JBL GT5-a604

cyclops · 9th February 2009, 16:17

Prologue:

I had been looking for an entry level amp to power my JBL GT5 speaker setup (no sub) for long. Gone through many threads on tBHP discusing the entry level amps.

The options available and discussed were,

1. Kenwood KAC8401
2. Blau GTA 4 Special Mk II
3. JBL GT5-A604

All these are in almost the same price range. I never got to audition any of these from the dealers and finally went for the GT5-A604, purely because of its easy availability and brand. And I am quite satisfied with the output of the setup for the price that I had paid.

My Query to all tBHPians:

Why is this amp not recommended by the experts to anyone?

JBL amps in the higher price-point seem to be popular with everyone, but this amp is simply not preferred or recommended by anyone. Kenwood 8401 seems to be the most sought after amp in this range forllowed by the Blau MKII.

Is there something with this amp which makes it not fit for recomnedation? Say the sound signature or its tone.. Or its just because it is not used and auditioned by many tBHPians and hence its underrated?

Well, to be true, I have not auditioned any other amp in a similar setup like mine (4" fronts, 6x9 rears), so I cannot compare it with others. Your inputs will be highly appreciated and helpful for the people looking for a basic amp.

nishantgandhi · 9th February 2009, 16:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyclops

Prologue:

I had been looking for an entry level amp to power my JBL GT5 speaker setup (no sub) for long. Gone through many threads on tBHP discusing the entry level amps.

The options available and discussed were,

1. Kenwood KAC8401
2. Blau GTA 4 Special Mk II
3. JBL GT5-A604

All these are in almost the same price range. I never got to audition any of these from the dealers and finally went for the GT5-A604, purely because of its easy availability and brand. And I am quite satisfied with the output of the setup for the price that I had paid.

My Query to all tBHPians:

Why is this amp not recommended by the experts to anyone?

JBL amps in the higher price-point seem to be popular with everyone, but this amp is simply not preferred or recommended by anyone. Kenwood 8401 seems to be the most sought after amp in this range forllowed by the Blau MKII.

Is there something with this amp which makes it not fit for recomnedation? Say the sound signature or its tone.. Or its just because it is not used and auditioned by many tBHPians and hence its underrated?

Well, to be true, I have not auditioned any other amp in a similar setup like mine (4" fronts, 6x9 rears), so I cannot compare it with others. Your inputs will be highly appreciated and helpful for the people looking for a basic amp.

How much did you pay for this?

i had heard over heating issues with it hence preferred to go for Blau.

In fact, you could also consider GTO 504 in the comparison.

cyclops · 9th February 2009, 16:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by nishantgandhi

How much did you pay for this?

i had heard over heating issues with it hence preferred to go for Blau.

In fact, you could also consider GTO 504 in the comparison.

I paid around 6k for the amp. I've kept it on for the longest stretch of 4.5 hours non stop and it was running cool..

Sam Kapasi · 9th February 2009, 16:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by nishantgandhi

i had heard over heating issues with it hence preferred to go for Blau.
In fact, you could also consider GTO 504 in the comparison.

Just saw that. Not true.
That amplifier is extremely hardy and has a very low failure rate.

I won't answer the questions of quality, sound etc and let the discussion continue.

Cheers.

9th February 2009, 16:48

I am not preferring it only for the 80db SNR. Not sure how much that figure actually affects the sound output but logically speaking, the more this value is, better is the system.

Primarily for this reason I am looking forward to get GTO 504 instead. (which unfortunately I am not being able to)

DjNik · 9th February 2009, 21:38

I have heard that the JBL GT5 series amplifiers have been giving problems owing to which JBL has decided to discontinue these in the eastern region for now, this is according to the JBL distbutor in Kolkata so i presume it must be true.

nitrous · 10th February 2009, 00:25

I love the JBL 604 for the sound reproduction and the total VFM.
160W subwoofer RMS @ ~5k!

cyclops · 10th February 2009, 10:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by DjNik

I have heard that the JBL GT5 series amplifiers have been giving problems owing to which JBL has decided to discontinue these in the eastern region for now, this is according to the JBL distbutor in Kolkata so i presume it must be true.

I think this is just a rumor by the distr. And how come there are so many misconceptions about this amp? Are there any links to prove the problems in this amp? The word of mouth publicity or defamation works like anything in our country!

Hey Sam, is this true? And how is the amp faring in terms of sales nos.? Please share a comparo if you dont mind..

