JL Audio 500/5 - Any others like it?

NViejeP · Post by **NViejeP** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 1:38 pm

Right now I have my heart set on a JL Audio 500 slash 5 model to power all my speakers and my subwoofer.

It is ideal for me at 100 watt for the front, 25 for the rear, and 250 for the subwoofer.

I have never seen any other amplifer like it, the downside that it is like $600.

My question is that are there any other amps like this? Maybe as a cheaper alternative?

smoker · Post by **smoker** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 1:53 pm

ever see those dvd/cd/mp3/vcd/vhs/godknowswhatallthehellitwilldo players?

this is my humble opinion that anytime you have something that does everything you are compromising something.....i know a jl dealer who owns his own shop who is not big on the 500/5.....as far as an alternative goes.....why not look at a good 4 channel? for example the elevation audio xs125.4? 125 x4 or in your case 125 per channel to the fronts......bridge the rears for 500+ to the sub and if ya gotta have rears then run them off the hu or get a smaller amp to do it...the xs125.4 can be found for about 4 bills too........

High Society · Post by **High Society** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 2:07 pm

x2 two on what smoker said. You could even look into a mono block amp, and a 4 channel amp for front and rears and still be less then $600

JeremyC · Post by **JeremyC** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 4:01 pm

Smoker I agree that sometimes you fall into the more isn't always better catagory. But I have to disagree when it comes to the slash series amps. Yeah thet are a little high on the price, but where else can you get a 5 chanel amp that puts out that many watts at 12 to 14 volts from 1.5 to 4 ohm. IMO thats simplicity in a nut shell. It doesn't matter what components or sub you run, you will still get the same amout of power to your speakers. Add in the fact its a very efficient power supply design, and you have one hell of an amp.

On the same line, a qaulity 4 chanel like the EA would be an excelent second alternative, and save some $$ in the end.

smoker · Post by **smoker** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 4:16 pm

yea its just my opinion......i am not a fan of the jl amps myself for subs......i like the 300/4 but all the mono amps im not a fan of and its because of the way they work.....i like my amps to start dishing out the juice when you load them down.....butt this is all persoanl preference.

evangelos K · Post by **evangelos K** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 4:35 pm

It depents solely on you. If you think the amp is enough for you, it is a KILLER amp. A great package, w/ a plethora of options, and GREAT SQ. Sorry, the "all in one" comment above has nothing to do w/ this amp.

Again, if you think the wattage (especially for the sub) is good enough for you, you cannot go wrong w/ it. Easy "one package" solution w/ A+ built quality and some balls :)

smoker · Post by **smoker** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 5:37 pm

and some balls

ok.......if you say so

Jonathan · Post by **Jonathan** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 6:18 pm

There aren't many 5 channel amplifiers that have a respectable power output. The JL 500/5 is one of the very few that do, they do very well running components active as well. The Kicker KX700.5 (I think it's still 700.5, might be 750.5) is a cheaper alternative that does a similar thing, but it isn't a staggered output amplifier (it has equal power output to fronts and rears). It also has more power on the sub channel (400x1 at 2 ohm).

Aside from that, it's built better than the EA amplifiers. *prays this doesn't start another flame war*

I've researched both and have been far more impressed by JL's build, materials, as well as engineering and the resultant feedback.

The JL isn't one that really suffers from the "all in one" drawbacks like mentioned above. It's a huge amplifier that's sized right for the power output. It isn't like a HU that's packing 50 million features on a single chip solution.

lotas · Post by **lotas** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 6:42 pm

Never dealt with Elevation's amps so not going to comment on the comparison, but I have a JL 300/4 and the thing is seriously built like a rock. I've taken it in to a few engineers and repairs and they always comment when they give it back, one commented about the sound quality, and another commented about how solid the unit was. Never dealt with JL's subs but with my JL experience they are very good products.

Bwcad1 · Post by **Bwcad1** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 6:46 pm

john how do you know the build quailty is less than jls? im not starting a flame war or anything i just want to know what you feel is lacking in the ea amps compared to the jl amps.