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Old Apr 14, 2011 | 06:50 PM
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Default Amp question

I'm going to start my question again, my acct has been change with LS1tech.

So do I need an amp?
My system is Clarion vx409 with clarion speakers front and back.
No sub. Not sure that the Monsoon amp is still working seeing that the stock deck is out and speakers.
I know Kee Audio has some nice amps and would like to know from them what is the best 4 ch amp for approx 150.00

Thanks
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Old Apr 14, 2011 | 08:06 PM
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Originally Posted by 99SSragtop
I'm going to start my question again, my acct has been change with LS1tech.

So do I need an amp?
My system is Clarion vx409 with clarion speakers front and back.
No sub. Not sure that the Monsoon amp is still working seeing that the stock deck is out and speakers.
I know Kee Audio has some nice amps and would like to know from them what is the best 4 ch amp for approx 150.00

Thanks
Maybe try driving the speakers with the HU first and see if you like it well enough?

What is the RMS rating on the speakers? What is the RMS rating of the HU?
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Old Apr 14, 2011 | 09:02 PM
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Speakers approx 50 rms and H/U 40 watts x 4
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Old Apr 14, 2011 | 09:35 PM
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http://www.clarion.com/us/en/product...409024110.html

18W×4 RMS [4Ω@14.4V ≤1% THD+N]

I guess if it was me, I'd just use the HU until I could get some better speakers that could handle an RMS of at least 80W before I'd invest in an external amp.

If your monsoon amp is blown, you could probably find one on ebay or the parts for sale section of the forum for cheap.

Why do you assume it doesn't work? Did you buy the car and it came with no speakers and no HU?
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Old Apr 15, 2011 | 07:57 AM
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I just thought that the Monsoon amp works in conjunction with the head unit only
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Old Apr 15, 2011 | 08:05 AM
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no, not true. Check out the Monsoon FAQ and just be sure to connect everything correctly on your Clarion to GM harness. Try installing just the HU before you do anything with speakers.
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Old Apr 15, 2011 | 08:14 AM
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Ah ok, its all installed using the correct wiring harness and has been running for a year now.
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Old Apr 15, 2011 | 10:06 AM
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An 4-channel amp will sound better and be much more powerful then a head unit power any day. Even a 50watt x 4 amp will put out real power and most of the amps I use are underrated power unlike amps that have a rating of 1000watts and an RMS rating of 200watts. Most head units are about 15-20watts rms power. Basically cut whatever the power rating is on the unit in half and you will have your real power rating.
I just updated the Clarion amps on the site and have a few more to do but all that gear is in.
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Old Apr 15, 2011 | 11:24 AM
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Originally Posted by KEE AUDIO
An 4-channel amp will sound better and be much more powerful then a head unit power any day. Even a 50watt x 4 amp will put out real power and most of the amps I use are underrated power unlike amps that have a rating of 1000watts and an RMS rating of 200watts. Most head units are about 15-20watts rms power. Basically cut whatever the power rating is on the unit in half and you will have your real power rating.
I just updated the Clarion amps on the site and have a few more to do but all that gear is in.
You feel Clarion is a good amp for the $ ?
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Old Apr 15, 2011 | 07:30 PM
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They are not as good as they used to be. I will say that. They used to be into pro audio and had some very good products. They got out of the pro audio business a couple of years ago. I still like the head units, touch screen DVD systems, and their amps are ok. I was also surprised by one of their subs recently as it did hit pretty well for a budget oriented sub. Their speakers used to be very good and they have since gotten less good.

For the money you can do a little better but if your looking to do an all Clarion system then your going to be ok and I don't think you would be disappointed with the results. They are a decent bang for the buck amp.
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