Howdy all,

With a budget of around $900... I'm trying to power my Focal PolyGlass 165V splits and my ADS 312rs sub. Recommended power rating is 80W x 2 RMS for the splits and 600W RMS @ 2ohm for the sub.

A JB Hifi just opened here in adelaide and they're offering an Audiobahn A8000T (800W @ 2ohm monoblock) for a good price, also a Cadence Z4000 (2x 300W @ 4ohm - 300w into each voicecoil) amp for a tiny bit more..

I was also recommended a MTX Thunder684 4 channel to power both the splits and sub, but that would only supply between 240 and 340W RMS for the sub.

As for the splits, JB Hifi had a Cadence Q2000 which is 60W x 2 or a Cadence VA300 which is 50W x 2. I'd have to stretch the budget to get the Q2000 over the VA300... would it be a worthwhile upgrade?

They also had some Coustic amps etc, but where lower power ratings.

I'm looking for the best SQ I can get from my system, which amps would people recommend?
(Keeping in mind that I have to get this from local adelaide retailers, so no webaudiodirect links please -- long story to do with insurance)

Oh i forgot to mention, the place I got my sub from also recommended a JL audio 2x 150W RMS amp for the sub... which is only half the rated power. What would this be like also?

Thanks alot to any who reply,

Tom.

Go and see Complete Audio in Tea Tree Gully many members have purchased stuff from them and they sell many high end brands

Yeah, don't limit yourself to one store...

I've done a lot of business with complete audio (both stores) and they've always been more than helpful. GT Autosound in Glynde is also worth a look, they stock lots of good brands. And there are a few more.

I personally wouldn't recommend using a 4-channel amp to run your sub... it can be a bit dicey using separate channels to feed each voice coil. I think you'd be best served getting a 2-ohm stable monoblock for your sub (look at the Z1000 or the Z5000 if you like Cadence; both can be found at Complete Audio).

(BTW, is it the JB hifi in the city which stocks car audio gear?)

Oh, I've definately looked around at all the afore mentioned stores.
I got my sub from GT Autosound in fact, and my alarm from Complete Audio at wayville.

It is the JB HiFi at Marion which stocks car audio gear, the one in the city is just CDs and DVDs.

I do like the look of the Cadence amps, but i wouldn't call myself a "fan"... what are the Cadence Z series like for a sub amp and the Q series like as a splits amp?

How are they compared to say, MTX or JL Audio amps?

Thanks
Tom.

Beind a MTX amp fan myself, i would say JL rock..
As long as you were looking at the right amps.

the 500/1
the 300/4

A pretty good combination that i've heard myself.

Cadence amps are generally terrific for running subs, at least their monoblocks are. I used to use a Cadence A7, and I've played with Z7000's before and they both hit very hard indeed. However, I wasn't as happy with the Q series of amps. I heard a Q4000 running a whole system (splits and sub) and although it did go very loud, I thought it was a bit cold and hard... just IMO.

Maybe you should consider spending a bit extra on a good monoblock now for your sub (like a cadence Z series or a JL 500/1) And save a bit extra to get a quality 2channel amp for your fronts..?

you have a PM

How about a Coustic 401DB monoblock (400w @ 2ohm) for the sub and a Coustic 2x 100W @ 4ohm for the splits?

How is Coustic for SQ? Decent quality amps?

Thanks guys,
Tom.

coustic make excellent value amps. sure, they're not the best in SQ, but are top VFM.

one thing worth considering, is that you probably won't need anywhere near as much power as the sub will potentially handle. that is, to get a nice balance between the splits and sub, you're unlikely to need close to 600WRMS for the sub. maybe half that on tap and you should be right; mind you, if you had an amp capable of 600WRMS, i'd bet you'd need to trim the gains down for best SQ (which in effect caps the amps power output to under 600WRMS).

if you're looking at 2 amps, then consider a compromise between a nice SQ amp for the splits and a suitably powerful monobloc for the sub (which i gather is what you're doing ). and the coustic duo would be perfect and certainly offer as much SQ in an amp as you need to match up with the polyglass focal splits.

alternatively, you may be able to snare a good deal on alpine V12 amps:
*MRV-T320 2x80WRMS at 14.4V RRP$499
*MRD-M300 1x300WRMS into 2ohm at 14.4V RRP$599

these are high quality amps and would outperform the coustics in terms of SQ.

alternatively, look at a good 3-channel amp like the audison SRx3 which will offer good SQ and good power.