I've already purchased 2 JL 12w3v2 subwoofers and now I'm looking for an amp. I've narrowed it down to two:

JL 500/1
JBL 600.1

Which amp is the best for the money? Is the JL worth $180 more? How does the JBL run at 2-ohms? Thanks!

 

it never hurts to go with more power but for the money i would just get the 500 it should work just fine

 

Forgot to add:

JL - $390
JBL - $190

I have heard good things about the JBL. I know it's not a top amp but it gets the job done for the money. Can anybody add anything?

 

humm if you really dont care about quality or scheem then just get the JBL but if your trying to win shows and what not then stick with the good stuff

 

the JBLs are nice amps, the powervalve amps are being used alot now in competitoin. Is that 600.1 new or used? cuz you can get used JBL 1200.1s all day for 200-225 and those would be badass on those subs.

 

jbl 600.1

 

If I go with the JBL which subs (D4 or D2) should I get so I can wire them into 2-ohms to get 600 watts out of the amp.

 

I say get a JBL 1200.1 as well.... I bought mine brand new earlier this year for $245 shipped and it powering 2 12w6's nicely....

 

Either one will be fine because the JBL BP amps are stable at both 2 and 1 ohms (same output). However, if you want to absoultely end up with 2 ohms, then get 2 D2's. JL has a ton of wiring diagrams on their site (under tutorials) to explain it better, too...

 

get 2 d2. both coils on each speaker in series, and parallel the two subs.

wiring diagrams found here!
http://www.cbrstereo.com/dual_voice_...g_tutorial.htm



[Modified by gokuson, 6:16 PM 10/23/2002]

 

Have you ever blown your subs? What are your gains at?

 

get 2 d2s? are you telling him to get 2 dual 2 ohms or the amp D2s cuz the amps would be to much power for his JLs.

 

Isnt the JBL 1200.1 a little overpowering for the subs I want?

 

The subs are in a small, prefab Q logic box, .88 cu ft per chamber, which ups the power handling a bit. The gains and boost are at zero and the sub level on the Alpine 7941 is at like 3, sometimes 4. The bass is very tight and can also get loud. I know that they would kick even harder in a larger sealed box, like 1-1.5 cu ft per chamber, but this set up is in my wife's SUV, so we still need space for things like shopping bags, grocery, etc..

This set up is about 8 months old and no problems at all. If you planned on pushing the subs hard all the time, then the BP1200 would eventually kill the subs. But short periods of hard play are fine...

 

Yeah, I guess so, but I've seen a lot of people buy the BP600 and later on need more power and are stuck with taking a loss on it when they sell it. If you haven't bought the subs yet, here's what I would do:

- Get 2 D4's. Series them to get 8 ohms. Then parallel both subs for a final impedance of 4 ohms.

- Buy the BP1200 and run it at 4 ohms. You're still sending 600 watts to the subs, which is what their recommended rms handling is.

Net result here by spending just a tad bit more money, there will be less stress on the amp, it should run cooler, and you're already set in case you ever decide to get different subs that require more juice!!!


[Modified by SiClone, 11:47 PM 10/25/2002]

 

I think you mean D4s. If I get the D4s and the 1200.1 is there any way to wire them to a 2 or 1-ohm load to get 1200 watts out of the amp?

 

Yes, you're right. I was typing too fast and screwed up. I fixed it though.

As to your question.... Yes, you can still get it down to 1 ohm with 2 D4's.

Parallel each sub to get 2 ohms. Then parallel both to get 1 ohm.

Again, all the info on how to do this is here: http://www.jlaudio.com/tutorials/wiring/2dvc.html


[Modified by SiClone, 11:56 PM 10/25/2002]

 

JL amp... JBL plain suck! JL amp is a better built amp.. you get what you pay for.. compare the prices.. makes you wonder? JL also has 8 ga. speaker conections.. the bigger the better i say (wire size that is)..

 

Of course JL is the better amp. I'm asking which is better for the money which would be the JBL.

 

I would play it safe and get the 500.1 Jl so you dont cost yourself more money down the road. My buddy ahs the 500.1 and its a monster, so you should be pretty happy.

 

The JL amp is going to sound much cleaner since its not a class D amp and the JBL amp is cuz its more for SPL. The JBL amp though will hit alot harder than the JL amp. Also the JL amp has that technology of doing 500 watts at any different ohms, some might see that as a plus but I dont like it because that means even if you upgarede your electrical system you will not get any more power than 500watts everytime.