1994 MTX Black Gold BGA 2125 Amplifier Review and Amp Dyno Test [4K]

[@mikegreen2229]

In the late 90’s, I special ordered a few MTX 12’s in 8 ohm just so I could put them in house speaker boxes in my bedroom. I use them to this day in my garage.

[@kenvanpassen9247]

I'm still rocking my first ever car audio combo. MTX TH800D paired with a 7515/44 at 2ohm. Still sounds awsome. It survived a writeoff crash (not my fault, idiot ran a red light) and is now in the 3rd car it's been in... still thumping away every day. Have that combo nearly 20 years now. Can't fault MTX quality :)

[@magnumcipher4971]

The Thunder series and Blue Thunder series came out shortly after these things if I recall. The Thunder series in particular was extremely popular. They were well built and powerful as well. You tested a Thunder 2300 back in the day. One of my favorite dyno runs.

[@ThickCutOhio]

That was back in the Circuit City, Best Buy hey day!

[@primus711]

@@ThickCutOhio remember the fake viper with the system test they had

[@Coronado-nz7wu]

Very solid results. Would have loved to have this amp back in the day.

[@wal2]

It's solid but the Thunder 2300 eats it's lunch. These are not easy to come by though

[@squishtheprodigalson9298]

@@wal2 nowadays it’s like “finding hen’s teeth”… lol

[@mp36768]

I'm a MTX fan ! I have two 22 year old MTX 8000 12"S on a MTX RT2400X that I play hard every day . Still sounds amazing.

[@wal2]

Awesome 👏

[@raymo6795]

...good stuff MP, No school like the old school!

[@squishtheprodigalson9298]

Used to have two 12” 8000’s on and MTX 81000D… and I smoked them. I was SO sad! Always loved the way they performed. Ended up getting that “Sledgehammer” triple 10 box.. it’s was ok… but NOTHING like those 8000’s. Plus I had to seal off that factory port, because it sounded TERRIBLE in my opinion. 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️😂

[@derekgardin1512]

I've got a 10" Thunder 8000 and a 12" from 2001, both SVC 4 ohm. Both still work fantastic. Old MTX was great. Also have a 12" Thunder 7000.

[@derekgardin1512]

@@squishtheprodigalson9298 they sound great in sealed boxes. I always ran my 8000s in sealed.

[@K-Effect]

MTX has never let me down. They have made solid products since way back

[@621ELECTRONICS]

Nearing 30 years old and still performing well, I'd say it's a solid amp. I've had several MTX amps over the years, and they have always worked very well.

[@Doctorbasss]

7:58 The black spot you see from the thermal camera on the amp board are the aluminum top from the caps that reflect the ambient temperature probably from your roof or wall that are at colder temp. NEVER FORGET that thermal camera will measure more the reflected temperature from a distant surface unless you correct the emisivity to the appropriate value from the material. typically emissivity is set by default at 0.95.

[@mattlitchfield221]

I had one of these amps pushing 2 15in Orion xtr subs years ago!!! Loved that amp

[@wal2]

👌😬👍

[@951258tike22]

Really appreciate both Williston Audio channels, such a wealth of knowledge & history contained in these vids.

[@NVzla]

I rocked the road thunder stuff at Sears each time I could, you were expected to! Thanks for the entertainment bro. ✌️

[@wal2]

👌😬👍

[@danielanderson8502]

I can vouch for Amp Guru. Fast shipping and his stuff is awesome!

[@colorblind1983]

What a solid performer! Every time you bring the Thunder, the headlights WILL dim in your 90s Honda Accord !!

[@jarvislarson6864]

I had 2 12" 4ohm black golds....awesome subs

[@ke4tud]

Nothing like old skool through hole mounted electronics.. I can smell the parts in that gem! Nice work Big D!

[@kriptic22]

Never have seen this amp. Regardless of the results, amazing content as always!

