JL's RIPS system (a technology on their slash amps) means that it's amplifiers put out identical power into various impedances. Most amplifiers on the market put out more power as you drive it to a numerically lower load (i.e. it makes more power at 2 ohm stereo then it does at 4 ohm) This is not the case for the JL.

This means that the JL 300/4, when used in a 3 way application (components and a single subwoofer), will produce 75W to each comp set, and 150W to the sub.

Take for example my Arc Audio 4150. In the same configuration as the JL we just discussed, it would make 80W to the components and 320W to the sub.

Now do you see what I mean by "cheating" yourself?

Don't get me wrong, JL amps are nice, and they have some good features. Unfortunately, they do not make an amp that really satisfies this simple application. They have tried to "fix" this problem with the 450/4 (or whatever you call it) and I still think that they fell short.