JBL GTO1214D Subwoofer Review

JBL released a powerful and sturdy subwoofer in their Grand Touring line, the GTO1214D. The shiny silver from the die cast metal basket looks sharp alongside the black rubber surround. The durable appearance is backed up by a strong performance.
This subwoofer has a lot to offer. It can handle 350 watts RMS continuous power handling, which is enough power to make the whole block aware of your arrival. The polypropylene cone material allows the subwoofer to flex and move to the rhythm of your music’s beat. Along with that, this sub will endure since it has a rubber surround, which serves to protect the subwoofer throughout the most intense beat thumping. The special featured tinsel wire protector reinforces the most crucial joint (the maximum stress point) in the subwoofer operation, yet another feature that should help extend the subwoofer’s life.Reviewing the specifications showed that this subwoofer rated better than the average sub in most categories. The 12” subwoofer requires 1.00 cubic feet for sealed and 1.75 cubic feet for ported/vented enclosures. In addition, it responds to frequencies ranging from 23 Hz to 400 Hz and has an exceptional SPL rated at 93dB (1W/1m). For those trying to build a respectable system that will last for a number of years, this subwoofer is a good building block.

MTX Audio TS5512-44 / TS5512-22 Subwoofer Review

MTX Audio has made big headlines in the car audio world as they endorse popular UFC matches, featured on various TV shows, and have made for themselves a great reputation. But all of their publicity is possible primarily because they have great quality audio products in their inventory. The new TS5512-44 Thunder Square Series subwoofer features a new design that promises performance improvement from the previous Thunder series.The TS5512-44 features dual 4 ohms impedance. The 12" subwoofer could handle up to 600 watts continuous power. It features a 1.75" voice coil that is capable of withstanding high temperature while operating at optimal levels.

The MTX Audio TS5512-44 Thunder Square subwoofers feature a standard polypropylene cone woofer which is essentially an elastic plastic material commonly used in speakers or subwoofer applications. The cone has a nice MTX Audio logo design that is raised and stands out attractively. The cone is stitched on to the surround material which is made of NBR (Nitrile Butadiene Rubber) composition that is designed to withstand wear and tearing of extended periods of use. In addition, the subwoofer surround material is stitched and not pressed or glued-- providing excellent durability and longevity.
Another cool feature is the ALDS (Asymmetrical Linear Drive System) that is specifically designed for piston-like operation when the subwoofer is being used. This ensures that the subwoofer performs well while maintaining linearity which improves sound quality and longevity of the subwoofer. The basket of the subwoofer is composed of a solid die-cast aluminum frame that will certainly protect the vital internal parts of the subwoofer such as the voice coil, spider, cone, and even its 115 oz magnet, while providing quick heat dissipation.The subwoofer is also relatively inexpensive. With the performance, style, and features of this MTX Audio subwoofer, the price is definitely right.

JL Audio W3v3 Series Subwoofer Review

The JL Audio W3v3 Series subwoofers are incredible inventions of man that combines ultra sleek style with high-performance. The W3v3 subwoofers come in virtually all sizes: 6-1/2” 6W3v3, 8” 8W3v3, 10” 10W3v3, 12” 12W3v3, and even a custom size 13.5”13W3v3. These JL Audio subwoofers are becoming increasingly popular, all thanks to its great sounding bass output that everyone looks for in a subwoofer. The trick to the JL Audio design it its ability to perform well at only medium power levels and small spaces.

Depending on the size of the subwoofer, all JL Audio W3v3 subwoofers are capable of 150 watts to 400 watts RMS continuous power handling. You can be sure that with any JL Audio subwoofers, RMS power are rated and tested with integrity. So when they mean 400 watts of RMS power, you will really get 400 watts of RMS loud, heart-stopping, eye-bulging, hard-pounding bass.To ensure maximum quality of bass production, JL Audio has implemented mineral-filled polypropylene cone material on all W3v3 subwoofers. Polypropylene is already an excellent material, but when combined with mineral filling, the material becomes more rigid and solid, while maintaining its ability to flex and move. Of course, what’s a good subwoofer without a rubber surround? Well you can check that off your list because long-lasting rubber surround will ensure that when your bass thumps, the cone will maintain its linearity while moving vigorously to bass outputs.

