98CL30

Hi everyone, I'm in the middle of installing my first system and am stuck between getting a single 5 channel amp or two amps. The 5 channel amp is the JL Audio 500/5, and the other choice is the JL 300/4 and 250/1. The thing that concerns me the most with the 5 channel JL amp is that the rears only get 25W x2 RMS, while the fronts get 100W x2 RMS. Is there a reason why the amp was designed that way? What are the advantages/disadvantes to both setups aside from price? I just got Infinity Kappas (6.5" comps and 6x9 3 ways) and a JVC MP3 HU installed. Thanks for your input.

Austin519

98CL30:
First off the only reason you'd get a JL amp is if you were running a high impedance. Aka between 4 and 6 ohms. Otherwise it's a waste. They're pricey and honestly a RF or Phoenix Gold Titanium would do just as well, or better, at a much lower price.

Austin519

98CL30

Austin519:

The Phoenix Gold TI series are actually priced higher than the JL Amps that I am looking at, and Rockford does not have a monoblock Class D amp under 500W RMS. I'd rather go with a good class D mono Amp than bridge a 2 channel Rockford Class A/B Amp to run a sub rated for 250W RMS. Any other suggestions? Thanks.

Austin519

98CL30:
You'll be hard pressed to find a low wattage monoblock class D...because you use those for large sub systems. Why else would you want to get a class D which has a nonlinear spectral curve (as a result of the high frequency switching supply) except if you were producing enough SPL not to hear the distortion, or because you were worried about huge current draw? Can you explain why you want one for your single 10w3?

Austin519

98CL30

Yes, I am looking for an SQ system that will not require a cap or draw a large current. If I go the Rockford route, I'd probably do the 550X and the 500BD with an HX2 sub, but that will be 500W rms on the sub and not as tight or clean sounding as the 10w3. I'd also probably have to get a 1F cap to go with those Rockford amps. I can also get a 350S or 450S Rockford amp and bridge it for the sub (can you bridge those into 2 ohms?), but then it will likely get very hot and inefficient since it will be a class A/B amp. I'd really like to nail down what I need very soon because listening to my Kappas from my HU is such a waste. Any ideas? Thanks for your input.

Austin519

98CL30:
Well if you're looking for SQ stay away from RF subs...some of the worst SQ out there IMHO. You won't need a capacitor powering a 10w3 with ANY amp below 400W, unless you have a lot of other stuff in the car. A 400W RF 400a4 only draws 30A, and that's at full...if you run it at 75% like you should, and get 300W out of it, you're looking at about 25A draw...your electronics system can definitely handle that. You CAN bridge the amps into 2 ohms...but you need to massively cool them. Otherwise you'll fry them. I can bridge mine into 3 with just mild cooling. Really...you don't need a D class...your power system can handle a small amp like you're looking at perfectly fine.

Austin519