I'm looking into replacing the amp in my '97 E300 with the Bose "setup".

Let me get a few things out on the table to give a good illustration to where I am going with this. Currently I have a Pioneer MP3 radio which I've already installed. I've replaced the front speakers with a pair of Polk dB 6.5" component speakers I had from a previous vehicle. I replaced the rear door speakers with a pair of Polk dB 4" drivers. I also purchased a pair of Polk dB 5.25" component speakers which I will install were the stock 6.5" subwoofers are located. I purchased the 5.25" components thinking they would fit in the rear doors, but they really didn't.

For bass I am using an Alpine Type-R 12" with an MTX Thunder 500D mono amp.

What I am looking for the most is to attain the best quality sound with the speakers I currently have. I have choosen those amps in question because I know the speakers will handle the power and I like having a little more power than I need. This way the mid-bass frequencies come through nice and clear.

I was planning on utilizing the stock speaker wiring. Should I rewire them all? The wire looks sufficient from the last time I looked. In the past I've always used 16 gauge for my upper freuqnecy drivers.

I am looking at overall performance, sound quality, construction and long-term longevity. I don't abuse my equipment and to this day have never blown a speaker or amplifier, but I do like to turn up the volume quite often.

Reading the reviews on the JL present it as a ridiculous amp with flexibility, performance, looks, size, etc.

Reading the reviews on the Phoenix Gold I would also say the same about it as for the JL, except for that fact that it has an internal fan that has variable speed control, and can have the LP and HP filters activated simultaneously to give a bandpass effect. Not necessary as a have a passive crossover I can use for my 4" drivers in the rear door.

The front channels I would be running at 4 ohms as were the rear channel will be run at 2 ohms, the rear deck and rear door speakers run in parallel. The JL gets the edge here since it has separate voltage rails so it puts out the same power at 1,2 or 4 ohms :-)

So guys, any experience with these amps and which would ya'll recommend. They are both comparably priced so that isn't as much a consideration.

Any other mods to the system anyone would recommend in tweaking this setup? I was thinking of filling the grates on the back of the front door speaker enclosures with bondo to give the front speakers a selaed enclosure and have a snappy response. Had this on a previous car with custom enclosures and I loved the results...

 

I have a Phoenix Gold 475ti and have used it for about 4 years. It has performed flawlessly. It is running a MB Quart component set and 2 12" MTX 8000 subs, and I would not hesitate buying another.

 

shouldn't be much difference. both are great amps