I've narrowed it down to these two 5ch amps. One is the JL Audio 500/5 and the other is a Kicker ZX 700.5. I can get both for about the same price. I currently have Focal components up front and Boston Acoutics coaxials in the rear. I'm replacing the sub with possibly a JL 10w6 v2. For legendary sound quality I know I should go for the JL or kicker for the raw power. That's where I can't decide.

The specs for the 500/5 is 100w x 2, 25w x 2 and 250w x 1. The kicker is 70w x 4, 420w x 1 @ 2ohms. I like the 100w x 2 on the JL for the components but the 25w to the rear seems too weak. I personally like a good rear fill so I don't think 25w is going to be enough. The 250w could be sufficient for the sub but the 420w on the kicker is just too tempting.

Performance aside I like the JL design. Simple and elegant. The kicker to me is quite ugly but tolerable.

 

I personally like the JL 500/5. It's a very nice amp overall. Don't let the 25x2 watts in the rear channels fool you. They will make your boston coax scream. We have done lots of cars with this amp and I'm very impressed with it everytime.

 

Go with the JL. The 500/5 is a sick sick amp. I am biased of course because I sell JL but I had the chance to tour their facility and meet the people behind the operation and they mean business. There is so much research and design that goes into these amps it blew me away. They really have a passion for what they do. And if people tell you they arent high end sounding amps, ignore them the guy that builds the amps for JL is Jeff Scoon, he started PPI way back when and then went on to start Xtant. Guy is awesome. GOod luck and enjoy that kick *** amp.

 

JL over kicker any day of the week for me

 

there is also a diamond d65.2 that you could do... might want to take a look into that....

 

Your Focals will handle either amp, but the Bostons are in serious trouble trying to keep up with the punchy Kicker amp's transit response. The JL is smoother so it won't explode into the speaker like the Kicker will.

 

which focals do you have?

 

Focal 165 V1

 

why go with the 5 channel? why not go with a 4 channel and a mono?

 

That's a viable option but I didn't want to go through the extra hassle of installing 2 amps. Trying to keep it clean and simple not to mention less $$$.

 

i vote for 500/5. i run a rockford fosgate 800x4 amp for my cabin and a jl 1000/1 for my subs.

 

2 amps really isn't that bad, plus if done properly can look very nice. plus you don't have to worry about having to lose all sound if your subs go out, or your mids and hi's go out.