Any thoughts on the JL 300/4 amp? Planning to use it to power front MB Quart comps and rear JL XR's.

 

Had it, hated it, GAVE it away....

--Don

 

Much finer amps out there for the money......

 

My price on this would be $250. You still think there are better ones for SQ out there for that money?

 

yup...Kicker ZX460..herad 'em both..agree with pearl and manny on this one...probably find one on ebay for $200-250...even used its better...cleaner, more flexible, more power, and will last longer...IMHO

 

After looking at Kicker's website, the only thing I don't like about Kickers (4 channel models) is there's no flexibility for bridging 2 channels to mono and stable at 2 or 8 ohms. JL Audio 450/4 kicks Kicker's *** on this one!

And talking about flexibility, you can get the following from this amp:

Channels 1&2 :
stereo mode:
150 W RMS x 2 @ 1.5 ohm – 4 ohm
(11 – 14.5V)
bridged mode:
300 W RMS x 1 @ 3 ohm – 8 ohm
(11 – 14.5V)
Channels 3&4:
stereo mode:
75 W RMS x 2 @ 1.5 ohm – 4 ohm
(11 – 14.5V)
bridged mode:
150 W RMS x 1 @ 3 ohm – 8 ohm
(11 – 14.5V)
THD at Rated Power:
<0.03% @ 4 ohm (All Channels)
S/N Ratio* (All Channels):
>108.5 dB below rated power


If you have a hungry sub, you can use channels 1&2 bridged mode. Otherwise, use channels 3&4. In addition, you can wire the rest of your speakers to it too. I'm not biased to either brands, they each have their plus and minuses.

 

I was talking about the old ZX460 not the new KX or other series...they are much more comparable, the new ones just don't compare to the entire ZR, XS and ZX series. Additionally, the ZX would be much cheaper than a new JL, they can be bridged, and they are two ohm stable brigded, also roughly the same S/N ratio and a better lower %THD...Kicker put the bench test, "birth certificate" listing the actual values for each specific amp to assure it was as advertied, though usually sinificantly better, plus the listed max outpu at 4 ohms bridged (and it was higher at 2.66)...not trying to show you up, just clearing up the apparent miscommunication that led to the invalid comparison

 

Thanks for clearing that up. I wasn't specific either. I was talking about the KX series being not comparable to the JL Audio amps.

 

It's wonderful to be able to discuss things in a civilized, respectful and cogent fashion. It's this kind of communication, respect, etc., that determines whether people discuss something or argue, I guess I'm just trying to say thanks, it's refreshing to deal with people who are willing to speak and listen, not judge and attack/defend maliciously. Just a random general observation, and I've had a bad day, so the simple things like this I try to focus on and acknowledge which generally makes me feel better, and in the process, hopefully I have also made your day a little better, too...don't worry I'm not a hippie, or a brown-noser, just hypervigilant of good people, as I meet so many that are...well, a disgace to the human race and many animal races for that matter. Now, back to our discussion, if you'd like to continue.

 

I have a JL 300.4...yet I agree

 

What are you powering with it?

 

I hear ya man...

Sometimes things get out of hand very quickly around the forums because of the way many people take certain things, yet everyone seems to just blurt out things w/o thinking about how others might take it. It's easy to make enemies w/o even noticing it. I belong to several other forums so imagine how quickly I could do that if not being careful.

Back to the amp discussions...

I am new to Kicker components. The only thing Kicker I had were the free-air subs back in the early 90's, and I hated them. I have had those subs for a year (not enough $$$ to get better setup) so I know that free-air subs just don't cut it. Now with the Kicker KX700.5 that I'm looking into getting, I pretty much can tell that this amp will integrate into what I'm trying to do nicely. I have one JL15w3 and I used to power that with a JL500/1 until I sold it because I needed the cash and I had gotten rid of the vehicle that it was in. I know what JL Audio can do to this sub and quiet honestly, it was a perfect match to my amp. Plus you can give that amp any load (2-8 ohms) and it will put out the same power but that's because its a mono-block amp. Still, many JL Audio amps are pretty much flexible in the respect. The other amp that I had were Fosgates and I only have one phrase to accurately describe that amp, IT GETS TOO HOT!!! What is your opinion regarding the Kicker KX700.5?

