$1100 vs $720 Amps from 1998 - Lanzar 50c vs Crossfire CFA-30HC [4K]

[@JaiJohnson-l1u]

Won 3 1st place trophies with lanzar 50c 4 RF Dvc down to 1ohm in a street car no sponsers 150db. A hood car im so proud

[@rossrockey4803]

I had a summer job at a stereo shop in 94 and was a faithful subscriber to Car Audio mag. This is all the bad ass shit I used to sell and install. My boss gave me a Lanzar 50Cs, and my little Cavalier was the envy of all my friends, lol. Sadly the car and stereo were stolen, thanks Ruthless Customs. Now I don't feel so bad since that amp wasn't all that great anyways. I just wanted to say thanks for bringing back the memories with these old school equipment reviews.

[@rossrockey4803]

@Frank Bonazza III he owned the shop and constantly redid the installations in his personal competition cars. It was a used amp out of his car. Why do you even care?

[@derekvasile6127]

The crossfire is badass. Thanks for the videos👍

[@trucavalier]

Whewwwww! Those boards are beautiful for 1998

[@wal]

No doubt! Crossfire is 9.5/10 overall and Lanzar is 8/10

[@davidgilbert6924]

Big D wiz love what you do I fell in love with car auido around 1992 cut my teeth on blue thunder 12s and a punch 150 amp in a Crx alpine tape deck running Sony mids and tweets its was one of the loudest around for such a low watt system could hear the bass for 2or3 miles as the car drove away man those were the days

[@wal]

Yeah boi!

[@MuvoTX]

mtx blue thunders were the real deal... werent they a circuit city exclusive? I had a pair of terminator 12's... cant remember what they were tuned to. it was about 128 iirc.... good times

[@joelpate4683]

Man brings back some good memories. Back in 2000 I had a CFA-30HC on two JL w6 12s in a 99 honda civic hatch back. To it to a USAC show. They put me in the 0-99 watt class (LMAO) I put up 151.6 db. Took first place. Good ole days...

[@pyro4life64]

Those were the days it was a hole different world back then.

[@batsonelectronics]

when I competed in 1988 it was SPL, waveform, and install quality. At least in TX where I competed.

[@bigassfordsd]

I still have a crossfire vr 302 2 channel from 2002, it was bangin a single 12 hard up untill two weeks ago when I bought a new truck. She is a lil beat up looking, but one of the best amps I have ever had. I love me some old school stereo.

[@shanen921]

Great video Big D. Thank you for the time you put into your videos.

[@LuxorVan]

So I notice you said you would run the crossfire in high current mode, but if you look, you have the fuses in high power mode, though the green lights indicate high current "maybe I'm missing something"! In the manual in high power mode it says it can only handle a 2 ohm mono load, but can handle the 1 ohm mono load in high current mode. I was just watching the 15 hc video you uploaded as well in 2015. Still awesome Video!

[@wal]

For this test I wanted it to closely match the 50c, well at least as close as possible. The Lanzar has a larger heatsink and fan and could probably run 0.5 mono all day without breaking a sweat

[@ThomaslSylvester]

I like this quick format. The high speed transitional shots tie together your commentary. Nice man

[@fiolds350]

I never got into the crossfire. But im impressed now

[@SlowSpyder]

I still have a Crossfire CFA1000D and two Audiomobile MASS 12's in my garage. My set up from 2005.

[@alanstant9356]

Pretty cool test man. I had both brands of amps and I I know I liked the crossfire the best. That's just proves my theory correct for power handling. Thanks for sharing derek.

[@cutweldngrind]

I'm not a Crossfire fan but I was impressed. I did own 2 or 3 crossfire smaller amps in the past.

[@biffisgreat]

The crossfire is really really really efficient!

[@joshhanson6777]

that Crossfire is a work of art

[@wal]

She’s a beaut, Clark!

[@DefWun]

I had a few Crossfire's and was always super happy with them. A mint VR1000D and an old school BMF series 2 channel (can't remember the model) that were both so clean and powerful. Regret selling the VR to this day.

