I need a decent amp...?

Question

I'm looking at 2 12" subs rated at 800watts RMS and 1800 watts peak. Now all i need is a good amp, any suggestions? The amount i can spend is limited to about $400. Also, would i need a second battery/ high output alternator?

Answer 1

indeed more info is needed, but for that kind of rating 1600 watts rms, ur looking at more than 400 bucks, IF you want some decent.  if youve never heard of the name, chances are it aint that great. but may i suggest kenwood KAC-9104D.  900 watts RMS by one channel at 2 ohms. best part, 300 bucks great name, great quality and i purchased mine form crutchfield, which also gave me a free 1 year warranty.  and let me tell you a warranty on an amp is a great thing cuz electricity can do funny things.  look at any respected amp over 1000 watts rms and the price jumps except maybe the  Alpine MRP-M1000, which wired correctly is 1000 watts rms for 400 bucks. heres a link for high output amps at low low cost but who knows how good they will turn out to be.....www.electronixwarehouse.com. and a second battery, probably not, right gauge wire, like 2 or 0, and a power capacitor will do the trick

Answer 2

a little more info on the subs is needed to suggest an amp because we need to know the configeration of the subs- are they SVC or DVC and what is their impedance (ohms)

as far as the amp needed- any amp with about 1600watts RMS @ the correct impedance (ohms) and is CEA-compliant (which means that the amp makes or exceeds the advertised RMS wattage with minimum distortion)

here are the top CEA-compliant brands

Alpine  

Bazooka  

Blaupunkt  

Clarion  

Eclipse  

Infinity  

JBL

JL Audio  

Kenwood

Kicker  

MTX  

Pioneer

Polk Audio

Rockford Fosgate  

Sony

unless its a big truck/SUV with a V8 you will need to upgrade the whole chagring system (all wires going to the alternator and wires on the battery, and you would still need to get a H.O. alternator- the second battery will help mostly for playing the sounds with the car off)

If your lights don't dim then you are safe and the alternator can handle the load so you don't need the upgrade

here's a good test of your charging system

with the car started turn on your AC and/or rear defrost while the car is idling with the headlights on at night, then turn up the volume past halfway- If the lights dim (very noticeable) or the RPMs drop you will need to upgrade