Soundstream sucks
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,064
Likes: 18
From: Arizona
Soundstream sucks
I had to vent about my experience with the audio company Soundstream.
I bought 2 soundstream amps, REF1.500 and REF4.760 from the internet. The vendors said they were authorized to sell the products. I took the amps to a very reputable shop (they have done a few of my cars + friends). They hooked up the amp and the REF4.760 let the smoke out.
Upon opening the amp, Soundstream uses old MOSFET technology in the amp that cannot provide the power they are advertising.
I contacted soundstream, and it turns out they were bought by Power Acoustik a while back, so basically I bought a power acoustik amp in a soundstream case. They said they do not warranty amps that have burnt circuit boards. I was like what else goes wrong on an amp other than the circuit board.
So now I have 2 fancy amps that do nothing.
I bought 2 JL HD amps to replace these.. it just pisses me off that Soundstream treats its customers like this.
I bought 2 soundstream amps, REF1.500 and REF4.760 from the internet. The vendors said they were authorized to sell the products. I took the amps to a very reputable shop (they have done a few of my cars + friends). They hooked up the amp and the REF4.760 let the smoke out.
Upon opening the amp, Soundstream uses old MOSFET technology in the amp that cannot provide the power they are advertising.
I contacted soundstream, and it turns out they were bought by Power Acoustik a while back, so basically I bought a power acoustik amp in a soundstream case. They said they do not warranty amps that have burnt circuit boards. I was like what else goes wrong on an amp other than the circuit board.
So now I have 2 fancy amps that do nothing.
I bought 2 JL HD amps to replace these.. it just pisses me off that Soundstream treats its customers like this.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 7
From: Issaquah WA
That sucks. The new Reference series has been getting pretty good reviews, and there's definitely nothing wrong with MOSFETs in amplifiers, so I'm pretty sure there isn't an inherent design problem with the amps.
When you say you have two amps that do nothing - only one amp wasn't working, right? If both amps blew, I would say it's 100x more likely that something happened in the instal, than you got two DOA amps. But I'm guessing you just didnt want to use either one now.
Although Power Acoustik bought SS, the Ref series are very different from anything sold in the PA line. PA also bought out Precision Power, and they use PPI and SS as their upper end line. It's more like the products from the VW Group, than products from GM. More 911 and Bug, than Cimmaron and Cavalier.
It still sucks that they won't do anything to help you with the issue!
When you say you have two amps that do nothing - only one amp wasn't working, right? If both amps blew, I would say it's 100x more likely that something happened in the instal, than you got two DOA amps. But I'm guessing you just didnt want to use either one now.
Although Power Acoustik bought SS, the Ref series are very different from anything sold in the PA line. PA also bought out Precision Power, and they use PPI and SS as their upper end line. It's more like the products from the VW Group, than products from GM. More 911 and Bug, than Cimmaron and Cavalier.
It still sucks that they won't do anything to help you with the issue!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,064
Likes: 18
From: Arizona
Just to clarify, the 4.760 is the one that let the smoke out.
The 1.500 the bass **** was not working. So that could be anything.
SS did tell me that they would send me another bass ****, but wouldnt do anything with the 4.760.
I now have some JL amps that are todays tech (very small). I still need to get the car back though... with my luck they could be lemons too...LOL
The 1.500 the bass **** was not working. So that could be anything.
SS did tell me that they would send me another bass ****, but wouldnt do anything with the 4.760.
I now have some JL amps that are todays tech (very small). I still need to get the car back though... with my luck they could be lemons too...LOL
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 7
From: Issaquah WA
That's too bad. I've been wanting to try out the new Ref amps, but two straight amps with issues, and no customer support means I probably won't.
The HDs are great. One of the best small footprint amps out there. Hope you get your car back, and are listening to great tunes soon.
The HDs are great. One of the best small footprint amps out there. Hope you get your car back, and are listening to great tunes soon.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 293
Likes: 1
From: Christiansburg Virginia
Ebay is a great place to buy electronics. A must to look at if you are into the old school, made in america amps. You can always cover yourself with squaretrade. The savings cost far outway purchase of an extended warranty. I have purchased Kenwood excelon decks multiple times, multiple amps, speakers, etc. with not one problem. The key is doing your homework and finding the right seller. Way too much money to be saved to overlook Ebay.
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Former Vendor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 18,293
Likes: 137
From: Hazel Green, Wi www.doubledmods.com
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Ebay is a great place to buy electronics. A must to look at if you are into the old school, made in america amps. You can always cover yourself with squaretrade. The savings cost far outway purchase of an extended warranty. I have purchased Kenwood excelon decks multiple times, multiple amps, speakers, etc. with not one problem. The key is doing your homework and finding the right seller. Way too much money to be saved to overlook Ebay.
Funny thing is I have better deals alot of times than EBAY with full warranty on select items we cant advertise for online per MAP pricing rules from the comapny who makes the products. Thats why its always good to call me live when looking for stuff I dont post
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Frisco TX
I have a Soundstream Human Reign amp in my car and it is the nicest amplifier I have had since the old days. I like it better than the jl slash amps I had. I've never heard the hd amps. Sorry to hear about your experience. Good Luck
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,330
Likes: 61
From: Nantucket MA
Old Sound Stream is WAY different than the post-buy-out crap they are throwing the name on these days. I used to have one of the Tarantuala's and that thing threw some power out. The Human Reign was always so bada$$ looking!.
I've moved on to Zapco Y2K Comp amps now. Hands down the best I've EVER had.
I've moved on to Zapco Y2K Comp amps now. Hands down the best I've EVER had.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 215
Likes: 14
From: Mansfield Texas
St. Jude Donor '13
I like my old Zed Audio amps in my F250. They are musical beasts. Just too large for my vert. Went with Arc stuff in it. I still have an old Linear 2002 I won in a Crank it Up contest in 1984.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
That last indash deal you posted was pertty stellar!