[@wal]

Sweet! I’ve never tried the VR series

[@DefWun]

@@wal They're either partialy or fully US made (can't remember) and have really good build quality. They were strappable also. I had the 1000D and there was also the 2000D which was just two 1000D's strapped inside of a big heatsink. Crossfire is my second favorite company,next to Rockford.

[@bryanrails3428]

That was cool to watch, thanks Big D! I actually a black 50c in my garage. Just had Steve Mantz repair and am afraid to use again. I’m an old Lanzar fan from the HS day’s and they still play clean but that Xfire was for real.

[@wal]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@franciscogarnica802]

I sold 2 of those crossfire amps a while ago never used them very impressed!

[@HoUsEoFcAtS78]

Crossfire boards are always beautiful!

[@kathygarber3230]

Crossfire has always been at the top of there game and still going strong.

[@delvinchandler]

I had two pioneer impp 12's and a crossfire 2 channel and that thing was banging

[@RocksConcreteMinerals]

Crossfire with Autotek 12's circa 1998 is what I ran and hit 134.2 DB at a comp in 98. 2x12's and this very crossfire amp. What memories

[@wal]

😬🤙

[@michaelhollon5332]

Your the undisputed king of amp dynos!!

[@juanpabloramirezjimenez4002]

Crossfire vr1000 my first amplifier of this brand would never leave them.

[@nanceeleana]

It's so nice to see the Made in the USA ...not found much in car audio anymore.

[@timothygray7650]

Lansar was another good choice.

[@bass321head]

Awsome video derek..brough back some memories i had a lanzar 2500 back in the late 90s..id love to see you do a test on one of thoae for fun..

[@shtfvan8084]

Thank you!!!! Got one of these about 6 months ago. Can't wait to hook it up.

[@michaelhollon5332]

How could you look at it for 6 months, without hooking it up to something? That would Drive me nuts.☺

[@shtfvan8084]

@@michaelhollon5332 lol I know right. I have a collection of crossfire cfa amps, crossovers & equalizers. Crossfire was my first amp givin to me by my big brother. Can't remember which one it was but it pushed two infinity kappas 12s in my 2 door ford explorer pretty dang good. Gave it to a friend way back when. This was probably 2002 or so. Always been a fan of crossfire since. Had to add a few to the collection. Probably gonna hook this cfa 30hc up to 4 10s in my van in the near future. Gonna try and display a wall of old-school amps once I finish off interior. Sorry for short novel. Cheers!

[@Brock_Landers]

I used to have one of those Crossfire amps and it pounded my 4 Kicker Solobaric 10s in my Integra, and later my 2 Orion Cobalt 10s in my 89 Beretta GT with American Racing 5 stars on it...lmfao I didn't have this particular model, but I loved that amp.

[@Long-nd8bq]

I've got the Lanzar Opti-Drive 2500 in my garage. It was stolen from my car back in the early 2000's. I got it back years later from a police evidence room but it turns on and then turns off. Of course they never tested it before returning it to me and the guy who stole it got off with probation. I don't know if it can be fixed so it sits on the shelf in the garage. It ran 2 15" Punch DVC 15's in a sealed box in my Thunderbird SC and it pounded harder than any other system I had heard back then.

[@VyKingX1]

All in all both amps did well in my opinion. But crossfire killed it.

[@holeshotinspectionllc2412]

Crossfire is putting in work now too, my first system was in 1999 in a Ford ranger lol all Memphis I remember paying 1200 for my Memphis Bell 🛎 lol now I’m running all DD I have 4 DD 615s and a DM 2500 no wall 10 in aero port in a Dodge Caliber doing 150.00 not bad for low wattage doing knarly hair tricks on low power it was about efficiency back in the day, did my first USACI comp lots of fun, this vid brings back memory’s the Lanzar van started my addiction lol 😂

[@paulhuntjr.1619]

I feel old now!! Hahha!! Those were AWESOME to see. I miss those days of car audio.

[@michaelhollon5332]

Same here. But at the same, time some of the new car audio is amazing.

[@MuvoTX]

Hey Big-D... you gotta hunt down a "goose neck" graphic EQ. Those things were wild. I think Blaupunkt and Sony had them. IIRC they weren't cheap either.

