Line drivers...are they worth it?
 

Here's my scenario:

I have a stock tsx headunit that is connected to a jl g4500 which is being used to power 4 alpine type r 6.5 coaxials (i plan on changing atleast 2 to components sooner or later) I use the aux out to send the audio signal to my pg amp which powers my jl w0. Is a line driver the next thing i should add?

It would definately help the system. It won't do much for sound quality, but help boost the output to the amp, which in turn will get it louder.

So depending what you're trying to do with the system. Are you looking for more output?

I find the speakers being powered by my jl amp can get quite loud whereas my sub cant keep up without having the gain set really high.

nothing wrong with having ur gain up high. it all depends how you have everything else setup.

very few amps like a lot of input voltage and work better with a line driver. Majority of them really dont need it at all and will work with low input voltage if anything. Particularly ur larger sub amps.

I'd agree and disagree with with wagonized on this one.

Really comes down to what voltage output your deck is giving out. Most so called 4V preouts end up being a real <2V output. So if you have an entry level deck that has a rated 1V preout, I would suggest a line driver.

Like wagonized has said lots of amps don't need huge voltage inputted into it. I tend to see they recommend 4VRMS-8VRMS. But depends on the amp itself.

The setup you have now seems to be a pretty basic setup. Realistically, even if you got a line driver I wouldn't expect there to be a huge difference. W0's only handle about 125 watts RMS. Your real problem lies within your gear. We all go through it, hoping to add a sub and keep the costs down thinking "this is much better than stock, I'll be fine with it". Then as you get used to it you realize it's not loud enough.....the car audio bug has bitten you. ;)

You may want to consider a high level convertor with built in line driver. There's quite a few on the market depending on how nice you plan on building your system.

A good budget one is the Audiocontrol LC6i.

I built the whole system on good deals. The only part where i paid most of the money was in the amps. I got the w0 in a box for next to nothing, so i had to buy an amp. I got the type r's because the sales person gave me them by accident instead of type s's, guess which price i paid for them. It was a big box store so i didnt feel like correcting them. I came to the realization that the speakers would sound better with an amp so i bought an amp for those also.

That audiocontrol unit is nice but it wouldnt work with my factory deck as it has differential balanced outputs. I've tried wiring it like a regular aftermarket deck and it whined like crazy.

If you could recommend something else besides jl clean sweep as its way too much money that would be great.

I have a JL Clean Sweep for sale. You can have it for $275.00

I've used LC6i on many TSX's with no issues. You may want to look into the install.