After doing little research I see more and more evidence of some of my favorite "good american" brands have been outsourced to other countries.
I used to love the sound of my Stillwater Design(ed) Kicker SS15 box powered by a Fosgate flavored amp.
My questions... are the days of true quality gone forever or can I still buy something that just sounds good and is a quality product without making my wallet cringe? Was 20 years ago a time that will be or is known as THE audio market peak?
Keep in mind, I was absent from the whole mobile audio scene for quite a few years and am severely disappointed in the changes I have seen!
I used to love the sound of my Stillwater Design(ed) Kicker SS15 box powered by a Fosgate flavored amp.
My questions... are the days of true quality gone forever or can I still buy something that just sounds good and is a quality product without making my wallet cringe? Was 20 years ago a time that will be or is known as THE audio market peak?
Keep in mind, I was absent from the whole mobile audio scene for quite a few years and am severely disappointed in the changes I have seen!
I would say that over 20 years technology has moved on significantly.
Now, if you are talking about "build Quality", that is a different matter.
Now, if you are talking about "build Quality", that is a different matter.
I'll agree that technology has moved far ahead in that time but quality seems to have been traded off in the process.
You used to be able to power an entire audio system off of a fairly priced low wattage amp and it would sound excellent. Yes, you would run the amp way out of spec, but it wouldn't mind. I'm a little uneducated to the newer technology, but I wouldn't dare try that with a fairly new amp from what I've seen.
Are there any manufactures left that "overbuild" their products for their perspective price points?
You used to be able to power an entire audio system off of a fairly priced low wattage amp and it would sound excellent. Yes, you would run the amp way out of spec, but it wouldn't mind. I'm a little uneducated to the newer technology, but I wouldn't dare try that with a fairly new amp from what I've seen.
Are there any manufactures left that "overbuild" their products for their perspective price points?
Most of them are built in the far east these days. I don't know about the US but some of the more prestigious makes are outsourced these days.
No-one seems to want to build something bomb-proof these days - Except Range Rover.
No-one seems to want to build something bomb-proof these days - Except Range Rover.
It looks like I may be scouring ebay in the near future for a blown cheater amp.
Years ago, I wanted a Rockford Fosgate head unit simply because "They will NOT distort!". I thought that feature was so cool! They seemed semi-exclusive to a high schooler and I thought I would own one someday.
Today I can't seem to find a head unit on the RF website (except a couple of older marine models). What happened there?
Years ago, I wanted a Rockford Fosgate head unit simply because "They will NOT distort!". I thought that feature was so cool! They seemed semi-exclusive to a high schooler and I thought I would own one someday.
Today I can't seem to find a head unit on the RF website (except a couple of older marine models). What happened there?
I have an Alpine CDA-9886 that will not clip.All of the newer Alpines I have tested are the same way.Even with the EQ bands maxed out.This is with a -0db disc.However they do compress the signal when they run out of headroom close to max volume if tone controls are maxed.
You are right about all the newer stuff made in Asia.The build quality is not what it use to be.There has been a lot of improvements when it comes to semiconductors and processor chips but most amps now days use cheaper caps and op-amps.A lot of them are using the old outdated 4558's.
There are still a few brands made in the US but they are pricy.Zed audio still makes some decent amps.
Most Asian amps are all made in just a few factories for other companies.
JBL,Memphis,Directed, Orion and the older Crossfire are all made in the same plant.
Soudstream,Soundstorm,Lanzar,Tsunami and a bunch of others are made in the same plant.
The list goes on.
Brands like Pioneer,Alpine,Kenwood seem to still make their own amps.The Rockford Fosgate Power's are still good amps.MTX was still a decent brand up till a few years ago but now they are made in the same factories as Massive,Audiopipe and some American Bass.The $300 Massive N4 is the same amp as the $5700 Critical Mass UL-2500 so be careful.
Oh yeah,JL makes makes good stuff also.
Google Images can help to compare gut shots of most amps.Look at the Sundown SAZ3500D and compare it to the Cresendo BC5500D.
The class d mono block amps,even the Chinese ones give a decent bang per buck but,when it comes to full range multichannel high end amps,the old school US made ones are the best, even if you have to recap them.
You are right about all the newer stuff made in Asia.The build quality is not what it use to be.There has been a lot of improvements when it comes to semiconductors and processor chips but most amps now days use cheaper caps and op-amps.A lot of them are using the old outdated 4558's.
There are still a few brands made in the US but they are pricy.Zed audio still makes some decent amps.
Most Asian amps are all made in just a few factories for other companies.
JBL,Memphis,Directed, Orion and the older Crossfire are all made in the same plant.
Soudstream,Soundstorm,Lanzar,Tsunami and a bunch of others are made in the same plant.
The list goes on.
Brands like Pioneer,Alpine,Kenwood seem to still make their own amps.The Rockford Fosgate Power's are still good amps.MTX was still a decent brand up till a few years ago but now they are made in the same factories as Massive,Audiopipe and some American Bass.The $300 Massive N4 is the same amp as the $5700 Critical Mass UL-2500 so be careful.
Oh yeah,JL makes makes good stuff also.
Google Images can help to compare gut shots of most amps.Look at the Sundown SAZ3500D and compare it to the Cresendo BC5500D.
The class d mono block amps,even the Chinese ones give a decent bang per buck but,when it comes to full range multichannel high end amps,the old school US made ones are the best, even if you have to recap them.
Last edited:
Now that is an informative post! Thank you!
After repairing my punch 150s and power 550s I thought about selling and going after an amp or two from a generation previous to them. After consideration, I think I may just hold on to them. They aren't my go to amps in history but I think they have done well considering the abuse I put them through.
I think it would be nice to have a system powered by a couple of tiny little punch 30s. I may get that some day. It sickens me to see one if those just sold on ebay for $21.50!
I am becoming somewhat of an Alpine fan. I hear good things about their speakers and especially their subs.
After repairing my punch 150s and power 550s I thought about selling and going after an amp or two from a generation previous to them. After consideration, I think I may just hold on to them. They aren't my go to amps in history but I think they have done well considering the abuse I put them through.
I think it would be nice to have a system powered by a couple of tiny little punch 30s. I may get that some day. It sickens me to see one if those just sold on ebay for $21.50!
I am becoming somewhat of an Alpine fan. I hear good things about their speakers and especially their subs.
Last edited:
- Status
- Not open for further replies.