My system has plenty of power. Who needs an amp?

You might think you don't need an amp because you have a 400-watt system in your car, or because your new stereo puts out 50 watts a channel. But those are peak wattage ratings, which may boil down to 15 or 20 watts per channel, using the more realistic RMS rating. An amp sends your speakers the power they need to deliver your music with clarity and impact, whether you're using factory speakers or high-performance components. And low-frequency reproduction requires lots of power, so an amp is an absolute must if you're adding a sub to your system.

Our take on the JBL GTO-1001EZ

by Buck Pomerantz

Efficient bass power always set correctly
JBL's compact GTO-1001EZ amplifier will drive your subs with up to 1,000 watts RMS, bringing exciting, visceral impact to the music in your car. This mono amp looks very cool with its "old-school" styling, and JBL includes a few innovations that really separate this amp from the others.

Simple Setup System for setting amp gain
One of the biggest problems with installing an amplifier is setting the gain properly. JBL has come up with a fool-proof method for getting it right, ensuring full-power performance and distortion-free play. Using test tones on the included setup CD, you adjust the gain knob until the yellow light or the red light goes off, and the green "Gain OK" light comes on — it's that simple. You'll never have to worry again about your amp "clipping" the signal, and possibly damaging your speakers or subs.

Plays well with factory radios
This GTO amp comes with screw-on bare wire-to-RCA adapters that let you hook up the amp, using your car's factory speaker wiring to supply the input signal. In some vehicles, the factory radio shuts down when you try to tap into the speaker wires, displaying a "no speakers are present" message. This amp features a special circuit that fools those factory radios by simulating a speaker load. The onboard crossovers and bass boost let you fine tune the system to perfection, and the large recessed knobs mean you don't need a tiny screwdriver to make your adjustments.

GTO-1001EZ input panel

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Highlights:

mono subwoofer amplifier
650 watts RMS x 1 at 4 ohms (1,000 watts RMS x 1 at 2 ohms)
CEA-2006 compliant
frequency response: 10-280 Hz
Class D amp technology
variable low-pass filter (40-280 Hz, 12 dB/octave)
variable bass boost (0-12 dB at 45 Hz)
Simple Setup System with test tone CD for perfect gain setting
optional wired remote level controller available soon
preamp and speaker-level inputs (speaker wire-to-RCA adapters included)
switchable automatic signal-sensing turns on amp without need for remote lead
fuse rating: 40A x 3
6- or 4-gauge power and ground leads recommended — wiring and hardware not included with amplifier
14-11/16"W x 2-5/8"H x 9-11/16"D
warranty: 1 year
Our 60-day money-back guarantee

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Hands-on research from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?)

Features and specs chart | What’s in the box? | In-depth notes

Features and Specs

Performance
RMS Power Output (Watts x Channels) Loading...	650 x 1
Peak Power Output (Watts x Channels) Loading...	1450 x 1
Power at 2 Ohms (Watts x Channels) Loading...	1000 x 1
Bridged Power (Watts x Channels) Loading...	N/A
Minimum Impedance Bridged Loading...	N/A
Minimum Impedance Unbridged Loading...	2
Best Frequency Response Loading...	10-280 Hz
THD at Rated RMS Power Loading...	1%
Signal to Noise Ratio Loading...	80 dB
Input Voltage Loading...	14.4v
Features
Amplifier Class Loading...	D
Low-Pass Crossover Frequency Loading...	40-280 Hz
Low-Pass Slope (dB/octave) Loading...	12 dB/oct
High-Pass Crossover Frequency Loading...	N/A
High-Pass Slope (dB/octave) Loading...	N/A
Bass Boost Loading...	0-12 dB
Bass Boost Frequency Loading...	45 Hz
Fan Cooled Loading...	No
Fuse Rating Loading...	120
Speaker Level Inputs Loading...	RCA
Preamp Outputs Loading...	No
Width (inches) Loading...	14-11/16
Height (inches) Loading...	2-5/8
Depth (inches) Loading...	9-11/16
Parts Warranty Loading...	1 Year
Labor Warranty Loading...	1 Year

Product Research

What's in the box?

Download owner's manual

Mono subwoofer amplifier
Three 40-amp ATO fuses (installed)
2 Speaker wire to RCA adapters
Setup CD
Warranty information
Owner's manual (English/ German/ French/ Spanish/ Dutch/ Italian/ Swedish/ Danish/ Finnish/ Korean/ Japanese/ Chinese/ Russian/ Polish/ Portuguese/ Turkish/ Indonesian)

Our Product Research Team

At Crutchfield, you'll get detailed, accurate information that's hard to find elsewhere. That's because we have our own in-house Product Research team — they open the box, verify contents, check the owner's manual, and record dimensions, features and specs. We stay on top of new products and technologies to help people make informed choices.

Features
Controls
Connections

Features

Setup Disc: The included setup CD is used to optimize the input gain. A test tone is output from the disc and the Gain LEDs on the amp (green, yellow, red) guide you through adjusting the gain controls.

Note: The instructions in the first version of the manual indicate the radio should be at full volume when playing the setup disc; this is wrong and JBL is in the process of correcting the manual. The volume should actually be as high as possible without distorting the signal; this will be different for every radio, but approximately 3/4 volume is typical.

Auto Turn-on: The GTO-1001EZ has a signal sensing automatic turn-on circuit; it will turn on whenever an audio signal is present at the RCA inputs. The amplifier will automatically turn off approximately five minutes after the input signal ceases. If you prefer to use the radio's remote lead, the auto turn-on feature can be turned off.

Crossovers: Because this is a subwoofer amplifier, the low-pass crossover cannot be bypassed. The crossover point is continuously variable from 40 Hz to 280 Hz and the crossover's slope is 12 dB/octave.

Audio Input: If your radio has no line-level outputs, use the included adapters to convert the speaker wires to RCA and plug them into the amplifier's inputs. The input level switch has a Hi2 position, used to present a speaker load to factory radios equipped with a circuit that turns the radio off when an amp is connected.

Controls

Top:

Crossover Frequency: rotary knob; continuously variable from 40 Hz to 280 Hz
Input Gain: rotary knob (the gain LEDs are above the knob)
Bass Boost: rotary knob; continuously variable from 0 to +12 dB; boost centered at 45 Hz

Right Side:

Input Level: three position switch; Low, Hi1, or Hi2 (used only with factory radios having a circuit that turns the radio off when it sees no speaker load)
Gain LEDs: on/off

Bottom:

Auto Turn-on: on/off

Connections

Left Side:

Power and Ground Terminals: set screw terminals; accept up to 4 gauge bare wire
- Note: JBL recommends the power and ground cables be 6 gauge minimum. The recommended accessory list for the GTO-1001EZ includes wiring kits with 4 gauge wire and 150 amp fuses. If a different wiring kit having an in-line fuse smaller than 120 amps is used, a replacement fuse (at least 120 amps) must also be added.
Remote Turn-on Terminal: set screw terminal; accepts up to 8 gauge bare wire
Speaker terminal: one pair of set screw terminals; accepts up to 8 gauge bare wire
Fuses: three ports for 40-amp ATO fuses (fuses are factory installed)

Right Side:

Audio Input: left and right female RCA jacks; compatible with a speaker level signal using the included adapters
Remote: RJ-25 jack (the wired remote is not yet available as of 2/17/12)

Product reviews from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?)

Video: JBL GTO amplifiers

Zak Billmeier

2/9/2012

Zak got a chance to check out the new JBL GTO car amps at CES 2012. Chris from JBL takes us through the line and shows us that no matter what you've got planned, JBL has a GTO amp for you.