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JL Audio 12W3v3-2 W3v3 Series 12" 2-ohm subwoofer

Item # 13612W3V32

JL Audio designed their W3v3 subwoofers to deliver powerful, accurate bass with a medium-power amplifier.

JL Audio designed their W3v3 subwoofers to deliver powerful, accurate bass with a medium-power amplifier.

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10 questions - 20 answers

Item # 13612W3V32

Low stock
$379.99 -$55.10 Outlet savings
$324.89 each

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About the JL Audio 12W3v3-2

Dominic DeVito

JL Audio Built In USA Remarkably realistic bass

JL Audio designed their W3v3 subwoofers to deliver powerful, accurate bass with a medium-power amplifier. Their extensive motor assembly research resulted in a design that ensures smooth, precise cone movement at any power level. Exclusive cooling features shunt heat away from the sub's internal motor structure for long term durability and reduced distortion. The W3v3 sub works well in a sealed or ported enclosure.

JL Audio Built In USA Remarkably realistic bass

JL Audio designed their W3v3 subwoofers to deliver powerful, accurate bass with a medium-power amplifier. Their extensive motor assembly research resulted in a design that ensures smooth, precise cone movement at any power level. Exclusive cooling features shunt heat away from the sub's internal motor structure for long term durability and reduced distortion. The W3v3 sub works well in a sealed or ported enclosure.

JL Audio W3v3 interior

Well-rounded performance

The 12W3v3-2 subwoofer boasts a 12" mineral-filled polypropylene cone with a distinctive metallic JL Audio medallion. A patented design eases the stress felt by the rubber surround during cone movement, for increased reliability and consistent bass output. The removable, customizable trim ring accepts optional JL Audio grilles, and can be painted to enhance your installation.

Subwoofer Wiring Diagrams

To see sample wiring diagrams for all common subwoofer/amplifier combinations, check out this informative article.

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Product highlights:

  • 12" 2-ohm subwoofer
  • mineral-filled polypropylene cone with nitrile-butylene rubber surround
  • power range: 100-500 watts RMS
  • peak power handling: 1,000 watts
  • frequency response: 22-200 Hz
  • sensitivity: 87.15 dB
  • top-mount depth: 6-5/8"
  • sealed box volume: 1.25 cubic feet
  • ported box volume: 1.75 cubic feet
  • grille not included
  • warranty: 1 year
  • MFR # 92153

What's in the box:

  • One 12" Subwoofer
  • Black plastic trim ring
  • Owner's Manual

Scratch & Dent items may be missing non-essential accessories. In some cases the manufacturer's accessories have been replaced with generic equivalents.

See the difference between "Open Box" and "Scratch & Dent" Outlet items

Customer reviews for JL Audio 12W3v3-2

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69 reviews

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Product Research

Features
Enclosure Compatibility

Features

Dynamic Motor Analysis (DMA): DMA is JL Audio's proprietary method aimed at improving dynamic motor behavior. As a result of DMA optimization, W3v3 motors remain linear in motor force over a very long range of excursion, and also maintain a highly stable fixed magnetic field in the gap over a wide power range. The result is vastly reduced distortion, faithfully reproduced transients, and tight, clean, articulate bass.

Floating Cone Attachment Method (FCAM): JL Audio's patented FCAM technology is an innovative method of bonding the surround/cone assembly to the voice coil/spider assembly. This assembly technique ensures proper surround geometry in the assembled speaker for better excursion control and dynamic voice coil alignment.

Vented Reinforcement Collar (VRC): The Vented Reinforcement Collar is a composite structure that addresses two issues related to reliability. By reinforcing the critical junction between the cone, voice coil and spider, the VRC greatly reduces failures due to glue breakdown or material weaknesses. It does this by greatly increasing adhesive contact area and providing stress relief to the spider material at excursion extremes. the VRC also feature slots that facilitate air flow directly onto the voice coil windings to reduce thermal compression effects and enhances reliability.

Spider/Lead Wire Assembly: The W3v3 features a unique spider, coil and terminal subassembly which is assembled prior to installation in the speaker frame for optimum alignment and glue-joint integrity. The spider is insert-molded into a composite carrier tray which also incorporates the terminal assembly and lead wire strain relief features for enhanced reliability and optimal alignment of parts. The flying lead wires are carefully controlled and strain-relieved without resorting to woven-in lead wires, which can degrade spider performance.

Elevated Frame Cooling: The elevated frame design of the W3v3 delivers high-velocity air flow through slots directly above the top plate to the voice coil of the speaker. This not only enhances power handling, but also sound quality by minimizing dynamic parameter shifts and power compression.

Surround Stress Relief: By creating a radiused feature on the edge of the cone, stress is relieved from the surround material at maximum forward excursion, resulting in longer life and more consistent surround behavior.

Customizable Trim Ring: The woofer comes with a removable ring made of black ABS plastic which can be painted to match the installation theme and create a personalized look. You can purchase optional grille mesh inserts which are specifically designed to fit into the inner diameter of the trim ring.

Enclosure Compatibility

Recommended Sealed Box Volume: The sealed box size recommended by JL Audio is 1.25 cu/ft. A diagram is provided in the owner's manual for a sealed box with external dimensions of 23" W x 14" H x 10" D, assuming 3/4" thick material. (If you are using 5/8" thick materials, you should subtract 1/4" from each dimension.)

