I use to not like JL because how everyone has it and you see it everywhere. I just loved the w7 though. Always told myself i was going to get it one day and i'm happy i did. I know there are A LOT of better subs out there but i'm pretty happy with my choice. It must be overpriced because everytime i show someone i have it, they always say how i much be rich or something.

 

i am not trying to get anyone mad

JL is very good stuff

no doubt

possibly one of the top mainstream companies

but that is were it ends

again jl is good

 

500/1 amp - 300
300/2 amp - 200
Eclipse NAVI - 400
10w7 sub - 300
Focal K2 speakers - 350
Sub box w/ amp rack - 200

$1750 total

 

What do you mean exactly?

 

ckthepilot... Very nice installation… It looks great and I’m sure sounds as good as it looks. You did a nice job mounting the double-din unit and finishing the edges. All the rest looks nice as well. I have Focal 165’s in the stock door mount and can also report that the sound is awesome. As you say, if you mount the front midrange correctly, you won’t experience vibration. I did put some sound dampening into the door.

Also... Answering some comments from posters on this thread... Focals sound great used with just about any decent CES component (and certainly the products you selected for your CES).

Question: Did you keep the stock door grilles? I ask because I did and wonder if the thick stock door grille interferes with sound from the Focals’ midrange.

--Spike

 

Yepp. I kept the stock door grilles too. Wasn't too fond of replacing them with the Focal grilles because that will mean I have to do away the dead pedal location. I did however compare using the Focal grilles and the stock grills, and there isn't much difference where I would strongly suggest one over the other. The sound still sounds amazing with or without the Focal grilles.

 

Honestly my opinion is worth alot more than yours....here's why.

My family owns a chain of car stereo businesses. Dad is the oldest Rockford Fosgate, Alpine, JL Audio dealer in the Southeast. First store opened in 1979. I was born raised on stereo. He has the option to pick from any stereo line he wants. JL is one of the most premium lines he wanted and has been the most reliable.
Aside from just my opinion and my families, you may want to see what the Car Stereo Magazines are saying.
So maybe you can sit with your mouth open for 5 - 10 more minutes and soak it in...How does it feel?

 

Thanks for that information. I didn’t test different grilles, and wondered if the stock grille was adequate. Now I know and feel better about my choice.

I’m still waiting to hear from the person who posted a message stating that it was unwise to team your Focals with the other components you have in your CES. I don’t understand the statement and would like to hear the reasoning.

--Spike

 

I was a little confused by doug's message as well... not sure why he says this. Hopefully he will post an explanation.

--Spike

 

feels great.. i'm still amazed that you feel a medicore brand is the best equipment as you put it. Numerous products out perform JL by far.

 

eclipse navi... two amps mounted on amp rack... under strut bar sub box....

 

IMO ... Focal is one of the best components... i would never pair one of the best components with JL equipment.. such is the eclipse deck.. premium sound quality.. i wouldn't get a great deck.. and great components.. and then sub par subs and sub par amps..

 

I did not like the fact that he used words like "ignorance" and "sheltered" when he has no idea about what hes even talking about or who he is talking about. The list of brands doug listed..I must admit I am not familiar with; however, the reason I'm not familiar with most of those lines is because they cannot hold JL Audio's jock strap. I have used different products in my z....I have an Alpine flip out, I have used boston acoustic components, and Rockford fosgate amps. So Im not just biased on JL. I'm just saying that JL is one of the leading manufacturers in the country and it is American made. The statemant that he can make cheap piece of **** subwoofer and amp sound better than a JL System is ridiculous. I do understand that people have there own opinion of what "good sound" is...but when considering quality...JL is one of the best- Period

 

Looks clean that is how I will do it in my car, except I will run two 10' subs.

 

I believe that JL is a quality product with a very good reputation. It’s a blend of quality and a price-point that equals a good value.

--Spike

 

I don't know you or Doug but Doug does know what he is talking about. You are kind of hung up on mainstream brands. You are correct about JL being reliable. The only reason i bought JL stuff is because i will be entering local shows and i wanted people to actually know my system. The brands you like do their job. RF has great amps that put out more than what they claim, last forever. Alpine has good HU for mainstream. Boston acoustic has great speakers. I just think there are more out there if you really are an audio head. Audioheads really don't care if people don't know the brand they are running because it might look cheap. It will outperform all mainstream products.

