JL HD900/5 VS Zed Audio Levathian III

Rectorna

Hey everyone,
I'm looking to purchase a new amp since I just sold my old one. I am running a 2 way active setup up front with some Focal 165 V30 components and them one sub. Right now I have an Infinity Kappa 120.9w but I am getting ready to purchase either a Polk SR 124 or a JL 12w6.
Which of those subs would be better. I can get the SR for sound 200 used or 300 new for a single voice coil one. And I can get the JL for about 350 from an authorized dealer. I have also looked at a hertz Mille sub but didn't really look into it too much.
Also which of those amps do you think would be better for my setup. Size doesn't matter. The price for the Zed is 788 and the JL is 659 shipped from an authorized dealer.
I am also open to suggestions but not else has interested me because the Audison voce 5.1k which is a bit more than I am looking to spend even with dealer pricing.

Any help would be great!

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RonRizz

Given the choice between the JL and the ZED, personally I would chose the ZED 10 out of 10 times.
Almost double the power, better processing options, and ZED has always had a great reputation.
JL amps, although they are good units, IMHO are overpriced, and much more can be had for the $$$

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P99rs Head Unit--- Amps- 2 Pioneer Prs800d --- Zapco ST1000MX---Zapco ST-4XSQ---- SI BM mk5 Subs---SI TM65v2 Midbass--- SI M3 mids--- SI M25 xbl2 tweeters ----- 2016 MECA street class 3rd place at world finals

Rectorna

See that's how I was to and then my JL guy said he'd give it to me for only 659 shipped which I know is not dealer but it was a pretty good price and that made me start rethinking the Leviathan. Because I had been wanting the Leviathan for a while now and can finally afford it but the JL also seemed like a good option.

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RonRizz

$659 is definetely a much more reasonable price, for sure, and makes the decision tough.....
But the ZED is just flat out sexy to boot!!!

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P99rs Head Unit--- Amps- 2 Pioneer Prs800d --- Zapco ST1000MX---Zapco ST-4XSQ---- SI BM mk5 Subs---SI TM65v2 Midbass--- SI M3 mids--- SI M25 xbl2 tweeters ----- 2016 MECA street class 3rd place at world finals

Rectorna

That is exactly my problem haha. But yes the ZED defiantly wins in looks department.

How would the sound quality compare between the both?

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RonRizz

Probably more of a personal taste thing. To say one has better sound quality than the other is pretty far fetched when comparing quality equipment.
Anyone that tells you they can tell a difference, IMO is full of BS. This day and age, pretty much any quality amp will be completely colorless when being used within its limitations. Whe I hear people say that this amp is "warm sounding", or "robust" I'd like to poke them in the eye with a stick!!!!
Before the flamers kick in, were not comparing a high end amp to a boss audio amp from walmart. Thats for another discussion.
All being said, I would opt for the ZED not only for the appearance, but as previously mentioned, better processing options, and more power. well worth the extra $$ (not to mention it is a 6 channel, and the jl is a 5)
IMO JL audio makes some great subs, and some darn good amps, I just think there are similar options out there for far less $$$.
Kinda like sunglasses. I will not pay $150 for a pair just because it says oakley on the side. I can get a pair that do the exact same thing for $30.
but thats just me.

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P99rs Head Unit--- Amps- 2 Pioneer Prs800d --- Zapco ST1000MX---Zapco ST-4XSQ---- SI BM mk5 Subs---SI TM65v2 Midbass--- SI M3 mids--- SI M25 xbl2 tweeters ----- 2016 MECA street class 3rd place at world finals

RonRizz

Just a quick side note.....do the math per watt of power
Jl $659 900 watt .73 per
Zed $788 1140 watt .69 per
Theres a number thats hard to argue with!

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P99rs Head Unit--- Amps- 2 Pioneer Prs800d --- Zapco ST1000MX---Zapco ST-4XSQ---- SI BM mk5 Subs---SI TM65v2 Midbass--- SI M3 mids--- SI M25 xbl2 tweeters ----- 2016 MECA street class 3rd place at world finals

jooonnn

Looks:
I personally find the JL HD amps to look much better (more mature/look much better in cars). The JL amps match cars much better than a ZED with "nifty" lights and design.


Customer Service:
JL audio has amazing customer support. I have dealt with them many times. The owner of ZED audio is very strong opinioned to say the least. I would be very worried about ever having a warranty claim with ZED knowing they don't have the financial capital support and market share that JL has.


Power/Sound Quality:
If anyone doubts JL HD amps in sound quality, check out actual MECA/IASCA competition winners. I have been to several meets/competitions where all of the BEST sounding cars (both in my opinion and those that have won). Take for instance a few years back JL Audio HD amps and the C5 set won the extreme/master class.


