Alpine or Kicker Amp?

[der1311]

Hey there. I have just installed my head unit, sub, and wires. But I'm not sure which amplifier to use. I have right now a KX400.1 amp rated at 450 watts RMS and an alpine V-12 MRDM300 rated at over 300 watts RMS im sure. The sub im using is a 12" type R in a ported enclosure. Just wondering witch amp would give me the best sound and bass. I listen to mostly rap and metal. So the more bass the better. thanks for looking

[birdhouse]

Well, for cleaner, better sound, go with the Alpine. If you want to get more bass, go with the Kicker. I'm not a fan of Kicker myself, so if I had a choice, it would be Alpine all the way (plus, I like cleaner sounds compared to crap).

[MantaGreen97]

Originally posted by birdhouse
Well, for cleaner, better sound, go with the Alpine. If you want to get more bass, go with the Kicker. I'm not a fan of Kicker myself, so if I had a choice, it would be Alpine all the way (plus, I like cleaner sounds compared to crap).

IMO that^ is completely baseless. They're both competent and both Class D amps (from what I can see). I can't see the Alpine you mentioned on their website but if it is like the other MRD amps they have on their site, then I'm guessing it is more expensive than the Kicker?

If you were choosing between which one to buy, I'd probably say the Kicker (and that would be what I'd choose myself). But since it seems you already have both of them, it's up to you.

The Kicker may give you more subwoofer output, but it would be because it likely has more power, not just because one is Kicker and the other is Alpine. Kicker has always been known for underrating their amps, and even if it isn't so much today as it was in previous years it will likely produce more than they rate it for. Alpine, on the other hand is not really known for underrating. The MRD-M605 (which would seem to be a "higher" model than the one you have there), is rated for 400W RMS into 2 Ohms at 12 Volts and 600W RMS into 2 Ohms @ 14.4. The M300 is going to be less, obviously but the numbers are telling.

I don't even really have to look at the exact ratings of the Kicker to know it's going to put out more power. However, the difference might not be that big since you need double the power to get any real difference in output, and I don't think the Kicker would do double what the Alpine does.

They are both going to be equally as "clean", believe me. Choice is up to you. There may be features (crossovers, bass boost or other features) that make one amp favourable over the other, or even looks/cosmetics that could be the deciding factor. Since you have them both already, again, it's up to you.

[PontiacGT]

kicker owns joo

[Bjornboy81]

Originally posted by MantaGreen97
The Kicker may give you more subwoofer output, but it would be because it likely has more power, not just because one is Kicker and the other is Alpine. Kicker has always been known for underrating their amps, and even if it isn't so much today as it was in previous years it will likely produce more than they rate it for. Alpine, on the other hand is not really known for underrating. The MRD-M605 (which would seem to be a "higher" model than the one you have there), is rated for 400W RMS into 2 Ohms at 12 Volts and 600W RMS into 2 Ohms @ 14.4. The M300 is going to be less, obviously but the numbers are telling.


I agree with you for the most part, but this statment isn't entirely true. With the new CEA ratings, you aren't going to have underrating or inflated ratings that much anymore. It may vary a couple of watts, but everyone is testing to the same standards now. The numbers are the numbers, so you can directly compare now. :)

[birdhouse]

Originally posted by Bjornboy81
I agree with you for the most part, but this statment isn't entirely true. With the new CEA ratings, you aren't going to have underrating or inflated ratings that much anymore. It may vary a couple of watts, but everyone is testing to the same standards now. The numbers are the numbers, so you can directly compare now. :)

:agree2:

And, Manta, IMHO, most of your comments are biased and "baseless", too. I don't like Kicker, period. I like Alpine. So, of course all my comments are going to be biased. I personally think Alpine (especially the digital line) puts out a much cleaner signal compared to other amps. And, as I did say in my first post, if he wanted more bass production (IE louder) then go with his Kicker amp. If he wanted it clean, clear, and still bassy, then go with the Alpine.

[Cronk152]

Originally posted by birdhouse
Well, for cleaner, better sound, go with the Alpine. If you want to get more bass, go with the Kicker. I'm not a fan of Kicker myself, so if I had a choice, it would be Alpine all the way (plus, I like cleaner sounds compared to crap).

Just add salt. If you have both of them, hook em up and find out which one you like better. If you can't and your listening to these guys, add "I Think" in front of everything unless they design amplifiers and have and engineering degree.

And I think it's awsome that companies have replaced the "Peak" wattage. That was the lamest thing. 1200W peak, 300 RMS. Just silly it was.

