17 replies to this topic

[Jaa]

I decided to post this here rather than the demo room because I'd like suggestions to be geared towards SQ ... but of course with enough power to really enjoy them.

[micha3l]

budget?

[Jaa]

to be honest, i wouldn't even know what budget i'd be looking at ... but figuring the costs of the K2Ps, as long as the amp would complement the speakers and let them produce the sound they're designed for, then I guess that's all that matters..

basically i'd just like to know what i'd be looking at to run this type of speaker ... i mean, as you'd all know ... no point buying a set of $800 speakers only to run them on a JB Hi-Fi type amp.

[micha3l]

personally i would go for:


Tru-Tech T-2.100 - RRP$978 - 2x100wrms
Audison LRx2.500 - RRP$799 - 2x200wrms
Boston GT24 - RRP$999 - 2x120wrms
Zapco 350 - RRP$848 - 2x100wrms
ARC Audio 2100XXK - RRP$799 - 2x100wrms

I personally have a Tru-Tech T4.65 and am absolutely delighted with it, but any of those would be an excellent choice

[Captn_Awesome]

Focals Love power. something with atleast double their rated power (hehehe or be like me and feed em nearly 320 watts at full power, speaking of which i should update my sig.)

[shiny_car]

i'd suggest looking at high quality series amps, but IMO the amount of power on tap is not so critical. i'd certainly sacrifice available power for a better quality/series amp.

the likes of (incl as already mentioned):
*audison LRx/VRx series
*phoenix gold Ti series
*zapco reference
*boston
*u-dimension: as used by many focal demo cars
*alpine V12
*dls ultimate

i think it's unrealistic to believe you'll need excessive power. unless you listen to your system fullbore all the time, you'll probably utilise 30~50WRMS for normal comfortable listening and anything double that may become uncomfortable.

high quality amps tend to be conservatively rated powerwise. so an amp rated 50WRMS per channel should offer significantly more in reality and would be ideal. if you can afford a more powerful one then fine.

[seal_clubber]

How about a nice Hertz amp, the H210 for example. I have this amp running my Focal access 165A's and it sounds very nice. Power output is 80wrms x 2 @4ohms. Not quite sure what they retail for as i bought this second hand from a forum member but $450 comes to mind.

[Rattlehead]

Can u grab a new Orion amp and tell me how it is?

I run Orion amps...they rock!!!

[heimerich]

Audison VRX shadow chrome edition (First choice)
U-Dimension (Focal's show car using em)
ARC Audio
Zapco (not much power but they are rock)
Phoenix Gold Ti

I would recommend you for trutech tho but it is really really expensive (the copper series but dunno bout others)

[MAS Andrew]

Try a soundstream RubiconII series 500-2 (100w RMS x2) or the bigger 1000-2 (200w RMS x2). They are super clean, and you may notice on the CAA Homepage, are on sale at the moment...

The Focal car at the 2004 CES was running Audison amps. It was a Lexus IS200 that was built by a Canadian store called Cartunes. There is no connection between the brands, only this is what the store decided to run in this particular vehicle. Next year it may be running California Gold amps?!#$% If they are free, anythings possible.....

[ultim8DTM5]

There is a link between Focal and Audison in Europe; Focal is distributed in Italy by Elettromedia...

And a little Frenchman with his Pug hatch walked away with the IASCA title in 01 or 02 with his Focal/Audison car

[sliksilvia]

JL Audio / Slash Series!!

[Captn_Awesome]

JAA what sort of listening do you do? sitting back in a quiet place enjoying the SQ, or do u like listening loud as well. Because Focal speakers are renowned for not being super efficent. and also being under rated in the power ratings. altho I wouldnt suggest using all the power i said i've been known to feed mine on the odd occasion. I would advise proper sound deadening. and using an amp rated at 1.25- 1.5 times the amount of rated power the speakers can handle (this is good for some decent head room as well as keeping amps cool etc.). as mentioned by some of the other members, U-dimension or Audison are great choices, Im sure there are other great amps out there too. my advice is have your RCAs power leads and speaker wires etc sitting up the boot and ask some reputable stores if u can demo in your car (most good stores will get a salesperson out and hook it up and let u listen in your car). this would have to be the best way to decide on an amp. I know i went from a U-dimension to a precision power due to the fact that i couldnt hear the differnce in my car with the motor running and this for me is the most imortaint time for me as thsi is when i listen to my music, and i could spend to money on other things.

Just my opinion

[MAS Andrew]

He was referring to a vehicle from the US CES show of 2002. Not Italy...

I would also like to see a shop that has all these brands in stock, ready to try in your car. I cant even think of a shop that sells PPI or U-Dimension let alone both brands.

[Captn_Awesome]

never said both brands at the same store and PPI i can think of 3 places within a 45 minute drive from me (damn i wish i still had a licence) U-dimension i can think of 1 place also about 45 mins away.