I have owned and have several friends that have owned ZED Leviathans. Granted, we had the first few versions, but it was a PAIN to get ZED to fix the amps. They had several noise issues that you really couldn't really fix. It was very reminiscent of the original alpine PDX amps. I also DO NOT like the way the Leviathan's wiring layouts work. Speaker Wires and power on one side, and rca's on the other. Pain in the *** really most of the time when you want to hide wires, or work on less flashy builds. I'm sure now ZED has cleaned up much of their amps to work much smoother, but still it's not enough for me to sway away from them. I know more people that have switched from ZED than have kept them.

Many people hate on JL with the unanimous "it's overpriced". I guarantee you most of those people have never owned any of the products. In car audio, you get what you pay for. The JL Audio build quality in their W7 and HD amp lines are top notch. I HAVE owned the JL Audio HD amps, the slash amps, W6's, W7's. They are all GREAT products, and worth it IF YOU can appreciate everything that embodies the products. I have NEVER had any dissatisfied friends that i have prescribed JL Audio W7's and HD amps. If you are wondering what I have to reference all this, I have OWNED everything from Hertz amps, Boston Acoustics Pro's, Alpine Type-X, Hertz HX/Mille subs, and a multitude of Audison products. I used to have an Audison Thesis 3-way setup. I have come a long way of losing money from buying and trying things out all sorts of car audio. I STILL own an Audison LRx 5.1k. IMHO the only other brand worth comparing to JL Audio is Audison. I am switching from my Audison LRx 5.1k because I could not fit it in my stealth 370z build.


Don't get caught up in the number game of WATTS and specs.


At the end of the day, amps as nice as the ZED and JL HD still only show their true qualities when paired with a nice active processor. EG: Pioneer DEX-P99RS, Audison Bitone or Bitten, and the Mosconi 6to8.

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Try things once to see how it feels. Try things a second time to make sure you didn't like it

Rectorna

Thanks for the input!
You definitely made some really good points!
I have an Audison Bit Ten D right now that I will be using with whatever amp I end up buying...

I hate hard decisions!

RonRizz

Let us know which way you decide.
either way, you're ending up with a quality unit!

__________________
P99rs Head Unit--- Amps- 2 Pioneer Prs800d --- Zapco ST1000MX---Zapco ST-4XSQ---- SI BM mk5 Subs---SI TM65v2 Midbass--- SI M3 mids--- SI M25 xbl2 tweeters ----- 2016 MECA street class 3rd place at world finals

Rectorna

Thanks for the help!

As of right now I have ordered the JL HD900/5. My friend that was giving me the deal got tired of me bothering him haha so, he gave me and even lower price and even said he would let me try it for 60 days and if I did not like it completely then he would gladly take it back and see if he could get the ZED for me.

Hopefully I will like it! Thanks for the help!

Has anyone heard the Hertz Mille sub? How would that compare to the JL W6?

RonRizz

I've heard good things about them, but no personal experience.

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P99rs Head Unit--- Amps- 2 Pioneer Prs800d --- Zapco ST1000MX---Zapco ST-4XSQ---- SI BM mk5 Subs---SI TM65v2 Midbass--- SI M3 mids--- SI M25 xbl2 tweeters ----- 2016 MECA street class 3rd place at world finals

jooonnn

I'm sure ull love either amp


IMHO the mille sounds just like hx sub when tuned correctly. Also the mille stubs are discontinued.


The W6 is a great sub and surprisingly similar to the hx sub(I'm sure hertz copied much of it). The only difference is the hx sub fits in much smaller boxes with slightly more efficiency at the cost of low end extension, while the w6 gives u a much more extended response but requires a slight bit more power in my experiences comparing them in the same car. I've owned both (I've owned 3 pairs of hx's) and I'd go w6 over the hx just because I hate the mounting rings on the hx subs.

If you could I would always spring for the W7 though if you were going sealed. Its essentially "effortless" bass for the lack of better words.

Is there any way your friend could hook me up with the same deal on the hd900/5?



Sent from my Nexus 7

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Try things once to see how it feels. Try things a second time to make sure you didn't like it

bigaudiofanat

IMO JL is overprice and haven installed them along with many other brands I can say I prefer other higher end manufactures over JL.

As far as the comment on JL having great customer service, at least one of my customers will have to disagree with you. Before you go saying he didnt buy authorized, he most certainly did. And wanted to charge him for multiple things even when the amp was only a few months old.

I can not speak for zed amps because I have never used them, however given that Ron has I would take his advice and go with Zed.

On a side note Ron, as an audiphile I can most certainly hear the difference when switching amps, I would put that to a blind test if I had to.

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Rectorna

Well I got the JL HD today and got it temporally installed. First impressions seems like a pretty nice amp. I knew it was small but I did not realize just how small it was even coming from a JBL "tiny" amp, the MS-A1004.

I have not received the Bit Ten D so I am running the speakers with crossovers bridged right now. I haven't got any tuning done on the amp yet but I have some mad alternator whine going on haha.

Oh well though ill just wait till the bit ten d comes in so I don't have to fix everything twice.

Then I will really be able to test it out and see if its for me!

Thanks for the help everyone.
And big I know that JL is way over priced but I got this one on a dang good deal that made it much much much more appealing then it would of been at the retail price.

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