View Poll Results: JL vs Kicker
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JL Audio vs Kicker
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 34
Two questions -
Why all one brand? No need to limit yourself.
I see you are going to replace the front and rear speakers but I don't see any replacement on either list for the dash speakers... You can get a great imaging boost for the front stage by dropping a couple quality 4" in the dash to supplement the component set in the front.
From my experience I would suggest the following:
AMPS
Go with those Kicker ZX series amps over the JL's. I've never heard anyone sing praise for JL's line of amps and admittedly I have never seen a single person with one installed (I've seen a lot of systems but I may be off base since I haven't been to any sound-offs in a while). I can, however, say with utter certainty that the Kicker ZX amps are awesome. They definitely put out clean power and a lot more than they are rated for. My box will be the third car in which I will be installing Kicker amps (I have a pair of ZX's on the way as well) and I can't say enough good things about the quality, finish, and functionality.
SUBS
This is a tighter race in my opinion. I installed a single L7 12 in my friend's Focus and it just blew me away (in the stock box that it comes with, playing a Sasha and Digweed set). On the other hand, another friend has a Sentra with a single 12W7 which didn't sound quite as good with the same trance CD but when we popped in Nothing Else Matters by Metallica the W7 did sound more accurate although the bass on both was seemingly almost equal as far as tightness. The big difference was that the L7 was hitting harder but it was a bit artificial (i.e. it probably *shouldn't* have been hitting that hard with that particular song). Don't get me wrong, the L7 still sounded good but the W7 sounded a little better with Metallica. In conclusion, it really depends on what kind of music you are listening to primarily. I think you will be equally pleased with either sub personally.
DOOR SPEAKERS
I haven't really heard either one enough to make an educated suggestion but in my experience, if you ask 5 different car audio fiends what sounds the best in the doors you will get 5 different answers. I've gone from a/d/s in one car to MB Quart in my last car to Polk in my box and was satisfied with all 3. My only advice in this category is to go listen to some door speakers at ccity/best buy/mom&pop shop and bring a couple CD's with you. That's what I did
Why all one brand? No need to limit yourself.
I see you are going to replace the front and rear speakers but I don't see any replacement on either list for the dash speakers... You can get a great imaging boost for the front stage by dropping a couple quality 4" in the dash to supplement the component set in the front.
From my experience I would suggest the following:
AMPS
Go with those Kicker ZX series amps over the JL's. I've never heard anyone sing praise for JL's line of amps and admittedly I have never seen a single person with one installed (I've seen a lot of systems but I may be off base since I haven't been to any sound-offs in a while). I can, however, say with utter certainty that the Kicker ZX amps are awesome. They definitely put out clean power and a lot more than they are rated for. My box will be the third car in which I will be installing Kicker amps (I have a pair of ZX's on the way as well) and I can't say enough good things about the quality, finish, and functionality.
SUBS
This is a tighter race in my opinion. I installed a single L7 12 in my friend's Focus and it just blew me away (in the stock box that it comes with, playing a Sasha and Digweed set). On the other hand, another friend has a Sentra with a single 12W7 which didn't sound quite as good with the same trance CD but when we popped in Nothing Else Matters by Metallica the W7 did sound more accurate although the bass on both was seemingly almost equal as far as tightness. The big difference was that the L7 was hitting harder but it was a bit artificial (i.e. it probably *shouldn't* have been hitting that hard with that particular song). Don't get me wrong, the L7 still sounded good but the W7 sounded a little better with Metallica. In conclusion, it really depends on what kind of music you are listening to primarily. I think you will be equally pleased with either sub personally.
DOOR SPEAKERS
I haven't really heard either one enough to make an educated suggestion but in my experience, if you ask 5 different car audio fiends what sounds the best in the doors you will get 5 different answers. I've gone from a/d/s in one car to MB Quart in my last car to Polk in my box and was satisfied with all 3. My only advice in this category is to go listen to some door speakers at ccity/best buy/mom&pop shop and bring a couple CD's with you. That's what I did
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 587
From: Las Vegas. NV
This is a post for the high end product ONLY:
If you fork out the money JL is by far the better setup Kicker is a really good product but the better all aroud system is the high end JL products. If you were talking strictly subs the Barics are good but tey take up alot of free space for better preformance. Also I dont know of anyone that has really enjoyed the componets that kicker puts out I am not saying they are bad but I haven't personaly heard any good thing out of the owners. So If you cant tell My vote goes for JL as a whole setup then Kicker as a whole setup.
If you fork out the money JL is by far the better setup Kicker is a really good product but the better all aroud system is the high end JL products. If you were talking strictly subs the Barics are good but tey take up alot of free space for better preformance. Also I dont know of anyone that has really enjoyed the componets that kicker puts out I am not saying they are bad but I haven't personaly heard any good thing out of the owners. So If you cant tell My vote goes for JL as a whole setup then Kicker as a whole setup.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 933
From: Ellicott City, MD
syztematik,
I used to work at Best Buy and Circuit City doing Installs and Sales. The reason I have an all or nothing setup is because I believe in keeping it uniform. Nothing I can't stand more then opening someones trunk and seeing a Sony Sub, with an MTX amp, Pioneer Speakers and a Jensen Radio.
As far as the dash speakers, the original speaker is 2" speaker. Instead of mounting something different, I plan on using the Tweeter from the front doors in the dash with a custom plate. This way the highs are up where they belong and you don't see it so it looks factory.
I happen to like the look of the kicker ZX amps, The power of the L7 and W7. This is all from experience not just cause of the name. I just don't like the sound of MB Quarts.
I used to work at Best Buy and Circuit City doing Installs and Sales. The reason I have an all or nothing setup is because I believe in keeping it uniform. Nothing I can't stand more then opening someones trunk and seeing a Sony Sub, with an MTX amp, Pioneer Speakers and a Jensen Radio.
As far as the dash speakers, the original speaker is 2" speaker. Instead of mounting something different, I plan on using the Tweeter from the front doors in the dash with a custom plate. This way the highs are up where they belong and you don't see it so it looks factory.
I happen to like the look of the kicker ZX amps, The power of the L7 and W7. This is all from experience not just cause of the name. I just don't like the sound of MB Quarts.
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