Infinity VS Kicker VS Kenwood Amplifiers

[area3]

Ok SOO......

I just got a Polk db212-2 Dual sub enclosure
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-NuRdgMuDQ3O/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?wm=fp&I=107DB2122&g=510

And now Im looking for something to power them with

So I have narrowed it down to 3........

Infinity (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-NuRdgMuDQ3O/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=120&I=108R1211A)
Infinity Reference 1211a $349.99
Performance
RMS Power Output (Watts x Channels) 854 x 1
Frequency Response N/A
THD at Rated RMS Power 1%
Signal to Noise Ratio 72 dB
Input Voltage 14.4v
Peak Power Output (Watts x Channels) ---
Power at 2 Ohms (Watts x Channels) 1300 x 1
Bridged Power (Watts x Channels) N/A
Minimum Impedance Bridged N/A
Minimum Impedance Unbridged 2
Features
Amplifier Class D
Tri-Way Capable No
Low-Pass Crossover Frequency 32-320 Hz
Low-Pass Slope (dB/octave) 12dB
High-Pass Crossover Frequency N/A
High-Pass Slope (dB/octave) N/A
Bass Boost DBO level up to 12dB
Bass Boost Frequency DBO freq 20-80 Hz
Fan Cooled No
Fuse Rating 40 x 3
Speaker Level Inputs No
Preamp Outputs 1 pair
LED Power Indicator Yes
Width (inches) 19-3/8
Height (inches) 2-11/16
Depth (inches) 12-1/8
Parts Warranty 1 Year
Labor Warranty 1 Year

Kicker (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-NuRdgMuDQ3O/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=120&I=206ZX7501)


Kicker ZX750.1 $499.99
Performance
RMS Power Output (Watts x Channels) 375 x 1
Frequency Response 20-200 Hz
THD at Rated RMS Power 1%
Signal to Noise Ratio 95 dB
Input Voltage 14.4v
Peak Power Output (Watts x Channels) N/A
Power at 2 Ohms (Watts x Channels) 750 x 1
Bridged Power (Watts x Channels) N/A
Minimum Impedance Bridged N/A
Minimum Impedance Unbridged 2
Features
Amplifier Class D
Tri-Way Capable No
Low-Pass Crossover Frequency 50-200 Hz
Low-Pass Slope (dB/octave) 24 dB
High-Pass Crossover Frequency N/A
High-Pass Slope (dB/octave) N/A
Bass Boost 0-18 dB
Bass Boost Frequency 40 Hz
Fan Cooled No
Fuse Rating 40 x 2
Speaker Level Inputs Yes
Preamp Outputs 1 pair
LED Power Indicator Yes
Width (inches) 14-3/4
Height (inches) 2-3/8
Depth (inches) 9-11/16
Parts Warranty 2 Years
Labor Warranty 2 Years

Kenwood (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-NuRdgMuDQ3O/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=120&I=113KAC9103)


Kenwood KAC-9103D $299.99
Performance
RMS Power Output (Watts x Channels) 500 x 1
Frequency Response 20-200 Hz
THD at Rated RMS Power 0.5%
Signal to Noise Ratio 100 dB
Input Voltage 14.4v
Peak Power Output (Watts x Channels) 1800 x 1
Power at 2 Ohms (Watts x Channels) 900 x 1
Bridged Power (Watts x Channels) N/A
Minimum Impedance Bridged N/A
Minimum Impedance Unbridged 1
Features
Amplifier Class D
Tri-Way Capable No
Low-Pass Crossover Frequency 50-200 Hz
Low-Pass Slope (dB/octave) 24 dB
High-Pass Crossover Frequency N/A
High-Pass Slope (dB/octave) 0
Bass Boost 0-18 dB
Bass Boost Frequency 40 Hz
Fan Cooled Yes
Fuse Rating 30 x 2
Speaker Level Inputs Yes
Preamp Outputs 1 pair
LED Power Indicator Yes
Width (inches) 11-1/2
Height (inches) 2-9/16
Depth (inches) 14-7/8
Parts Warranty 1 Year
Labor Warranty 1 Year

I really Like the Infinity because I can cross over starting at 30 hertz....:roll2:

But wich one would u choose and why?