 

Being that its a monoblock amp has nothing to do with the fact that it puts
out same power regardless of impedance- its called a 'regulated' power supply

Phoenix Gold Xenon amps are designed the same way too- to consider it flexible because you can run at any impedance(which only helps when mating any sub to it) is not the same level of flexibility as I have- I have a mono amp that sees 500rms @ 4ohms, If I want to add another sub and run 2ohm or run a DVC Supersub that'll utilize my power best I can push 1000+rms @2ohms, even more at 1ohm- NOW THATS FLEXIBILITY and ability for system expansion- To be stuck w/ a JL500.1 means the only way for you to drive a more powerhungry sub or two decent powered subs requires you to ditch it, and buy a jl1000.1-
I would best describe their amps to be system specific, with wiring flexibility

 

Exactly..... monoblock amps, from what I have seen, are mainly used for subwoofer amplification because there isn't much distinguishable differences in sound between stereo-bass versus mono-bass. They design monoblocks amps with felixibility in mind thus the 'regulated' power that you mentioned.

To drive more power hungry subs, you can use the preamp output section of the JL500/1 to add another 500/1amp, you don't have to ditch anything. That's one of the things I like best about this brand of amp. Furthermore, to drive multiple subs, you just need to figure out the total impedance (load) that the subs will put on your amp. Perhaps getting different subs of different impedances will accomplish that. Still, you won't have to ditch the amp. Of course, any amp that goes down to 1ohm and is stable translate to more money. That's totally on a different level for me and I am trying not to go there. Still there is no such thing as ONE amp that can do it ALL! This is how they keep the balance in the industry. Otherwise, every manufacturer would only be manufacturing amps of the same capabilities. Audio and electronics is so diverse, the options are limitless.

 

Roman,

If you don't have this yet, here are some key specs for the 300/4:
Rated Power (stereo):
75 W RMS x 4 @ 1.5 ohm-4 ohm
(11V-14.5V)

Rated Power (bridged):
150 W RMS x 2 @ 3 ohm-8 ohm
(11V-14.5V)

THD at Rated Power:
<0.03% @ 4 ohm

S/N Ratio*:
>108.5 dB below rated power

Frequency Response:
5 Hz-30 KHz (+0, -1dB)

 

Thanks....I actually visited the JL website and got some details from there. I also visited some review sites and they all had great things to say...honestly the only place I've heard negative comments about this amp is here.
It's interested that you say that this amp is good to power subs cause I was thinking the opposite. As I understand, JL's are generally known for their SQ so that's why I am planning on using it to power my interior speaks(MB & JL). I have an Eclipse amp which will power the sub(12'' Xtant A).
I haven't gotten the amp yet and still doing research but I think it would be a good match.

 

People rate their amps differently. As for SQ, I go by my ears most of the time. My experience with the 500/1 was overall very good. What has influenced me to get it is the price at the time and the fact that it will match the dvc sub that I have very well. Afterwards, the fact that the bass in my vehicle tremendously improved was another plus for me, considering that I was only driving one 15" sub. I had one Xtant 12" once but it wouldn't sound right inside my quad cab truck no matter what I did, box design and amplification. Maybe the fact that I was using a single Xtant sub was the issue since space is crucial. Everytime I hear Xtant subs, they are usually in pairs and they hit hard!

 

So far nothing bad has been said in this thread about JL amps-
Points have been made- tighly regulated power supply's and the fact that they are expensive(and better quality amps are available for the price)

 

I like my lil 250/1. Gets the job done.

 

Actually theyre very poor power supplies and lead to horrible FM reception....

--Don