JL Audio JX1000/1D 1000 Watt RMS Monoblock Class D Car Amplifier Review

When it comes to automotive audio systems, and the whole idea of building something better than what the car manufacturer has supplied you with, trying to make your build affordable is where you will run into most issues.

Going for high tier components is naturally more expensive, but you have significantly fewer problems to deal with.

Entry level amps and speakers are a group which will make you work the most, both in terms of research and installation itself. One of the reasons for this are brands who are trying to give you amps packed with features which are only there to make that particular amp more attractive.

In doing so, they are cutting into the budget that would otherwise go to making that amp good and reliable.

At least that’s how it goes with a good majority of amp brands which operate in the affordable range. On the other hand, you have companies such as JL Audio who know exactly what you the entry-level user needs and wants. One of their best offerings in this regard is the JX1000D.

Today we are going to cover it from head to toe and give you an idea of what to expect if you decide to go for this model.

JL Audio JX1000D Review

One thing you definitely have to appreciate about JL Audio has got to be their no-nonsense approach to building cheap amps. They will always put the performance of the amp before any cosmetic or gimmicky feature we often see in amps of this category.

The result of following this policy are a bit chunkier units, but ones that will work reliably no matter what. There are some trade-offs you need to make when shopping for cheaper components, but performance should never be on that list.

Features of the JL 1000 D:

Unpacking the JL Audio JX1000D reveals a very clean and simple aesthetic design JL Audio went with for this amp. The enclosure is pretty rugged and inspires confidence in terms of quality of the materials used to make it.

It’s not the lightest amp on the market, but it’s definitely not the heaviest one either. If you’re wondering whether or not this thing will fit well in your trunk, you don’t need to worry. JX1000D is pretty convenient for installation.

The amp itself is rated for 1000 Watts RMS at 2 Ohms, although you can get 750 Watts RMS at 3 Ohms, or 500 Watts RMS at 4 Ohms. Flexible enough. Opening this thing up tells a tale of simplicity and applying the most obvious solutions to the problem of supplying power and many others.

Speaking of which, JL Audio JX1000D uses an unregulated power supply with RWM switching – something that is definitely not the latest breakthrough in technology.  With that said, JL Audio wanted to get the best performance out of affordable components.

Using this type of power supply is nothing to write home about, but it’s a robust design that simply delivers the necessary power where it’s needed. You can’t ask for more than that.

There is variable bass boost available, and you can go as far as +12dB of additional juice. Even if you max it out, the boost will still sit relatively flat at 45 Hz. Frequency response range of this low pass filter ranges from 50 Hz to 200 Hz, thus eliminating a good chunk of unwanted frequencies in your bass channel.

For what it is, JL Audio JX1000D brings a set of pretty practical features. We are talking mostly about the soft start turn-on system and overall thermal protection. Both of these work rather well, with the soft turn-on protecting your cones from any pops or other short bursts that might appear when you turn on your car.

How Does this JL Class D Amp Perform?:

As we talked about earlier in the text, the whole point of building this amp the way it was built, was to deliver a solid and reliable performance.

That is exactly what JL Audio managed to do with the JX1000D. Installation of the unit and initial cable termination is pretty easy and standard by all means. If you have been dealing with car amps before, there won’t be any surprises in this regard. Once powered on, JL Audio JX1000D will work quietly and mostly cool.

The type of power supply they chose for this model isn’t the most efficient design, but that issue was mitigated by packing the whole board into a chunky aluminum enclosure with pretty massive heat syncs. Is it perfect at managing heat? No, but it does a good enough job where your audio won’t be affected even if you push it a bit harder.

In terms of volume, there’s an abundance to be had. In all honesty, chances are you won’t manage to max out this amp unless of course, you are building a crazy rig. Lots of headroom was something JL Audio insisted on, and it turned out to be a winning move.

One of the best things about this model is that it works great with OEM systems. Not everyone wants to start from scratch, so if you are just looking to add some bass to your factory audio system, JL Audio JX1000D has you covered.

Our Verdict on the JL JX1000 D

JL Audio has a long track record of delivering affordable amps that come with all the right features. Buying cheap is something a lot of automotive audio enthusiasts just hate, but for a lot of people, there is no other way. That being said, it’s comforting to know that there are brands out there who will take care of you even in this segment of the market.

JL Audio JX1000D is a pure no-nonsense model that will give you everything you need, without forcing you to deal with gimmicky features that have no real practical value. It’s a powerful amp, but it handles that power in a way that isn’t damaging to your car’s battery nor the existing audio system.

In the end , it’s one of those models that pushes hard on all fronts. That is something you don’t see that often anymore.

See our recently updated guide to the top rated car amplifiers, amps with 5 channel and amps with 4 channel input.