Currently looking for a stereo advice? and have a plan for purchasing one? We have two recommendations from Alpine PDX-V9 and JL HD900/5. We know it will be hard of decide an option which is the best one among them. But, it is not a wrong thing if you read the review first, then you can consider what you really need and want.
Alpine PDX-V9
The PDX-V9 is one of the biggest amplifiers Alpine currently offer and is a digital Class-D design. Each of its four main channels are rated at 100 watts continuous while the subwoofer channel outputs an impressive 500 watts when driving a 4-ohms load. Each PDX amplifier comes with a birth certificate showing what the power output is measured at and this particular one outputs 120 watts per main channel and 526 watts into the subwoofer channel. The weight of this device is 2.7 kg. Along the back edge of the amplifier is a plain black panel which unscrews to give you access to the amplifier’s controls. Although not extensive, the controls do go a little beyond the basics such as separate gain control pots for front, rear and subwoofer. Firstly there are crossovers including high-pass for channels 1 and 2 at 30Hz – 600Hz. Then is a high-pass of 30Hz – 600Hz and a low-pass of 300Hz – 6kHz for channels 3 and 4 and finally a low-pass between 50Hz – 600Hz for the subwoofer channel. In the box Alpine include mounting screws, tools and plugs for the terminals however the spacer plates required for stacking are sold separately.
JL HD900/5
JL Audio’s Flagship Series of amplifiers offer unmatched performance from an ultra-compact chassis. These Class D amplifiers require less power, generate minimal heat and take up far less space than the common amplifier design. HD Series amplifiers reproduce your music with outstanding accuracy, providing high-fidelity sound even under the most demanding conditions, thanks to a number of JL Audio exclusive technologies. JL Audio’s signature Advanced Thermal Rollback protection system eliminates annoying thermal shutdown events to keep the music playing, even under the most demanding conditions. Also included are JL Audio’s noise-killing, highly flexible differential-balanced inputs with remote level control capabilities for the subwoofer channel via the HD-RLC remote level control. The HD900/5 employs JL Audio’s exclusive Regulated, Intelligent Power Supply (R.I.P.S.) design. This sophisticated power supply allows the amplifier to produce high power over a wide range of speaker impedances.
Alpine PDX-V9 vs JL HD900/5
There is something special that JL Audio HD900/5 that Alpine does not have. It is strictly regulated on both the power supply and output sections. So regardless of the voltage supply or load impedance, the JL will not decline in power. It’s also a matter of SQ, having an audio section that has a dependable supply voltage. While Alpine was one of the early adopters of fullrange Class D and the PDX series has been one of the best products in class since its introduction. They have tons of experience with this and are on multiple versions in their Class D evolution. This is not one of those amplifiers sharing a platform with a half dozen other brands.