Robert Neutral Newbie January 12, 2003 Share January 12, 2003 Hello everyone (my first post) I need some recommendations on a budget amplifier. To make a long story short, I went to a shop to change my broken antenna rod last week. The uncle was nice enough to let me listen to his Honda Civic and it was lovely. I too, have a 2000 Honda Civic. It comes with the standard Kenwood headunit and 4 speakers. I understand from the uncle that an amplifier would be a substantial improvement in the sound. What can I get for a budget of $200? $300? and $400? I live on the East Cost (Marine Parade) so an installer around here would be good. Thanks for your help. Regards Robert ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aiky76 Neutral Newbie January 13, 2003 Share January 13, 2003 Hi there, curious but which shop did you go to? I stay on the east too and I know of this installer who lets people audition his honda civic's setup. It is quite good, not the booomy sort. IMO, Amp is impt, but so are speakers, if your setup is totally stock. I am also looking for amps - so do share notes! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koolaba 1st Gear January 13, 2003 Share January 13, 2003 Hi Robert, I've 2 used 2ch amps to let go. Looking at $100-150 for each. If u r keen, PM me your e-mail n I'll send u e specs n pics. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Neutral Newbie January 13, 2003 Author Share January 13, 2003 Hello Went to shop with initials CYM next to Prawn Noodles (between Telok Kurau and Still Road). I think we went to the same one. Rgds Robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koolaba 1st Gear January 13, 2003 Share January 13, 2003 Is that e Silver Civic in Katong u r talking abt? Drop me a PM w ur e-mail if u r keen in getting used 2 ch amps too Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Neutral Newbie January 13, 2003 Author Share January 13, 2003 Hi Koobala Thanks for the offer - will keep in mind. Would prefer 1 unit 4 Channel - Wife-acceptance-factor also plays a part somehow. Thanks Robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aiky76 Neutral Newbie January 13, 2003 Share January 13, 2003 Bingo. Frankie's civic right? I wld have thought he would recommend you his Amp for $385. :) Not sure what make though. Thanks for the offer Koolaba, but I am thinking of 4ch to save the hassle of upgrades next time. besides am also thinking of going sub. :) Its a long slippery slope.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koolaba 1st Gear January 13, 2003 Share January 13, 2003 OK. Some ICE fanatics will stick to 2 units of 2 ch. The more powerful one will be driving e sub. PM me if u need lobangs for ICE stuff. BTW did u chk ICE forum? A bro nicknamed PCKING is selling a 4x100W amp Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koolaba 1st Gear January 13, 2003 Share January 13, 2003 Do note tt most 4 ch amps have a max output of ard 150W RMS. I've rarely seen a 4x200W RMS amp for tt matter. Some ICE fanatics will still stick to using 2 ch amps for greater flexibility n headroom. Get a more powerful amp for e sub while a more refined n less powerful one for e front components. Drop me a PM if u need contacts to ICE lobangs Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Neutral Newbie January 13, 2003 Author Share January 13, 2003 Hi Koobala What ICE forum? Isn't this the ICE forum? I understand the logic of a 2 x 2ch setup, like having monoblocks for home stereo/audio, but I am on a tight budget for a 4ch to drive the existing front and rear 2 speakers. Minium spending with an sufficient amount of audible improvement to minimise extranous noice (from wifey) Heh Heh Heh Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Neutral Newbie January 13, 2003 Author Share January 13, 2003 Hi AIKY76 Yes - Frankie's Civic. I usually go to him or Stephen at Glory Motor - been with them both since the mid 70s. What you mean by 'his amp for $385'? Brand? He quoted me a $400+ for a 4-channel one. Rgds Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koolaba 1st Gear January 13, 2003 Share January 13, 2003 This is the Delphiforums ICE forum http://forums.delphiforums.com/carssoundsystem DIY ICE forum http://forums.delphiforums.com/diy4fun Robert, e rear speakers doesn't need to be powered at all. They can be driven direct from HU since they play secondary role in SQ and producing good imaging n staging of your front sound stage. If ur HU comes with built-in amp, u can just use the HU to drive e spkrs directly. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Neutral Newbie January 14, 2003 Author Share January 14, 2003 Hi Koolaba That's news to me - I din't know that the rear speakers need not be powered - can you explain? How do I know if the headunit (HU) comes with built-in amp? Logic tells me that it should have a built-in amp cos it's driving all 4 speakers now, and the specs of the HU states: Max Output Power - 40W x 4 Full Bandwidth Power - 20W x 4 Rgds Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koolaba 1st Gear January 14, 2003 Share January 14, 2003 Robert, In ICE, u r trying to simulate concert/performance hall ambience. Seldom u'll have performers at the back of your ear. So what u r trying to achieve is proper sound staging n imaging. Hence e quality n performance of e front components are v crucial if u want a good system. As for the rear fills, I strongly believe they are there to fill in. If u've attended classical concerts at VCH (SSO concerts), u'll notice tt the hall is designed such tt e music will be reflected twds e rear of the hall, hence enevloping e audience. In any case, the vol will be v small. Likewise, in ICE. U wouldn't want the rear speakers to mess up e sound stage. U can do a simple experiment for yourself. Trying fading the HU all to e front first, then slowly to e rear. U'll find that the sound seems to envelope u in a semi spherical fashion. Most run of e mill HUs will have internal amps, stated as ?Wx4 on e faceplate. Those high end ones will do w/o internal amps to preserve signal integrity. Hope this helps. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Neutral Newbie January 14, 2003 Author Share January 14, 2003 Hi Koolaba Thanks for the description. Based on your description, wouldn't the front passengers hear more than the rear passengers, if we used the rear speakers as 'fill-ins'? From the driver's seat, can you get accurate imaging at such a close distance? Sorry for the silly question. Rgds Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koolaba 1st Gear January 14, 2003 Share January 14, 2003 Robert, Yes...u r driving. Shouldn't u be enjoying e music more? U can fade the power to e front such that e rears aren't so prominent. A rough gauge is like this. Try fading to e front, turn ur head 90 deg s.t. your ears are facing the rear. Once e rear speakers are audible, that's where your fading should stop. In ICE, you r not listening to e speakers directly. Rather, u r depending on e speakers to form a imaginary triangle setup such tt your sound seems to come from e front. Have a read at this http://www.cdtaudio.com/pdf/Learn_About.pdf To achieve accurate imaging & a natural sound to e best possible extent, tuning is required, usually by means of a pre-amp. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soya Supersonic January 14, 2003 Share January 14, 2003 Yup, I usually go to CYM too. Reliable guys there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Neutral Newbie January 15, 2003 Author Share January 15, 2003 Hi Soya So any recommendations for model and price? Around $200-$400 for a 4-channel amp from CYM? Thanks Robert ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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