[MantaGreen97]

Originally posted by Bjornboy81
I agree with you for the most part, but this statment isn't entirely true. With the new CEA ratings, you aren't going to have underrating or inflated ratings that much anymore. It may vary a couple of watts, but everyone is testing to the same standards now. The numbers are the numbers, so you can directly compare now. :)

Yeah it is unfortunate too though, because the CEA ratings are retarded if you ask me. I like the fact that there is a standard now but it isn't what I had expected.

Before if you knew enough you'd know what brands/models typically were good and which ones weren't. Now, IMO, all you can be sure of is that all are equally bad, as they are rated! :roll2:

But the thing about the CEA ratings is that most manufacturers still publish the ratings the way they used to do it, along with te CEA.

But for these two amps, if you were talking about the CEA ratings, the Kicker would still come out on top because the Alpine in indeed rating for less power--something that would still be seen on the CEA numbers as well.

[MantaGreen97]

Originally posted by birdhouse
:agree2:

And, Manta, IMHO, most of your comments are biased and "baseless", too. I don't like Kicker, period. I like Alpine. So, of course all my comments are going to be biased. I personally think Alpine (especially the digital line) puts out a much cleaner signal compared to other amps. And, as I did say in my first post, if he wanted more bass production (IE louder) then go with his Kicker amp. If he wanted it clean, clear, and still bassy, then go with the Alpine.

Okaaaay??? :confused: So you call me biased and baseless and then just repeat what you said in your first post which wasn't true to begin with?

AND you admit that you're biased [blantantly unfairly] and then re-state the same thing? Riiight. Sounds good to me. :wtf:

All I said was personally I'd take the Kicker, if I were considering the purchase of these two but they are very close amps and probably wouldn't be much different in the real world. I guess that is what some people call biased? :confused: Perhaps you should look the word up in the dictionary.

[MantaGreen97]

Originally posted by birdhouse
And, as I did say in my first post, if he wanted more bass production (IE louder) then go with his Kicker amp. If he wanted it clean, clear, and still bassy, then go with the Alpine.

PS: Your if you really believe your misguided ideas about "cleanness" of sound aren't actually misguided. There's a guy out there who has something like $10,000 for you if you can actually prove that through blind listening tests. Well I dunno if the challenge is still going but I think he actually upped the amount at one point. Now I don't want to get into the validity arguments, but anyone that has even a bit of experience in mobile electronics, will know what I'm talking about.

[der1311]

Well thanks for everyones opinions. I started this thread because I knew that there would be people out there who were extreamley biased. Which is good because I needed to know if there where any big differences or accesories that would make one amp better.

I, of course, tried both amps out in my car and came to the conclusion that the Kicker would be the one to drive the Type R. The kicker just plain offered more power at higher levels. But it did suck more power out of my car even at lower levels.

The alpine had good power and I couldn't tell the difference until I turned the music up to a certian point. But at the same lower levals as the kicker it didn't suck so much power from my car. My lights barely dimmed but at the same loudness the kicker would really put a strain on them when I was stopped. I also did like all the options that it had.

As for sound quality or cleanness, I, nor any of my friends, could tell the difference. They both sounded the same at a medium sound level.

Thanks for everyones thoughts.

[Night Wolf]

I have an Alpine MRV-F540... 80 watts RMS x 4. They power the in-cabin speakers (not the sub)

I coudln't ask for a better amp, POWERFUL, very clean sounding. I got it used off ebay and it works great, great adjustments... hell it even survived having a couple + and - speaker wires crossed (would shut off from protection mode) and when I was loading my car up to move to FL it was pouring, so the trunk was open (no choice) and far more water then I would have hoped went directly ontop of it..... and its still going.

I personally like Alpine's electronics... very good.

for the sub I have an MA Audio amp... 600watts RMS x 1 very good quality as well. Its from www.partsexpress.com normally $260 (what I paid) right now they have a special... $199.... A STEAL! I swear if I had the cash... or moreso the need for another one, I would buy it... the damn thing is a beast... you may also want to consider that :)

[matts]

alpine is a great company all around. you dont see very many companies that make a good headunit, speakers, amps, etc. usually a company has one specialty and everything else is just ok. everything alpine makes is good, not the greatest money can buy (minus a few of their headunits), but a good product with clean sound.

kicker isn't anything to laugh at IMO either. i like kicker subs more than alpines, in my experiences it just seems like they take more of a beating. i like to abuse my stuff, so that means something. never had a problem out of a kicker or alpine amp, so i think it would come down to preference more than anything.

[1999grandamse]

I have that Alpine Amp driving an Alpine Type S sub and am very pleased. I know you already decided, but if you have an Alpine deck you can get a cable and use it to directly control the settings on the amp from the driver's seat. Hope that helps a little.

[Cronk152]

MantaGreen97, I agree