This was posted at ECAF in the thread that has turned to a JL Vs TRU argument, w/ representatives of both companies participating.

I am glad I made a great choice.... I do not want to start anything about which is the better amp etc., but I just feel tired about people stating ALL the time that JL is overpriced, and do not say the same about other companies.

In older threads I have stated that even IF I had paid retail for my JL (which I did not), they would have worth it. And it is funny how the "how inefficient JL amps are" goes poof.

Anyway, here it is, for those who are not registered at ECAF:




Mr. Yi... since you dropped the gauntlet and raised the spectre of comparison, you and others may be interested in an independent opinion.

Robert Zeff tested the 300/2 for Car Audio and Electronics in March 2002 and also tested the Tru C7 in a more recent issue. The 300/2 is no longer online, but the C7 review is (http://caraudiomag.com/testreports/0311cae_trutech/). I'm going to assume that the $2500 model is at least as good as the less expensive ones. Also keep in mind that we're comparing a 2 channel (300/2) to a 4 channel (C7) and that you could, for the price of a C7, comfortably purchase two 300/2's with change left over for a 1000/1 and a very nice head unit.

Mfr. specs and test numbers from Mr. Zeff's reports...

POWER OUTPUT

JL Audio 300/2 ($479)
Mfr. rated for 150W x 2 @ 1.5 - 4 ohms / 11V-14.4 V
Actual measured output power at 1% THD, 1kHz
2 x 157 W at 4 ohms / 14.4 V or 12.5 V
2 x 187 W at 2 ohms / 14.4 V or 12.5 V
2 x 197 W at 1.5 ohms / 14.4 V or 12.5 V

TRU C7 ($2500)
Mfr. rated for 125 W x 4 @ 4 ohms / 14.4 V, 250 x 4 @ 2 ohms / 14.4 V
Actual measured output power at 1% THD, 1kHz, 14.4 V:
4 x 152 W at 4 ohms / 14.4 V
4 x 230 W at 2 ohms / 14.4 V (Less than claimed)
4 x 293 W at 1 ohm / 14.4 V

4 x 112 W at 4 ohms / 12.5 V (yep, it's unregulated)
4 x 171 W at 2 ohms / 12.5 V
4 x 220 W at 1 ohm / 12.5 V

DISTORTION AT OR BELOW RATED POWER

JL Audio 300/2
Mfr. claim: 0.03% at 4 ohms
Actual measurement: 0.0006% at 150 W x 2 / 4 ohms

Tru C7
Mfr. claim: 0.025%
Actual measurement: 0.06% at 200 W x 4 / 2 ohms

FREQUENCY RESPONSE

JL Audio 300/2
Mfr. claim: 5 Hz - 30 kHz (+0, -1dB)
Actual measurement: 10 Hz - 50 kHz (+/- 1dB)

Tru C7
Mfr. claim: 5 Hz - 60 kHz(+/- 1dB)
Actual measurement: 5 Hz - 55 kHz (+/- 1dB)


SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO

JL Audio 300/2
Mfr. claim: >108.5 dB A-weighted, referred to rated power
Actual measurement: >117 dB (A-weighted, below clipping)

Tru C7
Mfr. claim: >105 dB
Actual measurement: >100 dB (A-weighted, below clipping)

STEREO SEPARATION

JL Audio 300/2
Mfr. claim: not specified
Actual measurement: 80 dB

Tru C7
Mfr. claim: >70 dB
Actual measurement: 55dB (front), 65 dB (rear)


DAMPING FACTOR AT 100 Hz / 4 ohm

JL Audio 300/2
Mfr. claim: >200
Actual measurement: >400

Tru C7
Mfr. claim: >650
Actual measurement: >65

EFFICIENCY

JL Audio 300/2
Mfr. claim: not specified
Actual measurement:
33% at 1/3 power / 2 ohms
53% at full power / 1.5 ohms

Tru C7
Mfr. claim: "66% at 4 ohm"
Actual measurement:
32% at 1/3 power / 2 ohms
49% at full power / 2 ohms

SLEW RATE

JL Audio 300/2
Mfr. claim: + / - 25V / microsecond
Actual measurement: + / - 25V / microsecond

Tru C7
Mfr. claim: not specified
Actual measurement: + / - 13 V / microsecond

Robert Zeff's "conclusion" on the 300/2:
"This is one of the most impressive amplifiers I've tested. The designers of this amplifier get my highest marks."

Mr. Yi... you can continue to spout all your theories and opinions, I'll just let the numbers and Mr. Zeff's comments speak for themselves.

Best regards,

Manville Smith
JL Audio, Inc.

Tho there is already a post for this exact thread posted by someone else on this board... this particular post is funny enough that its worth its own thread :) Would love to see the reply.

The other thread was by me too :D

Yea... ya know if I recall I posted over here before that I would never consider TRU irreguardless of winning the lottery due to the way their two main Reps or whatever, the owners, represent themselves on audio forums. Previously I believe it was in regard to a post on CAF, but now I'll say again due to this one. The thread had nothing to do with them and in no way was an attack on their company, yet they jumped in and tried to put down the JL amplifiers. Then to post on carsound that it in no way was an attack to JL? Bull*****.

Based on those specs, I don't think you can go wrong with either amp.....it's like arguing over which exotic car is better, there really isn't one best.

hmmm
interesting

Based on those specs, I don't think you can go wrong with either amp.....it's like arguing over which exotic car is better, there really isn't one best.

Except for when it comes time to compare the prices:

JL Audio 300/2 ($479)
TRU C7 ($2500)