Need Some Advice - Amps & LOC
 

Need some advice from the experts. My current audio build is:

Focal PS 165 (4ohm) 80W rms
JL Audio CP110LG-TW1 (4ohm) 300W rms

My question comes down to amps and then equalizer. Which would be the better method for amplification:
-Rockford Fosgate P600x4 (75x4, 300x2)- Use the front channels for the focal and bridge the backs for the sub
or
-Run two amps Rockford Fosgate 300x2 (100Wx2) for the fronts and R500x1d (300x1) for the sub

There is a difference of 10 dollars but one has the luxury of only one amp.

Final Question: I have the Bose Nav setup. I know I need a LOC but I would also like some control over the equalizer since the OEM setup is horrible. Any recommendation. Thanks for the help!

Question of convenience for you - do you want to install one amp or two? The power ratings are essentially equivalent.

You can say you will get more headroom from the two amp setup (extra 25Wx2 on the fronts, and a dedicated power supply (and Class D? - not sure) for the sub), but I would find it hard to tell.

I would opt for a single amp install, especially given the space premium in our Z's.

LOC - hehe: I'm sure Big can answer that better than all of us.

Thats what I sorta figured for the amps. Now to decide on a good LOC with an equalizer or buy and equalizer separate.

Budget for loc and eq??

Around $300 gets you the Audio control DQ-61 which covers all your bases.

I was trying to keep that portion around 200. I was originally looking at the LCQ-1 but was wondering if there was other LOC with equalizer that were a bit more cost effective.

the lcq1 would also be a good choice. A decent LOC alone is gonna run you around $80. Those built of lesser quality have a better chance of introducing noise into your system as well.
Your system is only as good as its weakest link. (I say that a lot):tiphat:

You don't need a LOC with the RF amps

Can you please explain?

Maybe speaker level inputs? I'm not familiar with the current line of RF amps...

If it is speak level input, I wouldn't be able to adjust specific frequencies just all frequencies together.

yeah, kinda missed the point there. 90% of amps out there have speaker level inputs, OP is also interested in Equalization in the low level signal.

Then I would second AudioControl - I haven't used their newer offerings, but they build good, reliable, and functional stuff.

Got the LOC. Still trying to figure the amp. I am thinking I'll have to do two. If I bridge the amp, I'll have to put the speakers in parallel which would drop the ohm to 2. The amp can't support that.

Any suggestions on amps? All of my builds have been using rockford fosgate. I would like to use one amp, either 3 channel or 5 channel. I need 80watts to the front and 300watts to the sub

that's not a can of worms !!!! everyone is gonna throw at you their favorite gear. There are hundreds of good amps out there.
If you have been having luck with RF, stay with them.

RF definitely has been good to me, just would prefer to only have to run one amp. I do agree, it is a can of worms.

Yep. Among the top brands, there's just not that much difference*. The speakers you use and how you mount them will have a much greater effect on the way the system sounds.


*There can be subtle differences that could be heard in a good listening environment, but we're talking about a small, noisy car here.

What do you gentlemen think of the Rockford Fosgate R600X5 amp? It is a bit short on the sub side.

In that same price range.....
Soundstream TN 5.950D 70x4 plus 270x1 $229
Helix Dark Blue 5 75x4 plus 350x1 $249
Zapco ST-x5 60x4 plus 240x1 $299

It all depends on how much you want to thump. 300W sounds like plenty to me - it's not like you're trying to fill an auditorium. But that's just me; if you want strong bass, the sky's the limit.

You can't have too much amp. Buy more than you think you will need.

I'll have to look into those amps. I haven't heard of any those brands.

see them at woofersect.com all these amps are good quality, and you cant go wrong with any of them.

Any feedback on soundstream products? I am liking their 5 channel amp.

back in the day I really liked the Soundstream products but couldn't tell you any longer if they are good or bad.. For some reason I think they got bought by another company but I don't know for sure.

ive always used zapco and precision power amps . dollar for dollar precision power is hard to beat . ive prolly run 12 diff ppi amps and never had a single failure .

Precision Power PPI i640.5 iON 640W 5-Channel Class-D Amplifier

decent ppi amp there for what you need . as far as a loc goes if your want good sound out of any of them your going to have to use a signal processor .

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_975HELI...3372985&awdv=c

with this you will be able to plug in a laptop and tune your sound . these are amazing in newer cars where loc are a necessity .

I was running a sound stream reference amp in my Z for about 3 years now. Top notch amp, but it was time for a change. i have installed dozens of soundstream products, including the Tower, and Tra series amps ( and I personally own one from a previous car). I will always recommend them. I compete in SQ competitions, and have always done well with SS amps they just make a good, solid, inexpensive product.

I ended up going with the Soundstream TA5.1250. Just need to get an power and ground cables and then I should be good.

Current Build:
Focal PS165
Audiocontrol LCQ-1
Soundstream TA5.1250
JL Audio CP110LG-TW1

You could look at the RF P1000x5..., as for EQ'ing I would say the Audio Control LC-Q1, if you don't have the budget for a RF 360.3.

Might want to word what I posted.

I currently have purchased:
Focal PS165
Audiocontrol LCQ-1
Soundstream TA5.1250
JL Audio CP110LG-TW1

It should turn out great if the sub ever shows up.

Now where to tap for the LOC and anyone have a wiring diagram for a roadster with Nav? I searched a bit but haven't seen exactly what I am looking for.

Wiring diagrams, pinouts, wire colors, &c are in the FSM. Stereo/Nav should be the same for hardtop and vert.