Planet Audio amps - how are they?

[LINUS]

Here's what I plan, so you get an idea what the load on it is.

First off, this is for my Landcruiser, so I'm not overly concerned with extreme sound quality. I hear my mud tires at 25 MPH, so this isn't the place for Diamond Audio Hex's or whatever.

HU: Alpine with real Bass Engine Pro (forget model #)

Amp: Up for discussion

Front Speakers: Pioneer 6.5" slim fit jobs (long story short, they fit)

Rear door speakers : Pioneer 4.25" from the same lineup (they fit) - but I haven't purchased them yet, so part of discussion.

Sub : At some point I'll get one, not worried yet.


Basically, I have a offer for a Planet Audio amp thats a 5 channel - like 60x4, and either a 200 or 300 watt sub channel.
Price: $100

I don't need a monster setup, sadly I mostly just listen to the radio in the truck. I plan to get a Sirrus or XM subscription, now that I have the capability.

I don't want to spend more than 300-ish on an amp, but I see a few of these newer used Eclipse ones going for that on fleabay - not the old nice silver case jobs, but the newer (cheaper?) black ones.

Is $100 for a 5 channel Planet Audio more than what it's worth? I don't see many glowing reviews, but I don't need a super killer amp in the truck.

Or should I forget the rear door speakers & do some sort of 3 channel seup - and if so what amp would so it best for the least cash?

I like Alpine, Eclipse, & Kicker amps- for no real reason I suppose. I know Kicker isn't super duper perfect sound, but for my truck reliability is more important.

Sub will more than likely be either Alpine or Kicker, I don't care about that yet though.

Keep in mind if you suggest a particular 3 channel to give me a model # & brand, as it will more than likely come used off ebay - so even if it's a no longer produced amp, that's fine - I'll wait until I find one on Fleabay.

Also, please don't recommend multi-amp setups as I haul crap in my rig & I don't want to devote space to more than one amp. Even the sub box will be smallish & removable to haul stuff.

Discuss, bash, argue.

[whakiewes]

No direct experience the 'Planet Audio' although their products are always on Ebay and cheap. I have had experience with other 'cheap' amplifiers. I have used Audiobahn, Digital Audio, and several other non-name brand amplifiers. In several of them I could find no audio difference between these and higher end amplifiers that I use in my car. What I did find to be different though was the materials and quality of the build. The Digital Audio amp that I had was brand new and literally shorted out right after the warranty expired/they were sold. Took it to an electronics repair shop and he showed me the differences between a PPI that he had in the shop as well and the Digital Audio. It just looked 'cheaper'. The Audibahn amp honestly wasn't that bad, and for someone on a super budget, I probably wouldn't hesitate to reccomend this amp. It wasn't as clear as my Blaupunkt or Orion, but it was nice, clean, and cheap. It too ran into a short not long after it was purchased (not bought by me, but installed by me) and Audiobahn took the warranty claim, and replaced it with a brand new one. Not to bad in my opinion.

The conclusion that I have come to is that all foreign built amps are the same. I would swear that all chinese built amps today are built in the exact same shop, just with different outside covers. I have found the most reliable and cleanest sounding amps to be American made amps, which is why I really enjoy my older products. Blaupunkt is often looked past, but I have had no issues with mine and the sound is as clear or better then my high end Orion.

www.midwestelectronics.com has many Blaupunkts, many on clearance. They ship super fast as well!

Wes

[ejnight]

I use to sell them, not a bad amp for the money. just don't load the ohms down to low. 2ohm stereo and 4 ohm mono and you will be fine.

[StereoInstaller1]

Linus, I would agree almost totally with the above posts. Wes, Blauchunks is STILL the only amp I have ever EVER seen come with a ground loop isolater IN THE DAMN BOX...what the hell does that tell you? DOOOOOO DOOOOOO amps right there....although the early 5 channel BPA 5350 (or whatever the hell it was) was made by Zapco and was most excellent...

The only thing I don't like about Planet Audio is because the old rep was a dick.

Let me clarify that...he still is a dick, but he doesn't work for PA anymore. Hasn't for years if I remember correctly. In fact, I bet he is flipping burgers somewhere...want to super-size that, Sir? His wife was a bitch too. Cucking Funt!

That was all down in San Diego though...years ago.

So, just remember, stupid people sell Planet Audio in my experience.

I guess that what I am saying here with all this drivel is that the amp will do fine. Get it, build a sub box, rhino line it...rock on with the slim fit fronts...you can hear it just fine.

L8R,
Luke

[LINUS]

Linus,
I guess that what I am saying here with all this drivel is that the amp will do fine. Get it, build a sub box, rhino line it...rock on with the slim fit fronts...you can hear it just fine.

L8R,
Luke

You read my mind - I am going to rhino the box when I get that far. Now my main decision to make is if I'm doing a 4 channel cabin with 4.25" rear door speakers, or bridge the amp & just do 2 door speakers & the sub. The door speakers are now bought (Pioneer TS-G1641R's) - and they say they are 30w RMS, 160w MAX - so I don't know how long they'll last in a bridged situation or what.

[whakiewes]

Luke,

You may be able to explain it better in a PM rather then cluttering up this thread, but can you elaborate on the ground inside the box? I have not had any issues with any of my Blaupunkts, so I was just curious if you could expand for me!

Thanks,

Wes

[ejnight]

More power will not hurt them. Distorted power will so bridged is good for loud clean sound. When the pioneers give up get a new set. there cheap.

[StereoInstaller1]

Luke,

You may be able to explain it better in a PM rather then cluttering up this thread, but can you elaborate on the ground inside the box? I have not had any issues with any of my Blaupunkts, so I was just curious if you could expand for me!

Thanks,

Wes

Nah, its more fun to clutter threads.

Blaupunkt made an amp called the BPA2100. Rtaed at 100W/ch, it made about 130 total...weak ass POS taiwan amp...retailed at about $99.

When I opened the first one, I found a "Ground Loop Isolator" inside the box with full retail packaging. I thought this odd, but assumed it was a mistake.

Then I opened the second one, found the same thing.

I have never seen any other amp come with a noise filter...as in "here is a hint, this thing is gonna make noise" so I whine and bitch about Blaupunkt being a POS, even though their "Digiceiver" is about the best FM section there is. It just seems that Blau is looking to sell product regardless of quality and I hate that.

Luke