Last chance to save me from making a mistake...

[AustinKP]

Ok, so as most of you know, I currently have a pair of MM6's running off my Alpine 9815. Thanks to a competition I just won at work (2 Walmart Mountain bikes, 2 helmets, and a lock. Grand total: $193), I finally have enough money to get an amp for my comps. I'd like to order it tomorrow so I can end this forever wait! :) I've been looking at this amp (http://www.infinitecaraudio.com/cgi-bin/icastore.cgi?user_action=detail&catalogno=MK2120) , a Monitor 1 2x120W RMS amp that is selling for $150. MM6's take 150W, but I'm assuming this amp is pretty underrated. My question is: is there a better amp for the money, or is this a steal like the website says? Please note that this amp has no built-in crossover. However, my HU has one, and I think it works pretty well. Also, is this a reputable company? How good is that warranty through Arc audio? Thanks so much in advance for your responses...
-Austin

p.s. Yes, I know, I've kind of asked this before, but "measure twice, cut once"

[AustinKP]

Ok, on the caraudioforum, someone recommended this Autotek amp (http://www.thezeb.com/detail.aspx?ID=622). Is that any good? Is there a Hifonics alternative that would be better?

[bknauss]

I've never heard of monitor, but that doesn't mean they don't make good stuff... also doesn't mean they don't make crap either.

I wouldn't assume any amp is underrated unless the company has a reputation for underrating amps. And even then, I like to see cold hard numbers through tests :) I would get something around 150-200W RMS at most. Your ears are going to be bleeding if you play something at 150W RMS for a long time (at least my ears started hurting pretty badly when I would crank the volume up with my 150Wx2 amp).

Autotek seems to get good reviews from everyone I've ever seen use them. If those reviews are correct, they seem to be one of the best bang for the buck companies out there.

[MacLeod]

As far as power, the MM6 are rated at 150 but that doesnt mean that is the only power they will work best at. Anywhere near that will be fine. You will reach a point where more power doesnt make a speaker sound any better it just shortens its life span. I would say for the MM6 that 150 is the max rms and that 100 would be the least you should go and still get all the best out of the speaker.

Ive never heard of Monitor and so Im a little leary of them.

I dont like Autotek. FIrst off the name alone sounds cheap but more than that Ive heard more than a few people bitching about theirs.

$200 is gonna be tough to get to with the power requirements but Ill give it a shot. Try this Rockford Fosgate Power 451S (http://www.acaraudio.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_37&products_id=312). Plenty of power and well built.

There is this Hifonics ZX4000 (http://www.acaraudio.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_37&products_id=1132) which puts out 100 rms which it prolly more like 115 which is adequette.

Your budget is kind of tight and keeps you from the better stuff. I would recommend hanging on to the $200 you have now and saving up another $100 or so then youll be in business! $300 opens up the door to a whole other league. For instance you can have this Orion 4004 (http://www.acaraudio.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_34&products_id=1243) which is a 4 channel thats underrated at 50x4 (more like 65x4). This is an awesome amp and you can bi-amp your MM6's and it will be great. You can get it from Main Street Audio for $300 if you want an authorized dealer. Or if you really want to get into the big leagues there is this Precision Power PCX480 (http://www.acaraudio.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_34&products_id=243). This is another 4 channel but you would have to be careful with the gains as this thing puts out close to 100x4!!

These are just a couple examples of how much better equipment you could have if you can just hang out a little longer and scrounge up an extra $100.

[exalted512]

Ive always heard mixed reviews of Monitor 1, on one hand ive heard they are good for the money, on the other hand ive heard they sucked and they should not even be related to Zapco
ive never had personal experience with one though
but after looking at the specs and caught a look at the input sensitivity id be weary...most amps can take up to 8voltsrms, that one takes 2...
id call monitor and ask first...
if it is 2, everytime you turn it up its going to clip because the 9915 has 4v preouts correct?
if it does, youd have to keep the gain all the way down to prevent it from clipping but i think you would still probably hear clipping
personally, i wouldnt get it...it doesnt even have crossovers...
ive heard mostly good things about autotek...ive even recommended them a few times
but i remember Thomas(trappedunderice) saying that he bought one and was not pleased with it at all...so i dont know
and if that amp ever blows and its under warranty...DO NOT SEND IT BACK TO THEZEB, send it back to autotek...thezeb has great prices but have the SHITTIEST customer service, especially in the return dept, that i have ever seen in my entire life
if it were me...id save my pennies and buy this (http://www.acaraudio.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=46&products_id=1133)
its $239 off of acaraudio.com, but sounddomain usually will beat their price so you can probably get it around $215ish with free shipping
i think you will be happiest with that amp even if it does mean shelling out a few extra bucks
dont skimp out on an amp, save up and get the Hifonics:D
oo...and i didnt win the car so wont have the same car...lol
man...i was already making plans for a custom install in the trunk!
-Cody

[MTXMAN]

Originally posted by exalted512
i wouldnt get it...it doesnt even have crossovers...


Neither does my US Amps TU-600, what are you saying here cody :p

jk man, had to give you a hard time for that one, i know the two amps are in completely diff leagues and in that league u want a x-over

[exalted512]

Originally posted by MTXMAN
Neither does my US Amps TU-600, what are you saying here cody :p

jk man, had to give you a hard time for that one, i know the two amps are in completely diff leagues and in that league u want a x-over
yeah....you just compared a $500+amp to a $150 amp...
the people at USAmps are thinking if youre going to be buying their stuff...youll probably be buying an equalizer as well or have a headunit with some kick ass crossover options
good to have you back, long time no hear
-Cody

[exalted512]

actually i take that back, thats comparing a $750 amp to a $500 amp
did the 600 come with a birth sheet?
if so, what did it say?
-Cody

[MTXMAN]

no no birth-sheet... :(

it sounds absolutely gorgeous though, incredibly detailed and louder too :D

i've been a busy boy, i hope to be able to get back to posting frequently...


btw do you think the xover for my mm6 comp sets is gonna be suffecient or do i need capicators inline to the speakers? if so what rating do i need to keep my mm6's from playing frequencies they're not supposed to??

[exalted512]

i cross mine over at 55ishHz
but i do that on the amp
does your head unit have a crossover in it?
really anything up to 80Hz is perfect
more than 80 your bass might sound like its coming from the back, but if you dont mind that, then go to 100
for that amp, theres no need to go above 100
preferrably anything b/t 60-80Hz
as far as what capacitors, i have no idea
lol
-Cody

[neomagus00]

id think that the provided xovers would be quite sufficient