subwoofer design problem

[f4ier]

.... but you'd still need a hefty power supply to satisfy the current demands of a quality car audio amp, which are actually expensive, btw. http://www.jaycar.com.au offers a 40-amp [which is not enough] supply for AU$350. For that price, you could already buy a 200W or so plate amplifier

[pkgum]

My subwoofer will be used at home, so I have all the power I need..I dont care if the power supply is hefty or not, as long as the thing can power my sub properly
The car audio amps I see are 500W and only cost $150-$200US
I think I need to clarify some things...I need an amp that is preferably around 400watts(no less than 300). The cheapest way to get to this is by an car audio amp. The samson and qsc amps thomasw mentioned are around $350US!!My budget for the whole subwoofer is $600US ($1200AU) and the amp costs $350US!!!
There are many car audio amps around the same power that retail for $200US-a good saving
can anyone suggest good sounding, powerful, amplifiers (plate or professional - but not car) that has 300W+ power, that retails for less than $300US, that can power my low efficient BP1503 sub?

[Edited by pkgum on 11-04-2001 at 02:22 AM]

[f4ier]

That's the thing with car amps -- assuming a quality and cheap one is available, for it to perform to its full potential with little distortion, the AC-DC power supply would have to be hefty in terms of ampere rating. Such power supplies are quite expensive thus negating the concept of "cheap" amplifier in the first place

AFAIK, http://www.jaycar.com.au is the only one with a 350W @ 4ohms amp for AU$429. I haven't seen anything more powerful than that one which is locally available. Perhaps guitar shops have some more powerful amps (just make sure the amp can reach -3dB at 5Hz or 10Hz). If you're handy with a soldering iron, you could build your own amps -- http://www.sound.au.com

If only the subwoofer you're planning to order (the BP1503?) had dual voice-coils, the Electronics Australia Pro3 stereo power amp would be enough for your needs. I'm not sure though if the same amp is bridgeable, I never had to bridge mine.

Edit:

Also, I seem to remember that it was Silicon Chip magazine which published a 500W amp. Maybe a local library still has a copy of the issue. Dick Smith Electronics used to sell kits of the 500W amps. They were on clearance sale last year for only AU$100.00 each!! I couldn't forgive myself for missing the sale



Isaac

[Edited by f4ier on 11-04-2001 at 03:09 AM]

[ThomasW]

gum

No don't mess around trying to use a car amp.

The BPD-1503 has a single nominally 4 ohm VC. So any amp that is stable driving a 4 ohm load, and delivers 500+ watts will be fine. It can be a monoblock or stereo amp strapped in to mono, doesn't matter

Start by looking at the pro sound shops in your area for used gear. Crest, Crown, Ashely, Rane, etc, are companies that make excellent gear, and the stuff is built like a tank. I don't know if there are local AU companies that make amps like these, but if there are then certainly consider their products as well.

A dedicated sub amp doesn't need to deliver super clean power. Primarily it just needs to deliver alot of stable power.

Also understand that many of the lower cost pro amps are fan cooled. So if you're bothered by the constant sound of a fan running then buyer beware.

[Super]

Dont forget to check out ebay as well. Decent pro sound and high wattage amps are always popping up on there, and can often be had for under $200 US.

[pkgum]

Ive found some good bargains below:

http://www.onlinestagegear.com/pages-PA/PT1600.html
(It has two nice meters on it-too bad the thing doesnt use those cool Light power meters that light up to the rhythm of the music)

Heres the second bargain:
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/etronicsnet/flepa1.html

Heres another amp:
http://www.millionbuy.com/pylpt2000.html
(It also has 2 nice meters on it-the same brand as the first bargain)



Are these a good powerful amps?
Which is the best one to buy?

NOTE: I find the Crest, Carver, Ashley, etc amps to be too expensive. They cost $450 - 650US. Thats nearly all of my budget! My budget for a power amp is $150-250US. $250US is already too much.

[f4ier]

I'm not sure of the reputation of those online stores you have mentioned, but if they check out ok, the Fleco amp looks better.

But... the difference between the 350W plate amp I mentioned above and Fleco amp is only 2dB at the most. Then again, there's the issue of headroom (I'm not helping, am I ) Personally, I wouldn't go through all that trouble in ordering the amp online. Moreover, if the thing suddenly stops working (Murphy's law?), think of the hassle in returning and chasing up warranty... overseas service even!

I still think the EA Pro3 stereo power amp is the best deal if you're handy with a soldering iron. Ask someone like Rob Evans at EA -- the Pro3 designer, I think -- or someone at Jaycar how the Pro3 could be safely bridged. If not, the 350W plate amp is the second-best thing

Isaac

[pkgum]

I dont know how to solder an amp..so the EA is out of the question...
I would have bought the jaycar if the frequency response wasn't 20Hz-160Hz. This is absolutley pathetic...My sub sub is destined to reach into the 18Hz area..even 16Hz..and the jaycar can only go to 20Hz
The power amps Ive mention go down to 10Hz +/-3Db

[f4ier]

In that case, the Fleco would be number one on that list when comparing RMS ratings

Isaac

[ThomasW]

You'll want to be careful with the so called 'DJ' amps. Pyle, Pyramid, Speco, GemStar, etc. They inflate the output rating frequently listing peak power instead of RMS.

The Fidek units are ok, they do have a fairly loud fan.

The only reason I mentioned Crown, Crest, and Ashley, is that often those amps can be found used. And they're usually a good buy, given the very high build quality