I always got the JL recommended amps for each sub that I owned. The enclosures were also JL spec. As were the amp settings. We also sold/installed alpine, focal, boston and MTX subs. Only one focal and one alpine sub ever came back blown (no boston or MTX's ever came back). I would say 4 out of 10 JL installs would come back blown. There's no doubt that JL's sound great. But the reliability wasn't there for me. However, the JL ZR components, I will back those up all day.
JL ZR components are nice... Focal... meh. For Focal money, CDT and Hybrid Audio are KILLING it right now.
1978 F250 2wd (460 c.i.d. / C6)- soon to give up the powerplant to an '80-'86 F150
White 2000 Grand Prix GT coupe One still slow and loud... other one scoots just a bit.