JL W7 12'', add another amp?
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=81079
Printed Date: April 29, 2024 at 12:24 AM
Topic: JL W7 12'', add another amp?
Posted By: Pass the Roc
Subject: JL W7 12'', add another amp?
Date Posted: August 01, 2006 at 11:28 PM
Hello, I currently have 1 JL W7 12" in my 1989 Oldsmobile 88 Royal Brougham. It is being powered by 1 JL 500/1, I was wondering how much of a difference it would make if i added another JL 500/1 into the mix. I have it fitted in the Pro Wedge sealed box. Don't get me wrong the SQ is there but the sub seems like it can put out some more SPL for me. Since the W7 can handle 750 - 1000 watts RMS i am underpowering it and i dont like the feeling, I like to do things right.... ... Thanks.
Replies:
Posted By: coppellstereo
Date Posted: August 01, 2006 at 11:52 PM
The 500/1 puts out at least 700watts did the amp have a 'birth certificate' ? -------------
Posted By: Pass the Roc
Date Posted: August 02, 2006 at 3:30 AM
No it did not come with a certificate saying exatctly how many watts it was tested at, I bought it off some guy privately. Its nice to know they usually put out 700 though, I was thinking maybe 550 to 600 range. JL makes solid amps, so maybe adding another amp wont show that much more performance, it will just more than likely put more strain on my alternator and other components am i correct?
Posted By: coppellstereo
Date Posted: August 30, 2006 at 12:52 AM
Maybe my 700 guess was a bit high. I know someone who has metered one recently. I'll look into it.
I thought about buying a 1000/1 myself. going from 500 to 1000 could only have a 3db increase, right guys?
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Posted By: kfr01
Date Posted: August 30, 2006 at 9:42 AM
coppell:
Yes. Doubling the power gives a 3db rise, MAX!
99% of the time you won't hear a single freaking difference. Remember, you only use extra wattage when you exceed what your previous amp could do. Unless you're currently clipping your current amplifier, you aren't exceeding what it can do.
Unless you're competiting, moving from 500w to 1000w is just silly, imo.
Also, whenever I hear "underpowering" I smack my forehead. That stupid term was likely invented by the car audio companies themselves. You aren't going to harm your subwoofer by underpowering. And seriously, unless you are currently clipping your amplifier, adding another 12031231241234234 watts won't make a squat worth of practical difference.
If you want more SPL relative to the rest of your system:
(a) turn down the gain on your mids/highs amp (most people, for some god unknown reason, forget they can do this)
OR
(b) buy another sub. Now this will give you a 3db rise in sensitivity, which you will always benefit from (unlike adding power, which only benefits at extreme volume levels).
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New Project: 2003 Pathfinder
Posted By: aznboi3644
Date Posted: August 30, 2006 at 4:20 PM
Or he could go with a ported box...but the 12W7 needs a pretty big ported box correct???
Posted By: jettagli03
Date Posted: August 30, 2006 at 8:33 PM
so you're trying to tell me that if one person -- Person A -- has a JL 12W7 with a 500/1 amp and another person -- Person B -- has a JL 12W7 with a 1000/1 amp... that Person B's system wouldn't be noticably louder than Person A's? taking into acount all the other variables are equal.
somehow this doesnt seem right to me.
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Posted By: kfr01
Date Posted: August 30, 2006 at 10:14 PM
jettagli:
That's exactly what I'm saying. Extra power is only used if you're exceeding the power of your old amplifier.
Doubling power gives 3db more of HEADROOM, not efficiency.
If SPL on a budget is your goal, efficiency should be your game.
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New Project: 2003 Pathfinder
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