I'm looking at buying new amplifiers for my systems, and wanted some help making the decision.
What I have:
What I want:
The reason I'm wanting to split these subs up is because my wife and I are expecting, and I need to make room in my trunk for a stroller. Sad, I know.
I know that with a 3 ohm setup, I'll at least need an amp rated for 3 ohms or lower. In an ideal situation, I would get an amp with a regulated power supply - like the JL Audio Slash series. I've been considering the 250/1 or the 500/1.
Now, I'm not an enthusiast. I've been told by enthusiasts that JL Audio is all marketing and no meat (as is Bose). That doesn't surprise me. However, my ear isn't yet trained well enough to tell the difference in sound quality, and I want something that won't burn the subs out, or burn itself out. From what I know the JL Audio Slash series is built for applications like this, so that is why I've been considering those the most. Also, my wife's car doesn't have any aftermarket audio equipment installed - nor does it have any pre-amp sub leads - and I've been told that the Slash series is very good in that situation as well.
Regarding gain: I know gain doesn't directly control volume, it controls the input sensitivity. I also know that if the gain is turned way down, the subs don't distort as easily when the volume is turned up. So, by my logic, if I buy an amplifier with a higher rated power and turn the gain way down, then I'll get less distortion when I turn the volume up. Granted, I should be trying to match the gain of the sub amp to the gain of the factory amp (that runs the rest of my speakers).
This leans me to the 500/1 over the 250/1. In addition, the 500/1 amp has a remote bass control knob that would be very useful when we have a sleeping baby in the back seat.
However, I'm open to other suggestions for other amps - as long as you guys think it will fit my systems. If any of my facts are wrong/misguided, let me know. Thanks!!
What I have:
- My car: 2000 Maxima
- 3 JL Audio 10W6 subwoofers (not 10W6v2, original 10W6)
- Rated 300W RMS each
- Each dual voice coil
- 6 ohms each coil
- With the coils wired in series and the speakers wired in parallel, the 3 subs have a grand total of 4 ohms
- 1 Kicker KX150.2 Bridged (I know, incredibly underpowered)
- 1 individually sealed 3-way box
- Factory Bose system with original sub leads (pre-amp) running to Kicker amp
- 3 JL Audio 10W6 subwoofers (not 10W6v2, original 10W6)
- My wife's car: 2005 Maxima
- Factory Bose system with no original sub
What I want:
- 1 x 10W6 in my car
- With the coils wired in parallel, the 1 sub will have a total of 3 ohms
- 1 x 10W6 in my wife's car (same config)
- 1 x 10W6 to sell or keep as a spare
The reason I'm wanting to split these subs up is because my wife and I are expecting, and I need to make room in my trunk for a stroller. Sad, I know.
I know that with a 3 ohm setup, I'll at least need an amp rated for 3 ohms or lower. In an ideal situation, I would get an amp with a regulated power supply - like the JL Audio Slash series. I've been considering the 250/1 or the 500/1.
Now, I'm not an enthusiast. I've been told by enthusiasts that JL Audio is all marketing and no meat (as is Bose). That doesn't surprise me. However, my ear isn't yet trained well enough to tell the difference in sound quality, and I want something that won't burn the subs out, or burn itself out. From what I know the JL Audio Slash series is built for applications like this, so that is why I've been considering those the most. Also, my wife's car doesn't have any aftermarket audio equipment installed - nor does it have any pre-amp sub leads - and I've been told that the Slash series is very good in that situation as well.
Regarding gain: I know gain doesn't directly control volume, it controls the input sensitivity. I also know that if the gain is turned way down, the subs don't distort as easily when the volume is turned up. So, by my logic, if I buy an amplifier with a higher rated power and turn the gain way down, then I'll get less distortion when I turn the volume up. Granted, I should be trying to match the gain of the sub amp to the gain of the factory amp (that runs the rest of my speakers).
This leans me to the 500/1 over the 250/1. In addition, the 500/1 amp has a remote bass control knob that would be very useful when we have a sleeping baby in the back seat.
However, I'm open to other suggestions for other amps - as long as you guys think it will fit my systems. If any of my facts are wrong/misguided, let me know. Thanks!!