THANKS

[MantaGreen97]

Since it's a ported box, I'd pick the Infinity. Infinity makes some good amps and they have a feature called DBO (same as Orion's IntelliQ), which is a combination subsonic filter and boost circuit, which optimises output for a ported box, You simply dial in the tuning frequency of the box for the subsonic, and dial in some boost, perhaps 6dB or so for those drivers, I'd say. (Incidentally, the Infinity is pretty much the same amp as the JBL GTO1201.1 but the Infinity has DBO where the JBL does not.)

Can't beat the Kicker either, but in this case I'd probably take the Infinity myself.

The Kenwood I'd take out of the equation. They aren't bad but even the eXcelons (which that one isn't) aren't built spectacularly. Furthermore the Kenwood will likely just barely put out it's rated power, whereas the other are going to be underrated (the Kicker moreso than the Infinity though).

[area3]

Cool Beans

Let me ask you this though....

I have had a Infinity Basslink In my truck for the past year Will it pretty much be the same bass response and pattern or will the polk make it diffrent?

Like on the basslink you can hear every kick on the kickdrum will I get the same out of that amp?

Kinda get what Im saying?

P.S. Is the Polk Db 400 and 600 good speakers for the front and rear?

[MantaGreen97]

Amps, speaking of decent amps and not flea-market/bargain basement amps are actually all pretty neutral in their output. The BassLink, being designed for it's specific enclosure and driver may have had some "tuning" or processing added by Infinity for a certain sound output, but I don't know.

I'm quite confident that you will like the Polk box and any appropriate amp, better than you did the BassLink.

I'm not familiar with DB400 or DB600 speakers :???: Do you have a link to those?

I'd recommend a Polk DB5250 or DB6500 up front though. Your car will hold 5.25" front speakers easily with an adapter, and I think some 6.5s fit as well. If the 6.5s fit go with those, if not go with the 5.25s. Don't bother going with 4x6s for the front.

Also as another question, where are you planning on purchasing from? Crutchfield has very good customer service, is authorised and has full warranties but they are overpriced compared to some other dealers. Also if you buy on eBay (often with only seller-supplied or no warranty at all) it gets even cheaper still.

As for the subs, I would consider two Kicker CompVRs over the Polk DB subs, and put them in a ported box (and use either of the amps above)...

[area3]

Well

I was looking at crutchfield or Car domain.


These are Cool But they are not as sexy as the polks

Kicker Sub (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-cs5rtheRcJE/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=510&tab=essential_info&i=2067DCVR12#Tab)

So what would u recomend

05 Grand Am Sedan V6

1500 Dollar Budget

Want to do little to no modifications!

Want it to sound good and when I need To I can turn it up!

I want something that does not take up the whole trunk just the back part!

[MantaGreen97]

Yeah the CompVRs are better subs. As for not being as "sexy" I assume you mean the enclosure more than the subs. The Polk enclosure is pretty nice looking but the subs are not as good really. Polk has those nice grilles but they are actually available separately and you can put them on any sub; Kicker has some nice looking grilles as well for their round subs.

What I would do is just buy two Kickers and find your own box for them (but be careful with ported boxes as you want the right airspace and tuning frequency for the subs, don't just go buying any ported box you see). A pair of CompVRs is like $100 on eBay, plus shipping. And a box is probably not going to cost you $200, so you're better off buying separately. You could probably find that enclosure on eBay as well but you're right it doesn't look that great.

If you want something that takes up less space though, think about going with a sealed box or just one subwoofer and a ported box. Because two 12" subs ported isn't exactly the best of space savers, lol.

With a $1500 budget though, that's actually a pretty good budget.

