does anyone know anything about memphis amplifiers? how do they compare with jl, phoenix gold, or other similar amps? thanks.

edit: also, what about Soundstream Amps?

I've had 2 memphis amps for about 2 1/2 years and they work great. I have it mated thought to a memphis 10" (died today).

had a memphis st-1000d amp a while back. very good subwoofer amp, 90% efficient. haven't used any other memphis ones, but i'm sure they're also very nice. if you're looking at memphis amps, also take a look at dei directed amp, very similar. don't know too much about soundstream.

I have ran memphis amps since the begining, they are very efficient. Um...perhaps a little pricey but i think they are worth it power to price ratio. Well built with good warranty and looks sharp too. good luck:)

Is definitely worth the extra money for the clarity you will get.

Of course, Memphis is also a great product.

tdx: how's the kicker working out for you?

Originally posted by spiralsmurf
tdx: how's the kicker working out for you?

actually it's not hooked up yet. i've got to be the laziest person when it comes to working on my stereo. i used to be in a phase where that's the first thing i would do, but now i'm sorta trying to do like 6 projects all at the same time so nothings getting done :lol: I'm hoping i can get it installed this week. i want to relocate my battery and am holding off on the amp until i do that, but i can't make up my mind on a battery either. optima red top would be nice, but an odyssey 925 is about 8lbs lighter and still provides enough starting power. could also go with an odyssey 680, pretty much a dyna-batt, but the wire probably weighs more than the battery and i'm sure i'll have trouble when cold weather comes around again. i should just stop thinking and buy something

thanks for all the comments on memphis and soundstream. i'm wondering if anyone knows how these match up with other good companies, specifically jl (500/1, 300/2) and phoenix gold (tantrum series)...

well goodluck on your choices, i've never experimented with batteries but maybe i should. how much weight would i save using the dyna-batt? i don't have a problem with cold-starting since i live in sunny southern california.

Originally posted by spiralsmurf
well goodluck on your choices, i've never experimented with batteries but maybe i should. how much weight would i save using the dyna-batt? i don't have a problem with cold-starting since i live in sunny southern california.

the stock battery is either 28lbs or 31lbs, i keep forgetting. the odyssey 680 weighs around 14lbs, so about half as much and still delivers 280 cca. the stock battery has more ccas i just can't find the numbers, but shouldn't be a problem for you.

Originally posted by smallchou
thanks for all the comments on memphis and soundstream. i'm wondering if anyone knows how these match up with other good companies, specifically jl (500/1, 300/2) and phoenix gold (tantrum series)...

Lets see what I can add:

Right now I am running a Memphis 16-MC3004. The two front channels are running a set of Diamond Audio M661 components in the front doors with 75 watts a side. The rear two channels are bridged to a DVC Diamond Audio M6. The sub is seeing about 300 watts. I am very impressed with the amp...been using it since November.

One of the shops that I have working with said that they have looked at JL amps. They said they are decent amps when it comes to rated power. When it comes to bridged power, they said there are better amps on the market.

I always wanted a Soundstream amp. I had previously looked at a Rubicon RUB550-5 five channel amp. Well, since the company has its share of financial problems in the last couple of years, their name is mentioned less and less. If you look at their website Soundsteam (http://www.soundstream.com), it mentions new products for 2002...nothing about 2003. If I'm not mistaken, they are now owned by DEI.

Phoenix Gold. I only know of one person who owns one...my little brother. He is one of the, "I want BASS", types. Plus, he bought the amp off of a friend and didn't know anything about it...I downloaded the Owners Manual for him off of their site. There is one shop around here that sells Phoenix Gold, but the shop is a dump and a joke. I'm not being racist, but it is run by a bunch of foreigners that charge WAY TOO MUCH and can't do a decent installation if their lives depended on it.

If I had to suggest another manufacturer, I would take a look at Zapco. My choice was between Zapco and Memphis. I went with Memphis because I just wanted a smaller system (got competition out of my blood with my last car) and one of the sales people at the shop had a Memphis Bell :eek: :eek: :eek:

Brian

jl amps i think are decent because of their versatility. if you're oging to change your setup a lot, might want to look into one because the power is regulated if you're running 4ohms, 3 or 2, it's all the same power with these amps. but for the price you can get much better i think.

if you're not going to compete, i don't think you need something quite like a zapco, xtant, phoenix gold ti or whichever their top line is now, etc. by far the best value for decent amplifiers are the memphis, dei directed, never tried a phoenix gold tantrum or crossfire but i'm sure they're in the same league. rockford fosgate amps i particularly don't like too much, all of the ones that i've worked with (600a4, 800a4, 1000a2, 1000.2, and a few others) get so hot you can probably fry an egg on them. when i was working at circuit city, a lot of people liked the alpine amplifiers. i would probably stay away from sony amps also, i've seen more of them fail than any other.

don't forget precision power.

thanks for all the replies. i guess, more specifically what i'm looking for is a 2-channel to power DA 661 components up front and a mono to power an IDQ12 in the back... are any of you running similar setups with amps from any of the discussed companies? what are your experiences with that? what do you think of a Memphis ST500D for the sub? thanks...

mmm idq 12. i love that sub i'm actually working on one right now for my friend.