I just sold my JL 1000/1 and JL 13w7 2 weeks ago. I miss it very much, but it was in a ported box and took up like 2/3's of my trunk. What else can I get that has similar performance? in less space(if possible)

 

speaker thats almost as close to a jl (none) but i would give memphis mojo a shot i had one in my old max and it hit so hard sound like a tin can on the outside..lol as well as the juggernut,kickers has a nice l7 sub..so does MAudio i would try the mojo i speaker i would pick if your goin just for one sub..i have to american bass 12's in my 2k max now and it slams,

 

I'm going to take this that you mean that no sub comes close in the absurd price to performance ratio, because better can be had for much less. Thats about the only way that statement can be accurate.

Eclipse, Alpine, Arc, Alumapro, DLS, Critical Mass, Resonant Engineering, Oz, Treo, Digital Designs, Image Dynamics, Fi, Ascendant Audio, Soundsplinter, Stereo Integrity, the list goes on and on, I'm sure I'm missing quite a few. Some more sq based than others.

 

 

IMO these three subs sound better than a JL 13w7 and are priced cheaper. Sometimes you can find them on ebay for a really good deal.

Resonant Engineering XXX
Adire Audio Brahma
Image Dynamics IDMAX

There are probably a lot more subs that would sound better but I dont have any personal experience with them.

 

For the record, in reference to the subs above, I haven't heard ALL of the brands above. I still haven't heard the mythical UL12 or anything by CMass. I can't remember but I don't think I've heard any of Oz's subs either, specifically the Matrix Elite if it is going to be of use to the OP. But I didn't list any specific subs above, so he can do his own research.

 

Coming from someone who wasted his money on a 13w7 a couple of years ago. I worked with a guy who had a Fi 12" BLT with a little bit less power (and slightly smaller enclosure too) going to this than I had going to my JL and his sounded twice as good AND was louder and he spent a third of what I did. Also, I cant think of anyone that I know of that has a 13w7 that hasn't fried the voicecoil at least once. There are MANY better and cheaper alternatives out there.

 

I'm very limited to the knowledge of the sub-world, but from you guys are saying, is that there are more than enough open doors to try. So which brands and models would be the best in performance similar to the output of the 13w7? That JL sure moved a lot of air, I want a POWERFUL sub in a closed box this time. Or would you think ported is better?

 

jl's are one of my favorutie subs, kicker's are also good, i would alpine it on the top right now with their sound clarity

 

u wanna move some air go with an l7 ported my friend had just one in his truck and and it hit really well! and the Fi is a great sub for the price and like ppl above had said there are far more subs out there! soundsolutionsaudio.com has some high quality sub companies there if u wanna run through them and u can also go to the forum to read some reviews.

 

If you just want an spl setup and dont really care much about sq then you dont have to spend too much money. Like mentioned by others, you can get away with a kicker 15L7. If you want sq/sql you should really avoid subs meant for spl. Look into subs with the XBL^2 motor.

 

B.S. Everyone knows JL's are the bestess ever made!!

 

Please tell me you're joking? Listen to Ascendant or kpr10, these guys are very knowledgeable in the sub arena. Stay away from JL, alot more bang for the buck is out there other than JL.

 

i'm pretty sure he was joking.

if not, then

 

Nooooo....JL has made the bestess sub ever and will ALWAYS be the bestess sub ever made...(see what I did there)

It was a joke

I wouldn't say stay completely away from JL though. If you can get a good deal, I'd recommend grabbing it. Although, I'm not partial to the W7...never have been, just my personal taste (except for the 10"). I'm personally starting to like Fi now. Just try to listen to as many products as you can w/o taking everyone's word for it or the industry's word. Only you know what's going to sound the best to you. There were alot of good recommendations in post #3 above...try finding a shop in your area that carries those brands and take a listen.

 

also the most important part to making a sub sound the best is building the proper enclosure for the sub and applying the optimum power needed

 

a box can make or break a sub's performance.

 

I lol'd at this thread.

I did 3 Fi X 12"s sealed in a single cab Dodge Ram and it is much louder and sounds better than a co-worker of his that has 2 JL1000's on 2 13.5"s ported. That was their lowest line sub too. Sound wise I would put them in the same league as my Q's just won't get as loud. There are sooo many choices that I would go with over a W7. I would put my Q 12's against his pair of 13.5"s as well.

 

Now there is an intelligent fellow. The box is paramount.

 

those are the exact 3 subs that came to my mind.

 

I drive with a bazooka tube in my lap, it pounds!

