Advise

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jdenenberg @ Aug 24 2007, 11:14 AM) [snapback]501625[/snapback]</div>

I wouldn't worry about a relay for the 12V power to the amps. All amps activate with accessory power, so when the car is on, the amps are on, and when the car is off, the amps are off. A fuse should do it. You may want to invest in a power distribution block, if you're going to be running 2 amps.

Bruce, I notice that you're thinking about a 5 channel amp. If you're going that route, you should consider a 5-channel amp that has a more powerful sub channel, rather than using a separate amp for the sub. Otherwise, get a decent 4-channel amp for your front and rears, and then your mono amp for the sub. You will not be able to combine the 5th channel plus your mono amp to power your sub. It's going to be one or the other.

I don't know how much you care about weight, but a 15" sub is gonna be pretty heavy along with the box you're going to be using with it. If you can afford it, I would recommend getting a smaller higher-end subwoofer, like Focal, Xtant, or JL Audio. It'd be a lot more efficient, power/weight-wise, plus you'll get far better sound quality than the Q Powers.

 

Honestly, I have no experience with Hifonics. Another message board I'm on seems to put them in the same class as Alpine. Good bang for the buck, good power, but lacking in sound quality (SQ). It doesn't hurt anything to mix brands of amps. I was using a Kenwood and Rockford combo for quite some time before I finally got the DLS. Amps in the same price range as Hifonics will probably have similar results. Depending on how crazy you are about mobile audio, you may want something a little higher end.

It sounds like you're just starting out. It doesn't hurt to try other amps. The best bet is to check out the Buy & Sell, or if there's a local car/audio forum that you know of, they usually have a Buy/Sell section for you to peruse. I started off small and slowly worked my way through the entry level stuff to the higher end equipment. It was a good educational experience. All my equipment except my sub was purchased through a forum buy/sell. There's usually plenty of experienced veterans on those forums that can give you some good advice, as well.

Once you really get going, you'll want to keep upgrading your system until you have what you feel is the best sound for you... although, that may never happen! Things really get interesting when you realize that you get what you pay for in car audio. I had the Infinity 605cs components, along with an Infinity Kappa sub, and I thought it sounded good enough to keep forever... Then I met up with someone to buy an amp and heard their system with Focal components and subs, and I was completely and utterly blown away by the sound quality. Arggh... too many addictions to feed!

 

Hifonics are a durable & fairly gutsy amp....you could do way worse.
As usual, Presto is right on the mark.....don't bother with a 4 channel plus a 5 channel
amp. Just do either a good 5 channel or a good 4 channel plus a mono amp for your sub.
Since you already have a decent mono amp, just get a clean 4x50watt or better amp for
the mids & highs.....Alpine, Diamond, JL Audio, Xtant, Phoenix Gold....all good names....try
eBay for a good deal if you're doing the install yourself.
Check out some other components for mid's & highs too.....listen to CDT, Diamond, JL...also
can be had on the cheap from eBay.
Use a beefy single 10 or 12 inch sub (JL W3 or W6 or Diamond D6) on your 400 watt mono amp....you'll
be happy.....and not piss off too many old farts in the process.
Good Luck!
Geo

 

I wouldn't try to run a high output amp off the standard wiring. Prius wiring is minimalist to reduce weight, you will need to run straight off the battery or there willbe too much voltage drop therefore a relay and heavy fuse should be used to optimise the amps. Don't run the system at high levels unless in ready mode or the lead acid battery will run down quickly. In ready mode the ICE will start to chage the battery as required. If the car is in ready mode an accessable to the public it would be a good idea to lock the brake pedal and park brake pedal from being pressed which will prevent the car being put in gear. Wouldn't that be dreadful? You may need a block that can be locked under the brake pedal. This would only be nessesary if people, like judges are getting into the car.