Debating Between 2 amps
Debating Between 2 amps So for Christmas I got the Hifonics Brutus BRX640.4 which when I finally hook it up, either this weekend or next weekend, will run the doors and sails, now due the likely-hood the BRX line is getting ready to be replaced (much of the model line is marked CLEARANCE on some sites) I want to go ahead and order my new subwoofer amp while I can still get a BRX amp to match the 4 channel.
the 2 amps I'm looking at are the BRX1600.1D and the BRX2000.1D, they will be powering 2 Planet Audio BB212D so it will be run at 1 ohm with a combined RMS of 2400 watts (1200 each speaker)
BRX1600.1D Pros:
1. It's about 40 bucks cheaper (which puts me that much closer to the 0 gauge cable I need to buy)
2. It's the exact same physical dimensions as the BRX640.4
BRX1600.1D Cons:
1. Less power (aprrox. 67% of subs rated RMS)
BRX2000.1D Pros:
1. More Power (approx. 83% of subs rated RMS)
BRX2000.1D Cons:
1. about an inch longer then the BRX640.4
2. more expensive
now when I planned all this I was planning the BRX2000.1D (including already getting a fuse-able distribution block since the BRX2000.1D has to be externally fused) but I'm just beginning to wonder if it's just over kill, being that even the BRX1600.1D is likely to be double the power I currently have going to them (BRX1600 is 2 80 amp fuses where my current amp is a single 80 amp fuse). Plus I just like the idea of both amps being identical sizes, just not sure if I want to give up that extra 400 watts going with the bigger one or not.
Which would you guys go with?
the 2 amps I'm looking at are the BRX1600.1D and the BRX2000.1D, they will be powering 2 Planet Audio BB212D so it will be run at 1 ohm with a combined RMS of 2400 watts (1200 each speaker)
BRX1600.1D Pros:
1. It's about 40 bucks cheaper (which puts me that much closer to the 0 gauge cable I need to buy)
2. It's the exact same physical dimensions as the BRX640.4
BRX1600.1D Cons:
1. Less power (aprrox. 67% of subs rated RMS)
BRX2000.1D Pros:
1. More Power (approx. 83% of subs rated RMS)
BRX2000.1D Cons:
1. about an inch longer then the BRX640.4
2. more expensive
now when I planned all this I was planning the BRX2000.1D (including already getting a fuse-able distribution block since the BRX2000.1D has to be externally fused) but I'm just beginning to wonder if it's just over kill, being that even the BRX1600.1D is likely to be double the power I currently have going to them (BRX1600 is 2 80 amp fuses where my current amp is a single 80 amp fuse). Plus I just like the idea of both amps being identical sizes, just not sure if I want to give up that extra 400 watts going with the bigger one or not.
Which would you guys go with?
ended up deciding to save some cash and went with the 1600, that 40+ dollars of savings will make it that much sooner I can budget the 1/0 gauge cable upgrade I need to support running the 2 amps.
so freaking pissed off, so I received the amp yesterday and when I open the box, IT'S THE WRONG AMP, apparently they no longer have any of the BRX series amps since they are now discontinued so they "upgraded" me to the BE1700.1D WITHOUT TELLING ME FIRST and now after a week of waiting for the amp I have to spend 24 bucks sending it back to get a refund, thats the last time I buy from OnlinceCarStereo.
So I went to BestBuy online and ordered the brx2000.1d since I got a bonus from work and don't mind the extra cost so much now.
So I went to BestBuy online and ordered the brx2000.1d since I got a bonus from work and don't mind the extra cost so much now.
I've never had trouble like this from them in the past and honestly it wouldn't have been as big an issue (since it is a 30-40 dollar more expensive an amp) if not for the part of wanting the amp to match the same series (BRX) of amp as my 4-channel and for the fact they just shipped it out without telling me along with their lack of paying return shipping (unlike other online retailers I've had to do returns with).
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
You really should avoid sonicelectronix whenever possible. The reason they are so cheap is because they sell grey market product (products for which they are not authorized distributors and which were destined for another market outside the US). As such, the majority of the things they sell come with no factory warranty and are not eligible for any rebates. In fact, you will find that Pioneer and Kenwood specifically mention sonicelectronix on their respective websites and deny all warranty on products purchased there.
