Hey guys, looking to upgrade my sound system little by little. Ive read thru the forums to see what I should start with and I think im going to swap out the amp first, everybody seems to be going with a JL Audio amp due to how our sound systems are setup.. which JL amp would be the best to go with without breaking the bank.

Thanks

 

Your best bet is to replace the Bose Head Unit. I did the same thing you are and the biggest difference was after the head unit. I went with Kenwood. I didn't want to lose the factory perks but I would never go back.

 

thats something id like to get to eventually, the cost of replacing the trim alone is ridiculous so ive been putting it off. I dont mind dropping the money on a nice doubledin but to add 250+ to that for the trim is crazy -_-

 

If you go with the amp first, you're (almost) limited to a JL Audio amp, which does have a premium price. If you do the radio and amp simultaneously, you can go with basically any amplifier. Despite what some people insist, you won't hear the difference between a good, inexpensive amplifier (there are also bad, inexpensive ampifiers) and a good, expensive amplifier while the car is in motion, and few people could tell the difference with the car parked either. Everyone can tell the difference between the metra and JDM kits.

Metra trim kit - $100 w/purchase of $350 Pioneer X2500 at crutchfield.com, $150 otherwise.
JL 300/4v2 - $300-350.
Total: $750 (+accessories)

JDM trim kit: $340 (from Grubbs Infiniti), regardless of where you buy the radio, so you can pick up the same Pioneer X2500BT for $280
Precision Power BK520.4: $170
Total: $790 (+accessories)

Not really that crazy. Depending on where you buy the radio, you might get a discount on the trim (like crutchfield.com... but their price on the radio might negate savings on the trim kit) and if you score a used or new JDM trim kit, the JDM path could be even cheaper.

So really, as crazy as the price for the JDM trim may be, the premium for the JL amp is right up there. I have a JL in my car, and precision power in my wife's. They're both great amps, but one is great and EXPENSIVE.

 

thanks for the detailed response. My ultimate goal down the road is to have my subs hooked up. Is it pretty safe to say that ANY JL Audio amp would be okay? As far as getting technical with specs on an amp im no expert by any means.. is there anything specific I should be looking for?

 

Amen to that! It stung me a little to spend that much on the JDM kit but it felt a little better when it was custom cut/fit for my OEM Navigation by a master.

 

All JL audio amps take differential-balanced signals, so yes.

Otherwise, it all just depends on how much power the sub you choose needs for the box type you use.