Ok guys. I am still looking for a JL Audio 500/1 Amp. I have been looking around and at almost every store, either online or local, they are asking over $400 new, with warranty and all.

The cheapest I can find anywhere is on eBay, for around $389ish new with warranty. (But shipping is around $30.00).

Anyone know of a good source for this amp NEW, not used? Thanks.

 

any specific reason why you are looking for a JL amp?

 

Any reason why I shouldn't be?

 

You're just not going to find much cheaper than that on JL. They are good amps but very expensive and JL does a very good job of keeping them off-line. Unless you're really stuck on JL you can probably get a similarly performing amplifier for a lot less. You definitely wont be disappointed with JL though.

 

for a cheap alternative a jbl600.1 would be nice for a sealed setup. im 99% sure there are no authorized jl retailers online. im sure the website explains that.

 

Slick: I understand that. But when buying on online, new in the box with all the papers, then you are fine. I have bought a JL Amp (WAY BACK IN THE DAY) and had to have it serviced once. I bought it new online, I supplied all the papers for warranty, it was all cool.

I am powering two JL Audio 10w3v2 D2 subs. I figured I would stay on the JL Audio side to keep everything the same. I am not much of an audio freak, but I was told that this amp is ten times more than I need, but will work infinitly for what I need as well.......And the name is more than sufficient as well.

 

im not arguing. 90% of my system was bought online from unauthorized places. for quality the 500/1 is perfect for the w3's.
http://www.woofersetc.com/product.asp?0=314&1=315&3=219
im not sure exactly what price you can get locally but if you add shipping to that price you might as well buy it at a store.

 

All in all, is this amp more than decent for my subs? Is there a BETTER/CHEAPER amp out there for me with the same Class D characteristics, such as Rockford Fosgate, Phoenix, etc? Thanks.

I was not arguing at all, I was just stating what my past dealings with JL was.

 

I'm not sure if they are out yet but I've heard the new rockfords are just insanely underrated. Hifonics makes for some cheap power, Phoenix Gold Titaniums are nice, might be able to find a used zapco, or US Amps. As mentioned JBL makes some cheap power too.

To be honest, the sub amp is really probably the least important item in the whole chain. As long as you've got the correct amount of power you'll be fine. With JL you'll be buying a quality/underrated amplifier, but you'll also be buying a lot of R&D that probably wont be all that prevelant in a lower end sound systems, or even higher end ones for that matter. If you've got the money to spend, JL is a great amp, if not you'll be plenty happy with something a little cheaper.

 

yes. how many watts do you want? and will they be in a ported or sealed box?

 

Well you can have them either wired at 2 or .5 Ohm. So you need an amp that can supply good clean power at that load. I would say look for an amp that produces around 600W RMS (not peak) at 2 Ohm. JL makes good stuff, but it's usually overpriced and unless they're sponsoring you you shouldn't feel any obligation to run an all JL setup.

 

Its not brand new, but there is a guy on here selling his.

Click link.

 

Slick: It is going to be in a sealed box.

So I should be looking for an amp that has, say around 600 watts RMS at each of the two channels right? If so, that narrows it down a lot.

This searching for an amp thing is ticking me off lol. Thanks guys.

 

You see thing thing that sucks about JL amps is it's power supply technology. The same output regardless of voltage. Your system voltage is going to drop with the system pumping....in order to maintain the same output at a lower voltage, the amp has to pull more current from your alternator/battery which is already kinda weak to begin with.

 

well most if not all class d amps are 1 channel so you want either a 2 channel amp with 300x2 or a mono amp at 600x1.

 

Exactly. I wouldn't bother with a two channel amp. Buy a dedicated class D sub amp. Much more efficient. 600x1

 

yea the JL amps arent efficient, they will devour current when your voltage drops.

 

yes....they are as efficient as 10 yr old Kicker ZR amps
true power hogs....