Thoughts on JL Audio?
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=72244
Printed Date: April 29, 2024 at 7:50 AM
Topic: Thoughts on JL Audio?
Posted By: r_wern
Subject: Thoughts on JL Audio?
Date Posted: February 05, 2006 at 9:20 PM
Thoughts on JL Audio anybody? Your feedback would be extremely helpful, especially if you are a competitor or dealer. THANKS!!
Replies:
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: February 05, 2006 at 9:36 PM
JL Audio makes good quality gear and is generally considered one of the better mid-level brands. Some of their gear is top notch. Do you have specific questions? ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: r_wern
Date Posted: February 05, 2006 at 10:49 PM
To be more specific, I am a big SQ guy, but when I build this system I have a certain goal in mind. My former employer has a very nice custom show truck. His system consists of 24 Swiss Audio (Yuck!) 61/2's and tweeters, and 2 Memphis 15'' MOJO subs which are each powered by a Memphis MOJO 2400 watt class D. The 15's are in a approx. 16 cubic foot (yes, you heard right) box with an incorrectly designed slot port. He hits about 157-158 db on his AudioControl meter. Now let me get to the point. The system I had in mind consists of 2 JL ZR series 6 1/2'' component sets powered by a JL 300/4. Mid-bass will be covered by 2 JL 8w3's powered by a 300/2 in sealed boxes under the dash or in the kicks. The biggest question in my mind is what subs to run. I want excellent SQ (I'm a big SQ guy, which in my area is REALLY weird for a 25 year old guy), but I also want to stomp those MOJO's in SPL. I am considering 3 13w6vs, each powered by a single 500/1, and of course, 3 Optima Blue Tops, caps (probably like a 5 farrad), and a beefed up alternater. I have heard the w6's, and they sound great, but I have never heard them in a SPL shootout. I want to use a ported enclosure. Should I go with 2 13w7's instead?? What do you guys think? Keep in mind that I am not super familiar with JL, it just seems that they offer a top notch product. Do you think my system could have a shot at out SPLing the MOJO's? By the way he has a 2001 4 door F-250. His box is blown-through the bed into the cab. I will be installing mine in a Nissan Xterra. Thanks for any feedback! I really appreciate it.
Posted By: Ravendarat
Date Posted: February 06, 2006 at 2:52 AM
Man, this is a tough fight. 157-158 are very good numbers on a legit mic. And being that you wanna have a SQ car I find these numbers are fairly hard to reach. My opinion here is that I would run the W6's drivers, all 3 of them and do a ported enclosure but I would make 2 sets of ports that can be changed out. First set of ports are for every day driving and I would tune them low, around 31-32 hz, but thats simple opinion. Now for the second set you are gonna wanna figure out the resonate frequency of the vehicle and tune your box accordingly to get the highest SPL number. Run port set one for day to day driving but when you are gonna get metered pull out the sq ports and throw in the noisemakers. I wont gaurentee that this is gonna hit the numbers you want but I say Its your best shot.
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double-secret reverse-osmosis speaker-cone-induced high-level interference distortion, Its a killer
Posted By: speedwayaudio1
Date Posted: February 06, 2006 at 12:09 PM
DYohn] wrote:
L Audio makes good quality gear and is generally considered one of the better mid-level brands. Some of their gear is top notch. Do you have specific questions?
If you think that JL is mid-level, I would like to hear what you think is high level? ------------- Big Dave
Posted By: Paradigm
Date Posted: February 06, 2006 at 1:28 PM
Read the post on McIntosh products. I'm pretty sure this is one of the lines DYohn meant, speedwayaudio1. I too, would be interested to hear some of the others that you consider to be high-end, DYohn.  ------------- VEHICLE: 2002 GMC Sonoma ZR2
Alpine CDA-7940
AudioControl EQT x2
JL Audio 1000/1
JL Audio 10W6 (originals) x3
Kicker ZR120
Kicker ZR460
Polk GXR-6 x4
Polk GXR-4 x2
Posted By: r_wern
Date Posted: February 06, 2006 at 7:59 PM
Thanks alot for your feedback so far. It has been extremely helpful. The more info I can get, the better. After all, that's a lot of money to spend if you look at the sysytem I want!! thanks again
Posted By: willdkartunes
Date Posted: February 07, 2006 at 2:59 AM
If your really looking for SQ you might want to look at other brands before you limit yourself to JL Audio(not that JL is no good, but always best to keep your options open right?). From what I've seen from JL is there are very good quality, but that quality also comes with a hefty price! I knew a lady in the midwest that went by 'The wagon lady'. She had an old '86 station wagon that was extremely modified specifically for SQ competition and she would be slaying people up in contests. Not sure about every detail of her car, but I do know that she was running a lot of 8 inch Alumapro Alchemy subwoofers in the back behind the seats. I've had a lot of experience with Alumapro subs in all sizes and I've noticed that they are kind of a brand that flies under the radar. Not too insane with their prices but aren't cheap neither. GREAT, clean sounding bass! Very reliable subs. You might wanna check these out if SQ is what your into!