[@wal]

I have a Pyramid BNIB, will show it in future episode

[@MuvoTX]

@@wal nice Derek!!! cant wait for that episode. I had PLENTY of pyramid amps in high school... when youre broke you do the best you can!!

[@Jt19702]

Crossfire is so underrated as a company. They have been consistently providing quality products since the 90’s.

[@msnapp169]

Why no 1 ohm test at the end??

[@Hummin_Along]

You should do some Eclipse amps. I still have a EA2000 that looks brand new. Also you ever test any CT Sounds stuff?

[@envisionelectronics]

The fuses in the crossfire WERE in the correct location for High Current. Unless the B roll shows something different, you tested the amp in High Voltage mode.

[@yoplaitmajor]

I noticed that too How bout it @Williston Audio Labs?

[@justinwilliams2588]

This is what I came to say. In both shots of the back of the crossfire it shows fuses to be in High Power instead of High Current.

[@HifiVega]

Crossfire don’t play dat! Loved the short history info with the zines.

[@iceman45ification1]

I'm sold on that Crossfire!! 😍👌

[@Bassotronics]

9:40. You know it’s a ‘woofer’ when the dog starts making panting sounds. Woof woof!

[@Adamhc75]

It's interesting how the Lanzar is using nice name brand caps and the Crossfire is using (subjectively) lower end caps in the power supply section.

[@ufopulse]

That crossfire woulda been dank in my civic hatchback in 1998 bumpin those fosgates

[@mrexon]

More gain!! More gain on that amp

[@BARBELLS-AND-BUDS]

Crazy prices and great video dude 🔊

[@MoparStephen]

Wow! I forgot all about Car Audio & Electronics magazine. Thanks for the memories.

[@wal]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@bobdodge3171]

I miss mine had them from 93 to the 97. My ex wife got tired of looking at them in the closet.. Tossed them out when i was out of town working... "They were out dated she said"....

[@MuvoTX]

Yeah ... I spent countless hours searching through the CA&E directory... trying to find the killer amp, for my budget. I eventually settled on Hifonics series VII and Carver i-Series amps in a SQ system.

[@bobdodge3171]

@@MuvoTX was nice looking at all the specs, prices from all the manufacturers.. Some haven't heard of till you saw it in the directory.

[@homebody0089]

I need to find me a XFire amp when I get back into the game. It would be perfect for a daily driver who wants a little bump in their car. I do miss when amplifiers were made here in the greatest country in the world (That's the United States of America, for those who are a bit confused) And how come I can't seem to find any car audio magazines in box stores? Do I have to order a subscription like I do my kinky leather mags and mail in a check to some shady company? Thank you again for your time and for showing us who is the real champion.

[@JYAN2852]

Crossfire amps were made in South Korea actually. Many old school amps from late 80s thru 2000's were Korean made. What's funny is that the manufacturer that made Crossfire amps also made the same amps for Hiphonicus, Hard Rock, and other brands most people have never heard of. Coustic were also Korean made amps from the 80s and 90s, also very nice amps

[@carlwillows]

That Crossfire, what a deal!

[@rich1051414]

People knew all about that crossfire amp locally back when I was in school. Over $700 was still a lot of damn money, though, at least for us high schoolers :P

[@jaz97]

Yea those Crossfires where beast

[@wal]

Shop for New Crossfire Amps: lddy.no/vfxd See playlist of Amp Dyno Drag Races: is.gd/ampdynodragraces See more about Old School SPL Challenge: www.oldschoolstereo.com facebook.com/groups/oldschoolspl2019/ See my other videos on Old School Cheater Amps: kzbin.info/aero/PL6519F5277A57F8BA

[@dietershobbypakanal]

Ps you and Exo are the best.. but steve is cool too 😊👍

[@MFXdump]

Williston Audio Labs I’m just about getting ready to give up on EBay for audio equipment. I’ve been trying to get 4 Orion XTR 2 ohm 10’s. 2 sellers have them posted. But have none in stock. Skar Audio was however, Awesome to buy from. Got that 2000.1D in the truck! But nothing to use it on. Lol!

[@davidlarue5713]

I was (kinda) dissapointed in the Lanzar, especially at that price. Who knew the Crossfires had that kinda power.....i didn't......