Other brands that 350zSPL listed, i'm familiar with most. The brands in bold is what i've owned before in the past. The ones in slant is what i have heard in person at competitions.

Resonant Engineering
T3
Digital Designs
Treo
Revolution design Audio
FI
Sound Splinter
Incriminator Audio
image Dynamics
mmats
SSA Icon
adire audio
atomic
audioque
cdt
ground zero
adassa audio
stereo integrity

JL is really just overpriced equipment. They make good products but slap a huge price tag on it. This is the reason why people think JL is the top of the line stuff...mostly because they think big price, best product. I had a Adire Bramah sub that in a sealed box like my w7, it would kill the w7 in terms of SPL and SQ. Then i got a ported box tuned more for sq and it just left the jl w7 in the dust.

Me with the 350z now, i really don't have much room. I chose the w7 because i'm just use to bass. I wanted a one sub that was the top of the line in term of brand, sounds decently clean and play loud without being distorted, and is a brand that people think is nice. I'm happy with JL and JL will only be the mainstream brand i put in my car. Otherwise, the list 350zSPL game was perfect.

 

This is why I usually stay out of these dabtes.......HOWEVER!!!!!!

d4k0t4 and the others in this "jl audio debate",

To prefer a specific brand is one thing, but to say that brand is "the best on the market" is very short sighted, ESPECIALLY when you openly admit that you haven't heard of every product ON the market. Of course everyone here is entitled to his/her own opinion. Just because your family owns a shop that sells some nice mainstream gear does not make you the absolute guru. Neither am I, I will be the first to admit. So please do not take my experience in car audio as snobbery.

Why is JL so popular if it's not the best on the market? Because only about 3% of the American public is 'that into' car audio to know the independent companies that might make a better product at a better price point. How is JL so widely known? $$$. They built up enough money from subwoofer sales (in the early and mid 90's) that they increased advertising and sponsorships to get their name out there. People demanded these products so they could be different and distinct because nobody had them, and it snowballed from there. I think some of JL's quality has gone down hill a little bit since becoming so large over the years. They are no longer a passionate car audio manufacturer and have become more of a business where they cut back on spending and blah blah blah. The product has suffered to a degree. Smaller independent car audio manufacturers are not as well known because they don't have the money to spend on advertising since it all goes into R&D and manufacturing so they can create a superior product.

Does all this mean that JL is garbage? NO WAY!!! JL still produces good stuff, probably some of the best in the mainstream market. I personally feel they are a bit overpriced for what you get though (if you are paying retail). But to say that JL is absolute garbage was a bit of a harsh statement on the other side of the fence.

d4kota - I am not doubting your knowledge in car audio at all. Your opinion is just as important as everyone else's here.

I know 350zSPL, doug, Spike100, SuperBlack350z, and others have contributed a lot to this audio forum. Their opinions and advice are heeded by many. They know what they are talking about.

To the OP - Again, you have a nice clean install there, with some nice gear. I'm sure if it has been tuned properly it sounds amazing. Thanks for sharing and I hope this thread has not thwarted you from sharing in the future.

That is all, please carry on with your day.

Ken.

 

I think JL is overpriced for what it is...

I went with a DLS and ED setup and to me, its one of the best bang for the buck. The ONLY reason I went with DLS components was because Bing recommended them and yes I trust his opinion over many on the forum. ED on the other hand, I've wanted to try out their products for years, not because of this forum.

 

stock system > *


stfu audio noobs

 

Doug, seriously now - JL makes very good quality and sounding equipment and far from a 'medicore' brand... A good friend recently built a car utilizing all off the self JL equipment and the end results was a great sounding car. In fact, every JL audio demo car that I've listen too in the last 10+ years has had great tonality - helps that Manvill Smith is tuning them, but regardless great sounding product.

I'm wouldn't go out and make a statement that they're the best, nor would I ever do that with Focal - but to say the things that you're saying just isn't right...

To the OP, nice install.