Subject says it all. I am looking to pick up the JL amp. I've looked on ebay and it seems they go for around 330 bucks (NIB). Does this sound about right?
Are there any other amps worth looking into? I like the built in EQ and remote control - those are mandatory options for me.
I have a polk C500.1 very similar amp to the JL amp
Filter Settings
Subsonic Filter 24dB/Octave @ 15Hz
Low Pass Filter frequency 30Hz to 200Hz
Low Pass Filter slope 12 or 24dB/Octave
Also has bass boost with an adjustable frequency.
I also have the gain adjustment knob on it.
I would let it go for like 210 shipped if you are interested, was a killer amp for the few mths I used it but I needed to step up to something bigger. Let me know I can get pics and the what not.
Im sure there are also other amps out there that fit the bill for what you are looking for
The 500/1 is very different than the other amps mentioned. Amps sold NIB on ebay will most-likely arrive DOA due to damaged cause from serial number removal. In the long run, it far cheaper to purchase the amp from the authorized retailer in your area.
Thanks for the info guys. I may just suck it up. I bought a RF "Punch 60" back in 1997. I blew it, and took it back to the dealer. They took it, sent it out, and I picked it up soon there after. Something to be said about brick and motor purchasing.
explain what makes the jl 500/1 so much better then the polk c500.1 ive used both
The title of the original post was "best amp for the money". IMO JL doesn't belong in that category. Its a good amp, but I think its over priced. There are many amps out there that make similar power, have the same if not more options, and are far less expensive. A couple that come to mind are ppi/directed audio, phoenix gold, alpine, etc.
I have no experience with polk, so I can't comment.
Leo: I am open to anything right now. I couldn't find a price from a retailer online - I didn't realize JL's policy. I was thinking 400 bucks or so, but I finally found a price:
$550 seems to be the suggested retail price .
I really, really, like the "Q" feature of the crossover. Most of them have the boost, not sure if all of them have the "centering frequency," but from a theoretical stand point, that sounds exactly like what I need.
That Polk amp did not seem to offer that (from the site), and I prefer to buy new.
Can you be a little more specific about a model number that has the same (or better) EQ while performing similarly AND being cheaper? The JL may be $550, but a good separate crossover is probably 100-150 bucks. Am I way off base here? I haven't dabbled in car stereos in about 10 years.
On the polk you can select the frequency that you boost from and in all honesty you dont wanna be using bass boost to begin with it only makes it easier to send a clipped signal.
The title of the original post was "best amp for the money". IMO JL doesn't belong in that category. Its a good amp, but I think its over priced. There are many amps out there that make similar power, have the same if not more options, and are far less expensive. A couple that come to mind are ppi/directed audio, phoenix gold, alpine, etc.
I have no experience with polk, so I can't comment.
PPI used to be good back in the day. Their Art Series amps were powerhouses. Their stuff today is alright but nowhere what it used to be. JL Audio has very good quality amps. With the patented RIPS system JL Audio uses you are able to maintain a constant 500 watts rms anywhere between 11v and 14.5v and you are able to achieve 500 watts rms anywhere between 1.5 ohm and 4 ohm, which makes JL Audio a good choice when it comes to amplifiers.
On the polk you can select the frequency that you boost from and in all honesty you dont wanna be using bass boost to begin with it only makes it easier to send a clipped signal.
Sorry, you are talking to a sound engineer idiot . Comparing this feature with the JL amp:
You are saying that you can lower or raise the frequency you boost from, and ofcourse the boost level, right? You can't narrow/widen the range of the frequency itself, right? This is the "Q" feature I am referring to. Let's refer this as the "width of the frequency"
I am unlike most people in that I will probably want a very narrow "width" of bass. Just enough to here the kicks and thuds of the drums, and turned up strongly. I want tight and punchy. Not all over the place. Maybe I'm thinking this feature is more magical than it really is...?
