 19") there is no way it is fitting under the seat, and would make it a tight squeeze to even mount it behind the seat (against the bulkhead) and still retain the factory storage compartments. I need to find a smaller amp Narrowed it down to some smaller-sized, and well-priced, amps with quality output - Focal Solid 4 (36,000 yen) SPECS HERE - I know Focal aren't renowned for their amps, but I AM buying Focals for the front components and like the idea of using a Focal amp with Focal speakers). JVC KS-AX6500 (19,800 Yen discounted from 73,500!!) SPECS HERE and HERE - Quite an obscure amp. I haven't found much info on it, but what I have found has been very positive. CADENCE 'Xenith' Xa125.4 SPECS HERE - These look kind of budget. Are they in the same league as the other two amps I mentioned? What are the specs sheet like? (I'm a noob at car audio - when it gets down to comparing spec sheets I am completely lost!) Basically in a nutshell, I am after something that is reasonably priced, will fit comfortably mounted on the bulkhead behind the passenger seat (anything 370mm or less in W & L is fine), will deliver plenty of power (anywhere between 60-80w at 4 ohms to the fronts), won't run hot, and an amp that can run two channels to the front components and have a bridged rear going to a single 10' sub. Also, an amp of sufficient quality that would make it a reasonable amp to choose to power the Focal fronts.
From the same place - Alpine MRP-F450. (29,800 yen) English SPECS What are Alpine's MRP range of products like? Run of the mill entry-level?
Very popular to mount in the trunk (or the front trunk). Trouble is, the car is very modified, and runs a remote oil filter set up in the rear trunk - puts out a lot of heat. Also, the front trunk is great, nice and close to the battery, but I have an aftermarket vented hood, which would leak water, dust etc into the trunk compartment. Plus the car has extremely stiff suspension - if it was in the front, it would take most of the impact of the bumps in the road (directly between the front strut towers). So, that leaves the cabin as the safest place for it!
