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 JL Audio Slash 600/1v3

by Buck Pomerantz

Pure power for your subs

JL Audio's 600/1v3 mono subwoofer amplifier puts out 600 watts RMS to your subs, so you'll enjoy powerful, moving bass in you car. Its patented Class-D amp circuitry delivers exceptional, natural sound with extremely low distortion. Tunable frequency filters and a parametric EQ bass boost give you precise control over your bass. You can add the RBC-1 wired remote (not included) to dial in the right amount of thump from the front seat.

Consistent power for performance you can count on

This Slash v3 amplifier isn't just powerful, it's smart. As your car system's voltage fluctuates while you drive, the Regulated, Intelligent Power Supply™ system maintains steady, consistent power at any impedance between 1.5 and 4 ohms and at any voltage between 11 and 14.4 volts. You'll get all the power, all the time, even with a wide range of speaker combinations.

Minimize external noise

The 600/1v3 uses "differential-balanced inputs" to isolate the signal's ground from the chassis ground, reducing noise and making this Slash v3 amplifier compatible with almost any system, including most factory radios.

See more info on this item

Highlights:

mono subwoofer amplifier
600 watts RMS x 1 at 1.5 to 4 ohms
Regulated, Intelligent Power Supply system
differential-balanced inputs
variable low-pass filter (40-200 Hz, 12 or 24 dB/octave)
parametric EQ bass boost (0-15 dB at 20-80 Hz)
variable infrasonic filter (15-60 Hz, 24 dB/octave)
optional wired remote bass boost
Class-D amplifier design
MOSFET power and output stages
speaker- and preamp-level inputs (speaker-level input requires an optional adapter)
preamp outputs
4-gauge power and ground leads and a 60-amp fuse recommended — wiring and hardware not included with amplifier
no onboard fuses — when installing multiple amps in a system, an additional 60-amp in-line fuse between the distribution block and the amplifier is recommended
13-7/16"W x 2-7/16"H x 9-5/16"D
warranty: 2 years
Our 60-day money-back guarantee

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...	600 x 1
Peak Power Output (Watts x Channels) Loading...	N/A
Power at 2 Ohms (Watts x Channels) Loading...	600 x 1
Bridged Power (Watts x Channels) Loading...	N/A
Minimum Impedance Bridged Loading...	N/A
Minimum Impedance Unbridged Loading...	1.5
Best Frequency Response Loading...	5-250 Hz
THD at Rated RMS Power Loading...	0.05%
Signal to Noise Ratio Loading...	95 dB
Input Voltage Loading...	12.5v
Features
Amplifier Class Loading...	D
Low-Pass Crossover Frequency Loading...	40-200 Hz
Low-Pass Slope (dB/octave) Loading...	12 or 24 dB/oct
High-Pass Crossover Frequency Loading...	N/A
High-Pass Slope (dB/octave) Loading...	N/A
Bass Boost Loading...	0-15 dB
Bass Boost Frequency Loading...	20-80 Hz
Fan Cooled Loading...	No
Fuse Rating Loading...	60
Speaker Level Inputs Loading...	RCA
Preamp Outputs Loading...	1 pair
Width (inches) Loading...	13-7/16
Height (inches) Loading...	2-7/16
Depth (inches) Loading...	9-5/16
Parts Warranty Loading...	2 Year
Labor Warranty Loading...	2 Year

Product Research

What's in the box?

Download owner's manual

Monoblock subwoofer amplifier
2.5mm Allen wrench
Owner's manual

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

Mono Subwoofer Amplifier: The JL Audio 600/1v3 is a class D monoblock subwoofer amplifier. With its regulated power supply, the rated output is 600 Watts RMS x 1-channel into a load of 1.5Ω to 4Ω, with an input voltage of 11V to 14.5V. The signal to noise ratio is >95 dB and a total harmonic distortion is <0.05%, both measured at rated power (600 watts RMS). The amplifier's frequency response is 5-250Hz and it is not designed for driving full range speakers.

R.I.P.S. (Regulated Intelligent Power Supply): The JL Audio R.I.P.S. system ensures consistent power delivery over a wide range of battery voltages and load impedances, providing the rated power output at any impedance from 1.5Ω to 4Ω and at any vehicle voltage from 11V to 14.5V.

Regulated Power Supply: The power supply adjusts to maintain the amplifier's rated power output and low distortion operation over a wide range of vehicle voltages (11V-14.5V), so the amplifier's output remains stable in real-world car audio situations.
Intelligent Power Supply: An Intelligent circuit monitors output current to optimize the amplifier's output power over a wide range of load impedances (1.5Ω to 4Ω). The R.I.P.S. System detects the actual load impedance, rather than relying on often inaccurate assumptions based on a speaker's rated impedance, and adjusts output rail voltages to deliver consistent output.

RealSink Heat Management: This Slash v3 amplifier features a real cast-alloy heat sink with vertically-oriented fins, very effective at dissipating heat from the amplifier via convection and radiation. This design is achieved through extensive finite-element analysis, resulting in an amplifier that keeps cool under the most demanding conditions. As an added cosmetic benefit, the cast-aluminum end-caps replicate half of a heat sink fin so that when two or more amplifiers are mounted end-to-end, you get a totally seamless custom look.

Advanced Rollback Protection: If a Slash v3 amplifier should ever reach an unsafe temperature, the Advanced Rollback Protection circuit reduces power until the amplifier cools down, without turning the music off completely.

Class D Circuitry: JL Audio's Patented Class D output circuit utilizes a discrete control section and a unique feedback loop design, resulting in a damping factor greater than 500 at 4Ω (>250 at 2Ω), higher than most other Class D and Class A/B designs. The benefit is tight, clean bass reproduction with the efficiency advantage of Class D.

