philbert

I currently have a PPI PC450 (50x2 + 200x1 bridged) powering a set of a/d/s 236is components and a Seas Lotus SW250 sub (rated for 400rms).

I'm looking for a more powerful amp, but don't want to spend too much. The Alpine MRV-F545 (used) and JBL PX300.4 ("factory renewed") appear to be viable options on paper around the $200 range, and based on published dimensions, appear like they would fit on the spare tire amp board. At 14.4V and 4ohm, the Alpine is rated at 125x2 + 500x1, and the JBL is rated at 123x2 + 358x1 (the JBL is based on the CEA2006 Standard, not sure that the Alpine is, given it's age).

Can anyone with experience with either/both of these amps please share their experience/advice? Does the bridged rear channel appear to provide as much power as rated? Any issues from a sound quality perspective? Issues with overheating in the spare tire area?

Thanks,
Phil

jwa4378

The Alpine is CEA-2006 compliant. Alpine also has a tendency for underrating their stuff, and the bench test numbers are usually higher than their rating on the box. The only realy PITA about the 545 is that you need to remove the faceplate to get to the buttons to tune it (no knobs, all digital). I dont think you will have a heat issue, as both have built-in fans, I believe. The Alpine even has an option to display the amp's temperature on its display.

John

philbert

John,

I recall reading on a review/post somewhere about the Alpine that the display only shows 25Hz increments when adjusting the crossover points. Is that true? I assume that the amp does have adjustments in between, but they don't display?

Besides crossover points and gain, is there anything else set via the digital display?

Thanks,
Phil