JL or Rockford?

[ewoevo 10+ year member]

I'm buying a new amp (s) today, so I was looking for some advice. I'm either going to pick up an RF Power 1000 (25 to life) for $530 or a JL 500/1 & 300/4 for $540. The price is pretty much a wash, so that's not a factor. I'll be running an active set of comps (CDTs) in the front and 3 (ED 9kv2 dual 2 ohm) 8's for my subs (could get another to run 4). I have a set of coaxes in the rear, but probably won't use them. I don't have any first hand experience with either of the amps, so please help me out. Thanks!

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[ewoevo 10+ year member]

Somebody, anybody?

 

[btdickey99 5,000+ posts]

i personally like JL over rockford....and the 500/1 is a beats.....are you looking more sq or spl?

 

[Pootie 10+ year member]

I had both Jl's till they got stolen I loved them I don't have any experience with the rf but I really liked the jl's

 

[Paaco1981 10+ year member]

I've always liked RF for amps, they are some tough mofos and you can always count on getting at least the power you paid for. I still got an RF amp I bought in 96 that works like new. I run a punch series RF amp on my mids and highs now and they sound clean. I was running an RF T10001bd on my subs but I sold it yesterday //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

No experience with the JL amps at all, but I have never heard a bad word about either. I would say go with what you can get cheaper, both make some **** good amps.

 

[BringDaBoom 10+ year member]

I'm buying a new amp (s) today, so I was looking for some advice. I'm either going to pick up an RF Power 1000 (25 to life) for $530 or a JL 500/1 & 300/4 for $540. The price is pretty much a wash, so that's not a factor. I'll be running an active set of comps (CDTs) in the front and 3 (ED 9kv2 dual 2 ohm) 8's for my subs (could get another to run 4). I have a set of coaxes in the rear, but probably won't use them. I don't have any first hand experience with either of the amps, so please help me out. Thanks!

That is a steal. I've owned and currently own both of theose and couldn't be more happy.

And yes as btdickey said, the 500/1 is a beast. It benches more than 500. Almost every test has put it at 550-just under 600.

First time I heard one about 5 years ago I was like "****, that's only 500w?" Turns out the other amps I had been hearing of similar power rating probably weren't putting out true 500W.

Again, both those amps for that price is dam hard to pass up

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

The Power 1000 25 to Life is a BEAST of an amp, and will give you much more power for your dollar.... and its all in one. Easier hookup ftw //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[OoMesKoO 10+ year member]

I run fosgate. I like it on my comps. Subs are fosgate too. Cant wait to install them!

 

[ewoevo 10+ year member]

i personally like JL over rockford....and the 500/1 is a beats.....are you looking more sq or spl?

I'm looking more for sq.

 

[btdickey99 5,000+ posts]

I'm looking more for sq.

JL in my opinion would be the cleanest sound.... Also as BringDaBoom stated, $540 for a 500/1 and a 300/4 is a steal. I had my 500/1 benched about 4 months ago and got a peak of 658 and a continuous 582...Strong amps and would give you the versatility if you need to run 4 ohms

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

Get the power 1000 and run the subs at 1.3 ohms. They'll probably get about 900w. I saw a bench test where the sub channel did almost 1kw at 1 ohm //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

 

[ewoevo 10+ year member]

Yeah, I've seen birthsheets on the RF. They do put out some power. But I really don't need a lot of power. BTW, the pic you posted doesn't work for me at work.

 

[WildcatNate 10+ year member]

I ran the exact JL setup you are looking to buy for a while and I loved it. I would not have got rid of it if I did not have too. I'd vote JL, I feel they are more efficient and not as hard on the electrical system, again just from my exp.

 

[frzninvt 10+ year member]

I have been eyeballin' that Power 1000 25 to Life for a few months but have been reluctant to swap out my HiFonics Series VIII Isis amps for it. I am interested because it's brand spanking new, more efficient with modern parts, a single amplifier that can run the whole car, and the price I can get one for $510. I just have not got a definitive answer on it's sound quality and durability from someone that owns one and has used it daily for awhile.

The JL's look nice, seem to have great build quality/workmanship but I think you are paying alot for the name versus what is inside the amplifier itself. I have been around JL products since the mid 90's and have found them over-rated and over-hyped but that does not mean they are a not a good product it looks like they are really focusing on quality these days to the point I was considering a 300/4 or 300/4v2 for my front stage.

Good luck with your choice and let me know how it worked out please.