 

Funny, because i had a 13w7 for about a year on a JBL/Crown BPx1100.1, and i never blew the voicecoils.

As a matter of fact, i've had 5 different W7's at different points and NONE blew, and i bought them all USED.

In my 4th gen, i had 2 12W7s on a RF T20001bd (~2600 RMS @ 1ohm) with no problem.

I do like the W7's but i change up my subs a lot. I would only buy W7's for $250-$300/each. There are other subs i want to try out eventually, the W7 is not the best sub out there, but its pretty good.

 

What about the eclipse titanium or the aluminum. I have JL w6 witch is pretty loud. The problem you going to run into is the space needed for the

 

Ive bought 3 used 13w7s and sold them as well.. over a course of 2 years and never fried anything as well.... always powered by a 1000/1. (theres just something that always lured me back)

Which Fi or Image Dynamics sub should I try next? Also I would like to hear your inputs on the eclipses

 

If you're looking for comparisons between the W7 and Eclipse, it would have to be the Titanium, the Aluminum is in a lower league than the W7. Ive owned both at separate times..

I had a 12" Titanium in a 1.5cuft sealed box powered by ~900w and it was ridiculous. I cannot say enough about this woofer, tight, responsive bass and got louder than I ever needed it to. I've put in a few W7s in at the shop I worked at and I would highly recommend the Eclipse over the JL, all day, especially because of price..

The new Ti's have changed though. I owned the previous version with the 2" surround, so I can't really speak for the newer ones. Its Eclipse though, everything they produce is good stuff.

 

As for Fi, go with the Q or if you have the elec and power try the BL or BTL. ID, go for the IDMax.

 

Last time when I went on the Fi website, there are options to build your own speaker... i did not know what to choose

 

IMO, JL has always given me the cleanest bass around.... I have tried plenty of subs, kicker- voice coils kept frying, oz audio matrix elite- metal cone popped off after some loud playin, eclipse titanium- titanium cone warped after a while, digital design 9512- no problems, idmax12- no problems, memphis mojo 12's- no problems...those were some of my experiences, ive never tried arc, fi, re, but plan too...right now i have 2-8w7 powered by a 1000/1 in my 7th gen....if your lookin for spl i'd go for DD, sql idmax

 

but bang for the buck, with lifetime warranty, memphis mojo's new line are pretty impressive

 

For the performance I would look for Old School Orion HCCA subs. I have seen them on Ebay for decent price, but finding them is the trick. I would stay away from the newer Orions though! If you want to talk about clean bass, you can't go wrong with the HCCA!!!

 

I have one 12w6v2 in a ported box (built to spec). With 500 watts rms its still not bottoming out and It makes your nose tickle, mirror jump up and down a couple inches, and ticks of neighbors several blocks away... while sounding good. I never listen to it this loud and I can't imagine what people need re xxx, brahma's, etc. in a daily driver?

I've had 3 10w0's, 2 10w3v2's, and now this setup. The other setups where sealed. This combo plays louder and sounds cleaner. I can still use the fold down seats too.

 

I was also looking at the ID Max after reviews, but decided against it. It was much heavier and required more power. Impressive sub though.

 

Thats why my JL12W7 isn't loud. its power hungry and its 3mofkn ohms SVC :P stupid design. i'ma sell this bish and get a rl-p 12 or a fi-q 12 and put it in my 2cuF ported box.. i shoved a towel in the port one day to see what it would sound like, and it was tight but there wasn't very good output :P

 

I have a 12w7 and never blew the coils, i got it used as well. I do however have heard the ID max's and they pound (get the max not the regular one) I have also heard the digital Designs (DD) it was a 12 inch and it POUNDED the hell out of the charger it was in but DD's can get expensive. I personally love the JL speakers, i had W0, W3 and now w7 and always liked them but i like to buy it used to save a little money. good luck

 

I'm probably the only one who hates IDMax subs but after having them break on me time and time, I'd say that they are badly designed subs. NO clearence between the Voice Coil and driver. My first one failed due to voice coil rubbing in an empty trunk. The second one failed because the voice coil seperated itself from the cone. Of corse it had rubbing issues too after I inspected it.

Never again will I waste my money on that Piece of ****.

Fortunately they had a high resale value when I got rid of them. Even the broken one sold high.

I've had many subs and never yup "NEVER" had one go on me because I know how to take care of my stuff.

 

bad suspension design mated with a very tight gap i suppose. the vc shouldn't just rub in the gap under normal use.