Would a 600 watt amp push a jl audio w7?
Any amp will power it. Stick with at least what the manufacturer recommends for the minimum. Almost all have a recommendation.
"Underpowering" will not damage a sub, but what is known as clipping can. Simply put, clipping is when the amplifier "runs out of power" to supply the sub. This creates a square wave, instead of the normal sine wave, and the harmonics with it carry more power than a standard sine wave which is the reason a driver will heat up quicker. Therefor, the sub reaches it’s thermal limitations faster than normal, possibly melting the voice coil.
See here for more on the subject –
http://www.bcae1.com/2ltlpwr.htm

any amp will push a JL w7.
they aren’t picky. subwoofers will take and play any music source that they are given.
will your 600 watt amp play the subwoofer at its "full potential?" that depends on if the RMS ratings of the subwoofer and the amp match up.
References :
The W7 has a RMS capacity way above what your 600 watt amp will provide, is that bad? absolutely not. it simply means the sub can take more power, it doesn’t mean you have to provide it. Some may come along trying to convince you that under powering is bad, and that’s complete bs. A sub will operate plenty well with as little as 10% of the rated power. often times manufactures will even give a "recommended amplifier power" and it usually looks something like this "50-500 watts RMS" in the case of your W7 it is recommended to use at least a 300-350 watt RMS amp. (see link below). The only way i see your amp being a issue is if the 600 watts you refer to is on a cheap per amp or you are referring to a exaggerated "peak" ratting. But as long as your amp is 300 watts RMS or greater it will run the sub well. i suspect even a amp of 150 watts would work just fine, it’s just not "recommended". the re son its not recommended is not because it will cause harm but because its like getting 12 lb hammer to hang a picture frame, its simply a poor match.
UPDATE:
Zagnet is correct about clipping, but understand that is a result of inproper installation (gain settings) and or use.
References :
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_subs.php?series_id=10
Any amp will power it. Stick with at least what the manufacturer recommends for the minimum. Almost all have a recommendation.
"Underpowering" will not damage a sub, but what is known as clipping can. Simply put, clipping is when the amplifier "runs out of power" to supply the sub. This creates a square wave, instead of the normal sine wave, and the harmonics with it carry more power than a standard sine wave which is the reason a driver will heat up quicker. Therefor, the sub reaches it’s thermal limitations faster than normal, possibly melting the voice coil.
See here for more on the subject –
http://www.bcae1.com/2ltlpwr.htm
References :
Hi, I have a JL audio 10″ W7, i was wondering if the new JL audio XD 600.1 amp would power this sub?