JBL 1200.1 vs kicker 1200.1

**maniackilla** · 09-21-2003

i was thinking the kicker would plain smoke the JBL but when i looked at max power @ 1ohm they are both right around 1400. the kicker costs almost 2x the price .... im sure its built better but if the JBL is stable at 1 ohm will i see a difference?

im really not worried about an extreme minimal SQ difference between the 2. just total output, anyone heard almost identical systems with these 2 different amps? i know a guy selling his kicker for 250+shipping used and id really like to lower my truck/get subs first but if the amp is as good as it says ill get the amp first and halt everything else

**lombardo** · 09-21-2003

A friend of mine had a jbl 1200.1. It was loud as hell, i'm not sure about the kicker, but what i've heard is that they are underated quite a bit. So i'm sure either would be very loud.

**Gauntlet** · 09-21-2003

With price not being an option, I'd take the Kicker any day of the week.

***nswartley*** · 09-21-2003

the kicker owns the JBL in

1) build quality
2) looks
3) and under-ratedness....esnes...ness....

-nate

***nswartley*** · 09-21-2003

Originally Posted by Jmac

The BP1200.1 will produce ~1300 RMS @ 1 ohm, maybe up to 1350. The Kicker KX1200.1 produces over 1400 RMS @ 1 ohm, some over 1500 ...

So you're looking at at least an extra 100 watts (pretty nominal), much better build quality, much easier controls, and a much more reliable amplifier.

thank you, echo.

-nate

**denim** · 09-21-2003

I have run many a kicker, they are worth it

**maniackilla** · 09-21-2003

arent they pretty power hungry? chomping away with 150amps to output that much? im gonna be keeping my stock alt and battery for a while till i get my truck fixed up :P

is the JBL stable at 1ohm? i know a lot of people have heard yes but how does it perform? get hot, overheat, cutoff? i just think ill have to pass on this kicker amp for 100watts even though i do want it. but 100 watts isnt enough of a factor for me to change up my plans. thanks for the info a lot guys, VERY helpful. my friend has 2 l7s and im sure he will buy it and his system will pwn me

**60_cent** · 09-21-2003

Kicker owns JBL.. :thumbs_up

You get what you pay for.

***Bavarian3*** · 09-21-2003

Any amp at 1 ohm putting out that mujch wattage is gona be power hungry. JBL 1200 is no better. I run mine on my stock electrical and only get dimmage when its turned way up.

**LudePower** · 09-23-2003

The Kicker 1200.1 is much better than the JBL...here's why.

The JBL is like a mini oven. It gets hot.
The JBL doesn't sound as good as the Kicker..I've heard both.

When in car audio, you get what you pay for. I would trust Kicker any day before I bother with JBL. And on top of that, the Kicker will do about 1500 watts on a regular. The JBL is limited to 114 amps of current. It won't touch 1500 watts.

**crhye250r** · 09-25-2003

Ive seen the Kickers put out 1600 @ work. The SX1250.1 will be my next amp..

**zane** · 09-26-2003

Originally Posted by LudePower

The Kicker 1200.1 is much better than the JBL...here's why.

The JBL doesn't sound as good as the Kicker..I've heard both.

I'll call that bluff.

There is no possible way that 1 amplifier can "sound better" than another. Circuit boards, transistors, and resistors, etc. do not hold any way of influencing sound quality in an amplifier.

maniackilla - I would highly reccomend Not purchasing the JBL BP1200.1.

Several other amplifiers out there of better reliability.

My own 1200.1 has had so many of it's internal's replaced numerous times, that is has cost me more money than the amp was purchased for.

Seems that every other week something else goes wrong.

I have always had a beef with the crossover; it's plain horrid.

The internal circuitry is fairly clean, however, there is a blatant over use of hot glue to secure things together. Something which I feel has an impact on the amplifier's overall reliability.

I'd steer clear of the JBL, problems waiting to happen IMO.

take it easy.

-zane

***nswartley*** · 09-26-2003

Originally Posted by zane

I'll call that bluff.

There is no possible way that 1 amplifier can "sound better" than another. Circuit boards, transistors, and resistors, etc. do not hold any way of influencing sound quality in an amplifier.

yeah i've never really understood when people say "this amp sounds good." the only time that will come into play is with speaker amps or amps with high THD that are powering subs.

i would personally go for one of those soundstream picassos that david is selling in the for sale section...

-nate

**stangsounds** · 09-30-2003

that all sounds good......what does each amp put out to a single sub that is dual 4 ohms, where you cant get 1 ohm eh??? just for conversation....

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