[@MAD_MAX_913]

i remember the MTX Terminator Sub's from the late 80's early 90's they was no Joke back then

[@martinez1701a]

Back in the day one of my buddies had MTX subs and I thought they were some budget brand, had no idea til later that they made kick azz amps and subs.

[@wal2]

Yessir I used MTX subs for many years back when they had 10yr warranties 😲

[@jamms992]

Orion used to have a lifetime warranty on thier xtr sub back in the day.

[@nickstalhood5380]

Awesome vid man!!! I absolutely love the mtx black gold line up! The black gold 15 floor speakers are still one of my favorites to date.

[@Icemancomp25]

Always been Mitek fan. Using 2 12” 9500’s right now with 1501D

[@lmadden6236]

The best amplifier reviews on KZbin! Next, you need to review subwoofers, mids and tweeters... Everything car audio. I'm sure JP will take care of you, so both of you can further grow.

[@wal2]

I appreciate the comment brother!

[@lmadden6236]

@@wal2 You got it Big D!

[@TheSara200424]

The black and gold was 🔥 I always wanted a set of 12” and that amp 🙏

[@wal2]

I had Blue Thunder and also wanted to try the Black Gold

[@squishtheprodigalson9298]

Same here!

[@shoveI]

Nice video, you know whenever it's got MTX in it I'm gonna click 😁

[@wal2]

Yes agreed. MTX has always been great products 👌

[@kevinAuman1]

Mannn I certainly remember when 500w of MTX power sure would rattle your brains lol-ol-ol unlike today's audio equipment I had a pair of blue thunder or road thunder 15's on a 500w amp and it was known as one of the louder setups on my town back in mid 90's and then Lanzar became prevalent and one friend of mine squeezed 6 15's into a dodge neon and earplugs were necessary I am still amazed how the amount of power has so greatly increased but we definitely were loud back then with very little power and all the extra batteries and alts were never needed just one extra batt near the amp and you were set! I actually still have the subs that I eventually upgraded too which was a pair of Kicker C15's at 750w rms each single 2ohm coils and you throw those in a big sealed mdf box and they would flex your windshield and metal panels like rippling water I've always wanted to throw them in a box and in a trunk to see how they stack up to today's audio equipment and if I still would be impressed by them at all 🤔🤷‍♂️ I've got a whole slew of oldschool A/B and D amps I could run them on that I never would have been able to afford back then...

[@Bobby-vp8jz]

SAME HERE I'M A DJ AND 800 AND 1200 WATT AMPLIFIERS WERE NORMAL . 2400 WATTS AMPLIFIERS WAS SUPER BIG POWER U DIDN'T NEED ANYTHING MORE SPEAKERS WERE 250 ARE 400 RMS 600 RMS SPEAK WAS SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL WE SHAKE EVERY WHERE FAIRS FETES STREET JAMS THAT POWER NEVER DISAPPOINTED TODAY GUYS HAVE 10 K 14 K 20K NO QUALITY SOUND .LOUD AND OVER PROCESSING HAS TAKEN OVER ?

[@Van1018s]

I remember the black gold subs did not come with the gold logo on the front of the sub. They gave you a sticker to apply yourself. And it was nearly impossible to put it on perfectly. I had 12 of the fifteens in a Chevy Astro van. Drove me insane that my logos weren’t perfect.

[@squishtheprodigalson9298]

I never knew that! That’s crazy! I could’ve done it back in the day, but probably not so much nowadays. Lol! I was the guy that was responsible for putting on ALL of our car club member’s stickers. GOOD LORD did I lay some vinyl! 😂😂 The worst part was, it was a multilayered sticker… that I had to layer. BUT, like you, if they were even a hair crooked, my OCD would kick in, and DRIVE ME NUTS! But I could never say anything, because I didn’t want them to have to buy another $50-75 sticker. 🤦🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️😂

[@Van1018s]

@@squishtheprodigalson9298 OCD is a curse. Lol.

