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Opinions on JL audio 12W3-D4 subwoofer a

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=16047
Printed Date: July 22, 2025 at 2:33 PM


Topic: Opinions on JL audio 12W3-D4 subwoofer a

Posted By: addictweb
Subject: Opinions on JL audio 12W3-D4 subwoofer a
Date Posted: July 08, 2003 at 1:02 PM

Anyone heard anything about the JL audio 12W3-D4 subwoofers? Heard somewhere they are awsome, just looking for some oppinions b4 i go spend my heard earned.
Also they are 'Dual 4-ohm subwoofers', that mean that are a 2ohm or 4ohm load for an amp?
Anyone got any ideas for a suitable amp that will power it well? Around the £100 mark, but will strech if i need to.
Cheers.




Replies:

Posted By: deftonekorn1002
Date Posted: July 08, 2003 at 3:02 PM

when it says duall 4 ohm voice coils it means it has a 2 or 8 ohm wiring option i.e. 2 when wired in parallel and 8 when wired in series. as for jl i hear great things about them i havent had much personal experience but if you can find em for a good price got with it. you might also look into kicker subs as well.



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whoaaa




Posted By: addictweb
Date Posted: July 08, 2003 at 3:16 PM

i've found a ROCKFORD-FOSGATE-POWER-250M (250w RMS @ 2ohm) for half price (£150 ... sorry uk ;-) ). Know anything about Rockfort amps?





Posted By: deftonekorn1002
Date Posted: July 08, 2003 at 3:27 PM
addictweb wrote:

i've found a ROCKFORD-FOSGATE-POWER-250M (250w RMS @ 2ohm) for half price (£150 ... sorry uk ;-) ). Know anything about Rockfort amps?
rockford fosgate makes really good amps

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whoaaa




Posted By: wvsquirrel
Date Posted: July 08, 2003 at 10:25 PM
With (1) JL 12W3-D4 you would want to find an amp rated at least 300 x 1 @ 2ohms. Judging by your post, I'm assuming you are only looking at getting 1 right?

The RF Power 250M is rated 250 x 1 @ 2ohms, but that is based on a 14.4 volt electrical system. You could expect somewhere around 200 or 225 x 1 @ 2ohms based on a 12 volt electrical system. The RF would work (and they are very reliable amps, all though a bit pricey), but you would get better performance from that sub with an amp rated at least 300 x 1 @ 2ohms. Maybe something more along the lines of the RF Power 351M rated at 350 x 1 @ 2ohms (which relates to apx 325 x 1 @ 2ohms on a 12 volt system).

I'm not sure what kind of selection you boys get over there in the UK, but you might be able to save some money with a JBL BP300.1 amp. It's less expensive then the RF, and is 1ohm stable (where as RF does not make a 1ohm stable amp).

If you have the money, the RF Power 500bd would be an excellent amp as well (again only if you are planning on getting one 4ohm DVC sub). As I said before, RF amps are very reliable, but you tend to pay a higher price for the name. The Power 500bd is an excellent mono amp, I ran one myself for a little over a year. I'm running a Power 1000bd now, and must say that I have been very impressed with the RF Power BD line of amps.

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Squirrel
"No more Cpt. Kirk chit chat"
If its too loud, then you're too old
Donate to the12volt.com




Posted By: addictweb
Date Posted: July 09, 2003 at 11:30 AM

Is that JBL BP300.1 amp likly to sound as good (general SPL and SQ) as the  RF 500bd or 350M? Because its nearly half the price, which can only be a good thing?

Anyone know what kind of enclosure will most suit a W3 and BJL BP300.1 combination? I mostly listen to rock/punk. I'll probably be forming it from fiberglass, because the space in my trunk is limited so i'll need to make it an irregular shape.





Posted By: addictweb
Date Posted: July 09, 2003 at 11:30 AM

Is that JBL BP300.1 amp likly to sound as good (general SPL and SQ) as the  RF 500bd or 350M? Because its nearly half the price, which can only be a good thing?

Anyone know what kind of enclosure will most suit a W3 and BJL BP300.1 combination? I mostly listen to rock/punk. I'll probably be forming it from fiberglass, because the space in my trunk is limited so i'll need to make it an irregular shape.





Posted By: thomas_51c
Date Posted: July 09, 2003 at 3:46 PM
Listening to rock and or punk would probably make you a good canditate for a sealed enclosure. The JL website recomended an enclosure size of 1.0 to 1.5 cubic ft. or 28.3 to 42.0 liters ( that was for a 12 in. W3v2 rated at 300 watts RMS ).

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BJTT




Posted By: wvsquirrel
Date Posted: July 10, 2003 at 3:00 AM
You shouldn't notice much of a difference. The distortion ratio of the RF's is 0.05%, the JBL is 0.10%. The difference in current draw (amps) is minimal, the RF's have a 30amp draw, the JBL has a 29amp draw.

I agree with thomas_51c. A sealed enclosure should provide you with the best sound.

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Squirrel
"No more Cpt. Kirk chit chat"
If its too loud, then you're too old
Donate to the12volt.com





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