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.

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.

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.

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!