If you'll ask almost anyone on the audio forum, it always starts the same way, "I just want to add an amp and fairing speakers". Invariably, with your new found sounds, you'll want more. "Hmmm, lowers would be a great place to add some speakers", or "Wow, now I need some 6x9's in the lids". Now your two channel amp won't do, so you get a higher wattage four channel amp. "Wow, those speakers that sounded ok at 100 watts sound under powered at 200", so now you go looking for speakers. And so it goes. Many of the folks here have been through the same thing several times, myself included. Why do you think people here speak from experience? My current set up retails for less than $1000, including a Sony MEX series head unit and 7.1 plus 6.5 Biketronics speakers plus a pair of Pioneer 6x9's, and it will roast a Boom 2 (no offense to Boom 2 guys). My advice would be to get a 4 channel amp whatever the brand might be, even if you have no plans to use 4 speakers. The price difference is not much, and is certainly less than replacing your 2 channel amp that you'll outgrow one day. As for Tailwinds $500 system? I'm going to guess either a Rockford PBR 300x2, or maybe a Cerwin Vega B2, and a pair of Infinity speakers.

 

Oh, and another thing, it's not uncommon for a Class D amp to affect your FM reception so keep that in mind.

 

Thanks, John. I'm definitely sold on the 4-ch amp concept. Now, I need to figure out which one... and which speakers

 

I would suggest starting with the Biketronics 4180 amplifier and their 7.1 speakers because of their exceptional customer service and the fact that their products have a lifetime warranty. The sound quality is exceptional and the amp and speaker packages well get you in under budget with room left to grow in the future. Good luck with the decision.