Zed Audio Amps

[adcom565]

Anyone try the Zed Audio Amps- Do they sound like the Old Hifonics Series 7 or 8. What other brands are know for good sound these days. I have not been following the car audio since 1993-94 or so. It seems like the wattage ratings are way high these days and I have heard amp wth 500 - 1000 watts and it does not appear to be much louder then the old Hifonics Thors- at 125watts. Back then if you got 200 or a 300 Watt Zeus it pounded real lound and you could get by with a Rockford 75HD with 37.5 watts a channel. It appears that the brands I loved Hifonics, PPI, Rockford Punch, Soundstream are now made cheap or oversees. What brands are left that are good quality and made in the USA. I want to find an amp that pounds but with equal clarity and sound ($500 or less). I am thinking of buying something used that was built in the late 80's and early 90's, since I know what brands were good back then. There must be good brands today without spending a ton of money. Thanks for your help.

[neomagus00]

usamps is probably pretty good... far as wattage ratings, dunno about how such things were measured a decade ago, but today power is cheap, so speakers are inefficient (intentionally, usually), and power is quoted as peak values

[killerb]

zed will always be zed. quality, quality, quality! i would put those amps up against anything out there.

[audiobliss]

USAmps, ARC Audio, Zapco are all really nice amps.

[adcom565]

Is there any reviews on the new Zed Audio amps, are they available in stores or online. Would it sound like a old Series 7 or 8 Hifonics. Someone told me that Crossfire, Eclipse and Diamond Audio was good also. Does Zed make better stuff today then in the past. For example the Zeus Series 7 and 8 were 300watt/channel 2 channel. The Duece 200 Watt/ channel. Or maybe I should get the 4 channel 70watt/4. Any other options. (I would like something at a low cost but good sound). Also in the past I always had a Head Unit (aftermarket) but now I have the Acura CD and 6 disc trunck and my don't want put an aftermarket- I can't get a straight answer from the local stereo shop- if I use one of the low level line converter from the speaker wires do I lose sound. One place said it should not matter and another place said you would loose sound vs. pre-outs. Wondering if I am wasting my time on getting a high quality amp without pre-outs. Or will it work fine and I will get the sound I expect.

[1996blackmax]

Car Audio and Electronics just reviewed Zed Audio's Gladius amplifier. They had nothing but good things to say about it, and acutally called it a reference 2ch amp.

http://zedaudio.com/products.html


Pictures:

http://zedaudio.com/Photographs/Gladius-pics.htm

[PoweredByDodge]

who the hell is Zed audio?

[killerb]

who the hell is Zed audio?

WHAT?

[1996blackmax]

I really hope he is joking..... if not he has a good amount of learning to do :D

[audiobliss]

I've personally never heard of Zed Audio before. But I'm sure that doesn't surprise anyone.

[Meeks32]

Well Zed audio used to only be a build house for more well known brands like hifonics & zapco right? I can see how someone might not know who they are, like when people like Eclipse subs but may not know who TC sounds are.

[killerb]

zed is THE name in car audio amps. eclipse subs? not even close.

[PoweredByDodge]

if they were a build house, then that's not really anything to warrant credibility -- designers warranty credibility.

however, if they've put together their own product that is 'excellent', then, by all means, give credit where credit is due... but i still don't know who they are.

[1996blackmax]

a little reading....

http://zedaudio.com/aboutus.html

[PoweredByDodge]

holy ****

.... ya i'd say he's got a helluva resume.

[neomagus00]

but terrible grammar... :)

[1996blackmax]

it's ok.....grammar is not the end product of an amp :D

[killerb]

not only is he a great amp designer, but he is one hell of a nice guy. he is really down to earth.

[1996blackmax]

I have actually emailed him before and he got back to me very quickly with an answer.

[exalted512]

I used to have some old US Acoustics amps that were made by Zed...cool stuff, just not enough power for my liking.
-Cody

[icky4]

ZED=Good stuff!

[SQDuallie]

Well Zed audio used to only be a build house for more well known brands like hifonics & zapco right? I can see how someone might not know who they are, like when people like Eclipse subs but may not know who TC sounds are.

Whats the deal with this TC Sounds, and is there a link between them and Eclipse. I was just checkin out the TC site. Those subs look really good, and alot like an Eclipse sub. I been an Eclipse fan for years..As well as Zed Audio. I have a stack of about 8 different HiFonics GenX amps at home. But I never heard of this TC Sounds

[Meeks32]

I know TC sounds makes some models of eclipse subs & the motor technology they use is patent by TC sounds, like the lms motor in the 8000 series. I dont know if they make some of the low end models now, but the old eclipse Ti & Ti pro's were built by TC sounds & use their 3hp & 4hp motors. TC sounds is awesome & if you have the money & want probably the best driver out there or one of the best then look at the LMS-5400.

[neomagus00]

if i recall correctly, TC also builds at least some of the drivers for SVS, which is an excellent home subwoofer company... good stuff, them...

[Meeks32]

They did build the drivers in the plus & ultra models, but SVS has recently moved driver building "in house" & now designs there own.

[SQDuallie]

Thanks guys. Thats interesting info. Im gettin ready to redo the system in one of my trucks. Im gonna consider the TC subs. Where is the best place to purchase them. I asume from their website. I nomally run Eclipse, and was planning on using the 8000 series. I was also plannin on running the Zed Audio amps as well. EVerything else was gonna be Eclipse minus the wires and sort

[1996blackmax]

Couple places....

http://tcsounds.com/

http://soundsplinter.com/