[@squishtheprodigalson9298]

@@Van1018s I used to jokingly say I had it… turns out I really do. It’s semi-mild, but dude… it truly is a curse. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve driven away from my house, KNOWING I locked the doors, BUT I didn’t double check them.. The next thing you know, I’m driving home, for basically no reason. Now that I’ve come to realize it, it’s a little easier to control. It does come in handy being an installer/builder in car audio though. Lol

[@joshholden8561]

Wow a mtx amp line I haven't ever seen .

[@csj9619]

Never seen this particular Black Gold MTX in stores, magazines or on the used market. Cool stuff D, I like seeing amps I'm not familiar with. I bought a Thunder 280 used in 2000, it's STILL working, powering a 12" in my homeboy's truck.

[@squishtheprodigalson9298]

I always search MarketPlace for MTX… just waiting for the day that some angry wife sells her husband’s “old car stuff”… because she’s tired of looking at it! 😂😂😂

[@Thumper68]

My first subs were 12” MTX Thunder 3000 and First component set with MTX 4” with 1” tweeters the subs were good but the component set was very good. I’ve always liked their products

[@ehrenkrause9861]

Of all the MTX amps I've never seen these. I have the MTX 2300 and a Alpine White 4320 4 channel amps. I've always been my favorite look and believe they were the best power amps they put out, tell the one you and Donald put out stupid crazy power down to 1 ohm mono😮. Now back to my regularly scheduled program. 👍

[@wal2]

The original Thunder 2300 is still the boss. These are more rare tho

[@jodyzung6455]

@@wal2 Yea the shop I worked at got these amps in as well as the black gold subs and thunder series amps. The BG subs were better subs than the BG Amps were amps, especially compared to the thunder 2300 but they were very slick designs and rare like you said. The 2300 on BG 12's was the combo!

[@wayneholderbee1734]

Great! As usual.... Thanks

[@raymo6795]

I love the Williston Extras Big D

[@paulgood2218]

Great video!!

[@wal2]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@bobbyackerson4125]

Looks like they might actually be dual power supply, I'm no amp expert but from what I've seen power toroid coils are usually multi color windings, where as the choke coils and windings are usually 1 color. But I'm no expert just my opinion and observation another great old school video D!!

[@scottiffanimccord1509]

Cool video D thx! Plz run the dd1 during the bass demo especially at 4 ohms. I would have liked to see the rise thx.

[@Joe-fl9qy]

Wish I had 42 aluma pro sub from 94 95... 😊 Mtx always been decent quality 👌

[@wal2]

Wow 42 of them? 😲

[@Joe-fl9qy]

@@wal2 nah just 1...42" sub 😉

[@huskylfp1505]

More MTX amp test please Big D!

[@runningbear1982]

Back before I knew anything about car audio I knew the name MTX. When I first got the money to get a real system I had two thunder 9500 tens in a sealed box being pushed by 1800 w linear power amplifier. Honestly wasn't that loud but it sounded real damn good. Got hard up for money and had to sell it. I should have done anything to hold on to him because MTX quit making them and replaced them with the 95 series that don't sound near as good.

[@squishtheprodigalson9298]

I would replace the fan, with a modern day brushless equivalent; BUT SAVE THE ORIGINAL! lol! Black Gold MTX equipment, are the unsung heroes of old school car stereo! Their equipment was so far ahead of its time. Granted, it took some power to make power, but good Lord, the results! 🤤🤤🤤 And that’s not even beginning the conversation about the subs… 💛

[@hookhousebeatz]

im coming to where the old school is!

[@wal2]

Erry week yo!

[@PoXFreak]

As a regulated supply, it doesn't seem to do it in the way we normally see with more modern amplifiers. It almost looks like it takes the primary 12v input, sends it to a first power supply for regulation (I'm guessing between 18-25vac), switches the duty cycle of the first fets in the line to regulate it, sends the unfiltered AC voltage to another transformer for further boosting, which might only be 1.5-2x input from the first transformer. Iirc, Hifonics was the first to use duty cycle trimming to regulate output in their VII (7) series amps.

