Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in Car Amplifiers
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on Car Amplifiers
"Back in the day" (8 or more years ago)when you could actually buy electronics that were (PROUDLY)MADE IN THE U.S.A., Xtant audio WAS a premiere manufacturer of car audio amplifiers for the top-end market. This particular model- The 604X - is a 4 channel amp rated at 75 watts output times 4 channels with an imput voltage of ONLY 10 Volts - NOT the usual 13-14 Volts found in QUALITY car audio installations. The net effect was they were highly underrated on their power output. This gave their products an edge in competitions, or at least to keep up with their competitors products that were also "underrated". Thus was born the term "cheater amp" for the amount of sound they put out as compared to their listed power output in watts. Xtant amplifiers WERE known for the sound quality of their products, not "coloring" the music played through them and degrading the original artists intended sound of their creation. Another feature adding to Xtants' reputation of sound quality is the ability to accept optional "plug-in" module boards directly on the amps main circuit board- so you can "tweak" the sound output to offset for irregularities inherent in the interiors of autos. Mounting these modules directly on the amps circuit board eliminates the "rats nest" of wiring associated with external equalizers and the usual dirty sliders that start to crackle from dust and corrosion afer awhile- Especially in humid climates. The 604X is arguably Xtants' flagship model amplifier and sold new for over $1000.00 some 10 years ago. Shortly thereafter Xtant was bought out by a big audio conglomerate and the quality of their products began to suffer and their chief design engineers left the company for greener pastures. The biggest disadvantage to Xtant amps of this era is that they're rather large and are sometimes difficult to find enough space to install them. The footprint on a 604X is approximately 2 feet by 1 foot by 3 inches plus a little more to allow for air circulation for cooling the unit. Obviously not an easy install in a Mini Cooper or Smartcar or any other "Doggie Chewtoy" cars out there. My biggest complaint about these amps is that the years have not been kind to some of them due to their owners not taking good care of them. Buying them used is a roll of the dice, and "as new" or "cherry" units are getting harder to find. Also- Don't expect ANY help from whats left of Xtant Corp.- it seems that they've given up on supporting their older products.Read full review
The amp is very heavy for the small size. It has the look as well as the feel of high end equipment. I like the fact that you can isntall modules (from Xtant) to get the unit to sound a certain way, but still have the very clean sound that they are known for. I already owned the x603, but the x604 was a huge jump in performance. Bass had more impact and was tighter, the mid-range as well as treble had a more liquid smooth sound. Being in a small car (compaired to a room for a house system) the soundstage seemed larger. Excellent amp, I would highly recommend to anyone who is thinking of purchasing such a beast.
I scored this high-end amp for cheap. Whole lot of people don't know about Xtant!!! These things are beasts and I've got 3 of them. Most versatile amplifier ever built. Made by SQ freaks for SQ freaks!!!!
Very good
Verified purchase: Yes