[@deluth4638]

8:16 That's how I install fuses, too. Only difference is, I yell "HAI" at the same time like I'm delivering a judo chop.

[@ehrenkrause9861]

I wish I could have seen this video 2 years ago when I seen a couple nice Crossfire 30 HC's for sale and for affordable prices compared to what I paid for the Orion HCCA and US Amps VL I bought before then. I didn't know much about Crossfire but a lot of people give them praise it's just at a time but I kind of dropped out of car audio before I got back into it

[@caseyturner8773]

I miss my old crossfire

[@shakeelfaris7623]

Hi there. I have just finished setting up the system in my 2011 E90. The source unit is a DEH 80PRS and the amplifier is a JBL GTR 7535. There is a dilemma I have run into. When testing for max volume at the headunit, depending on where I connect, it clips at different volumes, so for the sake of argument, on the front channels it clips at 59 out of 62 on the rear it clips at 60 out of 62 and on the sub it clips at 58 out of 62. This part is fine, I just stick to 57 and plug the RCA's into the amplifier. When I hook my mini oscope to the speaker output channels, even before touching the gains, I have to turn the volume down at the headunit to 50 in order to get a clean signal. There is a switch on the amplifier that says "Low, HI1,HI2" and the manual says to use the setting at Low if using line level signal. Now the thing is on the sub channel, I don't need to touch the gain at all and the other two I need to slightly. Is the amp underpowered? Is there something I am missing? Thanks

[@carlosnelson1236]

The crossfire look like is has bigger copper traces for better current flow.

[@robland6118]

So in the old school comp these would fall under the 100 watt amp placement?

[@MuvoTX]

Wattage classes when I competed in 90' were determined by the total 4 ohm RMS wattage of the system in the vehicle. Take all the amps and add up total wattage. So a vehicle with a total of 100 watts or less would qualify for that class. If you had say 4-5 of these amps in a single system, add up the 4 ohm system wattage and determine your class.

[@fiolds350]

I heard the lanzar a long time ago. Im 34... On two mtx 10s in a 6th order.. And wow

[@richardsalinetrojr1957]

Holy hell.for shits and giggles I decided to look up the crossfire amp simply because I've had 1 sitting around doing nothing but collecting dust for about 15yrs and was curious to its power.didnt think I'd actually find it on here considering its age.figured it put out a lot more then the 30Wx2 it says on amp but damn I had no idea this thing can put out over a 1000watts.may have to hook it up and see if it powers up and is still useful.if not think I may have to contact amp labs to see about getting it going again.said part is idk wth I even got the amp or why.lmao

[@HK47Elite]

I have this roughly ~97 precision power pc2600.2 I’ll send your way for testing when I get the board repaired sometime if you would like 👍🏼

[@peterkay2406]

Do it bump doe?

[@waltkosch]

Hey Big D. How about some Phoenix Gold 🌀 action please and thank you. :)

[@wal]

Yeah boi!

[@MuvoTX]

yep!!! phoenix gold cyclone!!... just do it big-D...!!!

[@sterlingslayden5285]

My dad was sponsored by Lanzar back in the early to mid 90s. I still have one of his amps. A 100 watt opti two channel. When I was a kid that amp hit pretty good on two 12s mxt. Sure it wasn't the loudest on the block, however his Sq was on point. he could tell if I messed with the settings when I was kidding to impress my friends lol.

[@EPICRANDOMGUY02]

So I'm the early days the power ratings were typically higher than stated? Or is that just for this brand/specific amp? All the modern ones seem to perform worse than expected.

[@wal]

Many amps were rated at lower voltages and low THD. Example, Crossfire is rated at 0.008% THD at 4 ohms

[@EPICRANDOMGUY02]

@@wal Ah that makes sense, thanks for the replies! Love the channel

[@thebassgeneratorinc229]

it was a battle of the watts rated vs output wattage that orion and Phoenix Gold....I love the Sound Stream Reference6.0

[@pyro4life64]

Still have two mint shape Crossfires sitting in the basement the last one I bought was to have a spare. I saw the link and was surprised by the asking price I couldnt give one away a few years back when I tried to sell one of them.