There are a few features in JL Audio W3v3 car subwoofers that are unique to its own. One example of newly applied technologies is its motor system that is DMA optimized. The technology ensures that consistent energy and movement occurs at any power and demand, and thus producing bass with virtually no distortion. Another great feature is what JL Audio dubbed, FCAM (Floating Cone Attach Method); a feature that independently aligns the cone and the surround from the spider and voice coil structure. The result is another improvement in consistent movement, creating a piston-like behavior when bass is produced.
Evidently there are plenty of excellent features with the W3v3 subwoofers – which could respond as high as 88 SPL with 15.5mm of Xmax. If you’re planning to mount it in an enclosure, you wouldn’t even have to worry about having an overly large box because the 10” requires only 0.625 cubic feet for sealed and 1.25 cubic feet for ported/vented enclosures. In addition, these subs are definitely stylish and posses a certain level of class that could never be matched, perfect for car audio enthusiasts at stage of life.

MTX Audio TR55 Series Review (TR5510 / TR5512)

MTX Audio has made big headlines in the car audio world as they endorse popular UFC matches, featured on various TV shows, and have made for themselves a great reputation. But all of their publicity is possible primarily because they have great quality audio products in their inventory. The new 2008-released TR55 Thunder Round Series subwoofer features a new design that promises performance improvement from the previous Thunder series.
The TR5510 or TR5512 subwoofers feature either a dual 4 ohms (TR5510-44/TR5512-44) single 4 ohms (TR5510-04/TR5512-04) impedance. The 12" subwoofer could handle up to 400 watts continuous power while the 10" subwoofer handles up to 300 watts of continuous wattage. They both feature an identical 1.75" voice coil that is capable of withstanding high temperature while operating at optimal levels.

The TR55 Thunder Round subwoofers feature a standard polypropylene cone woofer which is essentially an elastic plastic material commonly used in speakers or subwoofer applications. The cone has a nice MTX Audio logo design that is raised and stands out attractively. The cone is stitched on to the surround material which is made of NBR (Nitrile Butadiene Rubber) composition that is designed to withstand wear and tearing of extended periods of use. In addition, the subwoofer surround material is stitched and not pressed or glued-- providing excellent durability and longevity.
Both the MTX Audio TR5510 and the TR5512 subwoofers features ALDS (Asymmetrical Linear Drive System) that is specifically designed for piston-like operation when the subwoofer is being used. This ensures that the subwoofer performs well while maintaining linearity which improves sound quality and longevity of the subwoofer. The basket of the TR5512 and the TR5510 subwoofers is composed of solid die-cast aluminum frame that will certainly protect the vital internal parts of the subwoofer such as the voice coil, spider, cone, and even its 4-pound magnet, while providing quick heat dissipation.

The TR55 Series subwoofers could pick up low bass frequencies as low as 35 Hz and as high as 150 Hz at around 85 SPL. This means that the subwoofer will pick up great bass at an above average loudness level. The subwoofer is also relatively inexpensive at under $120. With the performance, style, and features of this MTX Audio subwoofer, the price is definitely right.

Note: The MTX Audio TR55 Series Subwoofers are available in the following models:

• 10" Subwoofers:




• TR5510-04 (single 4 ohms)
  
• TR5510-44 (dual 4 ohms)




• 12" Subwoofers:




• TR5512-04 (single 4 ohms)
  
• TR5512-44 (dual 4 ohms)




• 15" Subwoofers:




• TR5515-04 (single 4 ohms)
  
• TR5515-44 (dual 4 ohms)

Hifonics B15D2 Review

The Hifonics B15D2 is an easy and an incredibly affordable solution for those of you who would like to experience a 15" subwoofer. It's both stylish and powerful and will be sure to turn heads when you play and bump your music in your ride.
Pros
The Hifonics Brutus Series B15D2 15" subwoofer features a large polypropylene cone with a woven honeycomb supporting structure construction. It allows for the subwoofer to be both consistent and durable at an above average level. Polypropylene is a great material to have, but to have it perform at its optimum level, it requires a little bit more reinforcement such as glass fiber or carbon fiber synthesized into the material. The B15D2 does feature a nice large stitched nitrile butadiene rubber surround that is one of the most durable yet elastic material available for subwoofer construction. The surround is also stitched instead of glued on or pressed on to the cone construction which also adds to the B15D2's ability to perform at high levels consistently.

