Amp upgrade for 12" w7. Help Please

[coryespy]

I currently have my 12w7 powered by my 1600 watt mono block hifonics that I used to have powering my type r. I am pretty sure that I'm not using my very expensive sub to its potential, so I've been doing alot of research on the correct amp for the 12w7. If I'm going to upgrade my amp from what I already have, I know that I need to stick with a JL amp. I'm pretty much sold on buying a used JL 1000.1, but I have two concerns that I would like to get advice on first.

1) I've read on a few forums that if I were to get the 500.1 there would be very little difference between that and the 1000.1

2) I'm concerned that if I buy the 1000.1 my stock alternator won't be able to handle the load that the amplifier puts on it. I already have a 1 farrad capacitor. Upgrading my alternator pretty much isnt an option at all, so if this is the case I will just get the 500.1

When I first started getting into systems about a year ago I knew nothing, and I've been slowly learning but I really need expert advice right now. My local car audio store will tell me whatever I want to hear, so you guys are my only source for advice. Any help is appreciated.

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[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

I currently have my 12w7 powered by my 1600 watt mono block hifonics that I used to have powering my type r. I am pretty sure that I'm not using my very expensive sub to its potential, so I've been doing alot of research on the correct amp for the 12w7. If I'm going to upgrade my amp from what I already have, I know that I need to stick with a JL amp. I'm pretty much sold on buying a used JL 1000.1, but I have two concerns that I would like to get advice on first.1) I've read on a few forums that if I were to get the 500.1 there would be very little difference between that and the 1000.1

2) I'm concerned that if I buy the 1000.1 my stock alternator won't be able to handle the load that the amplifier puts on it. I already have a 1 farrad capacitor. Upgrading my alternator pretty much isnt an option at all, so if this is the case I will just get the 500.1

When I first started getting into systems about a year ago I knew nothing, and I've been slowly learning but I really need expert advice right now. My local car audio store will tell me whatever I want to hear, so you guys are my only source for advice. Any help is appreciated.

You are here because you want to get the most out of your sub, and you are seriously considering buying a 500/1?
There is a big difference between a 500/1 and a 1000/1. But the person who told you this may have been under the impression your charging system would be unable to produce the current needed to allow the other 500 watts to be generated. Either way, whoever told you they are basically the same made a pretty stupid comment, or you misunderstood them badly.

If you've been in this hobby about a year now, its high time you start learning about speaker impedances, and how that affects amplifier output. You should be able to answer most of this confusion on your own by now.

If you are concerned your charging system is inadequate, Im confused why you have decided you must run one of the least efficient amplifier lines on the market (the JL slash series). You want to maximize your sub's potential, but you insist on a horribly inefficient amp design, even to the expense of dropping down to an amp half the size, in order to minimize current draw from the alt. This thread was suppose to be about getting the most out of your W7, but all I see is someone saying they are going to chose a 500 watt amplifier simply because of the name brand. Clearly this isn't about maximizing subwoofer potential, its about digging up excuses to buy an undersized JL amp just because its JL.

 

[Cruzer 10+ year member]

AQ1200D $250 shipped, will make that w7 pound as hard as it is supposed to.

Im running one with 4 gauge wire, not 1 single electrical upgrade, no big 3, etc. im getting a solid 14.4 volts right at the amp, no cap, no distro, no fuses, etc.

JL is good, but costs entirely too much.