Is JL still the preferred amp upgrade option?

Hawkeye088 · 03-20-2017, 01:38 AM

I have spent numerous hours scrolling these forums, and it seems like the topic has died off quite a bit. Looks like technic harnesses are getting harder to come by. I have found a 6 channel amp for marine applications and was wondering if it would work in place of the JL. The amp is made by MB Quartz and I know some have had good things to say about their speakers. The details on the amp are here http://mbquart.com/na540-6/ Any thoughts on if this would work?

I have the factory hifi system and it seems my amp is going out. The mids and highs work fine with no static or other issues. The under seat subs have quit working. They work once in a while at random, but now have completely stopped. I have removed the under seat speakers and checked the cones to ensure that they are still free. The impedance also checked out on them so I am leaning toward the amp as the issue. I can buy a salvage amp but am concerned that it will fail as well, and would prefer to upgrade if I'm going to do the work.

Any feedback is appreciated!

ctuna · 03-20-2017, 02:12 AM

https://technicpnp.com/
As far as I know he is up and running he just isn't a member
of this site anymore.

Jl is still a good amp for and amp only selection.
If I was doing it again I would think about some of the amp/dsp combo's
from Helix or Mosconi.

Whatever you do get some good speakers.
MBQuarts are better than stock but Jehnerts , Gladens are better
than the Quarts.

Might as well do an aftermarket amp if your replacing it.

Tim603 · 03-20-2017, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctuna

https://technicpnp.com/
As far as I know he is up and running he just isn't a member
of this site anymore.

Jl is still a good amp for and amp only selection.
If I was doing it again I would think about some of the amp/dsp combo's
from Helix or Mosconi.

Whatever you do get some good speakers.
MBQuarts are better than stock but Jehnerts , Gladens are better
than the Quarts.

Might as well do an aftermarket amp if your replacing it.

Tuna are you running gladens?

p-lethal · 03-20-2017, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctuna

https://technicpnp.com/
As far as I know he is up and running he just isn't a member
of this site anymore.

Jl is still a good amp for and amp only selection.
If I was doing it again I would think about some of the amp/dsp combo's
from Helix or Mosconi.

Whatever you do get some good speakers.
MBQuarts are better than stock but Jehnerts , Gladens are better
than the Quarts.

Might as well do an aftermarket amp if your replacing it.

is this the gladen woofer you are referring too?

http://soundsgoodstereo.com/shop/sea...ialty-speaker/

ctuna · 03-20-2017, 12:34 PM

They used to have a couple of different levels the top one was called
the extreme.

Go Horns! · 03-20-2017, 03:55 PM

OP - If you are not using a DSP, you will need an amp that can accept balanced inputs. Right now that is JL, Arc Audio, and some of the Kicker amps. There are probably some other amps, but those are the easily available ones.

If you know you are going to use a DSP (the DSP needs to be able to accept the balanced inputs), you can use just about any amp you would like.

I was unsure whether I would want a DSP, so I used an Arc Audio amp. I might eventually add a DSP, but that will be further down the line.

Sco Cuddie · 03-21-2017, 12:31 AM

I'm running an Arc Audio XDi 1200.6, which has been an amazing amp, and handles the 3 way front. Also have an XDi 650.1 for the subs.

JL audio is still making quality products.

03-20-2017, 01:38 AM	#1
Hawkeye088 Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2009 328i Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Is JL still the preferred amp upgrade option? I have spent numerous hours scrolling these forums, and it seems like the topic has died off quite a bit. Looks like technic harnesses are getting harder to come by. I have found a 6 channel amp for marine applications and was wondering if it would work in place of the JL. The amp is made by MB Quartz and I know some have had good things to say about their speakers. The details on the amp are here http://mbquart.com/na540-6/ Any thoughts on if this would work? I have the factory hifi system and it seems my amp is going out. The mids and highs work fine with no static or other issues. The under seat subs have quit working. They work once in a while at random, but now have completely stopped. I have removed the under seat speakers and checked the cones to ensure that they are still free. The impedance also checked out on them so I am leaning toward the amp as the issue. I can buy a salvage amp but am concerned that it will fail as well, and would prefer to upgrade if I'm going to do the work. Any feedback is appreciated!
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03-20-2017, 02:12 AM	#2
ctuna Lieutenant General 2045 Rep 13,364 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	https://technicpnp.com/ As far as I know he is up and running he just isn't a member of this site anymore. Jl is still a good amp for and amp only selection. If I was doing it again I would think about some of the amp/dsp combo's from Helix or Mosconi. Whatever you do get some good speakers. MBQuarts are better than stock but Jehnerts , Gladens are better than the Quarts. Might as well do an aftermarket amp if your replacing it.
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03-20-2017, 12:34 PM	#5
ctuna Lieutenant General 2045 Rep 13,364 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	They used to have a couple of different levels the top one was called the extreme.
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03-20-2017, 03:55 PM	#6
Go Horns! Second Lieutenant 96 Rep 206 Posts Drives: 2013 335is Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (1)	OP - If you are not using a DSP, you will need an amp that can accept balanced inputs. Right now that is JL, Arc Audio, and some of the Kicker amps. There are probably some other amps, but those are the easily available ones. If you know you are going to use a DSP (the DSP needs to be able to accept the balanced inputs), you can use just about any amp you would like. I was unsure whether I would want a DSP, so I used an Arc Audio amp. I might eventually add a DSP, but that will be further down the line.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-21-2017, 12:31 AM	#7
Sco Cuddie Second Lieutenant 75 Rep 291 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW M3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2)	I'm running an Arc Audio XDi 1200.6, which has been an amazing amp, and handles the 3 way front. Also have an XDi 650.1 for the subs. JL audio is still making quality products.
	Appreciate 0 Quote