The Hifonics subwoofer features 3" dual 2 ohms 4-layer aluminum voice coil with a unique Nomex spider tinsel lead that is a 1 piece design. Its giant motor structure has 6 sided venting that gives the subwoofer adequate ventilation and less space to worry about in the enclosure for venting. In addition, the Hifonics B15D2 houses a large double stacked 100oz. magnet that is capable of driving the subwoofer to producing excellent bass. Last but not least, the B15D2 Brutus subwoofer could handle 700 watts of continuous RMS power with a whopping 1400 watts maximum power handling.

The Hifonics B15D2, with all its features, power handling ability, and 88 dB SPL, is priced nicely at under $125.
Cons
The only thing that is glaring with any 15" subwoofer is its size. Though users will experience great bass output from the Hifonics B15D2 subwoofer, finding a place to mount it could be cumbersome. The Hifonics B15D2 requires anywhere from 2 - 3.25 cubic feet of space within an enclosure. In order to achieve this, the enclosure must be as long as 24" long and 17" deep. If you have a small vehicle, forget ever having either your bass or your cargo space ever again.

We also didn't like the cone material. To us, it seems like if you're going to make a 15" subwoofer, at least make it with something out of the ordinary. 15" subs are usually bought by audiophiles and not your typical loud-music loving high-schooler. A polypropylene cone woofer for a 15" subwoofer render it almost not worth the purchase. But if all you're looking for is deep bass with lots of volume, then the Hifonics B15D2 may be your best bet.

Pioneer Premier TS-SW1241D Review (TSSW1241D)

How would you like big bass without a big subwoofer? Pioneer has developed an excellent solution for those who want power bass with a lot smaller place for the setup. The Shallow Series subwoofers by Pioneer are designed for audiophiles who do not have trucks, SUVs, or any vehicles with space large enough for a conventional setup.
The Pioneer Premier TS-SW1241D is a 12" shallow mount subwoofer that could be mounted virtually anywhere and virtually in any vehicle. Just because it's small doesn't mean that it will not perform as well as conventional-size subwoofer. In fact, user reviews have indicated how the subwoofer produced surprisingly hard bass:

"My friend just purchased two of these subs in the back of his truck and i have seen not many subs hit harder than his. Enough to have your chest feel it. I would defiantly recommend these, i am for sure getting some for my own."
--Kyle from Irvine, CA 4/23/2008, SonicElectronix.com

Size
The first thing anyone would notice about the TS-SW1241D subwoofer is its incredibly shallow mounting depth. Now remember, this is a 12" subwoofer-- a subwoofer that would typically require more than 5 inches of mounting depth; yet, the Pioneer Premier TS-SW1241D only requires a maximum of only 3" mounting depth. This means that the TS-SW1241D is incredibly versatile with its ability to be mounted virtually anywhere.
Construction
The cone is very, very rigid, capable of sustaining high-performance usage as well withstanding minor accidental abuses. It's made up of interlaced glass and carbon fiber reinforced injection molded polypropylene; where polypropylene synthetic plastic on its own would be mediocre at best with consistency and rigidity, the reinforcement material makes it extremely durable and allows it perform well under extreme stresses.
In addition to the cone material, the TS-SW1241D features a 3-layer interwoven radial surround that has the unique and patented M-shaped construction. It behaves much like an accordion, capable of moving around with better flexibility while maintaining great sound linearity.

