A cap (C.A.P. is a brand) allows the voltage delivered to the amp to remain higher more of the time.

It smooths out voltage fluctuations that are associated with bass notes and higher amp draws on the power supply.

When your amp uses a loosely-regulated power supply - like most do - it can deliver more power at 14 V DC than at 11 V DC (at the power supply input terminals). The cap keeps that voltage higher, thus allowing the amp to make more power more of the time.

When your amp uses a stiffly-regulated power supply, it usually gives you the exact same amount of power with a power supply voltage of 11V to 16 V. Old PPI, old xtant (and some current, but I don't know which ones), some Zapco, old Hifonics/Autotek, and current JL "slash" are all stiffly-regulated.

When you have a smaller battery, caps help more...when the battery's at the other end of a long wire, caps help more.

So basically, when installing JL "slash" amps in an X5, with a huge rear-mounted battery requiring a very short wire, you have all the ingredients for not benefiting from a cap at all.

I'm not saying that one is better than the other overall. Research dynamic headroom as it relates to power supplies sometime. But if you have the budget, big (not medium - big) stiffly-regulated amps are my preference.

thanks for the explanation. i will have to read up on dynamic headroom sometime in the near future. i have 2 Phoenix Gold Amps (2240 and 2125). how can i tell if they are stiffly-regulated or not? here's a pic of my setup in my previous vehicle. i still have all the components. i'm just not installing it all in the X5.

http://xoutpost.com/gallery/files/2/3/9/radio17.jpg

Nice set up. It's taking shape and I have no doubt that your set up will look great. I also like the set up that Janix has. Unfortunately, I do not have the retracted floor option. Looks like I have to build the amp rack like Ken did with the other X5. Ken is helping me out with tuning the JL 500/1. It's an awesome amp but I have not found its tuned sweet spot yet. I see that you have the JL 1000/1, looks like you run something big :). This is a good thread, keep us posted because I am sure I can learn a great deal from your experience. Thanks.

J.

I'm running my 12w6 with the same 500/1 amp that you have. Let me know what the settings end being as I haven't even started tuning mine yet, so a starting point would be most appreciated :)
The other amp is a JL 450/4 that I'm going to be using for the door speakers. The wiring for the sub should be done tonight, the "cover" should be finished towards the end of the week. As for the getting the doors done, I'm waiting till the end cause it looks like it's going to be fun :D :rofl:

why did you choose 3 8" subwoofers...? how did that sound?.....sweeeeeeeeet ;)

Ekaz,
Try these two informative links:

JL 500/1 info right from the source


A couple of tutorials from JL on setting gain and parametric EQ

I found them very helpful to start with the tuning and parametric EQ learning curve. Per Ken's recommendation, I have my Q at around 1.6, Center Frequency at around 40 Hz, Boost at 4 and Xover at 70 Hz, leave the Infrasonic filter off. I am not very pleased with the setting yet but I think it's getting there. I called it a quit at this point because I have two big exams this week to study for but will work on it when I get more time. I hope the hyperlinks above will work. Good luck and looking forward to see more of your work.

Justin.

Thanks! :thumbup:

Minor update....
Got the wiring done, needs to be dressed up a bit but mostly organized. Sub amp is all wired. The only thing left is installing the cleansweep and wiring the other amp which it looks to be a project in itself. :)

http://www.ekaz.net/images/DSC02134.JPG

who? :dunno:

Ekaz,
Have you gotten any idea for your subwoofer enclosure or where you will install it yet? The JL 12W6V2 is way too big for that right corner where the factory subwoofers are now. I am still searching but right now have my subwoofer in a compact box. Let me know if you have any idea.

J.