anybody know?
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kennypinkerton
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I had a Soundstream Reference 1000s amplifier for a couple years. It was the best amplifier I've ever owned. Very clean, controls even the sloppiest subs very well. Subs I ran on it... 2 pioneer 12" - very loud and very nice sounding - could only run them in stereo though (200x2 @ 4ohm) because of their power ratings. 1 Rockford Punch 15 (8ohm SVC)- sounded great until the sub died from overpowering it. And then last but not least 3 JL audio W6 12" - best sounding and loudest (139db mounted in a flimsy homemade fiberglass enclosure that was too small for the subs, and mounted in the trunk of a 95 240SX nissan with the back seat in the up position), I believe I could've gotten 150+ if I had a better built box, and had let the seat down - also I had failed to turn on any of the bass boost built into the amp and didn't realize until the end of the soundoff. I still got 1st place in my power class. I think the reference series later got changed to Rubicon, and I'm not sure what models their making now. I always drooled over their Tarantula amplifier. I would definately recommend Soundstream!
Cleric
New member
Soundstream as a company has gone through a lot of structural changes since the good old days. Their new amps are not as well regarded in the industry as they once were. I suggest doing a search for PPI PCX series amps. They recently stopped manufacturing them, but a lot of retailers still have them on the shelves at great prices.
mjweber96
New member
PPI is an excellent choice in amps as well. Funny how all the old school company's once produced a great amp but have decided to put more money in their pockets. Once Rockford decided to sell in Best Buy I lost interest. I probally would still buy the Power series, but would look into other companies that have not changed their ways.
kennypinkerton
New member
Really funny... Really! PPI is about as old-school as I can remember for a high line of amplifier that disappeared from the mainstream. If ya really want a good amplifier, consider them all, and find a dealer that will let you here the one your after. Never buy an amplifier without know what it can do (even though 10 years ago, I bought my Soundstream 3 months before it was released - but Cleric is right, they have gone through many changes, and might not be the same as I remember them). Rockford Fosgate - Almost always has been a great item. Soundstream - In my mind is/was a great company, but things may have changed (I haven't owned one in 9-10 years that's a long time). Kicker seems to be better than it used to be. Pioneer/Premier is what it has been for the past 10 years - Highly technilogical and innovating and integrating (with it's own products - usually in the Premier line), but (with only a few exceptions) not high powered. PPI - well from my experience, they were the thing to have 15 years ago, but I haven't heard nor seen much of them since then. JL Audio - Awsome high end speakers, awsome high end amplifiers (not much else to write home about). MTX - seems only to get better and better with age. Hifonics - Was the thing to have 15 years ago, and seems also to be the new up-and-comer, as they seem to keep improvong their products - even if it sometimes seems slower than normal. Earthquake - The DR-2 amplifier put them on the map (after trying really hard for years and being very little known) but I haven't heard or seen much else that was groundbreaking from them. MMATS - my only experience with them was a fellow competitor 10 years ago that beat me, and I was impressed - that the competitor managed to fit 20 10inch subs into a Civic - but he still got 6 db's more than my 3 JL 12w6's. And with apparently (by the manufacturers specs) 5500 watts more (total rms - not rated) power than my 1150 watts total rms. Jenson/Craig(although used to be good before my time, and once associated with pioneer)/Boss/Roadmaster/Rockwood/audiovox/Teac/and any other name you can think of that you have never seen outside of walmart/sears/auto-parts-stores/etc, are usually very cheap... You get what you pay for. I paid over $700 for that one Soundstream amplifier 10 years ago. It was worth it. If the same thing (or it's closest competitor) is listed for $100-200 now, it probably isn't worth it.
Getting a used one is a little different though - definately have to have a test drive to make sure it works as well as it is supposed to. I'd pay a nice premium to have back my original (one of the first 50 to come from the factory) Soundstream Reference 1000s. I also had a Reference 700s (which was in less than 3-4 months replaced with the 1000s by the factory) and a Reference 300. I only wish at the time I could have afforded the reference series speakers and subs.
Phoenix Gold - While they do/have made good stuff... They also make some of the cheap stuff too. Beware and only get the stuff they make if you have researched and know what your getting. I couldn't even get the X-max sub the same month they supposedly released it as they claimed they had already stopped production. Two weeks later I had a friend show up with some... They don't seem to treat all of their dealers equal. (granted this was 10 years ago - hopefully management changes) Orion used to be hot - but I've not heard any new innovations. JBL seems to pick n choose when it wants to be top-dog (about once every 7-8 years or so).
Man, there are so many others... I can't even begin.
Getting a used one is a little different though - definately have to have a test drive to make sure it works as well as it is supposed to. I'd pay a nice premium to have back my original (one of the first 50 to come from the factory) Soundstream Reference 1000s. I also had a Reference 700s (which was in less than 3-4 months replaced with the 1000s by the factory) and a Reference 300. I only wish at the time I could have afforded the reference series speakers and subs.
Phoenix Gold - While they do/have made good stuff... They also make some of the cheap stuff too. Beware and only get the stuff they make if you have researched and know what your getting. I couldn't even get the X-max sub the same month they supposedly released it as they claimed they had already stopped production. Two weeks later I had a friend show up with some... They don't seem to treat all of their dealers equal. (granted this was 10 years ago - hopefully management changes) Orion used to be hot - but I've not heard any new innovations. JBL seems to pick n choose when it wants to be top-dog (about once every 7-8 years or so).
Man, there are so many others... I can't even begin.
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kennypinkerton
New member
Sorry that last reply was so long... I was just trying to get across my personal experience with those mfg'ers. (most of which was 8-15 years ago) I'm sure all of them have good stuff, but all (or most of 'em anyway) also make some low-end stuff too. I'm not downing any of them. I'm glad we have the opportunity and the choice to pick from what's available - whatever our financial situation.
Mostly I'm happy that I've finally gotten a 4runner! (this week!) Go Toyota! Make us another affordable small SUV that is the same size as a full-sized one!!!!!!!!
Brand New 1995 SR5 V6 4WD 4Runner Owner
Mostly I'm happy that I've finally gotten a 4runner! (this week!) Go Toyota! Make us another affordable small SUV that is the same size as a full-sized one!!!!!!!!
Brand New 1995 SR5 V6 4WD 4Runner Owner
if you have an extra $10k or so, pick up a JBL Crown amp *haha*