Both are class d amps and they are vastly different in price. I've heard several systems with the HD amps and my conclusion is JL hit it perfect on the class d technology. The best car system I've heard to date had HD amps running the show...and he had a metric assload of power on hand too iirc so no shortage of dynamic headroom.
Basically my question is does anyone know if the PPI amps can come close to the JL amps in quality?
11 Ram Quadcab HEMI...80prs...Audible Physics Arian...H-Audio x2...Fi x10...PPI PC1000.1...Mosconi One 120.4...One comfortable tow rig
I'm in for this one. I've been looking at both of these as well.
I'm leaning to the hd's right now... People have been using them with great success for a while now.
But, the price of the phantoms sure makes them tempting...
08 Chevy Silverado ccsb >>>Pioneer DEX-P99RS>>>JL HD600/4×2, JL HD1200/1>>>Rainbow cal28>>>Pioneer ts-s062prs>>> Rainbow w175 platinum>>>JL zr800>>>Diyma R12 ×4 sealed>>> lots of Second skin, Raamaudio, and knuconcepts
If I hadn't already gotten 3 of the HD's, then a trio the Phantom amps would be the next line of amps I would consider. Lots of power & cheap! They are still pretty new, but haven't read anything negative about them yet. One thing I do like about the HD's that the Phantoms don't offer on every model is a remote gain control.
I think one or two of these will be going in my girl's car when the time comes.
Wish the hd's came up used on here more often... I'll be looking for a trio as well. Not against buying new, but if I can save a little coin, is always a good thing.
But, in my twisted logic, not showing up for sale means people that have them are satisfied, and not turning them over. Lol
08 Chevy Silverado ccsb >>>Pioneer DEX-P99RS>>>JL HD600/4×2, JL HD1200/1>>>Rainbow cal28>>>Pioneer ts-s062prs>>> Rainbow w175 platinum>>>JL zr800>>>Diyma R12 ×4 sealed>>> lots of Second skin, Raamaudio, and knuconcepts
Quality of parts used, attention to detail when it comes to faifully reproducing the sound, etc. I guess this question can only be answered by the people who designed the amp. I normally don't like being a guinna pig but my past two guinna pig purchases in car audio left me extremely satisfied.
11 Ram Quadcab HEMI...80prs...Audible Physics Arian...H-Audio x2...Fi x10...PPI PC1000.1...Mosconi One 120.4...One comfortable tow rig
My old definitions always included stuff like:
Accuracy, lack of grain, low noise floor, excellent dynamics, accurate with complex material.. The usuals. Tight control (especially for the subs), etc.
I'm quite interested as well.. I'd think a comparison to the HD's and maybe the XD's would be good.
Don't know that comparing them to the HD's given the vast pricepoint difference would be totally fair, but it would be illuminating.. If they come anywhere close (from what I've heard of the HD's), and if they rival the XD's, then I'd say the Phantom amps are a crazy good value if they are found to be equally as solidly reliable.
I think I'll buy a Phantom after the new year and throw it in just to see. I just can't bring myself to pay what they want for the HD's even though they've been proven time and time again along with being in some of the best systems I've heard to date.
11 Ram Quadcab HEMI...80prs...Audible Physics Arian...H-Audio x2...Fi x10...PPI PC1000.1...Mosconi One 120.4...One comfortable tow rig
Haven't read but maybe one or two folks that have actually heard the phantoms. If I missed it, point me there please. Sorry my search kungfu is weak on it. Not that I doubt them in any way.. I'm hoping they're the new budget performance uber coolness.
Like others have said....the HD's are in another class (Quality and performance aside) just based on price alone. The PHANTOM's on the other hand are in a class of their own...and have to be the current class D value leader?
Then, price them out on this site: Precision power Amplifiers
P900.4 (145 Watts x 4) - $229.95
P600.2 (190 Watts x 2) - $159.95
P1000.1 (1000 Watts x 1) - $209.95
-------------------------------------
= 1960 Watts - $599.85 ($0.31 a Watt)
What is there to talk about? No additional feedback needed. I'm old school...this range of power at that cost was just was not available when I got into car audio back in the early 90's. I was SERIOUSLY considering the Phantoms to power my midbass and sub...but I don't have a lot of space and the look of the amps don't match my Genesis SIII Four Channel that will be used to run my mids and tweets. The only reason I'm considering getting the HD900/5 is based on the power output, small size, and looks. I may even have the cover polished?
Seriously, though guys...the Phantom amps just kill the HD's as far as price. Not fair at all....the XD is a better price comparo. Nevertheless, the PASMAG Test Report would be enough to get me to bite if they would work in my install.
