Anyone used a Alpine KTP-445 Amp?

[S-class]

Hi Guys

Was just wondering if anyone has any experience of using the Alpine KTP-445 amp, looking at getting a new Alpine double din head unit for my W211, getting a sub with built in amp and wanted to also amp the speakers, want to avoid the associated labour cost of adding an amp so the above looked ideal as its plug and play.

Only downside is it cannot be bridged into 2 channels, not sure if the RMS power output at 4 channels will make a noticeable difference to the stock speakers (Audio 20 sound system), no idea what speakers the car has come with.

Advice/opinions appreciated

 

[markmifsud]

Not used one before, but not sure I understand the operation of this box. According to tech specs, its 4 x 50w rms, which is the same as the output on most of the HU that it supports?

 

[Alfie]

Hi Guys

Was just wondering if anyone has any experience of using the Alpine KTP-445 amp, looking at getting a new Alpine double din head unit for my W211, getting a sub with built in amp and wanted to also amp the speakers, want to avoid the associated labour cost of adding an amp so the above looked ideal as its plug and play.

Only downside is it cannot be bridged into 2 channels, not sure if the RMS power output at 4 channels will make a noticeable difference to the stock speakers (Audio 20 sound system), no idea what speakers the car has come with.

Advice/opinions appreciated

Yes its a good simple device to increase the power of the standard system.

Be careful though as your standard speakers will not be rated that high.

 

[S-class]

Not used one before, but not sure I understand the operation of this box. According to tech specs, its 4 x 50w rms, which is the same as the output on most of the HU that it supports?

I'm looking at the IVE-W530BT head unit, the max output is 4x 50W however I would assume the true RMS rating is lower, I cannot seem to find this figure.

The powerpack is 45W RMS which should be a higher output.

Yes its a good simple device to increase the power of the standard system.

Be careful though as your standard speakers will not be rated that high.

Thanks Alfie, do you know the specs of the standard speakers that would come with a 2008 W211 with Audio 20?
I've read previous posts by Gizze who says the speakers are decent and just need a Amp to sound good, not read any considerations that the amp may overpower the speakers, cannot seem to find the specs of the factory speakers to check either.

I guess a standalone amp will give me no further benefits then the KTP-445 with the stock speakers, I guess I can also look at upgrading the speakers but it starts getting expensive, was hoping the new head unit, power pack amp and small sub would make a decent difference.

 

[bolide]

Head unit built-in amplifiers never have the punch that an external amp has - there's not enough room in the chassis, and not enough heat dissipation available to make it work

The Alpine KTP-445 is a Class D amp which is lighter & more efficient than traditional Class B amps. But the power output isn't particularly high

You need to double the power output to get a noticeable difference in level. Quadruple it and you have a bit more headroom, but not much. Use a true 500 W RMS amp and you'll really notice the difference

The best way to improve the setup in most cars is to use a separate amp fro the built-in speakers with a high-pass crossover set at 100 Hz approximately. This will filter off the bass end from the speakers and make them capable of playing louder without distortion. Then use a separate subwoofer & amp with a low-pass crossover at about 80 Hz

The plug-and-play subs with tiny enclosures are not the best way forward. An 8-12" woofer in a sealed box will play lower, and sound much better

The simplest setup is a single multichannel amp like this:
Reference RM30 - 410 Watts, 3-ch amplifier

and a separate sealed box sub like this (the JL sub is ported, not sealed)
RXT6 - 6,5" compact Tube Subwoofer
Mobile Audio - Sale - Subwoofer Systems - MicroSub?

The products are just examples, not recommendations, though the DLS amps are excellent

Nick Froome

 

[S-class]

Thanks Nick, the trouble is only want to spend around £750 including installation, head unit alone is £300, trying to get the best for the budget.

 

[Alfie]

If you really want to improve the sound in the car, then the single best modification you can make is to change the front door speakers. Remove the stock ones which are frankly rubbish and cheap. Replace these with a set of Morel Maximo components (circa £170) and plenty of dynamat. This will dramatically improve the dynamic range and clarity of the sound. We routinely offer this and similar speaker upgrades to customers who are unhappy with their Harman Kardon speakers!

If you then want more power add an amp. There are some good speaker level input amps around such as the new Cerwin Vega bomber range. They are small and compact so fairly easily installed.

The Cerwin 10" under seat powered subs are good too. Very good in fact.

 

[S-class]

Thanks Alfie, I'm guessing I need 6.5inch for the fronts, can you recommend any good places in the UK to purchase these from? I did a search and they seem difficult to locate.

The Sub I was looking at Alpine SWE 815 which had good ratings and appears to be good value, I'll try find the one you suggested however to compare, again like the Morels does not seem to have many UK places stocking it..

Finally do you reckon the IVE-W530BT head unit power output will be enough for sound quality without an Amp? I do not listen too loud, the main goal is the quality of the sound, the subwoofer should fill in the bass.

 

[bolide]

If you really want to improve the sound in the car, then the single best modification you can make is to change the front door speakers… and plenty of dynamat.

I'd go along with that

Spending £300 of a £750 budget puts too much in the wrong area, IMHO. Car audio is 10% equipment and 90% installation so expert knowledge and installers are essential

Getting speakers in the best location, sealed into the door and with lots of damping, will improve any stereo system

Nick Froome

 

[gIzzE]

I used the Alpine power pack with my W925r and put a pair of Morel Tempo components in the front.
A very, very nice upgrade. The little Alpine amp amazed me to be fair.

 

[S-class]

Where is everyone buying their Morels from?!

Seen Maximo on ebay for £159 by "Brian Car Sounds & Security", never heard of the seller before.
Trying to avoid ebay as ended up with convincing fake Bose on my last purchase.

The little Alpine amp seems to have mixed reviews, looks like it should be enough to power just the speakers.

Gizze did you try without the amp or compare to any other amps? just thinking if thats the only amp you've tried may not have much to compare to

 

[gIzzE]

Send Alfie above a message regarding Morels.

 

[91dm]

I recently installed a KTP445, overall I'm very impressed with the output. I'm still using the standard speakers so I've not been able to push it. I have had several audio setups previously and am impressed with the sound quality of the small amp.

 

[richard]

Thanks Alfie, I'm guessing I need 6.5inch for the fronts, can you recommend any good places in the UK to purchase these from? I did a search and they seem difficult to locate.

From Alfie !!!

Richard

 

[S-class]

I've emailed comand/alfie