I'd go for the refurb and save a little money. I was a little nervous about it too but i found a refurbed kicker sx500.2 for $120 and i couldn't stand to look at that and not buy it.
That's a retarded thing to say in reference to the original post IMO.There is nothing wrong with buying a Kicker refurb.It will even come with warranty...what's wrong with getting a refurb?Nothing.
There is nothing retarded about what I said above. Oh yeah some of the stores that carry amps DO NOT send them back to the manufacture. They send them to amp repair place.
I wouldn't pay anything for a warranty.I've bought a Kicker refurb from Hifisoundconnection and that comes with warranty that is honored by Kicker.Matter of fact...you don't even have to talk to Hifisoundconnection about a warranty issue,you cut out the middle man and Kicker handles it directly.
It really depends on who does the repairs. For $50 difference, get the new amp. Like all electronic components, it has life cycle. Nothing lasts forever. Let's say, some idiot blew the amp by overloading it. A repair shop might only fix the damaged parts in the amp. Although it'll appear everything's in good working order, under a full load for a prolonged usage, could reveal new problems else where. This is why some amps go back for more repairs, not related to the 1st problem. Therefore, in general, if the price difference isn't greater than 40% - 50%, go for new.