[usmcsoldriver]

Application: Pair of Dynaudio MW160s. Future application: Pair of Dynaudio MW180's.

I understand that there are many factors that determine the quality of an amplifier, not just wattage. This is why I ask this question.

JL 300/2
Rated Power (stereo): 150 W RMS x 2 @ 1.5 ohm-4 ohm (11V-14.5V)
THD at Rated Power: <0.03% @ 4 ohm
S/N Ratio*: >108.5 dB below rated power
Damping Factor:>200 @ 4 ohm per ch./50 Hz
40A Fuse (1 or 2?)

MB Quart RAA2400
200 watts RMS x 2 at 4 ohms (400 watts x 2 at 2 ohms)
<1%THD
Signal-to-Noise (S/N 1 Watt @ 4-Ohms) - >95 dBA (1 Watt @ 4-Ohms)
No Damping factor available
fuse rating: 30A x 3

I know questions like this are frowned upon, but i would like some technical information on what makes 1 better than the other. Especially if you believe the JL to be superior considering it is rated at 50 watts less than the Quart.
Another thing, that 50 watts, does it make a noticeable difference?

Thank you.

 

[m3gunner]

I know questions like this are frowned upon, but i would like some technical information on what makes 1 better than the other. Especially if you believe the JL to be superior considering it is rated at 50 watts less than the Quart.
Another thing, that 50 watts, does it make a noticeable difference?

Thank you.

I guess I'll step in on this one.

From a technical standpoint, the difference between the two amps is exactly 1.249 dB... that is, if the JL Audio amp will drive a speaker to 100 dB, the Quart will drive it to 101.249 dB.

I seriously doubt you'll hear the difference... 1 dB is the smallest difference most humans can detect and at that pressure level, you're just not gonna hear it.

For the most part, solid state amps that are driven below clipping sound very similar. There *are* differences, but they are not detectable by most people as they are very minor (despite the hyperbole of the high end manufacturers). That's not intended to discount things like noise level (some amps are noisy) or age (some older amps have capacitors that are worn out). Rather, it's hard to do a proper head to head comparison in a car due to installation issues... and I've certainly never heard of someone matching output levels (to within a tenth of a volt on the output) on a car stereo comparison before comparing the amps. I'd bet that less than 10 out of 1000 people would be able to hear the difference between a POS Pyramid amp and a McIntosh amp if the levels were matched and they were blind switched- again, below clipping.

That's also not to say that certain amps sound better with certain speakers. If the speaker load is a difficult one, some amps have the balls to drive them while others just don't. Or some drivers have an incredibly low impedance and some amps don't handle low impedance loads as well as another amp.

That being said, I'm building my systems around McIntosh and Audison amps because I love their low noise, their looks and their reliability. Are there better sounding amps? Probably, but I certainly like what I hear and I'm sure that I couldn't hear the difference in a blind test anyway.

Your dilemma is a simple decision for me... I'd take the JL Audio. The amp is very reliable, well supported and sound pretty damn good (I happen to have a 300/2 running a Dynaudio front stage in my car.)

Your speaker choice is far more important than the amps you choose... and you've chosen a very nice midbass driver.

The other factor to take into account is size. If one of the amps fits and the other doesn't, you're going to have to stick with the one that fits. The JL Audio is 10 1/16 x 2 5/16 x 13 7/16 while the MB Quart is 17 x 2 3/8 x 11 7/16, so it's about 3.5" longer and almost an inch wider.

Of course, YMMV.

<flamesuit on>

 

[kyheng]

For power supply wise, I will take JL Audio as it only needs 40amp compare MB Quart 90amp.

 

[tspence73]

IMO,

For me it would come down to build quality and then price difference. If the price difference doesn't justify the better build quality, go for the cheaper amp because they won't sound different.

 

[MIAaron]

The RAA amps are fine. But get the raa4200 instead and bridge it. That's what I did on my midbass. The only reason I'm switching amps is I got a new vehicle and can't fit them.

 

[aznboi3644]

I love my RAA2400. 200 watts at 4 ohms for midbass really kicks butt

 

[Starlet-SQ]

I've heard the raa4200.....man thats a nice sounding amplifier
most people would take the jl over the mb.......
i would take the mb just cuss i find it more reliable

 

[kyheng]

Well, personal taste might affect a decision sometimes....

 

[Fiercetimbo17]

I had some mb quart RAA's running my 3 way front stage, I loved them.
Probably my best sounding system besides my current one, these zapcos can just do too much.

Im not a fan of the slash series amps.