Fountainheader · 10th February 2009, 10:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitrous

I love the JBL 604 for the sound reproduction and the total VFM.
160W subwoofer RMS @ ~5k!

5k is the price in grey ? Or with b/w ?

10th February 2009, 10:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fountainheader

5k is the price in grey ? Or with b/w ?

Its in Grey man. Might be with dealer warranty but thats more of a mutual understanding.

cyclops · 10th February 2009, 15:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fountainheader

5k is the price in grey ? Or with b/w ?

Better go for b/w product. I got mine for 6.2k with installation and a BOSS (i know i gotta get something good) kit.. It is covered in the warranty and gives you peace of mind.. In fact, the amp is is distributed really well and even the dealers insist on going for a b/w product!

Sam Kapasi · 10th February 2009, 16:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by DjNik

I have heard that the JBL GT5 series amplifiers have been giving problems owing to which JBL has decided to discontinue these in the eastern region for now, this is according to the JBL distbutor in Kolkata so i presume it must be true.

lol that too is quite, quite untrue.

And Cyclops, the GT5 amplifiers outsell the GTO amplifiers. And not by a small margin.

cyclops · 10th February 2009, 16:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

And Cyclops, the GT5 amplifiers outsell the GTO amplifiers. And not by a small margin.

I always thought so.!

Okay. Now he big question is, why is this amp not popular on tBHP?

Sam Kapasi · 10th February 2009, 17:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyclops

I always thought so.!

Okay. Now he big question is, why is this amp not popular on tBHP?

I do not know the answer. Perhaps some people do not like the amplifier? I have no idea. Personally I can see no reason why it is not popular.

There are some things/products/brands that are very popular on Team-BHP (and I do not necessarily mean audio). And no other things are quite as popular. Teams and bands and brand loyalists are formed and a simple user/consumer (who has rarely used any other product in his life) sometimes develops a stronger opinion than even the manufacturer.

The real world outside the forum isn't quite like that.

It is quite different. The real world buys Tata and Maruti cars, not so many OHCs and Mitsubishi Lancers and Skoda VRS.

Know what I mean?

cyclops · 10th February 2009, 18:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

Know what I mean?

Well.. I guess i do!

is anyone else having some other view on this?

9th February 2009, 16:17	#1
cyclops BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pune Posts: 297 Thanked: 12 Times	JBL GT5-a604 Prologue: I had been looking for an entry level amp to power my JBL GT5 speaker setup (no sub) for long. Gone through many threads on tBHP discusing the entry level amps. The options available and discussed were, 1. Kenwood KAC8401 2. Blau GTA 4 Special Mk II 3. JBL GT5-A604 All these are in almost the same price range. I never got to audition any of these from the dealers and finally went for the GT5-A604, purely because of its easy availability and brand. And I am quite satisfied with the output of the setup for the price that I had paid. My Query to all tBHPians: Why is this amp not recommended by the experts to anyone? JBL amps in the higher price-point seem to be popular with everyone, but this amp is simply not preferred or recommended by anyone. Kenwood 8401 seems to be the most sought after amp in this range forllowed by the Blau MKII. Is there something with this amp which makes it not fit for recomnedation? Say the sound signature or its tone.. Or its just because it is not used and auditioned by many tBHPians and hence its underrated? Well, to be true, I have not auditioned any other amp in a similar setup like mine (4" fronts, 6x9 rears), so I cannot compare it with others. Your inputs will be highly appreciated and helpful for the people looking for a basic amp.
	() Thanks

9th February 2009, 16:48	#5
nitin.dangayach Posts: n/a	I am not preferring it only for the 80db SNR. Not sure how much that figure actually affects the sound output but logically speaking, the more this value is, better is the system. Primarily for this reason I am looking forward to get GTO 504 instead. (which unfortunately I am not being able to)
	() Thanks

9th February 2009, 21:38	#6
DjNik BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Kolkata Posts: 340 Thanked: 3 Times	I have heard that the JBL GT5 series amplifiers have been giving problems owing to which JBL has decided to discontinue these in the eastern region for now, this is according to the JBL distbutor in Kolkata so i presume it must be true.
	() Thanks

10th February 2009, 00:25	#7
nitrous Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: UAE/Lon/Madras Posts: 6,964 Thanked: 333 Times View My Garage	I love the JBL 604 for the sound reproduction and the total VFM. 160W subwoofer RMS @ ~5k!
	() Thanks