Hey everyone, I just got a pair of JL 12w3's with a JL 500/1 amp. I've had an Earthquake 200DHC sitting in my garage for a few years. I know the 200DHC is 1400w @2Ohm's, but it is old tech, compared to the 500w RMS JL. Which amp would be best for my subs?
better as in..? JL makes some real quality amps although they are a bit pricey..no they dont overrate their amps but they put out what they are supposed to and its at a constant at their rated rms between their rated voltages (11v-14.5v), there arent any other amps that do that. But yes the EQ amp is rated for higher watts rms and still a good amp, but i wouldn't say it is better because they arent even in the same ballpark of watts
ok, lets see which one will be better for sure cause the sub wants about 500RMS. The wattage before clipping on the 200DHC @2Ohms is 1436RMS and @ 4Ohms it is 849RMS. Now, depending on the resistance of the subs I would go with the Earthquake just because it will put out more power, and taterose probably wants loud but sounding good. IMO, the JL would get the job done but it wouldnt be as loud, but it might sound a tad better. Even though adding power won't make a big difference in dB it may sound louder to the human ear.
Wow, awesome answers, people. I would rather have better sound than more volume. I'm also trying prevent these speakers from frying over time. I understand that I'm comparing apples and oranges here in a sense, but I'm trying to figure out which one of these amps would be best specifically for these subs, not which amp is better. I've heard that the 200DHC pushes dirty power & that running a 200DHC at low voltage is a dead amp. I know nothing about JL amps. According to the JL 12W3v2-D4Ohm manual, I should not use more than 300W RMS per speaker. So even though the EQ outrates the JL in terms of Wattage, I would still pot the EQ down to the recommended 300w RMS per speaker in the end anyway...Maybe 350. = D So is this JL amp 100w RMS shy of being good enough for these speakers, or is it fine, or somehow perfect for these subs? Getting back to the EQ & Low Voltage; I'm going to be using a regular car battery & a 1.5 Farad cap. I have an extra 1 Farad cap that I can run in series, but hopefully the 1.5 will be enough to run the EQ at 4 Ohm's. What do you guys think? 12W3v2-D4 Manual http://mobile.jlaudio.com/pdfs/12W3v2_MAN.pdf
JL is not the only company that makes amplifiers with regulated power supplies. It is not new or crazy technology. Many many many amps put out the same power from 11-14 volts. I used to own a 500/1...I loved it. It actually puts out 600-750 watts. I would rather use that. The old school amp is good...probably an unregulated design. I wouldn't use it if you don't have a stout electrical. The 500/1 will do just fine.
By stout electrical, do you mean voltage, or wire gauge? If I ran the EQ @849w RMS, would it still require 0 gauge wire? If so, what's the theory behind that? I understand the whole preparing for the future deal when it comes to getting 0 guage wire, but I hope to never replace this crap again. Until I die or it's stolen, of course. When you replaced your 500/1, did you stick to the JL brand? If not, why?
sorry been out of town.. yes i prefer old school gear,and it has a lil more power to boot. if you dont need that much power then the JL will work just fine. ive heard the older EQ stuff and i liked there sound, now this was just a small 2ch a/b amp..a 275 something. ive also heard what a jl amp can do. both will work. i guess it boils down to price.