[@mihoubibessem5608]

Plz test amplifier phoenix gold zx350

[@nate_d376]

Looks like a game of operation when you change the fuse locations...lol

[@thebassgeneratorinc229]

that 0 to 150 class was a beast class back then

[@batsonelectronics]

I don't think it existed in the late 80's when I competed. I ran in the

[@thebassgeneratorinc229]

check again my friend, I ranIASCA 0 to 150 and 151 to 300 class in 90 thru 94 in Pittsburgh and Ohio. we never had any USAC shows around that time in that area.

[@thebassgeneratorinc229]

I am not sure which oganization that you were refering but as it is now, there were many organizations that hosting events

[@thebassgeneratorinc229]

I think by the looks of it, you are refferi g to the format displacement format and nlt wattage class

[@thebassgeneratorinc229]

Autotek had those nice lttle Mean and Street Machine amps and subs and of course those legendary HCCA amps of that era

[@paulking7701]

Just picked up a Crossfire CFA 30 HC today. Found one local after watching this video 😎

[@wal]

Beast amp!

[@imskjrpops6389]

@@wal I got a question about the Lanzar Opti 7001D. Do you recommend this amp? I found a good deal on one but I haven’t really heard anything about them.. thank you for your time....

[@kingcosworth2643]

How does the 602 compare with the 30 HC?

[@charlesdawson6992]

Can you dyno a hifonics colossus I had one on 3 JL W6, but the amp would always get hot and go into protect, so I'm curious to know what it does.

[@wal]

Right around rated 😁

[@jordanciaramitaro6351]

I would like to see how the old Memphis ar-hc50 and ar-hc100 stack up. They were pretty stout, I know I mentioned in the past the crossfire and Memphis amps were similar across most models but the boards on their high current amps look completely different.

[@fiolds350]

I want to see some us amos dynos . or the old school sound stream tarantula.. I remember the old website.. "Welcome to soundstream" What about the harrison labs db drag queen amp. It was like 16000 watts for like 3 seconds

[@researchandbuild1751]

Those old amps were sexy as hell inside , pretty colors and giant toroids and transistors. Just sexy layouts and everything

[@MuvoTX]

Awesome big-D. How come the crossfire didn't pop its 80A fuse ? Were the peak current draws too short?

[@wal]

Yes

[@exeris2037]

I would like to see old school G&S c1000, or c2000. I know they underrated. Almost blew fosgate power 10s out of box, with my c1000. Said 100watt ×2. Amp long gone but I'll never forget the fun I had

[@VisionSandS]

G&S Designs were the shit. I had some Redline subs and a couple of their amps. Them 15's got down and dirty

[@darrylpioch2055]

Couldn’t see what semiconductors were on the output stage of the crossfire but on the lanzar it’s worth pointing out that every single high power semiconductor for the output stage AND the power supply section is ST Microelectronics and that’s high-high end. That’s why the amp is so expensive. Those BJTs ain’t cheap haha

[@jedd1004]

Have you ever done one with a MTX 1000d? I still own one still and I always thought it was underrated.

[@floydbeard5073]

Very cool video Big D🤙🤙

[@littlejln213]

OK. So I got my first one last week on accident. It was listed as a 15 hc. It came painted but it's a 30hc, then yesterday another popped up on ebay... I had to buy it. So I will have a matching pair of 30hcs!

[@calvinlocke2546]

Both of those amps remind me of the other old school amps like ultimate Genesis coustic kole audio MA audio

[@MuvoTX]

my friend had a coustic amp 460... never gave him any problems.

[@Rome7869]

1st.... bout damn time....j/k.. thankx. 2nd.... luv the new smack down.. much better..😉 Last.... thanx for the new smack down......

[@jared338]

I'm new to channel and old school. Any cerwin Vega strokers? Soundstream SPL 15"S? 90'S BUMPS

[@Aleziss]

1:44 we see that they were trying to imitate PPI art series...

[@johnelrod98]

I had one of these about 3 years ago, sold it for 200 it had a missing rca ground shield but still worked correctly, I kinda regret selling it but I only paid like 35 bucks for it.