Do you already have anything else like a head unit, or do you need to buy that too? Depending on what else you need to buy, you might want to go with a higher end single sub in a ported box...

[area3]

Ok Well Here IS What I PLan On Getting....

Head Unit (http://www.cardomain.com/item/KENDDX7019)


Thats the Head Unit

Now I need to Decide on Subs and Components For the Front and Rear?

Any Suggestions?

I heard The Kicker Speakers yesterday and they SUCKED!! lol

now the Subs Kicked BUTT and So did the Polk!

Then I went and Listened to the Jbl Subs and They Were not very Loud??

But then Again I need to go in There and try out my own music!

now the guy at Tweeter, Circut City and Car toys Said that Kicker makes Great stuff but there Quaility is Like Walmart?

So I want something good Loud and Reliable!

[MantaGreen97]

Originally posted by area3
Ok Well Here IS What I PLan On Getting....
Head Unit (http://www.cardomain.com/item/KENDDX7019)
Thats the Head Unit
Nice HU. :D Unfortunately of course there's over 2/3rds of your budget right there. :( I'm not usually one to argue with spending $$$ on a HU though haha... It is afterall the centre/heart of the system. I'd probably try to spend more on the rest of the system but if you're sure about a $1000 HU and $500 for speakers, subs, and amps, then that's up to you...

Originally posted by area3
Now I need to Decide on Subs and Components For the Front and Rear?

Any Suggestions?

I heard The Kicker Speakers yesterday and they SUCKED!! lol
I wouldn't say they suck but no Kicker is not typically known for their speakers. They do have some higher end components which are good but you might not find those in big box stores and arguably it's better to buy other speakers anyway.

Originally posted by area3
But then Again I need to go in There and try out my own music!
Yes definitely use your own music. Another thing--speakers can sound completely different on the wall in Best Lie or other retail store and in your car. So don't solely go by what you hear on the wall either. At least if you do buy from a big-box store you do get the opportunity to return them if you don't like them, in most cases.

Originally posted by area3
now the guy at Tweeter, Circut City and Car toys Said that Kicker makes Great stuff but there Quaility is Like Walmart?
Utter nonsense. You'll find a lot of idiots around car audio, trust me. Anyone saying that is probably one of those idiots. First of all Wal-Mart doesn't really make anything, they just sell stuff, LOL. There is no Wal-Mart made car audio lol.

Secondly I've rarely heard Kicker products described like that except for the aforementioned idiots who haven't got a clue, lol. Stillwater Designs makes good products and you won't have any "reliability" problems with CompVRs at all.

However I'm still unsure how you plan on fitting the subs, speakers, amps, and wiring into $500. It definitely eliminates most of what we've talked about so far I think. Because the amps you were looking at are $200-$300 which then leaves you perhaps $200 for everything else which I don't see happening. You've got at least $50 in wiring left, at least $100 for a set of components, and what about the subs and enclosure? You may want to rethink your budget or your distribution of funds within it.

[area3]

Well The head unit is not in that budget lol

For Speakers And Amps I want to Stay Right Around at 800 bucks not including all my wiring and caps lol

So 800 For Speaker Box Subs and Amps!


I am A Acoustic and Audio Engineer So I know a TON about Subwoofers and Speakers!!

LOL

Ok So 800 bucks what would you suggest?

I like the Kicker comp vrs but its expensive to power them! lol

Ok So I was Looking at 2 of these .......

Kicker Sub (http://www.cardomain.com/item/KIC06CVX102)

With that Infinity Amp I showed Ya Earlier?

Will that be great?

And MAybe Infinty or Jbl up front?

[MantaGreen97]

Originally posted by area3
Well The head unit is not in that budget lol

For Speakers And Amps I want to Stay Right Around at 800 bucks not including all my wiring and caps lol

So 800 For Speaker Box Subs and Amps!
Oh okay yeah that makes a big difference, lol. Oh and I wouldn't bother with any capacitors--spend that money on a better/second battery or upgraded alternator. However for the power you're looking at the stock alternator should be fine.

