Best Amp for Focal 130V Slims + 10' sub

13Beast · 09-30-2009, 10:21 PM

Hi there,
I am installing a pair of 5.25" Focal 130V Slims into my MR2. Unlike the 165's, they are only rated for max 100w rms (165's are 150w RMS).
I am also going to run a single 10' shallow mount sub.
Looking to buy a GOOD amp to do the focals justice. Kicker have amps that can send a healthy 85w/90w RMS to the fronts, but, nothing against Kicker, I feel I should be spending more cash on a higher end amp to really make the focals come alive.
Rather than running a 2 ch, and then getting a separate amp dedicated to the sub (space is a priority in an MR2) I am thinking of going for a 4ch amp, that can have 2 ch to the focals, with a single bridged remaining channel able to send at minimum of 150w to the sub.
Will the Focal 4.75 manage this? What's the quality like of the Rockford Fosgate T400?
Any other recommendations?
In terms of shallow-mount subs - what is the 10' shallow mount Dayton range like? Also, Tang Band? Only reason I am asking is I have found a stereo place online that sells complete custom-built and designed sub + enclosures designed for the MR2.
Thanks for any of your help

soundman98 · 10-02-2009, 10:49 AM

'decent' amps seem to be whatever you can afford(a decent amp for a billionaire, and a decent amp for a high school student are 2 completly different categories)

most amps these days seem to be very close to each other in quality and performance, so find one that you like the best.

for subs, the one that has recieved the best reviews has been the jl audio 13TW5. i'm told that the clarion thin subs are also decent..

what dayton model are you referring to? i was not aware that Dayton audio made any thin mount drivers at all.

tangband as a brand seems to be hit or miss-- they are all over the board on every product. some are crap, some are decent, and some are amazing.

head on over to a dedicated car audio site like diymobileaudio.com, or some of the ones listed on the sticky at the top of the page for some better info.

13Beast · 10-02-2009, 11:22 AM

This is a link to the Dayton

soundman98 · 10-03-2009, 01:57 PM

Ok Just FYI, most thin subs are less then 3" deep, and most do no better than emit noise. I am assuming the box at the bottom of the link is what you are interested in putting it in.

Most 10" subs are about 4-5" deep, so you could really go with almost any sub you want.
I am really not sure what your looking for in a sub so I will only gve my opinion on the characterstics of certain subs

the Dayton ho line is more of a less refined(not very good for classical music), loud(like 3 blocks away loud), in your face kind of sub, similar to alpine type r or type x.

A sub like the dayton hf series is more of a quieter, but more refined sub--you can hear more of the tones that make up the sound, but this would not be for you if you enjoy being heard 3 blocks away, or enjoy really loud music

13Beast · 10-03-2009, 09:14 PM

I know that the usual rule of thumb on shallow mount subs is that they aren't anywhere near as good as a full-depth sub. But, I have an MR2, and don't want to lose my cabin space purely to my stereo. So, I have no other choice than to look at shallow-mounts.

Any word on the ALPINE 10" SWS-1023D or even the Polk 10" MM1040?
The Alpine is half the price of the Polk, and for a sub I'm willing to go cheaper and spend more on amp and the components. However, I've heard many horror stories about some absolutely woeful-sounding shallow-mount subs out there, and I am aware that Polk's products are absolutely first-class. Maybe it's worth the extra $$?

pcpete · 10-03-2009, 11:17 PM

I'm using Zapco DC series amps...for one zapco kick's a@#, and second , they have a usb port so you can program the builtin dsp from you carpc, and third they come with symbilink balanced cables that act as line drivers and reduce noise...

Something like this would kick, probably overkill though

could run both front and sub, with plenty of headroom..

http://www.zapco.com/prod/DC_Ref/DC_10004Frame.htm

http://www.woofersetc.com/p5455/DC10...Processing.htm

for $1000 4ohm RMS 2x150W + 1x500W

This is probably more reasonable though...

http://www.zapco.com/prod/DC_Ref/DC_3604Frame.htm

http://www.woofersetc.com/p5451/DC36...Processing.htm

for $600 at 4ohm RMS 2x50W + 1x180W

Oh , and for subs, I'm partial to Image Dynamics, great products, great support, great value...

13Beast · 10-04-2009, 01:25 AM

All fantastic brands and good suggestions, thanks. But, unfortunately, almost impossible to find here in Japan

Quote: Originally Posted by pcpete

I'm using Zapco DC series amps...for one zapco kick's a@#, and second , they have a usb port so you can program the builtin dsp from you carpc, and third they come with symbilink balanced cables that act as line drivers and reduce noise...

Something like this would kick, probably overkill though