To Amp or not - is the question

[percy]

Last year in my '99 Honda Accord I replaced the factory radio with a new Alpine headunit, an alpine trunk changer and Infinity reference speakers. I have not put any amps yet. I like the sound, just a little lacking in bass sometimes.

Whats the rationale behind adding amps ? When is it a good idea to add amps ? or when is there no need to use amps ?
I am not looking for loud volumes or bass and I do not want to add a subwoofer to the car.

[TO-3]

Originally posted by percy
Last year in my '99 Honda Accord I replaced the factory radio with a new Alpine headunit, an alpine trunk changer and Infinity reference speakers. I have not put any amps yet. I like the sound, just a little lacking in bass sometimes.

Whats the rationale behind adding amps ? When is it a good idea to add amps ? or when is there no need to use amps ?
I am not looking for loud volumes or bass and I do not want to add a subwoofer to the car.

Amps are the way to go all around. The advantage is better signal-to-noise, better THD specs, better gain to bandwidth, and cleaner power. I guarantee that a 25W amp will give you better sound than a 40W HU.

[sr20dem0n]

Especially since a 40w headunit will only do about 15-20rms, I don't believe there are any headunits out there that do more than 26x4, the 50-60w peak ratings you see everywhere are meaningless.

[percy]

ok. any suggestions then for a decent amp ? Ideally I would like to keep the cost of the amp in the $100-$150 range.
The speakers are Infinity Reference 6903 (rear) and 6502(front).

Any direction (or a push in the right direction) would be highly appreciated!
Thanks!

[TO-3]

Originally posted by percy
ok. any suggestions then for a decent amp ? Ideally I would like to keep the cost of the amp in the $100-$150 range.
The speakers are Infinity Reference 6903 (rear) and 6502(front).

Any direction (or a push in the right direction) would be highly appreciated!
Thanks!

Off the top of my head, if you can find an older PPI PC450, those amps are very good.

[percy]

while I search the ppi, would it be worth considering these -


http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=263-940

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=263-942

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=267-053

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=267-131

[ghudnub]

I think a trip to Ebay for some old school PPI is what I'd do. Old Phoenix Gold stuff was top shelf too, I'd imagine their new stuff isn't much worse. You don't need a lot of power for your application.

You say you'd like a little more bass, but a sub is out of the question? Not even an out of sight, fiberglass enclosure that practically disappears? One little 8", or maybe a pair?

I run old school Rockford Fosgate Power 300's in my car. I have 5-1/4 separates at all 4 corners. The RF Power 300 is VERY conservatively rated at 50x4. I can drive my mids/highs in full range mode and still not get a lot of bass. A 5-1/4 just can't move the necessary amount of air to produce any volume at lower frequencies (or I'm just deaf). What I can do is reach the mechanical limits of my speakers with power in reserve. That means my speakers sound great, faithfully reproducing the music right up until the voicecoil slaps the back of the pole piece. I don't have to endure the clipping amp/grossly underpowered headunit distress. It's like what was mentioned earlier, the sound quality is vastly improved (when not overdriving the speakers).

I would strongly consider a very conservative (on space, and bass) 8" sub to round out your system. It'll give just the right contribution to round out the spectrum. And in reality, a pair of 6x9's in back may have the same effect when driven properly.I totally acknowledge that you're not after a competition worthy SPL.