the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
icon

JL Audio Subs and Amps, is it a hype!


Post ReplyPost New Topic
< Prev Topic Next Topic >
panerailover 
Copper - Posts: 47
Copper spacespace
Joined: May 18, 2005
Location: United States
Posted: May 18, 2005 at 7:17 PM / IP Logged  

I have always been a fanatic about home and car audio systems. SQ is my primary concern in any set up, home or car. I had opportunity to go to Hi-Fi Audio/Video convention/show in NYC that is held in March every year. Where all top audio/vidoe manufacturers get together and show their best products in show rooms and listening rooms. Companies like Revel, JM Labs by Focal, MBL, B&W, Wilson Audio, etc. I have gone there 2 years in the row and if any of you have a chance to go and listen to $100-$200 thousand dollars home audio set ups and realize what SQ is, you have to go and listen to speakers like B&W or set ups like MBL, people who know these Class A Stereophile companies, know what I am talking about. You will be blown away. Well I know that these set ups are masde for reach and famous who can afford them, but it is good experience to hear the best possible sound reporoduction you can have and then gear your ear and buy what you could afford for home and your car. I finally completed my home system with help of my friend that has introduce me to this other world of SQ that exists besides what is sold for regular consumer in Best Buy and Circuit city. After doing a lot of listening and research I bought Infinity IL50 speakers and IL model Center channel and NAD amp for my stereo and Surround. For surrounf I bought Klipsh because surrounds are really not that important, spent $800 on all my Audio Qwest wiring and Denon DVD-1900 DVD Audio CD PLayer and one of the worlds best rerated DVD player. The sound for the money is amazing. It is worm, loud if needs to be and quility. I am looking to buy Toshiba SD9200 DVD player which is Class A CD player rated by  Stereophile Mag to improve my sound quility. So for the money I have the best stuff in my eyes that I can afford without going into Class A amp starting at $5k just for stereo amp and Class A B&W speakers starting at about the same price plus upgrading cable to really hear some noticable difference in sound.

Now, you would probably ask me, why would you write all this on Car Audio website? I will tell you why. After reading few reviews of different products on this forum I see that some people have an idea of SQ in car audio world and wanted to have a professional opinion. As we all know. The way cars are, you will never have SQ as good as the home audio set up, but you could get something very good that would sound OK, considering it is a car sound system. Since sound waves are very  limited inside the car I see no point spending $1000 on Dyno Audio Components and $3,500 for Macintosh Amp, etc.

I was searching the net for answers from people that know a thing or two about car audio and SQ, and found this website tonight while at work, bored. I just bought 01 Lexus GS430 with regular sound system inside, not the $6k option of Mark Levisnon which I would be very happy with, I have heard it. I have owned to sound systems before in 2 of my cars and was never that happy with the bass, it was always boomy and in my eyeys incorrect, delayed, and distorted and was there when it was not supposed to be. My first system was in 1998 for my 1997 Maxima. I had Lanzar Vibe amps for speakers and one for the Subs. I had 2 12" Lanzar subs in the bandpass box. Had Lanzar components for front and 6x9 Altec Lenzing for the back with Pioneer top of the line at that time head unit and EQ. Sound, after i tuned it was pretty good, but bass was always not right and distorted, no SQ at all. I was young and did not care a that time. After I started to understand sound a bit more, I put a different system in my 98 Acura RL. I had 2 Orion Extreme Amps that I bought cheap on ebay, 75w x 4 for speakers and I think 450w x 2 for subs, bridged. I had 2 10" Rockford HE2 subs wired for bridged sound  at 2ohms in the sealed box, I am not an expert. And horrible Polk Audio components and back speakers, they had to many highs for me, mids were ok. The bass in those was not bad, but still not quility. So now I wanted to put something better together that has SQ all arround without spending crazy money but not cheap either.

In my Lexus gs430 I wanted to go with JL Audio amps, since any shop I go to, they all have them, and selling them like cup cakes, and consider them one of the best you can buy. Is that true? Magazines rave about  JL Amps and JL subs. Are they that good or just a hype? I mean there are other brands like Phoenix Gold, Zappco, Memphis, Xtent, Rockford, PPI etc that were also arround when I did my first system. But I dod not see them arround any more sold in stores. I went on ebay and pretty much every reasonably priced JL product is getting bids on, and Rockford products or Phoenix Gold no one is bidding on?! Why? Since I was not arround this car audio stuff for at least 5 years, I do not know hte market any more. I was thinking to buy:

Infinity Kappa Perfect 6.5in components for the front doors, but they only go down per specs to 75hz and regular Kappa's go down to 45hz, you can buy both cheap on ebay

Kappa 6.5in 2-way speakers in back doors

Infinity Kappa 10' VQ sub or 12', not sure yet, wich one would be punchier in 1cubic feet sealed box?

JL Audio 300/4 amp 75w x4 RMS @ 4ohms for speakers

JL Audio 500/1 amp 500w x1 RMS @ 4ohms for the sub

Please help me out if this is the best set up for the money i can get to get the most SQ!!! Thank you guys. Great website!!

