I really want high - clean power for both a 4 channel and 1 channel. looking for 120 watts each on the 4 channel and 4-500 watts for the single channel sub. What do you think of Soundstream and/or Orion amps
Looking to spend 450-500 each (new).

 

You may want 92tripleBlack or SpeedRacer for this question.
Dave

 

I just upgraded to the Soundstream Rubicon 555 a few weeks ago (at the same time installing a sub). It's smaller than what you're talking about (40 wpc + 150 w sub channel), but so far the sound is really great. Very clean, a big improvement over the smaller amp I had before. :D

 

Both amp companies are very good. The Orion lineup is the mid level line of A/D/S. Their site is http://www.adst.com
Some good places for prices are http://www.mmxpress.com
and http://www.soundcityoutlet.com
Check out what mmxpress says about the A/D/S brand.
What speakers do you plan on using with the amp? Having alot of power is good. The biggest reason speakers blow is because they start distorting because they don't have enough power. Soundstream makes a Rubicon 805. Its 50wx4 and 200w. Its their largest 5 channel without going to their outrageous setups. It could be bridged to make the woofer go 400w and it should be large enough for most setups. It costs $750+/- on the mmx site so its in your budget. You also might want to try an audiobahn leftover. I haven't used them but from what I hear they make quality products and they have leftover 2000 models for 1/2 price. Their site is http://www.audiobahninc.com and they have links to alot of web retailers. Also, like all quality makers they only sell through authorized dealers to eliminate regional price conflict and to ensure that they are sold through quality shops. Remember most car speakers have a 4 ohm resistance rating so unless you start bridging, etc. this is the watt rating in RMS you would be interested in when shopping for speakers. I use 80wx2 bridged from a Soundstream amp for my front Boston Pro 6 1/2" seperates, 60Wx2 bridged from a soundstream amp for my rear seperates, boston 4 1/4" seperates, and 400w from a bridged soundstream amp for a Boston Pro subwoofer. I didn't by the amps, I inherited them from a friend who passed away. He bought each amp seperately and we kept adding every 6 months to the system so that's why I'm bridging all these amps. If I had to buy them outright, I would get a A/D/S PQ40.2 and an Audiobahn A1500HCX. These run from 800-1000 eacch but they are killer amps. I used to own the A/D/S until I was visited by a car alarm salesman (thief) and he gutted my 5.0 stang. In general though both these amp companies are very good and you would be happy with either.
92TripleBlack

[Modified by 92TripleBlack, 12:57 PM 9/15/2001]


[Modified by 92TripleBlack, 1:04 PM 9/15/2001]

 

I have 1 2-way set of MB Quarts 216 which I have in the rears. I was buying an additional set of MB Quarts, only 3-way (316). However, I've been told those aren't made anymore and so I agreed to have the company replace the purchase with JL Audio XR653-CS 3 way components, having never heard them. Unsure at this point if that was a good decision. I can return if I'm not happy with them. I also have a 15inch Xtant sub set up in the very rear area.

 

MB makes many different 216 and 316 speakers ranging from 129-899+$ a set. If you mean the PSC 216 they are on sale for $299 on many sites and they would use about 50-75w a channel minimum from these amps. If you mean their entry level DSD 216 which goes for about $129, 50W would be plenty. These are pretty basic low to mid level speakers.
The xtant subs are pretty much marketing gimicks. They advertise that a hex shape helps rigidity. In reality, it instead causes distortion. Any deviation from a circular cone, whether it is a hex, square, or oval hurts the sound quality and creates inefficiency and distortion as well as flat spots and frequency spikes. The shape is just an inexpensive way to get a rigid shape. The proper manner to achieve a rigid cone would be to use high quailty and expensive materials. The Soundstream amp would be more than enough for this sub. You would probably do better with a JL Stealth box instead of the xtant for sound and performance. The SS amp would power this very well also.
If you want the ultimate 15" sub, look at this site. Be ready to blow out your rear window though. http://www.ultimate-sounds.com/audiobahn/sub30.htm
You'll notice that the xtant only goes down to 27 hz. The audiobahn hits 18hz which is substantially lower.
You could probably go with a good quality 10", beat the xtant 15" in sound and save room at the same time. Many makers make great 10" and 12" subs.
The JL speakers look alright. I would listen to them first. Your ear is the most important thing when choosing a mid and tweet. It has to sound right to you with your music. Demo them in a sound room with one of your CDs against some other speakers. Use a disk with a female vocalist on it. Female voices are the hardest to replicate and will make it easier to hear the differences in each of the different speakers. I would also demo Diamond, Focal, Boston Pro and ADS for your needs. Demo the MBs for reference vs the others. Personally I like the way the A/D/S 3 series sounds the most. When I blow out what I have (Boston Pros) that's what I'm getting. The Focal have won the majority of the professional sound offs lately beating the MBs out which were dominating a couple of years ago. I don't have a C5 so forgive my ignorance but does it have 3 openings in the front for speakers? You really don't need 3 in the front unless you are going to enter competitions and are willing to spend $1800 a set for the best. A good 6 1/2 or 5 1/4 with a tweet should be more than sufficient. If it does have 3 holes, what size are they? You may want to set up 6 channels instead of 4 with 2 pair of seperates or an extra set of tweeters in the front for improved staging. It all depends on what you want to spend.
92TripleBlack


[Modified by 92TripleBlack, 10:39 PM 9/15/2001]

 

Call me old school, but I still love my Zapco's :eek:

Chan

 

what do you think about an Orion 800 - 4 channel and a JL Audio 500 watt mono block for the sub? I hear these are both very good....

 

Good stuff. Orion is owned by A/D/S. It is their mid level amp line. Precision Power is their introductory stuff. You should be happy with both of them. Look to the A/D/S if you want the best and are willing to spend the cash however. http://WWW.ADST.COM


92TripleBlack

 

I went with Xtant. Awesome looking and sounding amp :yesnod:

 

phoenix gold here