[@Sc1Z]

If you can, could you please do a review of a GM- X962? its an older amp from Pioneer, and I absolutely loved it. It would be amazing to see what it really did!

[@wal]

Those are cool amps. Prob just a little over rated honestly though

[@Sc1Z]

@@wal oh I WHOLE heartedly agree but man they were tanks.

[@littlejln213]

I am just about to put one of my 30hcs in my wife's Kia sorrento with a sundown sd4 12. Wired to 1 ohm. It's getting installed on Thursday. I'd do it myself.. But I can't loose my warranty. Do you think I should run it at 4 ohm? Or just set the gains low?

[@trecedaves3159]

O love the crossfire but I think the lanzar board is sexier

[@DvjLuna]

It is a well known saying... They do not build them like they used to.

[@fiolds350]

Test some old memphis stuff. The belle .. When i was 16 i had two matts procasts on a memphis 1100d. And wow shit

[@blech71]

I had the old LANZAR amps... the big black ones with the cool red lettering... I had a 500 for subs and a 240 for mids/highs... then I HiFonics Zues and Aphrodite for the same combo... all those including Autotek came out of the same factory in the valley down by Chatsworth if I recall. HiFonics was always my favorite. That Zeus was the king back then. POWER FROM THE GODS!! Such great looking amps. Not the confusing naming convention they have now and the non matching size and looks. But I hear the Brutus series can wreck shit when given good clean power without breaking the bank.

[@AnthonyDiSano]

Same here. I found the old Lanzar's with the red lettering were about the same as the HiFonics of the same era. They both kicked ass and both were designed by Zed Audio IIRC. I had the same setups as you. A 500 on subs and a 240 on the mids/highs. I then had a Zeus and a smaller HiFonics for the mids/highs. I can't recall which of the smaller HiFonics I was using at the time, though. I can't speak for HiFonics but I know for sure Lanzar was out of Chatsworth. I always regretted selling that 240 however I still own most everything else that I had in the early to mid 90's.

[@hortonj63]

Did you get the settings mixed up? at 3:39 you say high current mode but have it set to high power mode

[@wal]

Nope I had the Crossfire in high current during Dyno Drag. Watch end of vid to see high powered mode 😮

[@Russell_and_Rosko]

@ :40 143 dbs in the 50w class that’s incredible

[@1625a5]

Very interesting video. I have been enjoying car auduo from late 90's. Now in my car, punch400.4 still works good. I heard that crossfire is made in asia and very cheap one. But I have to change my mine now to see this video.

[@ernestodeluca2138]

hi big D,can you test SPL dynamics MD400.2? :)

[@mattmiller9293]

Can you test a hifonics warrior eagle.

[@jamienichols6277]

I don't remember the Crossfire amps?

[@chester82gtstang]

Were the Caps swollen on the Crossfire?

[@paulwheeler1199]

Did you know that wattage isn't necessarily a measurement of loudness . My mate had an old 35watt per Chanel hifi amp and I had a new 25watt per Chanel but mine was twice as loud as his. To double a 100watt amp you need 1000 watts

[@michaelhollon5332]

What was the actual rms of each one? A 500 watt Power Acoustic vs a RF 250. I'd put my bet on the RF all day.

[@batsonelectronics]

so if his was 90db, yours was 180db... ? yeah, I think not. We hear a large difference at every 3db step. It takes double the power ( not 10x) to get that 3db sound difference. You also don't mention speakers as they have just as much to do with loudness as the amp. Old school Subs were 90-97db efficient so 1 watt would produce between 90 to 97db at 1 meter. Subs today are 80-90db efficient or 7 to 10 db softer with the speaker alone without mention of the amp used. I would put money most of your sound difference was 1. Speaker difference or 2. car acoustics as difference cars will gain/lose sound due to the shape and interior volume.

[@williamknight9337]

Hey derick can you do a video on some old school bostwick amps

[@michaelhollon5332]

Bostwick I have not heard that name in a loooong time.

[@MuvoTX]

wow that goes way back!!

[@williamknight9337]

I used to love their stuff back in the day. I had 3 comp 10s now i just just have one of their amps im my closet with the rest of my extra audio gear