Originally posted by area3
Ok So 800 bucks what would you suggest?

I like the Kicker comp vrs but its expensive to power them! lol

Ok So I was Looking at 2 of these .......

Kicker Sub (http://www.cardomain.com/item/KIC06CVX102)
LOL CompVXs haev more power handling than CompVRs meaning you could go for even more amp power. The CompVX is essentially an L7 that is round. Same motor, similar T/S, just the VX is round. Polecat (a Kicker rep that posts on car audio forums) had been saying the VX is better for sealed boxes though, whereas the L7 is better in a ported enclosure.

But with an $800 budget, I'd break away from the mainstream... Why not go for something like a single TC Sounds TC-3000 in a ported enclosure? TC-3000 has been price reduced recently so it's $250 for a TC-3000 12" sub. That's actually a pretty reasonable price for the driver you're getting.

It's a "small box" driver so it can go in a 0.8 cu.ft. sealed box or a 1.5 cu.ft. ported enclosure tuned to 31Hz. If you really want some low-end extension, they recommend a 2.2 cu.ft. ported enclosure tuned to a pretty low 20Hz :D The only thing with the ported boxes is you'll likely have to build it yourself or have someone build one for you, to specs, as pre-fab ported box are usually not ported anywhere near as low as even 31Hz.

http://www.tcsounds.com/tc3000.htm

Originally posted by area3
With that Infinity Amp I showed Ya Earlier?

Will that be great?
The TC-3000 is quad voice coil, but if you use the "1.4 Ohm" DCR wiring method, it will be around 1.8 ohm nominal impedance for the amp, in which case I think the Infinity would match up alright as that is pretty close to the 2-ohm minimum. They say the TC-3000 handles 1000W RMS but it can easily take quite a lot more than that; the Infinity will be a good match anyway.

Originally posted by area3
And MAybe Infinty or Jbl up front?
With another $800 to spend here? I'd also leave these brands behind. They are good, but if you're definitely going to spend $800 on the front stage and amp, look for something different like Rainbow, Focal, CDT, Boston Acoustics, Polk's SR line, etc.

[area3]

:) Sexy

I have never Heard Of this Company But They Sound GREAT!


Lol


WOW 5 YEAR warrenty :eek: :eek: :eek:

And should I go with one 15 or one 12?

They look really nice

Hmmmm

I think I just found me a Sub :D

Thanks MAN

[MantaGreen97]

Originally posted by area3
:) Sexy

I have never Heard Of this Company But They Sound GREAT!

Yeah TC Sounds selling subs like this is a relatively new thing but they've actually been in the background of car audio for many years. They're the build house for many car audio companies. They build subs for lots of manufacturers. The TC-3000 motor has also been around for a while and is quite well known and it's used currently in other subs on the market. That's why you see the notice

"Ultra strong, brushed and powder coated titanium cone (TC Sounds exclusive design)"

on the description because they don't make the titanium cone with that design for anyone else I guess. All Eclipse subs are TC made I believe, they've also made stuff for Rockford Fosgate/LA, and others (those just come to mind right away).

Originally posted by area3
WOW 5 YEAR warrenty :eek: :eek: :eek:
Yeah solid warranties on these. The only "problem" I've seen with these is that the titanium cone can separate from the surround but this is with people putting 2000-3000W RMS on them I believe, in normal useage this will not happen; and, provided you don't abuse it with that kind of power it's under warranty a long while anyway ;)

Originally posted by area3
And should I go with one 15 or one 12?

Well that's up to you I guess! Look at the box requirements, and see what you're willing to put in the car sizewise...

Originally posted by area3
I think I just found me a Sub :D

Thanks MAN
Cool! If I were buying a sub today I would be buying a TC-3000 as well. Another company to check out for subs, if you want, is Fi Audio. They're getting a lot of attention on car audio forums as well:

www.ficaraudio.com