Choosing an amplifier
 

So I have a a JL 13TW5-3. And I think I can do better then my current amp.

I am looking two amps right now, feel free to suggest what you think is best.
Alpine PDX M6
JL Audio HD750/1

:tiphat:

I have a massive audio N4 running at 2.6 ohms pushing my 3 Alpine 8inch Type R's. My subs are seeing close to 1000 watts and the amp barely gets warm. If I'm not mistaken, that's probably the same amount of power you want to send to your JL sub to wake it up.

I just switched from a JL HD/900 and wasn't all that impressed. Plus, it seemed to heat up a lot quicker than the N4. Lastly the massive amps have a small foot print and cost less. You may want to give them a look:

Massive Audio*::*Amplifiers*::*N4 - Mono Block Amplifier

1000W@2ohms RMS
On JL's webpage its telling anything over 600W RMS can blow it.
I bet you know more them me on audio things but I'm a bit hesitant.
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/images/14461.jpg

Just use your gain knob and adjust it down plus you will never see 1000 unless your head unit is at full tilt with the amp at full gain. "depending on the amp as well"

I prefer the alpine amps. Great bang for the buck, my vote goes for the pdx.

I have a JL HD900 amplifier driving my 13TW5 at 500 watts RMS and it rocks! Make sure your enclosure is sealed VERY well. The slightest air leak will dramatically reduce output and sound quality. When I first got it, It was ok but not what I was hoping for. I took my box out and I was inspecting the driver and pushing on it and I could hear air excaping. I sealed inside and all of the outside edges and seams with fiberglass. Back together and cone test. Ahh Sealed! I started playing it and I was floored! Not only was the bass crushingly low but the sub was crisp and tight. It sounded great! I am now adding some more insulation behind the panels and area around the box.

Long story short - 500W will do the job. I would not push this sub much past that, especially a JL HD amp. Any more power would simply exceed its mechanical limits.

This sub is very loud! and it kicks like a mule!

I find that JL AUDIO XD600/1 is a perfect match for the 13tw5.

The reason I suggested an amp the pushes 1000w is that it gives you headroom. As the previous poster stated, you can turn the gain down on the amp so that you don't over power the sub. In addition, that additional headroom equals less strain on the electrical system (because your not maxing out the power of the amp), decreases the heat generated by the amp and gives you the option to expand your system should you feel the need to in the future.

Headroom in an amp is like horsepower in a car, you can never have enough :ughdance:

Correct

If you do go Alpine, go with the M12. I believe you would not be disappointed......

Everyone just loves JL Audio. Hell, I had a full JL system (subs/amps and components) in my car before my new setup. I will agree that JL produces good subs and amps. However, JL is a bit overpriced. In my opinion, they're are many other choices to be considered that could meet or exceed JL's offerings at a considerably lesser price point.

Just my humble opinion.....

I do not like JL simply for the fact of how they come off as thinking they are the best out there because of how much they charge for their products. I mean even their stealth boxes are insanely over priced.

I bet your setups sounds awesome! Congrats! :tiphat:

However, I guarantee that your sub is not seeing 500 watts. It's maybe seeing 350 watts, tops. You have to remember that there are 4 additional channels being driven within the HD900. That has an impact on the amps ability to drive the sub channel. Also, as bigaudiofanat has stated, you'd have to adjust the gain on the amp and head unit to full tilt just to see that amount of power. At that point, the sound would more than likely distort and you'd probably end up damaging your speakers.

Like I said, I had the same amp as you. It was pushing JL separates (tweeters/mid bass) and two JL 8w3's in a sealed enclosure. Everything was processed through my Audison bit one. On many occasions, the amp would become exhausted and loose its musicality which resulted in a degradation of sound. If you play your music at reference levels (I believe most of us do), you will exhaust the power reserves of the HD900. That was my experience; however yours seems to be different.

To the OP - Per your post, you’re trying to decide between the Alpine M6 and the JL HD750. If you want to save some cash, go with the Alpine. I think that’s a smart move and is a good amp. By the way, what are you using to drive your front speakers?

I agree with you wholeheartedly. Plus their gear is made in China next to everyone else's gear. So why are they charging more :confused:

You guys talk of Gain like a volume adjustment.

Gain is there to level match your head unit to the input of your amplifier.

JL in this instance will give you a specific Voltage adjustments to set up with their amplifiers.

As for power ratings JL HD series will give you the output they say they will. They are in fact very conservative with their ratings. So if it says 500 Watts you are getting that and more.

When they engineer their amplifiers they go through extended engineerng in US and very tight tolerances of manufacturing... Are there amps better ya I am sure... But they propably cost just as much if they were the same quality and offered apples to apples.

At the end of the day JL AUDIO like all other brands can be had for a lot less then retail, it is a fact and part of doing business in car audio today... And for a piece of mind when you buy JL AUDIO you know it is going to perform and you are not taking any chances.

BTW

I have some Older Series one Slash series used amps for a great deal if anyone is interested... :tiphat: