polk vs. jl - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

xxsshoes182xx · 04-10-2002, 11:31 AM

I know that JL makes pretty much the best subs on the market, but i kind of like the price and style of the polk gnx subs. i'm hoping to put in 2 twelves. what do you guys think? should i shell out the xtra cash for the jls?

***Phi*** · 04-10-2002, 11:37 AM

I've got JL's. They're not the best though. You pay a premium for the noteriety (sp?). I've heard that Autobahn isn't bad. Some peeps here have Kicker L7's. Those hit hard!

dctodd · 04-10-2002, 01:42 PM

Ok, finally a topic I really can help on :0) I am really starting to get into cars and have learned alot from people on here, but car stereo is my thing

It all depends on what you are trying to get out of your subs, do you want just loud high db ?? Do you want pure, rich, clean sounding bass. Alot will also depend on the amp you use to drive it all.

I have had JL's for a while, you're right they are not the best, but honestly are one of the best out there. They will be a lot nicer all round then polk I can tell you that, also I have never been a fan of Kicker. The JL 12-W3-6 I am personally a big fan of, plus they are dual voice coil. They just came out with the W7 series which are SICK, they have already been killing at all compititions and have got unbelieveable reviews in all stereo mags. Then again they start at $750 and need to be installed by a pro.
All in all if you are deciding between polk and JL, go with the JL, just make sure you feed those suckers with a great amp, and you won't be dissappointed !

igloo · 04-10-2002, 03:18 PM

hey bud check out http://www.sounddomain.com and go their forum. Sound is really all up to you. I mean I have heard from several that the W7 does not live up to its height nor its price tag. And I hear polk is a great sub for the money. In fact I think there is a review on one at... http://momentum.soundillusions.net/february02/

look under product reviews. The people at this site know their sh**, and they dont work on comission, just an enthusiast site so you wont get any B.S. lata on.

[ This Message was edited by: igloo on 2002-04-10 16:18 ]

budking686 · 04-10-2002, 04:00 PM

Look for Infinity's I feel that they give the best kick...Why put all of that wait in your trunk...Just get some free air subs and custom mount on your back deck of your car!

Keyser Soze · 04-10-2002, 04:08 PM

I cannot comment on the quality nor sound of JL subs- I've never heard them. I can tell you that I'm running 2-10" Polk EX subs powered by a single Rockford Fosgate Power 200a1 sub amp. It's putting out something like 400 watts @ 2 Ohms. I'm not an audiophile, but I do like good sound, and I'm impressed w/the sound of the Polks. It took some fiddling with the gain and 'punch bass' settings to get it where I like it. But now that it's set, I find that the subs have a good, strong, punchy bass- but it's also smooth and musical. The bass sounds like it's supposed to from the source- not like Bose bass where all bass sounds the same. They aren't overpowering, but they still vibrate the seats when turned up. If the GNX's are supposed to be better than the EX's, I wouldn't hesitate to get them. But I am a Polk fan, so take this w/a grain of salt. :smile:

Also, the two 10" subs are running in .6 Cu Ft. seperate sealed boxes.

***EKam*** · 04-10-2002, 04:32 PM

Quote:

All in all if you are deciding between polk and JL, go with the JL, just make sure you feed those suckers with a great amp, and you won't be dissappointed !

And don't forget a Cap! :wink:

dctodd · 04-10-2002, 04:36 PM

Well, like anything out there, car parts, home stereo, computers, it's all about what you personally like and what you can afford. Like I said am a big fan of JL for too many reasons to list here. Also the Infinity Kappa Perfect subs are nice, but I don't think worth the high price they are. The most important thing about the whatever sub you choose is how much RMS watts you feed to it, and the enclosure. If you have a crappy enclosure or bad fit, it will sound like junk.
Here is another site that gives peoples feed back on a wide range of Car Stereo stuff
http://www.consumerreview.com/
good luck !

tmanana · 04-10-2002, 04:56 PM

Well you have walked up my alley on this topic. Ya ya...I know I will sound like a JL rep by the end of this....so shoot me. I can't tell you how happy I have been with my pair of 12in JL W3 DVCs. I am an avid car audio guy, and compete on a regular basis. For a happy medium between SPL and SQ you can't go wrong with the W3s. Now I know the majic is in the setup, but with my 2 12s I have hit as high as a 147.9 DB at a Whitlee show and average 140s at the NSPL shows. Definately happy with those numbers. Now when it comes to daily driving, they are great as well. With the right setup, the bass reflection is about as clear as I have heard.

Now when it comes to the w7s...my jury is still out. I competed against a guy with 2 12in w7s in the back of hit Explorer about 3 weeks ago...and he beat me...but by .3 dbs. I was really suprised, but then again I think he could really use a bigger amp.

