HD (High-definition) audio is gaining more and more followers and that's a fact. From the rather few and very expensive HD video pieces of gear we had some years ago when this all HD-thing started we're now sieged from all directions with a tidal wave of "high-definition stuff". Far from being a bad thing, it's simply great seeing the way and ease great audio gets almost anywhere... cars included.


This time it's JL Audio: after shocking the world with their insane and wall-wrecking Gotham subwoofer, JL thought of something with a lot more of a subtle nature, namely the new series of HD amplifiers for car audio. These new models from JL Audio are really bringing a new air for the Class D amplifier world, claiming to be even better that Bang&Olufsen's widely acclaimed ICEpower units and whole technology.

The main difference from the ICEpower amps consists in the fact that the audio tracking is made on every single cycle and the signal response is compared to the original PWM waveform; working at a dazzling 400,000 times a second, this per-cycle amp control gives exceptional results in terms of accuracy and distortion-elimination.

The JL Audio RIPS (Regulated Intelligent Power Supply) technology adjusts the power for the amps continuously and thus is capable to provide the same excellent output for any of the predefined impedances, making sure you'll get the same sound quality no matter which load would your in-car audio installation have.

Even more, the new JL Audio amps come with 13% smaller dimensions than "the leading competitor" (read the ICEpower units) and are stackable, with removable power and speaker plugs, while the RealSink thermal management radiators look simply awesome. Two models are scheduled for launch in the second quarter of 2008:

HD600/1 - 600 Watt Monoblock
Type: Class D, Full-Range Amplifier
Continuous Power: 600W x 1 @ 1.5 - 4 ohms
(11.0V-14.5V supply with