I went up to HiFi Buys yesterday and had a long chat with the guys in the car audio department. I went just to buy an adapter for my iPod, but then we got to talking and they ended up showing me their custom install department. It was pretty awesome to see what they were doing considering it looked similar to the show cars on Alpine's site - they had a wood shop, install bay, fiberglass all over the place.
After all of that and about 30 minutes of chatting, I told them that I was looking for an amp to power my Alpine Type-R components, and they recommended JL' s 300/4. They explained RIPS, and pointed out the huge use of aluminum heatsinks to cool them.
The amp looked and sounded like an awesome investment, but I don't think that it's worth shelling out the money for it. They wanted $500, but I know for sure that I can get it for under $300.
What is your guys opinions?
Here is a link to the mfg's site for the amp:
http://www.jlaudio.com/amps/3004.html
Thanks,
Sean
Replies (5)
ttocs on 06/20/2005 10:12:16
I thought they were overpriced too, until I started installing them. They have great cross overs and more then enough super clean pwr. I am pretty picky but willing to pay for quality, I could own JL.
swez on 06/20/2005 12:51:05
The more I read and listen to JL products, the better I like them. The price is pretty stiff, but like any "investment grade" gear, If we cost average the price over 5 years (or more) it's a lot easier to justify the price and still have a full warrantee.
Swez
MrBrownstone on 06/20/2005 14:19:03
Just about ANY heat sinks on an amplifier are adequate. Where you install it is most important. As far as vaule, JL is highly reliable, and very good quality--just not very price friendly.
There are so many other companies out there, Mamphis, Crossfire, MTX, Rockford, Phoenix Gold, Alpine, Earthquake, Kicker, Orion, PPI, ...etc..that I would look at cost and future upgrades prior to making a decision. If you never improve on your system, then look more at cost.
lessismorespl on 06/20/2005 16:58:08
JL Audio does have very reliable equipment, it is just very pricey. I own a set of JL W3v2's, but I did much research in choosing my amps, I decided to go w/ the Diamond Audio amps, price was probably 30% of the reason, but performance was probably a major percentage also, as was quality.
Crossfire, MTX Audio, Phoenix Gold, etc...are all good choices, not too sure about the "MAMPHIS" :) LOL(had to take a shot at Mr B here)...but I do know Memphis would not be a bad choice either, also, Memphis has become more price friendly b/c they want to compete more w/ the big box stores w/out selling out to them.
If you are looking for a long term investment, and do not plan on changing your system anytime soon, I would look more at warranty than price. Memphis, Crossfire, Diamond Audio, Phoenix Gold all have better warranties than JL or any of DEI Electronics lines(Orion, PPI, Directed, Viper). Bang for dollar ratio, IMO, you can't beat Diamond Audio or Memphis, great quality and technology for an affordable price, plus an awesome warranty, my Diamond amps are 3 years b/c I purchased from an authorized dealer, if I had let them install them, it would be 5 years. I bought both my Diamond amps for the cost of the JL 300/4...just something to think about.
less
aposynthesi on 06/20/2005 21:19:03
Alright, thanks guys.
After all of that and about 30 minutes of chatting, I told them that I was looking for an amp to power my Alpine Type-R components, and they recommended JL' s 300/4. They explained RIPS, and pointed out the huge use of aluminum heatsinks to cool them.
The amp looked and sounded like an awesome investment, but I don't think that it's worth shelling out the money for it. They wanted $500, but I know for sure that I can get it for under $300.
What is your guys opinions?
Here is a link to the mfg's site for the amp:
http://www.jlaudio.com/amps/3004.html
Thanks,
Sean
Replies (5)
ttocs on 06/20/2005 10:12:16
I thought they were overpriced too, until I started installing them. They have great cross overs and more then enough super clean pwr. I am pretty picky but willing to pay for quality, I could own JL.
swez on 06/20/2005 12:51:05
The more I read and listen to JL products, the better I like them. The price is pretty stiff, but like any "investment grade" gear, If we cost average the price over 5 years (or more) it's a lot easier to justify the price and still have a full warrantee.
Swez
MrBrownstone on 06/20/2005 14:19:03
Just about ANY heat sinks on an amplifier are adequate. Where you install it is most important. As far as vaule, JL is highly reliable, and very good quality--just not very price friendly.
There are so many other companies out there, Mamphis, Crossfire, MTX, Rockford, Phoenix Gold, Alpine, Earthquake, Kicker, Orion, PPI, ...etc..that I would look at cost and future upgrades prior to making a decision. If you never improve on your system, then look more at cost.
lessismorespl on 06/20/2005 16:58:08
JL Audio does have very reliable equipment, it is just very pricey. I own a set of JL W3v2's, but I did much research in choosing my amps, I decided to go w/ the Diamond Audio amps, price was probably 30% of the reason, but performance was probably a major percentage also, as was quality.
Crossfire, MTX Audio, Phoenix Gold, etc...are all good choices, not too sure about the "MAMPHIS" :) LOL(had to take a shot at Mr B here)...but I do know Memphis would not be a bad choice either, also, Memphis has become more price friendly b/c they want to compete more w/ the big box stores w/out selling out to them.
If you are looking for a long term investment, and do not plan on changing your system anytime soon, I would look more at warranty than price. Memphis, Crossfire, Diamond Audio, Phoenix Gold all have better warranties than JL or any of DEI Electronics lines(Orion, PPI, Directed, Viper). Bang for dollar ratio, IMO, you can't beat Diamond Audio or Memphis, great quality and technology for an affordable price, plus an awesome warranty, my Diamond amps are 3 years b/c I purchased from an authorized dealer, if I had let them install them, it would be 5 years. I bought both my Diamond amps for the cost of the JL 300/4...just something to think about.
less
aposynthesi on 06/20/2005 21:19:03
Alright, thanks guys.
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