Opinions on JL amps and experiences

I’m in the processing of gathering items and deciding on amps. I’ll be running Hertz mid tier 6.5 components up front most likely with an

$280 Alpine ILXw650 Alpine iLX-W650 Digital Multimedia Receiver with CarPlay and Android Auto Compatibility

Alpine ILXw650 HU. Rear speakers will be stock running off deck power.

I’ve never used JL amps but my old shop sells them and speaks highly of them. What are your thoughts on their amps running a similar setup with an 8” sub in the back? I was looking at one of their 4channel models running everything or going with an Audio Control amp

If you don’t mind giving details on your setup such as amp model, wattage and speakers used for me to get a true understanding of these amps, that would be greatly appreciated. I’m hoping for a small chassis amp that I can mount under the front seat or next to the sub behind the passenger seat. Behind passenger is preferred.

TIA!!!

 

haven't run JL yet but that is likely the route I am going to go with. Audio and even home audio now their amps/subs rock. I have run the subs in years past a bunch. You could even grab a 4 or 5 channel amp and run front, rear, and a sub. I was looking into that. they have a nice one that runs 75x4 and I think 3 or 400 to a subchannel. JL amps are $$$$ though so depending on if that is a factor or not. If you get the higher-end models they include their DSP built-in which is a nice addition if you planned to do that down the road.

 

Been Runnin’ a JL three channel to the point of tears & it’s solid AF. Suppose I got what I paid for.

 

Which models are you all running @FastEddy59? What type speakers are you running and sub?

Not sure if the 75 to fronts will be enough but it might work. I was reading on a 4channel version they have but it may work out.
Luckily I get decent pricing as I use to work there and the same JL rep from 20years ago still covers the region. I just never looked into their amps when they first came out as I was running Phoenix Gold MPS series then.

 

These^^^

 

Thanks. Pretty much similar setup to what I have in mind.

So looks like that amp runs around 60x2 to the fronts and 300 to the sub. Do you feel like you run out of volume at all?

Did you mount it under your front seat or in the back, any pics?

Are you running any rear fill at all?

 

Not right now. Those Focals Rock pretty good but the matchin’ Focal two way non components is the way I’ll go but farther down the road. Keep in mind I’m an A/C so no drop in.

 

ahh ok. Makes sense. See a couple more questions I had above after I hit reply? I’ve thought about adding coax later but then it would require changing amps or going 5 channel to start.

 

100W into 2ohm fronts, 300 sub. 1” MDF sealed box downward driven.

 

Cool. Thanks

 

Just so you know the five channel JL won’t fit under the seat. Even if it would the thing heats up & I just wouldn’t want it there anyhow. The three channel fits & dissipates heat no problem.

 

Thanks. Good info to know. The 5 channels do look too big.
Have to compare to the Audio Control 4.300 and the AC 1.300. The 2 of those are super small

 

75-100 watts rms is a good amount for fronts. I used to run 100 front and 75 rear and it was plenty loud. That’s when I ran over 1000 to the subs too. Man that setup was crazy loud.

 

Sounds good. I was told these Hertz love power and Mu Quarts in previous cars took 125 easily. 75 may be good. I’ve been reading on the above 3channel JL amp and that may be an option. It’s roughly 75 to the fronts and 300 to a sub which should be plenty in a DC. I’ve never ran their subs but I hear their shallow mount W3’s do well

 

I've have heard a lot of positives about JL Amps/Subs, but they are $$$$. I've been looking into their VXi series with integrated dsp lately, but the amount of money you can dump into car audio is nuts. I guess you get what you pay for.

https://www.jlaudio.com/collections/car-audio-amplifiers-vxi

 

Yeah. They seem a little pricey but still cheaper than what it was years ago for what you are getting now. I do feel like buy once, cry once.
Those amps are going super high due to having a built in DSP. If I needed a DSP, I would prob definitely look at the new audio control models

 

Yah def you also have to know that Amos have a much higher current. 50 watts from a HU and 50 watts from and amp are night and day.

 

Oh definitely. I like the extra wattage for headroom but 75 prob will be fine since their sensitivity is 94

 

Howdy, I'll share my experience.

Couple of years ago I did a 4 channel JL audio JX 400 amp with a pair of 6.5" Polk DB6502 separates up front and a 8" Polk sub in my access cab.
I was pretty happy with it until this year when I started getting intermittent static on one speaker channel, turned out to be the amp crapping out.

I replaced it with a 4 channel Focal AP 4340 recently. The Focal is bigger, barely fits under the seat(but does) but it sounds significantly better. Cleaner sound for sure. Feels more powerful (despite similar specs) and the highs are a lot clearer.

The JL was a Class D amp (nice and small) and the Focal is AB, (bigger, but cleaner signal). I wouldn't do back to a class D amp after this experience. Both are kind of entry line price point, so maybe this is a factor in the JLs sound?


Enjoy!

 

Great info. I appreciate the feedback. Definitely something to consider since I’ve never dealt with their amps. Granted, it could have been a fluke but great components in such a small frame with heat could definitely be harder to accomplish that it sounds for an amp.

Did you do a customer box for the Polk or replace a factory sub? Any pics?