JBL Gto3501 vs RF R500-1

[CleaveTheGreat 10+ year member]

Just wondering if anyone has experience with either of these amps:

JBL GTO3501:

JBL® GTO3501 MONOBLOCK CAR AMPLIFIER AMP GTO-3501 *NEW* - eBay (item 360309202412 end time Nov-10-10 08:20:14 PST)

RF R500-1:

ROCKFORD FOSGATE R500-1 PRIME MONOBLOCK AMPLIFIER NEW - eBay (item 140460299745 end time Oct-30-10 09:24:19 PDT)

The amp will be powering a single SSA Dcon 12" DVC in a ported box. The Rockford has more power but I've heard that they have a tendency to overheat. The JBL has less power but I've heard good things about JBL. Just wondering if anyone has used either of these and what your experience was. Thanks for the input

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[LiveAudio911 10+ year member]

Your sub is 300rms with dual 4 Ohm right?

Prime is 500@ 2 Ohm..

JBL is 360@ 2 Ohm.. (I'm pretty sure all the Mono GTO's are Class D.. NOT class A/b..)

JBL would be a better pick for your sub... head room but not overpowering it to burn it up.. plus JBL makes Good Amps..

 

[CleaveTheGreat 10+ year member]

Your sub is 300rms with dual 4 Ohm right?
Prime is 500@ 2 Ohm..

JBL is 360@ 2 Ohm.. (I'm pretty sure all the Mono GTO's are Class D.. NOT class A/b..)

JBL would be a better pick for your sub... head room but not overpowering it to burn it up.. plus JBL makes Good Amps..

So the class A/B on the ebay listing is a misprint? That would definitely influence the decision..

 

[LiveAudio911 10+ year member]

I'm not saying it is or is not.. I'm just saying to what I recall because I asked the same thing about my 1200.1 II-Z and the new GTO-1400.1

The JBL Technical Engineer directly with JBL because I bought direct.. told me all their Mono GTO's were class D and only 1 of the GT5 Mono's was Class D, and the rest of the GT5's were A/B...

So.. What I'm saying is the best I know from what I was told by JBL is they are all D class.. but who knows.. even he could have been missinformed.

In my opinion.. the prime is a good Value amp.. dont get me wrong.. but that is a generic amp.. with generic parts.. and assembly.. you open one up and its very empty inside compaired to a Punch amp..

Open that JBL up and youll see that little bugger full.. for good reason.. JBL makes good amps.. if it was me.. even if they were equal in Watts.. I would pick the JBL over the Prime.. not just because I like JBL, but because its a better amp...

the GTO series replaced JBL's Power series and BP series..

The prime is not even in the same ball park rank wise as the GTO series.. it would more align with the JBL GT5's which is lower than the GTO..

Hope I'm not rambling and getting my point across.

 

[CleaveTheGreat 10+ year member]

No you are getting your point across and I appreciate the info. I was leaning towards the JBL. Decisions decisions...

 

[LiveAudio911 10+ year member]

If those are the only 2 amps your looking at then go with the JBL.. no question..

 

[LiveAudio911 10+ year member]

You might look in the Classifieds and see what people are selling on here as well you might find a better deal, you never know.

 

[CleaveTheGreat 10+ year member]

That's true. I will do that

 

[cleansoundzz 10+ year member]

JBL makes great amps and yes that amp is a class D. You will not be dissappointed with the JBL amp. Trust me.

 

[kr15 5,000+ posts]

JBL>prime....the prime series might have a RF badge, but it really isnt on par with most of RF offerings...not only that, but JBL amps are good anyways

 

[CleaveTheGreat 10+ year member]

Sold. Just bought the JBL. Not that anyone cares but I'll let you guys know how it sounds when I get it wired up. Thanks for all the input.