[@jorgeponce9749]

Nice video my friend

[@charliefrancis6438]

Would like to see output at 12 volts, back in early 90s we did tests for SQ with motor off any amp that had more than a 25amp fuse was considered s monster, boy have times changed

[@wal2]

So true!

[@raymo6795]

It was enough for an SQ system, pretty much all I was ever interested in anyway....I never had much interest in damaging my hearing, but I did appreciate the installations and ingenuity of the DB systems.I think you can have a fine SQ system with 1 pair of quality components with no more than 100 watts, and a quality Sub with 500 watts...and a quality source...most important, proper design and install....You are right, Charlie, times have changed

[@thomasbradian6367]

In the early 90's, the big 3 was, ( in Richmond, VA) kicker, Rockford, and MTX (price per watt )

[@joshholden8561]

I had the black gold mtx subs never seen the amps they remind me of my favorite class ab 2 channel alpine 3545 amp nice pick up.

[@303nitzubishi4]

The "dual power supply" refers to the primary and secondary sections of the power supply used to push each stage of the Darlington circuits. I have an Urban audio works amp that has a similar setup. You're right though it's technically one power supply with two separate outputs to provide two different rail voltages

[@ranchosdelnorte]

Fairly surprised. This thing seems about 10 years ahead of it's time.

[@wal2]

Very PPI’ish

[@raymo6795]

@@wal2 It seem these Arizona amp designers bounced around from PPI to PG or Orion etc, That is probably why the similarities.. I would love for someone to put in prospective ....write that book Big D! Probably many of you friends and fans can contribute.

[@craig1474]

Big D. Off topic, but I got a video series idea for ya. How about a “help plan my system” sort of thing? Once a month you suggest best equipment for someone’s goals/budget/vehicle. Or this might be a cool collaboration series for you & HiFi.

[@generalkickass6385]

Love those amps and subs back then especially the subs back in 95 a buddy of mine had 4 of those mtx black gold series subs in a 87 trans am in a sealed box on a hifonics boltar the bass would mess with your vision my how i miss the 80s and 90s

[@diawaprolite7967]

I remember these and the thundercast and thunderpros.

[@hadbl12]

Love a Old school

[@raymo6795]

.,,,Love the Guru. I buy from him regularly, he is great seller with a big selection of unusual vintage stuff, my kinda people Big D.The history of MTX is interesting...Someone should write a book about who made what back in the day of American car audio...seems mostly in 3 states: Arizona (MTX.PPI,ORION,RF,PG) CA(Soundstream, Zapco, Phase Linear) and FLA (Mmats, US Amps, Power Amper)...of coarse McIntosh in NY....maybe you should Big D, Im a buyer when it comes out

[@Mr13allin]

Nomenclature. That’s a new one. Thanks D.

[@wal2]

Big dummy (me) expanding some vocab 😝

[@1rexrex]

Be nice if Corsair had some fans that would fit those. The Mag-lift Zero Noise fans have worked great for years in my PC. Either way, Ya gotta love those good ole regulated amps. So much easier to select speakers when you can trust the ratings. Like actually trust them. I could only image how many speakers have been blown because an amp rated at 600 watts, is putting out 900 or 2000 etc.

[@julesbruchez-outperformtra2020]

Big D any chance you can can find some old M&M Godfather Subs? I would love to see those and how they would perform.

[@wal2]

That would be cool

[@julesbruchez-outperformtra2020]

I’m from Louisiana I’m 44 years old and I’ve been into car stereo probably since I was 14. I remember installing a Soundsystem in my moms car before I even had my license. Being close to Baton Rouge a lot of people played Savar. They had the regular series then they came out with the rap series then they came out with the HQ series which was basically a playoff the Solobaric‘s. I ran 4/8 in my ranger back in the day from them. We had an audio shop here in town and everybody one of those M&M Godfather’s subwoofers. I remember a guy having an old-school mustang 5.0 with 415‘s the buildings would rattle when he would pass by. I guess you can say I’m all about SQ now but I still like to get loud every once in a while when I’m on an interstate Drive

[@Bondovw]

M&M was good stuff.

