JBL 1200.1 SQ

I am going to be purchasing a Brahma 15" for a SQ setup.  I am looking for an amp to push it well, but nothing crazy.  I have always liked JBL products, but I know their old stuff is somewhat lacking in the SQ department. Is JBL' 1200.1, compared to higher names such as Phoenix Gold's Titanium Series, PPI, Orion and such, going to be an audible SQ diffrerence, or will it be actually better?

Thanks for your help,

Evan

I like to shop with someone else's money...so here's a pick.  Go with two Planet Audio P2250D amps, strapped together.  3000 watts RMS at 2 ohms for the Brahmas.

...but then, maybe that's a bit too much power.

If you decide on the JBL amp, then there are some things you should know.  First of all, it doesn't have a built in subsonic filter.  So if you go ported, you will need an outboard one.  Also, the JBL amp is underated.  So you may have more power than you expect.  And finally the gains on the JBL amp only need to be up about 1/2 way (probably less) to get full output off a high voltage head unit.  This issue has had many people using that amp blow their Brahma's because they were clipping the signal.

Now on the 10's, they are more a purpose build driver.  They are designed for people who want awesome bass, but in a tiny enclosure.  But if you can go a little larger on the enclosure, we usually recomend going with the 12.  This is because you get about a 40% gain in cone area for only $30 more.  So to figure out which setup would be best for you, I would need to know what you are looking for.  How loud do you  want to be?

Steven Kephart

Adire Audio

I had a 15" Brahma ported tuned to 28-30 hz or so off the JBL 1200.1 and the volume there was plenty.  It all got stolen a few weeks ago, so I am working up new plans for another setup.  My only concern with this setup was the SQ.  It was good but I want better if possible, so I want this setup SQ oriented, rather than SQL.  I am deciding between 2 12"s and 1 15" (sealed), but will most likely go with the 15" due to cost benefit (unless you guys can convince me that the 12"s will make that much of a better sound).    Since I am going for a SQ sound, I want an amp to produce a clear sound as well, not just 1400 watts to make my windows blow off but not be able to tell if its engine noise or music.  I want more quality than quantity wattage wise and I am willing to pay more for it, but I do not want to waste money. 

The JBL 1200.1 was a great amp, but I want some opinions to find out if upgrading the quality of the amp will help my sound out.  Also, the radio I will be using will be the Eclipse 8454, which has 8 volt pre-outs.... will that be a problem, and if so, should I go down to a lower voltage radio, such as the Alpine Phantom Face radio with 4 volt-preouts?

Finally, I am going to be running a 200 amp alternator, with a possible 10 farad power center by Phoenix Gold, so I don't foresee power being a huge problem.

Thanks again,

Evan Connor

A 15" driver is good for a couple of things, reaching waaaaaay down low, moving a large volume of air and paying that low note with authority. What it usually lacks vs. smaller drivers is speed. This being the ability to recover and hit a higher frequency with authority. Two 12's will have more surface area than one 15", thus they will move a crapload of air and if the proper box is chosen will play nice and deep with authority. In this case for an SQ system I will always choose a sealed box and revert to a sub that I have used for this application for the last 5 years, the Eclipse aluminum series. Each sub needs a 1.25 cu.ft. sealed box and will do much more than you would expect a sub to do. They are not cheap by any means but are a proven SQ sub contender that if asked to play to a respectable SPL level, most certainly can deliver.

As far as the cd  player goes I would not use the 8volt Eclipse, very very few people actually need the capabilities of a cd player like this. For all intents and purposes the 5volt version is more than enough and will still bury the Alpine for overall performance. The Alpine may have more bells and whistles, but they are no good if you do not ring and blow them. Keep it simple, use the Eclipse and enjoy good sound.

A HO alternator, good move, a 10 farad cap, well if you have it great, if you do not have it, save your money (upgrade to the Eclipse Titaniums?).

Eclipse....   I have heard about their subs, but most tell me that Brahmas put them to shame.   Have you heard these two side by side, and if so, what are their pros/cons?

evanc] wrote:

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p>but I want some opinions to find out if upgrading the quality of the amp will help my sound out. 

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A big difference, IMO, is to run the sub at 4 ohms instead of the now-customary 2 or lower load.  Especially with using the bigger 15", because all specs will be as rated including the important damping factor.  The recovery time Rob spoke of.

evanc] wrote:

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p>I had a 15" Brahma ported tuned to 28-30 hz or so off the JBL 1200.1 and the volume there was plenty.  It all got stolen a few weeks ago, so I am working up new plans for another setup.  My only concern with this setup was the SQ.  It was good but I want better if possible, so I want this setup SQ oriented, rather than SQL.

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Maybe you should try sealed instead?  This is the only way I could see you getting better SQ.  You could also wait for our larger Koda drivers to come out, and use less power.  They have the SQ of the Brahma's, but with less throw and much more efficient.  So if you are looking for pure SQ, they would be a better way to go.

forbidden wrote:

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 What it usually lacks vs. smaller drivers is speed. This being the ability to recover and hit a higher frequency with authority.

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This is a very common belief, but unfortunately isn't true.  Please read this white paper to see why this is true: https://www.adireaudio.com/Files/TechPapers/WooferSpeed.pdf

forbidden wrote:

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In this case for an SQ system I will always choose a sealed box and revert to a sub that I have used for this application for the last 5 years, the Eclipse aluminum series. Each sub needs a 1.25 cu.ft. sealed box and will do much more than you would expect a sub to do. They are not cheap by any means but are a proven SQ sub contender that if asked to play to a respectable SPL level, most certainly can deliver.

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You really need to come to our shop and audition the Brahma.  I think you will be blown away by the SQ it has.  The Eclipse sub is a great overhung design.  But our XBL^2 motor is much more linear than overhung motors, and thereby produces a lot less distortion.  Because of this, the Brahma is considered by many to be one of the best SQ subs on the market. 

In fact, this has been proven recently in the home audio market.  In the recent issue of Stereophile's Ultimate AV our Sadhara driver went up against several other subs, all costing a great deal more.  This includes the Servodrive Contrabass.  We blew away everyone in distortion levels.  If you get a chance, check it out.

Steven Kephart

Adire Audio

Thanks for all your help fellas,  you guys have answered questions I had not even gotten a chance to ask yet, you must have read my mind.  However, my first question is still up in the air.  With all the factors stated here so far, sealed box, right power, right size woofer, etc....  would there be a difference in sound quality between the JBL 1200.1 and a different amplifier, provided they both provided ample power to the driver.  And if so, what would be some good amplifiers to power this woofer which I could purchase online for no more than about $700?

Once again, Thanks.

Evan

https://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?Productid=12984

https://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?Productid=13022

I'd try to go with the second one at a 4 ohm load, although it comes a wee bit over budget.