Posted By: willdkartunes
Date Posted: February 07, 2006 at 3:18 AM
By the way, my cousin has hit over 140db with 2 Alumapro subs and only a small single amp! (less than 1000watts) These subs can really hit! You definitely have a shot at beating out 2 15" Memphis subs with Alumapro or even JL Audio for that matter!! (not a big fan of Memphis,sorry) I will say this... you really should pick one or the other. If SQ is what your going for then stick with that. If not, then get crazy with the SPL scene. Doing both is going to be extremely hard. You sound like your going in the direction that I am though. You want a really nice, clean sounding system, but still want that EXTREME bass to blow you outta your seat! (right along with your eardrums!)hahaha! :)-
Posted By: r_wern
Date Posted: February 07, 2006 at 8:05 AM
Thanks for the info! I totally forgot about Alumapro. You're right, they do slip under the radar! They are one of the only brands I haven't looked at yet.
Posted By: r_wern
Date Posted: February 07, 2006 at 8:46 AM
How would i make a removeable port system? I have never seen or heard of that before.
Posted By: wranglercory
Date Posted: February 08, 2006 at 10:36 AM
I have been very impressed with JL and have had great sound out of them
Posted By: ds1434
Date Posted: February 08, 2006 at 9:13 PM
I'm a Jl Audio dealer and we have been for over ten years now. I myself happen to love Jl Audio and it's gonna be hard to beat for the price. Trust me there's a lot of other stuff out there that's more expensive and some of it is not worth the extra dough. I also am a Memphis dealer and ALL of our SPL cars that ever competed on a winning level in MECA had Memphis subs in them. The upper level Memphis subs are tough and pretty much meant for SPL. The Jl Audio product is awesome and will play loud AND maintain it's sound quality. The three 13w6's in a properly designed and constructed ported enclosure will for sure SLAM but even if you tune the enclosure to whatever frequency your car is loudest I don't think they're gonna meter as good as the Memphis MOJO's. But if I were you I would still run the three 13w6's because they will be very impressive in the right ported enclosure and if you're just showing off they will perform much better than the MOJO's. This is just my two cents as far as the subwoofers. As far as your 8w3 idea in the kicks or under the dash I'll have to disagree. My reason being is that the 8w3 is NOT a midbass driver. It's an awesome woofer designed for SUB BASS. Your ZR's with the proper tuning of the amplifier and crossover points will more than satisfy you midbass needs. Now on the other hand if you're gonna compete in the SQ class some up front sub bass utilizing an 8w3 would be awesome providing you had the correct amount of airspace for the sub to operate and actually sound GOOD. Well if you have any more questions about any Jl product or any SQ related questions please PM me as I am very experienced. ------------- TechHead
Posted By: ilvwhtgrls
Date Posted: February 08, 2006 at 11:02 PM
Go with some 6 or 8 w0s for midbass.
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Eye am so re todd did.
Posted By: 96bigdogg
Date Posted: February 09, 2006 at 9:30 PM
i have jl audio in both of my cars and i am extremly satiafied with their products . my honda has 2 12w3d4's in a sealed enclosure and hits 143.6 db .my suburban i have 2 12w6v2 with a1000/1 in a sealed enclosure and it hits hard i need to get it metered ------------- hard hittin big dogg
Posted By: srtblue
Date Posted: February 09, 2006 at 9:38 PM
The ONLY JL product I would own is their W6 series subwoofer. I tried their amps , and found them cold and sterile sounding , and their component speakers were simply terrible in my system ..... But to each his own .....
Posted By: luckydevil
Date Posted: February 10, 2006 at 1:17 AM
6W0's and 8W0's are subwoofers, not midbass. From what I have read 150Hz is considered to be the upper limit of the 6W0's effective frequency range. I imagine the 8W0's range would even be a bit lower.
Posted By: r_wern
Date Posted: February 11, 2006 at 10:22 PM
OK, then who has a suggestion for a good mid bass driver?
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: February 11, 2006 at 10:48 PM
Adire Audio Extremis 6.8. Morel Dotech or Elate. Scan Speak 18w. Vifa P17. Seas Lotus Reference. I've used them all and can highly recomend any of these for outstanding mid-bass. ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: luckydevil
Date Posted: February 12, 2006 at 12:19 AM
I'm using a pair of CDT EF-8's for midbass and absolutely love them. At $59 each (on sale) I don't think they can be beat for the price. They look amazing also.