Unique Air-Suspension System
There is one more unique feature that we want to cover that sets this subwoofer apart from the rest of the competition. We've already mentioned the obvious size, so we have to tell you about its air suspension system. With every subwoofer, you know that there are mechanical parts that move and react depending on the sound it needs to make. If there is too much movement and dis-alignments, the subwoofer's performance will degrade over time. Pioneer has developed an air chamber within the subwoofer construction that forces the air trapped in between the cone and the drive cone as a spring. This way, the cones will react and respond to demands in harmony, giving it much better performance and consistency while maintaining a tight and high-quality bass production.
There really wasn't anything we didn't like about the shallow-mount 12" TS-SW1241D subwoofer. For its size, it's really surprising how good it performs. It's even capable of 350 watts of continuous RMS power handling with 1400 watts max. It could respond to frequencies ranging from 18 Hz to 1000 Hz and has an above average SPL rated at 88dB (1W/1m). Once again, we'll say that the most impressive part about it is its ability to perform so well while only requiring 0.80 cubic feet of enclosure volume. Even the price is right, set at under $150!

JL Audio 8W04 Review

Alright, we know that this subwoofer has been out since about 2003. We promise you the latest reviews, but here we are reviewing a 5 year old subwoofer. Believe us, we have our reasons.

First of all, JL Audio makes high quality products without a doubt. There is virtually no product that they have produced that has ever been dubbed as useless or unreliable. The JL Audio 8W04 is a high-performing 8” subwoofer that will enhance any sound system in any vehicle. It is still widely used today and the few people who do get these are rewarded with the quality and performance of the subwoofer. The trick is finding where to get them, but I’m sure that won’t be a problem for long.

Be advised that this subwoofer is an 8” subwoofer. It isn’t designed to rattle your windows or the car next to you, but it is designed to give you ample bass that you would need to enrich and enhance the sound reproduction quality of any sound system. Yes it will give you some bumpin’ bass, but again, not the kind of subwoofer you would use to stroll down Main Street with 20” rims. Let’s go over some its features and you’ll see why this subwoofer is worth purchasing.

This review is designed to give you perspective and knowledge. In the business world, knowledge is power. Keep in mind that price does not necessarily mean quality and higher power handling does not necessarily mean better bass.

The first thing you’ll notice, obviously, is the cone material. It is made of standard polypropylene, which is basically a plastic cone. This cone material is widely used in the car audio industry and is capable of producing consistent bass sound in nearly any ambient environment. It does not react much to extreme temperatures or humidity so it is indeed a great cone material to have.

The woofer is attached to a foam surround. This cheap material has excellent physical properties that allow the cone to move around a bit without the surround material being stressed. However, foam surround material tend to break down easier under extreme temperatures, especially true when found in prolonged exposure to UV rays, like when you park your car under the hot sun.

The JL Audio 8W04 also features a “progressive-roll flat spider” which allows the subwoofer driver to perform outstandingly and maintain its alignment. It is complimented with an oversized 6-layer voice coil on Kapton former which allows it to handle much higher temperature, like that which occurs during optimal performance.
For it being an 8” subwoofer, the sub handles understandably lower wattage at 75 watts RMS. Again, the design of the subwoofer is primarily for richness and depth when listening to music. It’s mounting depth is surprisingly deeper, but that’s only to complement its large magnet structure which allows it to perform impressively even as a small subwoofer.

If you’re a music lover, you’ll want the 8W04. It is another great example of how subwoofers could be used for enhancing audio, not showing off. How much will this cost you? Well 5 years ago, it would’ve probably cost you over a hundred dollars. You could probably pick one up really cheap, brand new, for under $50.

JVC Arsenal CS-AW7040 Revew

If you’re looking for performance, the JVC Arsenal Series CS-AW7040 can provide your deepest bass needs. This 10” subwoofer could put out 600 watts of continuous power with 1800 watts maximum power handling. This means incredible power handling and you could sure bet that the CS-AW7040 will outperform most other 10” subwoofers out there.