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Verdad Gallardo yup, as a general rule I always advise against any one buying from Sonic due to them not being AUTHORIZED to sell half the products they carry, but even then they don't have any stock on these amps anyway, they've been discontinued so it really came down to who had the best price and still had one in stock and for me that was Best Buy (funny thing is according to a review on bestbuy, best buy online is an authorized seller but their physical stores aren't, based on the reviewers conversation with Maxxsonics).
now to find a reasonably priced 300 amp ANL fuse (200 amp for the 2000.1 and another 60 for the 640.4, so gotta go to 300) for my fuse holder by the battery and try to figure out just how much 1/0 wire I need to order (gotta run from battery back to distribution block and to the 2000.1 and do a ground for the 2000.1, existing 4 gauge will be cut to length and used on the 640.4 ground and connection to distribution block, I don't know how long my current wire is because it's been moved between at least 5 different cars over the last 10-12 years, or however long I've been using that Monster Cable wire for) I wanna wait till I have both amps in hand to see if they can fit on the rear wheel hump or if I need to find somewhere else to mount them.
now to find a reasonably priced 300 amp ANL fuse (200 amp for the 2000.1 and another 60 for the 640.4, so gotta go to 300) for my fuse holder by the battery and try to figure out just how much 1/0 wire I need to order (gotta run from battery back to distribution block and to the 2000.1 and do a ground for the 2000.1, existing 4 gauge will be cut to length and used on the 640.4 ground and connection to distribution block, I don't know how long my current wire is because it's been moved between at least 5 different cars over the last 10-12 years, or however long I've been using that Monster Cable wire for) I wanna wait till I have both amps in hand to see if they can fit on the rear wheel hump or if I need to find somewhere else to mount them.
You really should avoid sonicelectronix whenever possible. The reason they are so cheap is because they sell grey market product (products for which they are not authorized distributors and which were destined for another market outside the US). As such, the majority of the things they sell come with no factory warranty and are not eligible for any rebates. In fact, you will find that Pioneer and Kenwood specifically mention sonicelectronix on their respective websites and deny all warranty on products purchased there.
Well, Best Buy comes thru, arrived earlier today. Here they are side by side (4-channel I got at Christmas and the new monoblock), next step is to determine final mounting locations so I can estimate how much 1/0 I will need to complete the wiring.
You really should avoid sonicelectronix whenever possible. The reason they are so cheap is because they sell grey market product (products for which they are not authorized distributors and which were destined for another market outside the US). As such, the majority of the things they sell come with no factory warranty and are not eligible for any rebates. In fact, you will find that Pioneer and Kenwood specifically mention sonicelectronix on their respective websites and deny all warranty on products purchased there.
All their JL audio stuff is generally 1/4 to half that of retail price. For that kind of price savings you can generally afford the risk. If it makes it 2-3 years then cooks who cares generally time to upgrade to bigger and better by that age anyhow. But for what it's worth I've bought stuff from them for years and haven't had any problems the big thing is to stick to better line of equipment and you will generally be ok.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Comparing prices to retail is generally meaningless when it comes to audio equipment. Nobody sells for suggested retail because of the huge markup that gives them plenty of room to mark down.
Compared to other online vendors, sonicelectronix doesn't look quite as good.
A JX360/4 amp is $230 at sonicelectronix and $250 at Crutchfield (certainly not known for the lowest pricing) - only $20 more to buy from an authorized vendor. Or you can get the same amp on Amazon for only $144!
Component speakers - a set of C5-650 components from sonic is $456, from Crutchfield $499 but from Amazon only $377!
Subwoofers - a 10w3v3-2 10" subwoofer is $240 at sonic, not sold by Crutchfield but only $225 on Amazon!
It's notable that sonic didn't have any of those items in stock and that Amazon would include free 2nd day shipping free with a Prime membership.
My point is that the sonicelectronix prices are not good enough to make me want to buy from an unauthorized vendor and they aren't even the best prices available on the web.
Compared to other online vendors, sonicelectronix doesn't look quite as good.
A JX360/4 amp is $230 at sonicelectronix and $250 at Crutchfield (certainly not known for the lowest pricing) - only $20 more to buy from an authorized vendor. Or you can get the same amp on Amazon for only $144!
Component speakers - a set of C5-650 components from sonic is $456, from Crutchfield $499 but from Amazon only $377!
Subwoofers - a 10w3v3-2 10" subwoofer is $240 at sonic, not sold by Crutchfield but only $225 on Amazon!
It's notable that sonic didn't have any of those items in stock and that Amazon would include free 2nd day shipping free with a Prime membership.
My point is that the sonicelectronix prices are not good enough to make me want to buy from an unauthorized vendor and they aren't even the best prices available on the web.