Differential-Balance Inputs: The 600/1v3 features differential-balanced input architecture to reject noise and ensure compatibility with a wide variety of source units, including many OEM systems. Without using a line output converter, you can connect most OEM or aftermarket source units to the amplifier without creating any noise or compatibility issues.

Note: You will need a speaker wire to RCA adaptor (item number 136XDCLR2S, sold separately) when using a speaker-level input.

Preamp Outputs: The preamp outputs make connecting multiple amplifiers simple. The 600/1v3 features an independent crossover for the preamp output, with frequency (40-200 Hz), mode (LP or HP) and slope (12 or 24 dB) adjustments.

Protection Circuitry With Status Indicator Lights: There are three status indicator lights on the top of the amplifier:

Power (Green): green LED indicates the amplifier is turned on and operating normally
Thermal (Red): red LED indicates the amplifier has exceeded its safe operating temperature; the power output is reduced until the heat sink temperature drops back to a safe level
Low Ω (Amber): amber LED indicates the impedance of the connected speaker(s) is lower than the optimum impedance range for the amplifier and the power output is reduced; the amber LED can also indicate a short in the speaker wire

Note: The only condition that will turn off the 600/1v3 completely is when the battery voltage drops below 10 volts.

Infrasonic Filter: Ultra-low frequencies that cannot be reproduced by a subwoofer do not become sound, but unnecessary oscillations which affect sound by causing distortion. These frequencies also waste amplifier power and can cause damage to speakers. Using the infrasonic filter, variable from 15 Hz to 60Hz, removes the signal below the setting to improve the performance of the speakers by eliminating harmful distortion. The infrasonic filter can be turned off.

Controls

Simplified Gain Setting: The amplifier's R.I.P.S. feature allows easy gain setup. Because the amplifier always delivers the same output power within its operational range of load impedance and power supply voltage, the maximum, unclipped output is predictable. This makes setting input gain very simple, you'll need a Digital AC Voltmeter (item number 142TK12V, sold separately) and a CD with a sine-wave bass test tone recorded at 0 dB reference level (item number 503CD104, sold separately). In addition to the continuously variable rotary gain control, the Input Voltage switch adjusts the gain range, set to Low (200mV-2V) or High (800mV-8V).

Auto Turn-On: When using a speaker-level input, the Signal Sensing switch can be set to On, and the amplifier will turn on and off based on the presence of the input signal (after approximately 25 seconds with no input signal the amp will turn off). When in the Signal Sensing circuit is on, the amplifier's Remote terminal acts as an output to turn on other amplifiers.

Low Pass Crossover: The built-in crossover allows you to adjust the frequency and filter slope of the amplifier's powered output:

Mode/Slope Switch:
- Off: crossover is bypassed, useful when using an external crossover; in this position the Advanced Bass Control is defeated
- 12 dB: filter slope is 12 dB/octave, often used when the subwoofer is in the trunk of a sedan
- 24 dB: filter slope is 24 dB/octave
Frequency: crossover frequency variable from 40 Hz to 200 Hz; the detented potentiometer allows accurate adjustment

Preamp Output Crossover: An independent crossover address what frequencies the preamp outputs will pass:

Output Mode:
- Full Range: the preamp output is the same as the amplifier's input; the signal is not affected by the Advanced Bass Control
- Amp Filter: the preamp output signal is the same as the amplifier's powered output, governed by the Low Pass Crossover and Advanced Bass Control
- Out Filter: the independent crossover controls affect the preamp output:
  - Filter Slope: 12 dB/octave or 24 dB/octave
  - Filter Mode: Low Pass or High Pass
  - Filter Frequency: crossover frequency variable from 40 Hz to 200 Hz; the detented potentiometer allows accurate adjustment

Advanced Bass Controls: The bass control functions on the amplifier include:

Variable Bass Boost: The amplifier's variable bass boost features a single band parametric equalizer with variable Q (0.5 - 4.3), center frequency (20 Hz to 80 Hz), and boost (0 to +15dB).
Infrasonic Filter: The 24dB/octave infrasonic filter has a variable crossover point (15 Hz to 60 Hz). The infrasonic filter can be turned off.
Remote Bass Port: The amplifier is equipped with a connection for an optional wired Remote Bass Control (item number 136RBC1, sold separately), allowing boost control from the front of your vehicle.

Connections

Power and Ground: The amplifier's set-screw Power and Ground connections accept up to 4-gauge wire (4-gauge is recommended if the power wire is more than 72" long).

Note: The Amplifier is not equipped with a fuse. An external 60-amp fuse (not included) must be installed on the power wire. If the system has only this amp and a wiring kit is used that includes a fuse with a value other than 60-amps, the original should be replaced with a 60-amp fuse.

Speaker Output Terminals: The two pair of set-screw speaker terminals accept 12-gauge to 8-gauge wire. The terminals are internally shorted together, making it easy to connect two subwoofers.

Remote Turn-On: The set-screw turn-on lead terminal will accept 12-gauge to 8-gauge wire.

Note: If your headunit does not have a dedicated remote turn-on output, the amplifier's turn-on lead can be connected to a switched +12V volt circuit.

Preamp Inputs: The amplifier features one set of differential-balanced RCA inputs. The amplifier's input level can be set to Low (200mV-2V RMS) when connecting the amplifier to a low-level preamp signal or set to High (800mV-8V RMS) when connecting the amplifier to a high-level speaker signal.

Preamp Outputs: The amplifier also features one set of preamp outputs so you can send audio to another amplifier in your system. The preamp output can be full range, or the built-in crossover can be applied.