Which is the Better Sub?
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=6148
Printed Date: June 07, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Topic: Which is the Better Sub?
Posted By: CutlassThunder
Subject: Which is the Better Sub?
Date Posted: December 02, 2002 at 3:47 PM
which is the better sub, at around 400-500wrms, and the size of the sub is 15", and most likely a ported enclosure(around 2.50-3.0cu.ft.) Adire Tempest JL W3 Kicker Comp VR
Replies:
Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: December 02, 2002 at 5:04 PM
Definitely go with the JL it’s a much better sub and can move a lot more air.
Posted By: pervitizm
Date Posted: December 02, 2002 at 9:47 PM
I would probably disagree with bberman1 on this one, Me personally I wold go with the kicker.
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live & die 4 tha luv of BASS!!!!
Posted By: CutlassThunder
Date Posted: December 03, 2002 at 5:23 AM
this is what I was told about the Adire Tempest vs. the JL W3 "all depends on what you wanna do. i would have to side with the jl as far as box size requirements. the tempest will definitly be cheaper and will have much better sound quality. i'm not quite sure about which one will hit harder. now since one coil of the tempest has a higher rms rating than both coils combined of the jl, that would allow to the tempest to have more spl.
i'm doing a simple A/B of the t/s parameters. the tempest has a much lower qts, meaning the motor will be MUCH more accurate (better sq). the jl will need a smaller box than the adire to get the same response. the tempest is given a better efficiency rating."
Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: December 03, 2002 at 11:11 AM
The more air you move the more bass you will get which gives you a higher SPL. What determines how much air a sub will move is called its Xmas. The Xmas is the cone excursion, which means how far out the cone can realistically move before distortion or damage to the speaker occurs. The JL has a Xmas of 17.1 mm, The Kicker VR 12.75mm Tempest Xmas 16.4 (all Xmas are one way) so the JL and the Tempest will be able to produce a much higher SPL than the Kicker VR. As far as The Tempest and the JL they are pretty close the JL has a higher Xmas But the Tempest dose have a better Qts 0.38 VS JL Qts 0.410 which will give a little better SQ. The JL leaves you with more wiring options since it is a DVC. I don’t really know that much about the Tempest and have never heard it to compare it to the JL so cant really tell you which one sounds better to me. My advice to you would be to try to listen to all your options and get what sounds best to you. But both subs are very close and the Tempest will save you some money.
Posted By: rharris19
Date Posted: December 03, 2002 at 11:44 AM
I would definately go for the 15w3. i ahve heard this sub many a times and it is one of the cleanest sounding 15's i have ever heard.
Posted By: CutlassThunder
Date Posted: December 03, 2002 at 2:52 PM
The Tempest is also a DVC, how do JL W3's retail for?
Posted By: kcirdnek
Date Posted: December 03, 2002 at 4:21 PM
I would go with the Kicker Comp VR because I have heard the JL's and they can't really handle a lot of power. They pop like they are going to blow. But, those Kicker VR's can take that power and last.
Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: December 04, 2002 at 12:54 PM
If the Jl W3 or any sub for that manner was setup correctly it would not be popping
Posted By: CutlassThunder
Date Posted: December 04, 2002 at 6:50 PM
Doesn't the JL W3 retail for upward of $300, I think $375 that would be $225 for .60mm of Xmax
Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: December 04, 2002 at 9:57 PM
I’m not saying that that extra excursion is worth the extra money. I’m just saying that I have never heard a tempest to know which one sounds better. If you compare their specs they are very close. The tempest does have better specs when it comes to SQ. From the specs aspect the JL isn’t worth the extra money. The tempest needs a larger box than the JL will. But if you have the room I would go for the tempest. I don’t think the JL is worth the extra 200+
Posted By: SOUND PRESSURE
Date Posted: December 05, 2002 at 12:26 AM
I am very pleased with my JL 12w6's Never had any problems with them.
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Sound Pressure
You know you have the right amount of pressure when your eyes start to water! Now you've got Juice!
Posted By: NyxBass
Date Posted: December 06, 2002 at 11:18 AM
If you have the space for the box, the tempest is going ot make you cry. But if you are cramped for space, the JL might be a little better choice. I have really been VERY impressed with Adire gear altely, there's a HUGE amount of thought and work going into their speakers. I personally would choose the tempest, just because it will move similar air as the JL while being more accurate to boot. And teh price is just a bonus. But go with what you trust and your ears tell you.
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/NyxBass
Posted By: Stangman98
Date Posted: December 06, 2002 at 4:28 PM
My answer on this will always be JL Audio. I think they have the best subs by far that are on the market at this time.
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1998 Award Winning Mustang GT
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