01 Lexus GS430 SOLD.. 04 BMW 545i Sport, NAV Logic7
Steven Kephart 
Platinum - Posts: 1,737
Platinum spaceThis member has been recognized as an authority in Mobile Audio and Video. Click here for more info.spaceThis member consistently provides reliable informationspace
Joined: November 06, 2003
Location: Oregon, United States
Posted: May 18, 2005 at 8:14 PM / IP Logged  

IMO JL makes some great product.  I believe the W7 would be a huge step above your previous subs in the SQ department.  This is because they use a modified overhung motor that reduces distortion over conventional designs.  I highly recommend you taking a listen at the local dealer.  I also hear great things about their amps, but don't have any experience with them.

One thing I do recommend is ignoring most low end frequency response ratings on components.  I'd recommend instead taking a listen (preferably in vehicle if possible) and see what the true low end is like.  My old a/d/s/ components claimed some good extention, but came up short IMO.  My current speakers stomp on them in the low end.

Anyway, I highly suggest you going out to the local stores and start demoing the product.  Then once you find what you like best, purchase it at the shop.  Sure it might cost a little more.  But you don't have the risk of being ripped off by someone across the country, you get a warranty, and you get it the same day.

Steven Kephart

Adire Audio

geepherder 
Platinum - Posts: 3,668
Platinum spaceThis member consistently provides reliable informationspace
Joined: October 27, 2003
Posted: May 18, 2005 at 8:23 PM / IP Logged  

I'd steer clear of the Rockford and PPI amps.  Other than that, the others you mentioned are good.  Rockford amps seem to taint/discolor the music more than most of the other brands.  PPI quality has gone downhill since the DEI takeover- more problems than normal. 

For speakers, I'd listen and buy what you like.  Infinity makes some good stuff, but like MB Quart, they're typically too bright for my taste.

Check the specs for the Kappa subs, and see what they require.  Are you only willing to give up 1 cubic foot?

JL makes quality gear with solid construction.  It's pricey, but some of the least problematic equipment you will ever use.  The 300/4 and 500/1 are both great choices. 

My ex once told me I have a perfect face for radio.
haemphyst 
Platinum - Posts: 5,054
Platinum spaceThis member has been recognized as an authority in Electrical Theory. Click here for more info.spaceThis member has been recognized as an authority in Mobile Audio and Video. Click here for more info.spacespace
Joined: January 19, 2003
Location: Michigan, Bouvet Island
Posted: May 18, 2005 at 9:13 PM / IP Logged  
Speaking as someone who is also VERY interested in SQ, (I have Wisdom Audio 52 inch Planars in my living room, and Adcom GFA555 amps, Marchand Electronics 48dB crossovers, teflon insulated silver wire - you get the idea) DO NOT buy anything as a kit... Component sets, no matter WHO makes them, do NOT qualify as audiophile gear... Oh, sure the MBQuart is rated "highest", but what is it compared to? More mass-market garbage! I have NEVER heard anything even CLOSE to what you can put together for yourself from (even, or possibly preferably) different manufacturers. I use Morel MW-162 in the door, with an Eclipse 370wpc amp for them, I use Infinity eMit Kappa Ribbon tweeters, with an Eclipse 120wpc amp for them. Bi-wiring/bi-amping IS the way to go. It WLL cost you plenty, but if you want the best you can get, you are going to have to play with it, and pay for it... PM me for more info!
It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."
stevdart 
Platinum - Posts: 5,816
Platinum spaceThis member has made a donation to the12volt.com. Click here for more info.spaceThis member has been recognized as an authority in Mobile Audio and Video. Click here for more info.spaceThis member consistently provides reliable informationspace
Joined: January 24, 2004
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Posted: May 18, 2005 at 9:24 PM / IP Logged  
I'm not an audiophile but I play one on the internet...
dwarren 
Platinum - Nominee - Posts: 1,811
Platinum - Nominee spaceThis member has made a donation to the12volt.com. Click here for more info.spacespace
Joined: December 03, 2004
Location: California, United States
Posted: May 18, 2005 at 9:39 PM / IP Logged  

we all do that stevdart, we all do.

But my take on JL is that it is a good company that puts out products that preform well. I think that there are better values on the market. Will you be dissapointed with their gear? That will depend on what YOU like, not necessarily what a magazine review says or anyone else. It is a good idea to check out stuff that people recommend though, but wouldn't buy it without hearing it first.

I have been satisfied with store bought components, however bi-amping components is going to the best and last step to true audiophilia. And if you were to go with pre-fab comps, there are plenty better sounding options than Infinity.