The monster subwoofer features a glass fiber hemp composite cone woofer. This cone material is the signature composition of the JVC Arsenal series subwoofer. It is designed to reproduce sound as naturally as possible. Their design philosophy includes the notion of natural material, such as hemp, capable of producing natural sound using its natural physical and chemical properties. But of course, not everything is natural on the CS-AW7040. Take for instance its surround material—it’s made of synthesized rubber called santoprene. It’s quite possibly the strongest surround material available in the car audio industry. It allows the cone to move up and down as much as it needs to produce high quality sound without it tearing from the structure.
The basket is made of aluminum die-cast construction which reduces the overall weight (though it’s still quite heavy). But the massive aluminum basket is capable of dispersing heat so that the subwoofer is still capable of functioning efficiently and safely. What’s amazing about the CS-AW7040 is its Rapid-Fire Impedance Selector Terminal, which is another uniquely Arsenal characteristic. It allows users to select impedance according to the output from the source.
The subwoofer also features dual 4 ohm voice coil, heat transfer silicon structure, and a large 65.4 ounces (approximately 4 pounds) of magnet. With all the incredible features, it’s surprising at how low you could get the CS-AW7040. Expect prices to be as high $300, but there are a few stores out there that have them for cheaper even as brand new.
The JVC CS-AW7040 is truly an amazing subwoofer. You’ll enjoy its dependability, performance, and monstrous deep bass. The only thing is its large size. It makes it rather difficult to mount in various sub boxes. I guess that’s the price to pay in order to have power bass output from the sub. The addition of this subwoofer to any car audio system will sure turn heads and put a big smile on your face. Just be weary of its enormous size. It’s probably bigger than most 10” subs out there. If you like deep bass, the JVC CS-AW7040 is the subwoofer for you.

Kicker L5 Solo Baric Review

Even though it's two years old, the 2006 Kicker L5 Series Solo-Baric Subwoofer is still considered by many as a current and competitive model. This is perhaps one of the biggest secrets in car audio. People always want the newest and most current products expecting it out-perform the manufacturer's older models. However, this is not necessarily the case. Sure it generally does, but with Kicker car audio products, even some of their earliest models is still comparable to today's subwoofers.

If you're able to resist the temptation of trying to keep up with the Jones', then you may be able to save money while still being able to impress your friends when you buy the older models. That should tell you a lot about the quality of Kicker subwoofers. Of course Kicker recently released their 2008 line of products, so be sure to check those out too.

The L5 Solo-Baric subwoofer is capable of 600 watts RMS with 1200 watts maximum power handling. That power rating is CEA standardized, so don't worry about getting jipped. Of course, with any Solo-Baric subwoofers, it is characterized with a uniquely Kicker square design. The result is an increased cone surface area, allowing for greater movement while maintaining a relatively small design. The subwoofer performs marvelously, primarily due to its SoloKon cone woofer design with its stitched Santoprene rubber surround for incredible durability.

The 2008 model has greater ventilation design, allowing for a better endurance and slight improvement in bass response. The only other difference is also the darker color cone on the 2008 L5 Series Subwoofers. Everything else is pretty much the same--dual voice coils, similar recommended enclosure volume, heavy-duty steel basket, similar mounting depths, and definitely high performing.

This is why I'm saying that some of the best deals out there today are with older, yet high-quality products such as the 2006 Solo Baric Subwoofers; and they're available in 8", 10", 12", and 15" in both dual 2 and dual 4 ohms voice coils.

Kicker 2008 CompVT Review

For those of us who do not have the luxury of having large cars, the Kicker CompVT subwoofers may be the best solution for having powerful bass in a small car.

In 2007, Kicker released the slim and shallow-mount 10" and 12" CompVT subwoofers. This year, they took the game even further with the release of the 8" and the even smaller 6-½" CompVT subwoofers!

At first glance, the CompVT subwoofers may seem small and weak, but boy do they pack a punch. You would not find any better brand to trust than Kicker. They've been doing this for awhile and you can be sure that when they design subwoofers for performance, they will perform accurately to every specification they wrote down for you. So when they say that the CompVT 6-½" subwoofer could handle 150 watts of RMS power, they really mean it! You wouldn't ever think 6-½" subs could ever produce good bass, but you'd be pleasantly surprise.

