Amplifiers: Kenwood vs Pioneer

Specifically, I'm looking at Pioneer GM-A6604 vs Kenwood KAC-8406. The Kenwood has 10 more WPC RMS, but the Pioneer has half the THD with 0.05% distortion. The Price difference isn't a deciding factor for me here, but the Kenwood is $30 more. I'm more concerned about sound quality than power.

edit: clarification.

 

Neither... You can do much better (IF price isn't a factor)

 

If it has to be between those two, Kenwood for sure.

 

Agreed... Neither of those companies are known for their amps. Head units are their bread and butter.

 

Price is definitely a factor, though I'm willing to spend just a little more than these are selling for. My max is about $150.

 

I was just quoting your op. I didn't know if you meant price not a factor in general or between these 2 amps you were referring to. Good luck

 

Sorry about that- I should have been a little more clear, I meant the price difference between the two amps wasn't a deciding factor.

 

If you are going to run a 5 channel amp I have the Kenwood excelon 900 amp in my car. This amp kicks ass. Sounds good. Maybe this will help.

 

Both amps are factory rated at ≤1%THD+N (and I'd be surprised if you could tell the difference in .05% and .1% THD in the intended environment). The Kenwood has a higher S/N ratio (100 to 95) and can make more power. If I
HAD to choose between these 2 amps and no others I'd choose the Kenwood simply because it can make more power and has a better S/N ratio. The crossovers on the Pioneer are a little more flexible if that's an issue.

Nothing fancy going on here, but they both probably sound pretty nice. I think the Kenwood looks better - Not that that matters.

 

Your vote for the Kenwood is maybe the third or fourth so far (I'm asking in another community as well).

I dug deeper after posting here, and noticed that the manufacturer's sites don't give specific THD below %.1%. The specs I had were from sonicelectronix. I don't know where they pulled their specs from, but it didn't come from the manufacturer's websites. Apparently, THD is a level playing field based on manufacturer's info, which makes the choice between these two particular amps pretty easy.

 

Here is another thought. I have always been a Rockford Fosgate fan. This is just my opinion. Three years ago when my installer put my audio install into my other car I was going all Rockford because my speakers and sub is all Rockford but their new line was on back order so I had another friend recommend this Kenwood amp. After my installer put this amp in the car he told me if I wanted to change it out when the Rockford came a avilable he would switch it out. I kept it in the car because it is thin and small and sounds great. Now I'm working on my next install for my truck.

 

Alpine. If your not looking to spend a fortune, best bang for your buck IMO

 

when not driven to distortion there should be no real audible difference between level matched amplifiers

the distortion numbers you guys list are completely inaudible and your belief of what is audible distortion might be wrong.

everyone likes numbers in their specifications for products. we've all been conditioned that we want some numbers bigger and others smaller, but what do those numbers actually sound like?

distortion is one of those numbers that can be deceiving. manufacturers are going to tune their tests to give the best specification number possible.

this entire seminar was great but i skipped to the part about distortion

https://youtu.be/2V6YN-mshmY?t=1348

 

I just put a kenwood five channel on my kids ride pushing a P3 12 with kicker door speakers. Sounds great for a $185 amp