Eh. JL is great, just so expensive. Try
www.ficaraudio.com for subs.
Quite an excellent company with the CS to back it up.
As far as amps go, Kicker is good, as is Rockford Fosgate. Or Sundown Audio.
LOL at the setting gains by ear. Let somebody who knows how set your gains. Unless you have access to an oscilloscope, that is.