what is up with mtx.

It's the number's game. In comparison with the number's the MTX sub is a better SPL subwoofer, but just like anything else, the equipment is only part of the equation. If you know what your doing and can use the information to your advantage, your going to be able to make the MTX subwoofer perform better than the JL sub. That doesn't mean that it will sound better or go lower, but it will perform as it's suppose to...... as an SPL subwoofer.Jeff

Velocity Custom Home Theater

Mobile Audio/Video Specialist

Morden, Manitoba CANADA

Plus I will add that one should always take so-called head-to-head comparisons that are done by equipment manufacturers with a grain of salt.  Look for tests done by third parties.Support the12volt.com

It is all how gullible the person is at the same time. It is very easy for a manufacturer to do the Jedi Mind Trick to you the customer. If say you think that MTX is the shiznit, you are going to believe what they read, the if JL or Rockford or anyone put up similar info, you are going to read into it and come back with the same question. All equipment can do a superior job, it is all in how it is matched together and used for the task at hand. It took me abou 8 years before I could see the Jedi Mind Trick coming from the reps that were dealing with me every day, today, I am immune to it and can make far better choices for my customers based upon that.Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.

Very smart you are young Skywalker.There is no such thing as free installation!

For what its worth I have done several installs using both the L7 and the 8500 and on SPL levels its a close race. MTX leads you to believe that its a run a way but its not. Now with that said the MTX cars I did WERE louder than the kicker cars but once again you have to take that with a grain of salt because the cars were not the same. They showed up to the same competitions so the mic was the same but the vehicles, amps, decks etc were all different so you cant hang your hat on the results. I can say that the MTX 8500, while being SPL subs, still sounded better than the kicker L7's did. As for the 9500 to the W7, the 9500 while rated to handle less power, seems to have a real world handling higher than the JL, but for sound quality, even a die hard mtx guy will probally tell you that the W7 is a better SQ sub. As for SPL though Ill go with the 9500 over the W7double-secret reverse-osmosis speaker-cone-induced high-level interference distortion, Its a killer

Heeheehee...... Jedi Mind Trick. Good one Rob.Jeff

Velocity Custom Home Theater

Mobile Audio/Video Specialist

Morden, Manitoba CANADA

I didnt even notice your sig line to start with. No wonder you were so offended that MTX said their 8500 would stand ahead of the L7double-secret reverse-osmosis speaker-cone-induced high-level interference distortion, Its a killer

Subs are like anything else in the world, everybody wants u to think they have the best, but in reality its all about what u want, personally I have 2 12'' L7s in my car and I think they are awesome, but a friend of mine has 2 12'' 9500s in his and he think his is better. Point being it doesn't matter what the companys think just what YOU think.Its better to let people think your an idiot rather than to open your mouth and prove it