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I was reading one of these threads, and everyone was saying that every amplifier will make your subs sound the exact same, its simply a matter of quality and watts... is this true?

Does this apply to 4 channel amplifers as well?

Why the hell is everyone all about the amps then?

its more of a thing of reliablity and how much power it actually puts out. for example a pyle amp that claims to do 1200w will more than likely never come close to that, and wouldn't be able to handle it. On the other had, a well built subamp (say the IA 20.1) put out rated power at a very low ohm load (puts more stress on the amp) and i belive it dipped into low voltage for 5 minteus in a SPL competition. its all about quality, in my opinion.

I realize that, but I thought for a 4 channel amplifer that there would be sound difference. Why would someone then buy a $5000 Brax amplifier as opposed to a good U.S.Amps?

Depends, if you're talking to amps (Say a "highend" amp and a lowend amp) with very simular specs, i'd say it'll come down to the reliability/quality and such. being able to put out the rated (or with some lower end companys... stated) power could be another issue, but I'm not entirely sure.. i'll have to wait for someone more knowledgeable ont he subject to chirp in.

The primary advantage a $5000 amp (such as the Brax you mentioned) will have over a cheaper amplifier will be the build quality and material quality. Even if designed completely different, two amplifiers will sound the exact same if the power output is equal and neither are pushed past their limits. But that Brax amplifier will outlast the cheaper amplifier, and on top of that (in Brax's case) you get a lifetime warranty to back it up.

You'll hear some refer to choosing an amplifier based upon the speaker, and there are a few examples worth mentioning. One would be a load with a swinging impedance, such as an electrostatic panel. Most manufacturers of such speakers, like Martin Logan, recommend a tube amplifier because tube amps are generally better able to handle a swinging impedance load. This is an issue of optimizing the application, and is important to note that it's a rather moot point in car audio because most systems are so similar to one another in that regard.

Basically, you'll gain no SQ benefit to gain from buying a $5000 amplifier assuming you keep both within their limits. But if you just wanted to get from your home to work everyday, a Mercedes may not have anything to offer you over a Honda Civic. While both will do just as good a job getting you from point A to point B, that doesn't mean you cannot appreciate the craftsmanship and build quality that goes into the Mercedes. It doesn't mean that you can't justify the added cost of driving such a vehicle either.

Great stuff.... and so would you then claim that its more benefitial to put your money into the head unit, or the speakers? (if not the amp)

deffinitely the speakers.

I'd say you need to divide and concur. The thing to keep in mind when designing a system is that the entire system is only going to be as good as the weekest link. If you have have the cheapest head unit money can buy, there's no sense in getting the most expensive speakers. If you guy great speakers, great amps and a great head unit, you don't want to connect it all up with $1.95 RCAs from radio shack. You need to maintain a balance. Look at what you want to achieve, how much money you have to achieve it, and come up with a plan that's going to work. You're not going to get 1k watts out of an amplifier using 18 awg power wire. It's all about striking a balance.

And it all starts from the head unit. If you can't get a good clean signal off the CD and to the amplifier, than what does the rest really matter anyway?

Airforceyooper wrote:You're not going to get 1k watts out of an amplifier using 18 awg power wire.

take the fuse off and you might get a nice fire

How about those guys who are too cheap to buy an inline fuse for under the hood? That's some funny shit when it starts their interior on fire. I've seem them burn right up into the car and the kid still buys new wire with no fuse. WTF?!? Some people never learn.

Sorry, off topic.