You are correct and i read what you posted wrong you can not adjust the width on the polk. In all honesty idk why you are so concerened about the eq features id bet many of the ppl on here with nice setups dont use bassboost at all or use it to a very minimum. The jl is nice just extremely overpriced
It is very possible that I'm getting "suckered" by the website of JL.
The bad thing about car audio is you really don't know until its inside the car. I know I'd be happy with the JL amp. That isn't the question. The question is can I be happy with someone else that saves me 1-200 bucks...?
I might pick up an amp at BB or CC to use for a while and take advantage of the return policy. Not the most noble way to do it, but if it sounds good I'd keep it. That's the point, right? Satisfaction?
Thanks for the replies. I'll report back with results...
96, as you can see there are as many opinions about this subject as there are amps to choose from. Perhaps you can tell us more about your install and how you are planning to use the JL500/1? Since its a mono amp, I am assuming you are planning to use it to power a sub (or two). Much depends on the quality and features of your HU, the size and location of your components, the number of amps you will be running, how you will wire those amps (bridged, strapped, bi-amped) the type of enclosure you have, the music you listen to, etc.
It is very possible that I'm getting "suckered" by the website of JL.
The bad thing about car audio is you really don't know until its inside the car. I know I'd be happy with the JL amp. That isn't the question. The question is can I be happy with someone else that saves me 1-200 bucks...?
I might pick up an amp at BB or CC to use for a while and take advantage of the return policy. Not the most noble way to do it, but if it sounds good I'd keep it. That's the point, right? Satisfaction?
Thanks for the replies. I'll report back with results...
Ryan
Best Buy and Circuit City are two stores that I do not buy car audio equipment from. I guess its something about buying an amplifier from a store that also sells refrigerators that makes me feel funny.
96, as you can see there are as many opinions about this subject as there are amps to choose from. Perhaps you can tell us more about your install and how you are planning to use the JL500/1? Since its a mono amp, I am assuming you are planning to use it to power a sub (or two). Much depends on the quality and features of your HU, the size and location of your components, the number of amps you will be running, how you will wire those amps (bridged, strapped, bi-amped) the type of enclosure you have, the music you listen to, etc.
Sorry, any part might be great in an ideal situation, but without knowing what my intention/expectations are, you guys can't help.
2001 C5
Stock Head unit
PAC Converter
Stock speakers 10w3 D4 (running 2ohm)
Probox
Update: I went to Circuit City tonight and looked around for a bit. They had a Kicker amp that seemed similar in power to the JL, but it was ~$475 - not much difference in that or the JL.
I bought it for ~$285 and paid $40 for a 2year warranty. I got it all hooked up tonight and it provides more boom than I need. With this in mind, I haven't had much time to tune it. Quite frankly, I'm not sure where to start. Initial opinion is that the box and speaker sound very tiht and punchy - not loud and sloppy .
Anyone want to tell me where to start the input and boost settings on the amp? Right now the amp is set to around 3db boost and the input is around 2/3 on the dial. My PAC converter is set around 3/4 (as it came from PAC). Does that make sense?
I have thirty days to listen to it and take it back if I want. That is the reason I bought it from CC. If they offered no guarantee, I'd go to a local stereo shop.
I'll report back with a better opinion in a couple days.
The higher the bass boost the more boom you will feel on the low end. Set the gain so that with your volume blasted on the radio the sub isnt distorted, or if thats too much turn it down a bit more. Leave the gain on the PAC adapter unless you are maxing or bottoming out the gain knob on the eclipse. Its a very nice amp
FWIW, I turned the Lowpass all the way down, and it sounded/felt pretty good to me. I think I was a marketing victim by JL. I'll go out tomorrow morning and set the gain, and finally tinker with the boost while I'm driving. I mounted the amp behind the passenger seat, so it is very easy to get to. I am also happy that it is very small.
set the lowpass at roughly 80hz. I apologize if it seemed liek i was bashing your decision on JL i was just tryin to say there is other great stuff out there for less money.
Corvette Store
JL 500/1 - Best amp for the money?
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. Comparing this feature with the JL amp:
