Amp recommendations? - United Bimmer Community

**MrWonka** · 07-03-2006, 08:17 PM

I have no clue what the good brands are for amps, how many watts I need, etc. All I know is I need a 4 channel amp (Im pretty sure) so that I can power my front and rear speakers (no sub), what would you guys recommend for an amp from $150-$200? Thanks

Mike

**Dudesky** · 07-03-2006, 08:59 PM

For starters, it would help for us to know if you're using the stock speakers or aftermarket, and what type/brand/model

**Rooz** · 07-03-2006, 09:10 PM

For a $200 price range don't have too many choices to go with, I'd rec. the Alpine MRP-F250

**da_bull** · 07-03-2006, 10:05 PM

good little amp, built in independent crossovers, good choice for the money...

**MrWonka** · 07-04-2006, 08:07 PM

Im going to be getting MB Quart components in the front and 6x9 MB Quarts in the rear, I was looking at Hifonics, Alpine and Pioneer amps so far.

**da_bull** · 07-04-2006, 09:34 PM

Hifonics have really gone downhill over the last ten yeas or so. I was a Pioneer dealer, I like their headunits but not their amps/speakers (there are better ones out there for the money). In the price range your looking at, the Alpine is the best for the money.

That being said, audio is VERY subjective. In spending your own hard earned money, dont listen to friends, salespeople, and even people on these and other forums. You really need to do a lot of listening on your own. My suggestion is to take a CD you are very familiar with, try to listen to the same song, same speakers, same headunit, and only switch the amps around. Listen to the sublte (and some not so subtle) differences in the amps. One will jump out at you and scream "I need to be in your trunk!!" I know its fun to bring friends with you, but they will talk you into something you may regret later. Have fun shopping and let us know what you come with.

Hope that helps...

DEATH2000 · 07-04-2006, 10:00 PM

MA Audio makes a sick 400 watt amp that used to power the 2 10" subs in my Benz no prob. The price was $250 CDN so it should be just round $200 US. Its worth checking out trust me. Ill consider selling u mine if u want.

**Dudesky** · 07-05-2006, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by da_bull

. . . audio is VERY subjective. In spending your own hard earned money, dont listen to friends, salespeople, and even people on these and other forums. You really need to do a lot of listening on your own. . . . I know its fun to bring friends with you, but they will talk you into something you may regret later.

+1 . . . couldn't have said it better myself.

**da_bull** · 07-05-2006, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudesky

+1 . . . couldn't have said it better myself.

Being in install and sales for over 16 years, I dont know how many conversations like this I've heard. I'm sure you have too:

Customer: What about brand X?
Customers Buddy: My brother had brand X and it sucked
C: really?
CB: yeah he blew it up only after 4 hours.

blah blah blah etc etc...

CB didnt know/tell that his brother wired it himself with some lamp cord he had in the garage for power (we dont wanna know what he used for speaker wire), didnt have a decent ground so it was trying to ground through the RCAs, sun-faded speakers laying in the rear deck, spliced rcas off the rear 6x9"s because he didnt have RCAs on his Craig cassette deck, the 7 speakers were in parallel, bridged, and the amp was in a wet spare tire well bouncing around underneath a winter coat to keep someone from seeing/stealing it.

OK I'm done with my turn on the soap box

**MrWonka** · 07-06-2006, 06:08 AM

Thanks for all the help so far everyone

I understand what you mean da_bull by audio being subjective and how everyone likes their own different things, but Im not really anal about audio as in I dont really plan on having the best sound system or anything, just something basic but better then stock.

I am also kind of in another predicament now...I really want to get a new headunit even though the one I have is fairly new (Pioneer DEH-P7700MP), but now I want to get an Alpine CDA-9835 or 9855 becuase I love the look of them compared to the Pioneer, but I also need to buy new speakers/amp becuase I haven't had any sound in my car since March. Decisions...

-Mike

**da_bull** · 07-06-2006, 08:37 AM

That Pioneer is a pretty good headunit. The specs are fairly close to the Alpine. I wouldnt do anything with it right now until you get your amp/speakers. The Alpine would be a nice radio to have in that is can be color matched to the dash. You'll be suprised at how well your system will sound with an amp driving your speakers rather than the headunits power. Get some tunes in there...

**MrWonka** · 07-07-2006, 07:23 AM

Someone on bimmerforums.com recommended me to elemental design amps so I think I am going to give one a shot (http://edesignaudio.com/product.php?...pid=10&cur=USD) and then I think I will be getting some 5.25" MB Quart front components, then 6x9 MB Quarts in the rear w/BSW adapters. How much do you guys think a shop would charge to install this? Or would this be simple enough for me w/ a couple friends to do?

**BMWLotAttendant** · 07-07-2006, 11:39 PM

Maybe you should consider buying an amp that is NIB from whoever is selling it here on UB.

Plus, it goes to a good cause.