[@20hztremor]

Great amp, but I'll stick to my 2300's after seeing this video. Still beautiful amp to have if you can find them.

[@wal2]

Yessir!

[@MoparStephen]

I'm still rocking my Thunder 2300 which I've had since new. Also still running a set of 12" Road Thunder Pro with red rubber surrounds as my home theater subwoofers.

[@r3d-1truth17]

Cheers & thanks! I’ve missed this video when posted, but I really did like that design on that series from MTX. I wanted to ask, have you ever did a review explaining how and why amps are classified? I was under impression from previous information someone said to me when I was buying my Memphis 1100D amp: class A/B amps are cleaner power for sound quality, while class D are more like “raw power” for smaller but more powerful amps. And, since class D were raw power, they were more power hungry also… is any of that true? Like the vids, thanks again & Peace

[@jeffreylittle8405]

Rad, I have always wanted to see these in action. I think I will stick with my thunders though.

[@wal2]

The Thunder 2300 is still the king of MTX Class AB’s

[@calvinevans8305]

Quality amps

[@divers671guam9]

Wish u can get your hands on the old school tsunami amps and test those!

[@timothy5977]

Never had one of the amps but my first subs where MTX roadthunder II 15"s 😁

[@jarvislarson6864]

I have a mtx rt-a2110 Amp silver in color with blue yellow & pink MTX letters....question...who made the silver amps? There was a 4x50w,2x30w, 2x60w and the 2x110w like I have

[@nukedathlonman]

Interesting - when you said fuzzy logic rail control power supply, my thought was it was a class T amp - nope. But seems to have taken a little element of what makes a class T amp work. Don't mind a well executed T-class amp, but have to be aware when it clips, it clips at the rails, and so things fall apart quickly sound quality wise when driven to the max. Wonder if the same might be happening here.

[@Doctorbasss]

Very similar style as the Alpine 3545 !

[@kylemaples6461]

I like the sound of fuzzy logic rail control but than clip indicator lol

[@wal2]

It’s a bit fuzzy 😜

[@saschacubexyz]

👍

[@wal2]

👌😬👍

[@justinhiggins2210]

Wow, those look very much like ppi boards, if it's not a ppi board then they are very similar. 500 watts on 8 pair of bjts, not real impressive. I bet it uses the sg3525 pwm like ppi uses. A true dual mono amp must use two pwms to be a true dual power supply , not to mention transformers. Beautiful amps none the less. Great vid.

[@adamzamazal7515]

Hey would love to see an Amp dyno on the new bass rockers amps. Just picked up a z4000.1d. Seems to put out more than my Orion 1500xtr. For the price seems legit

[@bassmansl9596]

Great amp

[@phrogman4654]

Was looking at mtx black gold back in 95. Ended up getting the Soundstream Continuum instead.

[@wal2]

That’s a killer amp!

[@raymo6795]

...One of my all time favorites...probably worth more than what you paid in 95 if it is in good condition

[@FATHERSOFBASS]

Did The color change on the amp when you was testing it from green to orange to red

[@juanmanuelpinedamontes2440]

Very nice a like sound

[@wal2]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@dyslectische]

we had rto terminator gx ,4000 to 7000 serie . people told in that time IT use mtx boards .

[@palletking2106]

Why are you not testing the mtxd81000d

[@paulgood2218]

I had several the later black and gold 275 and 2150 amps loved them could run them much lower ohms then they said I don't know if they was as heavily regulated as these. But yes there beautiful amps

[@wal2]

This was the only Black Gold model I believe you’re referring to the later Thunder amps that were black with gold accents?

