Miata Mailing List: October 1996, Message #2183



     



   From: blawrence@metrolink.net (blawrence)

Subject: Re: Amps & Speakers

   Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 12:52:44 -0500



I once saw someone refer to the Clearwater amp in parens as "the

Clearwater (Alphasonik) amp".  I have not seen one in person but the

pictures I have seen did not rule out the possibility that this amp is

actually an Alphasonik, which is a decent value in amps.  Better than a

Jensen, Orion, or Profile, but not a really high-end brand either.  If

this is so, I would just buy an Alphasonik since they are cheaper

without Clearwater's markup.



I think many people are attracted to the Clearwater stuff simply because

it promises to "plug 'n play" in a Miata.  I can understand that, I paid

$45 for CRI airhorns even though Imparts sells Hella horns for $25

(CRI's horns are Hella, compressor may be different though).  I did not

want to spend an afternoon fabricating a bracket, wondering whether this

compressor would blow my fuse, etc.



In the case of Clearwater though I don't see a big advantage.  Their 6.5

speaker comes with a metal nibbler, so much for "made to fit in a

Miata".  Their amp does come with an easy trunk mounting platform, but

that can be bought from BSP, MMM, and others for $10 (fender

protector).  I am told it suffers from turn-on thump, something I would

not care for in a contemporary amp.  All this is not meant to be a knock

against the Clearwater sound quality, I have not heard their

stuff...rather it is a suggestion not to limit your choices simply

because it is marketed as being "specifcally for the Miata".



Regards,



Ben Lawrence











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