ozarkdevil

Arc & Alpine are pretty close dollar for watt, which amp in your opinion is better.

jonyb

I've got a pic of a JL 6.5 with rust around the tweeter in the grill. If I had access to my phone, I'd post it up. I'll try to remember this later. I've been installing Wet Sounds amps and speakers for 8 years. I've had a couple customers that just HAD to have JL, mostly only to add onto what they already had. The XS-650's and XS-808's sounded a lot better than the JL M Series by far. In most boats I use the Syndicate amps, sometimes the Sinister - depending on the customers budget. Over the years - in my area - JL is phased out. I do one boat (at a marina or in my shop), and the next guy dumps his JL's (that may have came OEM) for the Wet Sounds.

JL Audio reminds me of Blose. Whored out by Paul Harvey. I'm not saying they don't make quality amps and speakers, but people blindly buy them based on the name alone. The best option is to hear it for yourself.

jonyb

I'm a dealer for Alpine, but have never sold their amps. I use a lot of Arc, but mostly the XDi series. Weve been very impressed with the newest generation of Arc's XDi line. A guy that helps me in the shop (has been in this industry since 1984) smiles and talks about how impressed with them he is. He was in car audio when Linear Power and Orion was hot. The Punch 150 was another one that was impressive, so for a dinosaur like my friend to say that about an entry level line - says a lot.

However, we sell those for most car installs. If you don't need a marine grade amp, Arc has the KS series also, lots of guys use those in wakeboat installs. The KS is designed by Robert Zeff. The Wet Sounds Syndicate line is also designed by him, has the same processor, but adds a coated board and stainless shroud. They've got a 300.2, 600.2, and 1200.1. I run a 300.2 and 1200.1 on my display.

Before I recommend what's best, I'd need to know your budget. I see above what you're powering, but like pstorti said, you mentioned entry level amps to go into a boat that's obviously above that level.

ozarkdevil

Wet sounds doesn't have a good mono amp for subs, do they? All I see is the HT 1 = 600 watts

jonyb

Syn2 and SD2.

They had the Syn1 - 1000W mono @ 1 ohm, but discontinued it. A supplier issue I believe.

https://wetsounds.com/pages/products/SD2.html
1250W mono at 4 ohms

https://wetsounds.com/pages/products/SYN2_spec.html
700W mono at 4 ohms

Also, you can look at retail, but that's with anything else. A local dealer will be better for pricing those. I sell most of their products for a little less to local crowds.

ozarkdevil

My budget depends on how much I like something, with in reason.
Entry level amps, I have heard some kick a$$ Alpine systems and pretty sure Arc Audio isn't entry level.

jonyb

The XDi is entry level. KS is the next step up.

I could name a hundred different combinations of amps between the brands......

SD4 to power the 4 pair of coax's, SD2 for the10's (that depends on the impedance of what you have though)
Syn4 and Syn2
(2) Arc 300.2's, 1 1200.1

288sunny

I haven't seen much Arc audio or wet sounds where I live in Florida, that's not saying much, it just hasn't made it this far, don't even know of a dealer in my area. Not disagreeing with the above comments, but I have no issue with JL audio, several years of boating in fl sun and salt water, plus a 5 yr old and mine still sounds good.
Going to look into arc audio though, would love to see one and hear it play.

a262carl

Punch class D marine amps. Small efficient clear and powerful

stimleck

This statement surprises me, I have heard them all and the JL's destroy the others. I couldnt afford them but wish I could. If money were not an object I would only use jl speakers and amps. They simply sound way better in the open environment of a boat.