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Posted By: darthness
Date Posted: February 12, 2006 at 12:34 AM
JL products are NOT the best for the money... you can get simular quaity stuff at a lower rate.. but with that behind me, i am a fan of JL.
Not that im huge on SQ (Especially being 17, lol) but my last system was a JL 13w1v2 sub in a sealed box powered by a JL e1200 amp @ 4ohms. i loved that system. I've always thoguht that a pair of 12 or 13 w7's would get real loud and sound good.
And on your electrical system.. if your going to be running under 2000w, i don't belive there is a need for 3 additional batterys. Why not go with your alternator and big 3, a redtop under the hood, and a yellow top seperate? makes more sense to me.
Posted By: arrow12
Date Posted: February 12, 2006 at 9:19 PM
Use luckydevil's link. Great product for the price. You can't go wrong with $60. Plus CDT makes a great product.
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That's my opinion. Take it, leave it, or correct me.
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: February 13, 2006 at 2:22 PM
Paradigm wrote:
Read the post on McIntosh products. I'm pretty sure this is one of the lines DYohn meant, speedwayaudio1. I too, would be interested to hear some of the others that you consider to be high-end, DYohn.
Yes, McIntosh is what I consider a high-end amplifier. Also amps from companies like Milbert, Brax, Helix (same as Brax actually), Genesis, Bryston, Linn, Zapco, Adcom and Nakamichi to name a few. JL Audio makes good amps pretty much equivalent in overall quality to JBL, Alpine, Eclipse, etc. ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: sedate
Date Posted: February 13, 2006 at 4:15 PM
srtblue wrote:
and found them cold and sterile sounding , and their component speakers were simply terrible in my system
Hmm. This is a frequent criticism of the 'slash' series amplifier... I too find these amps a bit sterile myself..
Still I'm suprised by DYohn's comment here:
DYohn] wrote:
L Audio makes good amps pretty much equivalent in overall quality to JBL, Alpine, Eclipse, etc.
As this is a blanket statement I will of course consider the inclusion of the high end 'slash' series of amplifiers.. nominal subjective feelings about the sterelity (or cleanliness, however one would have it) of JL's 'slash' series, even a cursory objective comparison would place the JL Audio 'Slash' series amplifiers inline with at *worst* Eclipse, certainly *significantly* better than the best from JBL or Alpine... while perhaps not of the pedigree of an McIntosh, even a cursory glance placing.. say the JL500/1 against the AlpineMRD1005 (I dunno, whatever the 1000watt monoblock is) would demonstrate the severe superiority of the JL product.
See this thread here comparing the JL to the top end Alpine monoblock.
JBL and Eclipse are also guilty of overrating thier input voltages and (as nice as the new Eclipse amps look) have nowhere near the S/N any of the JL's do...
Even against the Nak's, the JL's easily hold thier own... These Nak's are certainly no better than the 300/4...
JL's 'slash' series amplifiers are *world-class*.. ------------- "I'm finished!" - Daniel Plainview
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: February 13, 2006 at 4:51 PM
I'm simply stating my opinion based on personal usage and yes, it is very generalized. Sorry about that. Your results may vary. ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: r_wern
Date Posted: February 13, 2006 at 8:35 PM
I know I keep saying this, but thank you all for your input on this matter. I don't want to buy JL just because it is JL, I am only interested in it if it is infact WORTH what it costs. Unfortunately, I don't think I will be able to afford Nak, Morel, Scan Speak, etc., so I'm trying to get the best product for my money. Keep the input, good or bad, coming. Thanks for your time!
Posted By: sedate
Date Posted: February 13, 2006 at 10:09 PM
r_wern wrote:
I don't want to buy JL just because it is JL, I am only interested in it if it is infact WORTH what it costs.
In terms of *any* of thier amplifiers, absolutely. Either series competes not only on price, but seriously in terms of performance... some really nice amplifiers here. You can do better in terms of pure dollar/watt, but in terms of value for the $$$, JL is an industry leader.
Their loudspeakers have won industry-wide praise and few can drum up much criticism anywhere along the line.. I personnaly think they are generally overpriced by a solid 30% or so... comparable stuff can usually be had for less and I would *not* ever choose JL loudspeakers ever again.. exposure to somewhat more esoteric brands, especially CDT, have moved me away from that sterile, high-pitched treble that JL stuff produces..
If you really want the best product for your money, JL amplifiers are one of the best choices that can be made... thier loudspeakers certainly are competetive, but a discerning listener could easily find comparable or better stuff for less.. ------------- "I'm finished!" - Daniel Plainview
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