When it comes to the price, do remember with these subs you get a 2 year warranty...and let me tell you Ive used that warranty more than a time or two. Ive blown 4 voice coils and never once was asked what happened. All my setup is up to JL specs...so they just take it out and put a new one in. For 2 years I have the peace of mind that I dont have to shell out another $200 for a replacement sub.

Well if you have any questions definately drop me a line...and good luck with the decission.

***Silver Streak*** · 04-10-2002, 08:31 PM

It all depends on your budget...I've been looking for a new sub recently and I was told that JL was highly over-rated...sound great for awhile, but they blow easily and degrade later on...don't know if that's true. I've heard nothing but good stuff about Kickers.

BTW, I ended up sticking an old 12" Kicker C12 in my car...I'm pretty happy with it. :smile:

***Phi*** · 04-10-2002, 09:55 PM

Quote:

I've been looking for a new sub recently and I was told that JL was highly over-rated...sound great for awhile, but they blow easily and degrade later on...don't know if that's true.

Lets hope you're not right!

tmanana · 04-11-2002, 12:54 AM

Well I'm not sure about that. I ran a 12 W0 in my old car for 3 years before it went. To be honest I really don't count for any piece of audio equipment to last more than 2-3 years anyways. I think on any sub you will have wear-and-tear....but no major complaints about the JLs.

X cam-tech X · 04-11-2002, 09:08 AM

I know we are NOT talking about subs..... lol well I haven't heard a camry that has yet hit harder than mine.. (not braggin)

Well I'll just give a lil description of what I have and its not much because I dont need much to accomplish this task =)

I have 1 15'' kicker solo baric L7 in a 4.5 cubic foot box :smile: DONT ASK ME HOW I GOT IT IN THERE =) Its my lil secrete but its NOT coming out =) I got 2 6 by 9 Pioneer 4 Ways in the back ANd soon to be getting 3 way Pioneers in the fronts.. And i have some eclipse tweets in the lil black triangle part of the front doors. And a pioneer DEPH- 7000 45 X 4 CD player 99 series. A 2 way MTX Crossover and a 1 Farad rockford fasgate cap and only pushing a Pioneer (i forgot the model ) but its a 4 channel amp pushing 100 watts per channel but bridged its pushing 240 on each side. so me only pushing a total of 480 watts to my solo baric and im killing peeps with 1000+ amps ;] just wanted to let ya know that... and i will soon be Scaleing my SPL Level to see where im at.

_________________
*CHI TOWN STYLES*
Always keep it real.... for those who dont.. you'll always hit the bottom over and over again....

[ This Message was edited by: X cam-tech X on 2002-04-11 10:10 ]

dctodd · 04-11-2002, 09:27 AM

Man, love the car stereo talk,
Tmanana, I saw your setup out on sounddom a while ago, like what you have done. I hope to get mine out there some time. I kinda took a different route then just going for loud bass, I still wanted punch but was looking for more everday driving, sound quality first.
I have JL 12-W3-6 wired down to 2 ohms and love it, I was going to go with 2 like you but decided against it. I hope to have pics out there soon. I have a custom built box that I made front firing after years of rear. IT's sealed of with a custom built amp rack holding my old school Alpine 5 channel (when alpine use to make SWEET amps) it's wired down to 4 channel feeding my Infinity Kappa Perfects (got to love the sound quality on those baby's) plus the amp rack has my JL 250 amp feeding the sub. All acented with a neo-blue neon, and two cooling fans.
Cam-tec, I too am in chicago, sounds great to what you have done, but as for those pioneers I am not to sure on how those must sound. Also am curious to know what 4 channel amp you have that can be bridged down to 2 channels that can put out 250 watts per channel, especially one made my Pioneer. I mean you are talking RMS watts right ? not just peak watts.
What do you have running your 15''. I am sure that thing sounds great, would love to see how you got it to fit nicely in that cam ! Do you compete anywhere around Chicago ?

dctodd · 04-11-2002, 09:55 AM

Ok, I know this is a car forum, but now that we are on the stereo topic, had a quick question.

Has anyone ever used a Pre-amp to their stereo setup ?? I have read different things about them and seen a bit to what they can do in compitions.

Anyone's thoughts or feelings on them ?? My kenwood excelron series dash is putting out 4.5 volts to the pre-outs which isn't bad, but I heard adding a pre-amp not only giving you a lot more sound control on your frequency bands, but is like putting your system on steroids, putting 12 volts !! to the pre-outs.
Thanks !

[ This Message was edited by: dctodd on 2002-04-11 10:56 ]