[@girthquake9655]

I miss MTX. I also miss COUSTIC. Big D you should test a COUSTIC amp!?

[@wal2]

1993 Coustic Design Reference Amplifier DR-514 Amp Dyno Test kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3XFqIiDq7x1eJY

[@raymo6795]

I think Coustic was also a Mitek Brand..also Xtant

[@Bondovw]

Everything coustic I had didn't last other than the crossovers. I think the old coustic was owned by someone else not MTX

[@raymo6795]

@@Bondovw your probably right, hard to say.All the legacy brands were bought and sold by conglomerates, usually bat the expense of quality. Coustic and XTANT are currently a Mitek( MTX) brand. It is likely they have identical guts to MTX products, manufactured in the same facility in China, and bear little resemblance to the hand made in America amp that Big D tested. Up until around 2000, MTX was a great, American made product. I bought one in about 02 from Circuit City.It was surprisingly cheap for an MTX, to my surprise, it was made in India, and it is sh!t(4004), I still have. However, in fairness, I have a pair of newer MTX, a class a/b 4 channel, and class D 500 watt monoblock , made in China, and they are actually pretty good and a good value ( Thunder series), Probably the Coustic is decent for the beginners as well. Personally, I try not to buy the Chinese amps or speakers, I favor the American,German and Italian products. I also have a Blue Thunder from the 90s, it is an excellent amp…made in Arizona, USA…those were the days

[@paulcampbell8696]

I had a Black Gold 12" that I got clearance in the early 90's (I think). It was a good sub, but absolutely nothing special. Pretty sure it was just one of their Thunder subs from the time, with a pressed paper cone with the black and gold dust cap.

[@longlivefresh86]

Please do the red and black crunch power zone 5000 watt mono amplifier

[@wal2]

Thanks for the suggestion

[@brian6029]

😎👍👍

[@bebe1979]

So wouldn't it be fair to say the amp did not do it's rated power since you had to increase the fuse amperage?

[@wal2]

It blew the fuse with the uncertified test, not the certified one.

[@jsmith416]

Just as good as an Orion 2150sx

[@chrisfoster8093]

Orion was alot stronger

[@jprieto727]

These were hard to get and I worked for a MTX dealer in 1995

[@wal2]

Oh wow that’s interesting 🧐

[@jprieto727]

Only certain dealers were able to sell black gold series, also the price was a bit expensive

[@jprieto727]

At the same time the competition from Rockford was great and at the time the punch amps were more expensive. But the punch amps came with power wire and fuse blocks inside the box. The cheap shop owner would remove the supplied cable from the box sell them separately

[@EnejKokelj]

Do a GROUND ZERO AMP TEST LIKE THE IRIDIUM SERIES

[@jeffreylittle8405]

That looks so close to the ppi pc class amp boards.

[@wal2]

Sure does!

[@paulgood2218]

Still a clip light in 1994 un heard of

[@wal2]

👌😬👍

[@orion2250]

Things that dreams were made of BITD

[@MrBetaTube]

MTX had a very strange person running the company. I don't remember what year it is was. He basically said all high powered speakers and amplifiers were pointless to make/sell because you didn't need that much power in a vehicle. That kind of freaked me out as a sales person at the time........every body wanted a Zeus, 4 EV's, a Zap, and a Kenwood at the time......and Horns too ( tweeters ).

[@timmontanez3781]

I still have my MTX power 2160

[@wal2]

Awesome amp!

[@timmontanez3781]

Sorry it is a Thunder 2160!!

[@flashbacks7892]

Fan sounds like a 1200W Ninja blender.

[@justaaussie]

There is a rapper/KZbinr named crypt he has a list of music he allows people to use on there KZbin channels maybe check him out U might find a few bassy song's

[@ULSB1969]

You can play the other stuff for 15 seconds or less, Soundman Car Audio channel always plays 80s and 90s music. STOP BEING RIDICULOUS, NO EXCUSES.