JL Audio M3 vs M6

[I_squared_r]

Last year the AR192 OEM speakers were shot so I put cheap kenwood marine speakers and a rockville amp. They're not loud enough so I want to put quality speakers and keep the kenwoods for when I upgrade my boat. Are JL Audio the best value? M3 vs M6? Will this upgrade be significantly louder over my current set up?

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

Get an amp over new speakers. Most speakers are similary efficient - the key is power.

 

[I_squared_r]

Get an amp over new speakers. Most speakers are similary efficient - the key is power.

My amp is a 5 channel and it pushes the 8" subwoofer hard. But at full volume the speakers are terrible. I was thinking that the cheap rockville amp could be faulty.

 

[I_squared_r]

Maybe I can just buy this refurbished JL Audio m400/4 and keep my sub on the rockville amp.

EDIT: Out of stock

JL Audio Refurbished M400/4:4 Ch. Class D Full-Range Marine Amplifier 400 W

JL Audio Refurbished M400/4: 4 Ch. Class D Full-Range Marine Amplifier 400 WHigh Quality tested & remanufactured by JL Audio. 90 day JL Audio Re-Manufactured...

creativeaudio.net

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

My amp is a 5 channel and it pushes the 8" subwoofer hard. But at full volume the speakers are terrible. I was thinking that the cheap rockville amp could be faulty.

Are you gains and cross overs set correctly? The head unit at full volume will clip - not sure if you really cranking it to 100% or not.

 

[I_squared_r]

Are you gains and cross overs set correctly? The head unit at full volume will clip - not sure if you really cranking it to 100% or not.

I think so. I'm not an audio expert, but last year I looked up youtube videos and turned a lot of knobs.

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

I think so. I'm not an audio expert, but last year I looked up youtube videos and turned a lot of knobs.

A few rules of thumb to double check : don't turn head unit past 3/4. Set gains to that level - typically should be under half way. Keep crossovers around 80hz, if you want more volume can push to 100hz with less of a slope (like 6 or 12dB). I am not a fan of Kenwood speakers but they should sound fairly decent with power. Of course it could be the amp, like you said.

 

[I_squared_r]

A few rules of thumb to double check : don't turn head unit past 3/4. Set gains to that level - typically should be under half way. Keep crossovers around 80hz, if you want more volume can push to 100hz with less of a slope (like 6 or 12dB). I am not a fan of Kenwood speakers but they should sound fairly decent with power. Of course it could be the amp, like you said.

I'll check it out. I'm thinking of a way of diagnosing the amp: If I turn the head unit to full volume, the amp to full gain, and the passover at 100hz, and the speakers don't reach some level of distortion (ie before damage), then the amp outs are likely insufficient?

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

I'll check it out. I'm thinking of a way of diagnosing the amp: If I turn the head unit to full volume, the amp to full gain, and the passover at 100hz, and the speakers don't reach some level of distortion (ie before damage), then the amp outs are likely insufficient?

I personally wouldn’t ever turn gains to max, potential damage is easy. If you have a meter you could mathematically determine output to the speakers. Also could make sure you have the amp set to low input, if it has the option to change.