Both the 8" and the 6-½" Kicker subwoofers are capable of reproducing any low frequency from 25-350 Hz with 85dB SPL each. While the 6-1/2" subwoofer could handle 300 watts of maximum power and 150 watts continuous power, the 8" variety could handle 400 watts maximum wattage and 200 watts of continuous power. What's amazing is the sound they produce while requiring much smaller enclosure volume than most subwoofers out there as they both only require less than a half of a cubic foot. The secret is found with its vent-less solid-pole design that eliminates the need for additional mounting depth since it could be mounted all the way up to the wall of an enclosure if it needs to. This is why these subwoofers need less than 3" of mounting depth.

Kicker did not sacrifice anything in their design of the CompVT subs. They still feature high quality injection molded polypropylene cone woofer, ribbed Santoprene rubber surround, steel basket frame, perimeter venting, Uniplate backplate, Uniplate pole, double stitching, 360° back bracing, and four layer high-temperature voice coil.

Once again, Kicker produced an outstanding and ingenious design that will be sure to impress and leave audiophiles with a smile.

The 2008 CompVT subwoofers are available in 8" single 4 ohms (08CVT84), 8" single 2 ohms (08CVT82), 6-½" single 4 ohms (08CVT654), and 6-½" single 2 ohms (08CVT652).

Pioneer TS-W1007D4 Review

Finding an affordable yet high-performing subwoofer isn't an easy task, but the Pioneer TS-W1007D4 is exactly that. It's not everyday that anyone could get a cheap subwoofer that is also powerful and reliable; so read carefully because this may very well be one of the best deals available to you.

The subwoofer features the now commonly used injection molded polypropylene cone woofer. However, it is not just plain polypropylene but is compounded with interlaced aramid fiber or also known as Kevlar. The material utilized along with its woven fiber radial surround creates an extremely tough and rigid construction, allowing for greater bass response while maintaining consistent performance in any environment.

The Pioneer TS-W1007D4 is primarily regarded as an entry-level subwoofer. However, it packs a big punch for those who do not want to spend much money on their car audio equipment. Its 10" cone woofer is capable of delivering up to 1000 watts maximum power and could consistently produce 350 watts of CEA rated RMS power out of dual 2 ohm ( TS-W1007D2) or 4 ohm (TS-W1007D4) 4-layer copper voice coils. Don't overlook its hefty 74oz. dual-stacked magnet structure that when combined with the mentioned specs could produce that boomy bass you've always wanted.
Another great feature of the TS-W1007D4 is its ability to pick up frequencies as low as 18 Hz to as high as 600 Hz. This means that this 10" subwoofer could produce sound frequencies just below what you would typically call "midrange". When combined with a decent component speaker system, the results would be great audio reproduction in your vehicle.
Cosmetically, this subwoofer looks good. It has a classy look, not overbearing, but is still able to give off an intimidatingly powerful image. The basket is a stamped design with all four terminals on one side for easier installation. An additional but optional grille is available, allowing the cone to be protected and cosmetically enhanced.

MA Audio MA115XQ Review

The MA115XQ is the brand new 2008 model produced by MA Audio. This particular model is a 15"dual 4 ohms subwoofer, capable of handling up to 900 maximum wattage and 450 continuous wattage.

Unusual for recently released subwoofers, the MA115XQ features a non-pressed paper cone. The material used allows the subwoofer to be relatively inexpensive. Nonetheless the affordable paper cone still delivers very good and, under certain conditions, impressive low-frequency bass response.
The surround material featured on this subwoofer is one of the most rigid designs available. It is a double stitched rubber surround that is also reinforced with glass fiber. The result is a tough surround design that is sure to last for a long time with constant subwoofer usage. The rubber surround's elasticity will ensure proper movement while protecting the cone from separating or tearing away from the basket.

The 15" subwoofer, unfortunately, has its drawback. First, you would need a large subwoofer enclosure as well as a deeper mounting space in order to fit. The mounting depth nearly reaches 7" deep. It's also rather heavy as the Strontium magnet itself already weighs a whopping 80oz. But all of these somewhat negative aspects could be easily overlooked with its double 4 ohm voice coil, large power handling capability, and high SPL (90 dB). If you're looking for an inexpensive subwoofer with competition-quality performance, the MA Audio MA115XQ is the subwoofer for you!