I'm just worried about the reliability of the PPI. Not that I'm claiming it to be bad, but rather that I haven't seen much in favor of it yet since it's so new. I won't be buying a JL HD just because of the price. I'd probably go that way if it were affordable. Personally, I think I will pick up one of the PPIs if they come to be well-regarded, but it'll take at least a few months to know, I think. Maybe even a year...
I've been picking Grizz's brain about them and considering the price to performance ratio they're a no brainer. I could buy a 900.4 and barely notice the dent in my checking account. He quoted me a price on it and the biggest PC and I think I'll do a Phantom to get a review out there compared to my Zuki powerhouse and a pair would fit nicely where I want to put them.
11 Ram Quadcab HEMI...80prs...Audible Physics Arian...H-Audio x2...Fi x10...PPI PC1000.1...Mosconi One 120.4...One comfortable tow rig
As already stated, the XDs are the competition for the Phantoms. I've heard both HDs and XDs, not in the same car, and couldn't tell a difference. The HD fanboys will tout the HDs regulated PS, and while that is a nice feature that adds to the price, I've never heard an audible difference from when my car is off, started, AC on or off, it any time where the supply voltage varied, so it's a feature thats not worth the cost to me. Comparing the Phantoms to the XDs, the Phantoms blow away the XDs in power. The XDs are underrated, while the Phantoms perform to spec with no margin, but the Phantoms have huge power. The XDs test better in noise, but I doubt you'd hear a difference. The only XD that compares to the Phantoms well is the XD700.5 because it had a flexible preamp stage, sobering the Phantoms also have better than most XD models. This is coming from an XD owner. Of I didn't already have an XD700/5, I'd pick the Phantom between them for the price difference.
However, I was looking for a new class D amp for another setup and was going to pick y up a Phantom, but the lack of local and online authorized dealers and the fact that my local shop have me prices on Kenwood Excelon class D amps at the same price swung my purchase toward the Kenwood. But if you can't get Kenwood Excelons at Phantom prices, of pick Phantom over XD for the power headroom and more flexible preamp.
I've ran the Hd's They sound as good as any amp, and I've, heard and had a lot of Amps. ... No noise, Dynamic, most importantly Reliable!!
I wouldn't look at another Class D amp personally, JL really knocked this one outta the park with these amps, of course this is my opinion.
This. I've owned my 3 for about 2.5 years now. For the majority of the time they've been installed under my front seats. No noise floor issues to speak of and just good power. No issues at all and I've never even considered using something else.
Sure, for the dollar vs power you can do better. I'm a believer in paying for a quality product even if sometimes the price is higher and the payoff may not be immediate. I've always had good luck with JL in the past both in regards to product and CS. Additionally, JL products keep their value well the HDs rarely pop up ised nd when they so the sellers aren't losing much money.
sometimes it's worth it for a person to pay for those qualities. Sometimes people don't care about that and just want cheap and clean power regardless of the lineage.
PPI seems to have gotten their stuff together. Unti I see real testing on both amps I'm not going to pretend to know one is better than the other. Price it out and go with what makes you comfortable. I'm sure either is a good purchase and I doubt you'd be That tore up over your decision post purchase.
It's also a good time to mention that JL doesn't rate their amps like most.
I think the JL guy said they rate their amps all channels driven at 80hz instead of the more typical one channel a 1000hz....
It's all up to your budget, honestly. Only you can answer that question bro. I have a couple of JL slash amps in the shed ( never had one issue), and running a couple of the JL HD amps currently.
As Erin stated, JL amps hold their value. That's always a good thing and they will stand behind their products. The only issues I've seen with them have been user error, not a quality control error. Shop around, you can find a good price on JL HD amps from a vendor.
Below $200 though, which these days doesn't seem to be much, I think you're still climbing toward the peak of the performance/value curve, and beyond $300 you're really on the downward portion of the curve for a car.-Npdang
dang we need more reviews of these. I may go ahead and sell my mmats 4160 and get one of these 900.4 due to size . I could hide one of these under my dash.
Joseph Goebbels, Nazi propaganda minister during World War II said: “It is the absolute right of the State to supervise the formation of public opinion; truth is the greatest enemy of the State.”
It's not Tchaikovsky. But it's still music that people like and that people want to listen to. Therefore, the goal is to meet that demand. When you let your audio system dictate the music you listen to, you've lost.
just ordered me one 900.4 ...I have a perfect stealth location for it.
Joseph Goebbels, Nazi propaganda minister during World War II said: “It is the absolute right of the State to supervise the formation of public opinion; truth is the greatest enemy of the State.”
JL HD vs PPI Phantom
Linear Mode