Recommended Ported Box Volume: The ported box size recommended by JL Audio is 1.75 cu/ft. A diagram is provided in the owner's manual for a sealed box with external dimensions of 29" W x 14" H x 12.625" D, assuming 3/4" thick material. (If you are using 5/8" thick materials, you should subtract 1/4" from each dimension.) A slot port is recommended with the following dimensions:

  • Slot Width=1.375"
  • Slot Height=12.5"
  • Slot Length=26.125" (a right angled port with a 13.5" extension)

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Customer Q&A

10 questions already asked

Q
What amp should I run?
travis  Sep 04, 2023
1 answer
A
Greetings Travis, if its only the one subwoofer, I would recommend the JD500/1 amplifier. https://www.crutchfield.com/p_13698362/JL-Audio-JD500-1.html?tp=35834
hogan  Sep 05, 2023 (Staff)
Q
Do they come with a box to hold them?
johnny  May 11, 2022
4 answers
A
No
stephen  May 12, 2022
A
If you mean a subwoofer enclosure, like sealed or vented, then no. You can purchase or make your own. These subwoofers are not designed to play free air and will require an enclosure.
joseph  May 11, 2022
A
The speaker comes packaged by itself not in a speaker box. You would have to purchase either a sealed or ported box from Crutchfield to match the speaker specs.
ricardo  May 11, 2022
A
No
paul  May 11, 2022
Q
Please suggest me the best amp for 2 w3v3???Need help with amp for 2 12 w3v3 in ported box please suggest me the best amp
virender  May 24, 2021
2 answers
A
I had 2 12W3's hooked up to an HD750/1 and they hit hard and definitely could've taken more it seemed like, hope this helps!
janiel  May 24, 2021
A
Rockford fosgate 1000 watt amp
bruce  May 24, 2021
Q
I own 2 of these 12w3v3-2ohm, try to drop to 1 ohm, measuring ohm at terminals I see 1.5 ohms each. Wiring in parallel I see about .75 ohm. Is this still acceptable for a 1 ohm amp? I know this measurement is resistance and does differ from impedance.
chris  May 01, 2020
2 answers
A
2ohm wired in parallel is considered a 1 ohm load. Measured is always different. As long as your amp is stable at 1 ohm, you should be good to go
nicholas  May 15, 2020
A
When U wire 2 of these 2 ohm woofers in parallel u a will get a 1 ohm load. When u test it with a not accurate ohms meter u will get an odd reading but the actual final impediance will definitely be 1 ohm.
ozcar  May 04, 2020
Q
What jl amp would i get to pair with two of these?
chris  Feb 26, 2019
1 answer
A
Thanks for your question. For information on selecting the best amp for your subs I would recommend reaching out to an Advisor by phone (1-800-324-9695) or online chat. They will be able to help determine the differences between the amp models and help you make the best choice for your system.
kristina  Mar 02, 2019 (Staff)
Q
I already have this sub with a MRV-500 amp. My alternator fried after finally turning my subwoofer up after medium use(2 months at ~250 RMS) , coincidence or is this sub too much for my alternator? It's a 130 Amp alt.
david  Dec 12, 2016
3 answers
A
I had purchased a pair of these last year through Crutchfield and I have the same output alt as yours. I am sending 350 RMS to each sub, I'm not very nice to them either, and no issues at all. Try installing a fuse from your alt to the battery, if you don't already have one, then replace the alt. Remember high output alts have a shorter life span.
robert  Dec 13, 2016
A
Nothing to do with your alternator. Absolute worst case 500W ÷ 12V = 41A. You're probably not drawing half that.
john  Dec 12, 2016
A
All I can say is I've never had any battery issues or alternators go bad in 3 years I've had this amp at 500 rms. However, I have upgraded my battery too since I also have a remote starter. Bad news - I've gone through 6 subs in 3 years including this one once.
timothy  Dec 12, 2016
Q
Is there a break in period on a jl audio sub w3v3-2?
aaron  Dec 01, 2015
4 answers
A
There is a break in period for all subwoofers, if you break in your sub it has a whole lot better chance of survival. It helps the spider loosen up so it's not fighting itself to move. You will hear and feel the difference after a break in.
robert  Dec 13, 2016
A
I believe there was no break in period. Sounded great out of the box, def recommend
asato  Dec 01, 2015
A
I think it's like 10hrs. So I just gave it 2 weeks not playing it at full volume. Maybe half way. After break-in it's ridiculously awesome ... Enjoy !
jason  Dec 01, 2015
A
I have never used a break in time period for any JL sub and I have bought several. They have all been great and I've never had a break down.
ken  Dec 01, 2015
Q
are any of these good for a 1975 c10 if not can you help me find one?
colgate  Sep 24, 2015
1 answer
A
Thanks for your question. For information on comparing two or more models I would recommend reaching out to an Advisor by phone (1-800-324-9695) or online chat. They will be able to help determine the differences and help you make the best choice for your system and your budget.
kristina  Sep 25, 2015 (Staff)
Q
I have 1 jl 12w3v3-2 subwoofer and the jl audio jx500 1d amplifier. I am running this setup on a 2014 mustang with ssheer 500 system. I have a kenwood ddx470 hu. I am not getting any sound from my subwoofer. Please help with my wiring options. Am I supposed to negate the 2 8 inch subs in the doors? I'm a newbie and really have no idea what I'm doing
brian  Jan 16, 2014
1 answer
A
If you purchased the product from Crutchfield, feel free to contact our Tech Support team. Our toll-free Tech Support number is printed on your invoice, and is also available under the "My Orders" tab in the "My Account" section of our website. If you did not purchase the unit from Crutchfield, then you may want to contact the manufacturer. You can also post your question in our forums: http://community.crutchfield.com. Or try our online support center: http://crutchfield.custhelp.com/app/answers/list/kw/.
jeff  Jan 16, 2014 (Staff)
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