Steven Kephart 
Platinum - Posts: 1,737
Platinum spaceThis member has been recognized as an authority in Mobile Audio and Video. Click here for more info.spaceThis member consistently provides reliable informationspace
Joined: November 06, 2003
Location: Oregon, United States
Posted: May 18, 2005 at 9:47 PM / IP Logged  

haemphyst wrote:
Speaking as someone who is also VERY interested in SQ, (I have Wisdom Audio 52 inch Planars in my living room, and Adcom GFA555 amps, Marchand Electronics 48dB crossovers, teflon insulated silver wire - you get the idea) DO NOT buy anything as a kit... Component sets, no matter WHO makes them, do NOT qualify as audiophile gear... Oh, sure the MBQuart is rated "highest", but what is it compared to? More mass-market garbage! I have NEVER heard anything even CLOSE to what you can put together for yourself from (even, or possibly preferably) different manufacturers. I use Morel MW-162 in the door, with an Eclipse 370wpc amp for them, I use Infinity eMit Kappa Ribbon tweeters, with an Eclipse 120wpc amp for them. Bi-wiring/bi-amping IS the way to go. It WLL cost you plenty, but if you want the best you can get, you are going to have to play with it, and pay for it... PM me for more info!

I don't know if I would suggest that for most people.  You have the advantage of knowing what you are doing, unlike 99.999% of the people out there.  To do it right they would have to know how to select the proper speakers, and design adequate crossovers.  The crossover is something that most people cannot do properly without very expensive test gear/software, plus years of experience at it.  Or if they go active, there are still things they need to know to select the proper cutoff frequency and slope.  Also they would need to know how to equalize the response adaquately. 

Steven Kephart

Adire Audio

dwarren 
Platinum - Nominee - Posts: 1,811
Platinum - Nominee spaceThis member has made a donation to the12volt.com. Click here for more info.spacespace
Joined: December 03, 2004
Location: California, United States
Posted: May 18, 2005 at 9:52 PM / IP Logged  

Very good point Steven, and most people who are unable to do these things will more than likely not notice the difference of the better set up, unfortunately.

ss-installer 
Silver - Posts: 444
Silver spacespace
Joined: February 27, 2005
Location: United States
Posted: May 18, 2005 at 10:01 PM / IP Logged  
everyones ears are different. you probably would be able to clear most of your sound the way you like it with a good pre-amp EQ. thats just my 2 cents.
haemphyst 
Platinum - Posts: 5,054
Platinum spaceThis member has been recognized as an authority in Electrical Theory. Click here for more info.spaceThis member has been recognized as an authority in Mobile Audio and Video. Click here for more info.spacespace
Joined: January 19, 2003
Location: Michigan, Bouvet Island
Posted: May 18, 2005 at 10:45 PM / IP Logged  
Steven Kephart wrote:

haemphyst wrote:
Speaking as someone who is also VERY interested in SQ, (I have Wisdom Audio 52 inch Planars in my living room, and Adcom GFA555 amps, Marchand Electronics 48dB crossovers, teflon insulated silver wire - you get the idea) DO NOT buy anything as a kit... Component sets, no matter WHO makes them, do NOT qualify as audiophile gear... Oh, sure the MBQuart is rated "highest", but what is it compared to? More mass-market garbage! I have NEVER heard anything even CLOSE to what you can put together for yourself from (even, or possibly preferably) different manufacturers. I use Morel MW-162 in the door, with an Eclipse 370wpc amp for them, I use Infinity eMit Kappa Ribbon tweeters, with an Eclipse 120wpc amp for them. Bi-wiring/bi-amping IS the way to go. It WLL cost you plenty, but if you want the best you can get, you are going to have to play with it, and pay for it... PM me for more info!

I don't know if I would suggest that for most people.  You have the advantage of knowing what you are doing, unlike 99.999% of the people out there.  To do it right they would have to know how to select the proper speakers, and design adequate crossovers.  The crossover is something that most people cannot do properly without very expensive test gear/software, plus years of experience at it.  Or if they go active, there are still things they need to know to select the proper cutoff frequency and slope.  Also they would need to know how to equalize the response adaquately. 

Steven Kephart

Adire Audio

Sho' you right, man! But the guy asked, so I told him...
Dlomonosov, Steven is VERY correct in his admonishion of my statement. He is very correct in the respect that it is, indeed, FAR more difficult to take the route I have suggested. *IF* you were to decide to go this way, please keep in mind the statements and points made by him, and realize the difficulty BEFORE you decide to follow...
There are many different manufacturers of systems out there that CAN give satisfactory results, but do not let that lure into a false sense of security. Installation is STILL one of the most important parts of an installation - not the hardware...
One thing to remember, though... AVOID AT ALL POSSIBLE COSTS additional signal processing devices. Correct selection of components and proper installation will not need any.
It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."
Page of 5

  Printable version Printable version Post ReplyPost New Topic
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

  •  
Search the12volt.com
Follow the12volt.com Follow the12volt.com on Facebook
Thursday, March 28, 2024 • Copyright © 1999-2024 the12volt.com, All Rights Reserved Privacy Policy & Use of Cookies
Disclaimer: *All information on this site ( the12volt.com ) is provided "as is" without any warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to fitness for a particular use. Any user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and use of this information. Please verify all wire colors and diagrams before applying any information.

Secured by Sectigo
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
Support the12volt.com
Top
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer