Soundstream Amplifiers and their alternatives

joego · 05-20-2006, 08:40 PM

I have been planning my first "big" install and can't decide on the amplifier. I think I want to use two IDMAX 12", but I cannot decide on what to use to power them. I thought that the REF1600.2 would be an excellent choice it has supurb specs and is reasonably priced.

That said the more I look into Soundstream reference amps the less appealing they are. They just seem too good to be true. All of Soundstreams awards are old, the latest one is from 2001. Everybody on the forums who have talked about them only talked about the old school amps. Is this because the new lineups aren't that good?

In short I am looking for amps that are can put out oodles of clean power. Does the Soundstream amps that compare to the Audison LRx line, JL's slash, Pheonix Golds... If the Soundstream's are good then I'm done I can start buying my stuff tommorow, well when I have enough money, but if the Soundstream amps use cheap materials, underate thier power output, and do not have enough fuses for the input power then I need to find another amp.

RedGTiVR6 · 05-21-2006, 06:31 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by joego

I have been planning my first "big" install and can't decide on the amplifier. I think I want to use two IDMAX 12", but I cannot decide on what to use to power them. I thought that the REF1600.2 would be an excellent choice it has supurb specs and is reasonably priced.

That said the more I look into Soundstream reference amps the less appealing they are. They just seem too good to be true. All of Soundstreams awards are old, the latest one is from 2001. Everybody on the forums who have talked about them only talked about the old school amps. Is this because the new lineups aren't that good?

In short I am looking for amps that are can put out oodles of clean power. Does the Soundstream amps that compare to the Audison LRx line, JL's slash, Pheonix Golds... If the Soundstream's are good then I'm done I can start buying my stuff tommorow, well when I have enough money, but if the Soundstream amps use cheap materials, underate thier power output, and do not have enough fuses for the input power then I need to find another amp.

fyi - the LRx and the / Series aren't comparable. The SRx and the / Series are comparable. The / series are very powerful, but their internal compnents aren't on par with the LRx amplifiers. The SRx amplifiers aren't really big power houses, but they have very high quality internals. Take your pick.

I haven't heard anything good, nor have I heard anything bad about the newer SoundStream amplifiers.
You can nit pick the specs appart all you want, but it's going to end up being the install and the location of the speakers that makes the difference.

Enjoy!

joego · 05-22-2006, 11:51 AM

Quote:

fyi - the LRx and the / Series aren't comparable. The SRx and the / Series are comparable. The / series are very powerful, but their internal compnents aren't on par with the LRx amplifiers. The SRx amplifiers aren't really big power houses, but they have very high quality internals. Take your pick.

Damnit, I knew it was too good to be true. They were inexpensive, greater than 115 db snr, less than .002% THD, and their big amp (1600 watts) was like $600 discounted.

Quote:

...but it's going to end up being the install and the location of the speakers that makes the difference.

Yes, as soon as I get my equipment figured out that's what I am going to be focusing on the most. I am dreading this the most though becuase I am terrible with fabrication.

Perhaps I'll start out with the LRx 1.400 and one sub then upgrade to two subs and two 1.400's, and looking at your sig. I might go with the 3.400. That seems like a more sensible setup anyway, who needs 200 watts per channel anyway... Another plus of going with audison is that I'll actually be able to listen to them before I buy them.

Thanks for your expert advice Red!

RedGTiVR6 · 05-22-2006, 01:32 PM

then this is the time to get good...lol

you can take a look at our first 'REAL' install...I'm not ashamed to say it was our first attempt, I've got it posted up here:

http://www.mj-garage.com/cpg/thumbnails.php?album=25

It just takes practice and a LOT of patience.

again, I'm going to be selling my 1.400 and the 4.300 here in a month or so, if you're interested...

EricE · 05-22-2006, 02:06 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by joego

I have been planning my first "big" install and can't decide on the amplifier. I think I want to use two IDMAX 12", but I cannot decide on what to use to power them. I thought that the REF1600.2 would be an excellent choice it has supurb specs and is reasonably priced.

That said the more I look into Soundstream reference amps the less appealing they are. They just seem too good to be true. All of Soundstreams awards are old, the latest one is from 2001. Everybody on the forums who have talked about them only talked about the old school amps. Is this because the new lineups aren't that good?

In short I am looking for amps that are can put out oodles of clean power. Does the Soundstream amps that compare to the Audison LRx line, JL's slash, Pheonix Golds... If the Soundstream's are good then I'm done I can start buying my stuff tommorow, well when I have enough money, but if the Soundstream amps use cheap materials, underate thier power output, and do not have enough fuses for the input power then I need to find another amp.

I have several of the old school reference amps and I love them. But their newer stuff is not as good.

Good amps:
Zed amps. http://www.zedaudio.com
phoenix gold xenon 100.4 100w x4
Zapco
MA audio HK
DLS amps

3onDubs · 05-22-2006, 02:22 PM

ED NINE.1....can't say enough about it. I'm using it to power 2 12" IDMAX V3 D4's wired down to two ohms each...one ohm total at the amp level. The amp is rated at 1200 watts at one ohm, but it actually puts out closer to 1450 @ 14V, so i know the subs are getting at least 700 watts a piece.

For $350 brand new, you can't beat it. I recommend the following for the subs as well....a 5 cu. ft. (2.5 each) ported enclosure tuned to 32 hz. Have it custom built by a pro if you've never built one before.

My subs are sitting in a 4 cu. ft. enclosure (the minimum that ID recommends for a ported enclosure) and they rattle my freakin organs.

RedGTiVR6 · 05-22-2006, 02:42 PM

fyi - the tune will depend on the resonent frequency of the car as well

joego · 05-24-2006, 12:40 AM

Quote:

fyi - the tune will depend on the resonent frequency of the car as well

lol

Quote:

again, I'm going to be selling my 1.400 and the 4.300 here in a month or so, if you're interested...

Keep me posted!

Quote:

My subs are sitting in a 4 cu. ft. enclosure (the minimum that ID recommends for a ported enclosure) and they rattle my freakin organs.

Sir, You're nuts

. I think I might have to get the box built; I see no point in putting a bunch of time and effort, and money, into this and have the box suck balls. Although I don't think 5 cu. ft. is that practical... even though I just said I want a good box

Thanks for the suggestions Eric I've heard of a few of those but never really thought that they were of any quality, like MA. Anyway I'll have a look.

P.S. I think I'll wait till the end of summer to buy my toys; I heard the IDMAX v4 is due out then... can't wait.

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