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JL Audio 12W7AE-3

Anniversary Edition W7 Series 12" 3-ohm subwoofer

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  • JL Audio 12W7AE-3

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  • JL Audio 12W7AE-3

    Anniversary Edition Badge

  • JL Audio 12W7AE-3

    Back

  • JL Audio 12W7AE-3

    Factory in Mirimar, FL

  • JL Audio 12W7AE-3

    Hand-assembled

  • JL Audio 12W7AE-3

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  • JL Audio 12W7AE-3

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JL Audio

What's a component sub and why would I want one?

A component sub is simply a speaker that's designed to reproduce bass once it's installed in a compatible enclosure. Think about the impact of a movie soundtrack in a big theater or even in your own home HDTV setup. A component sub can add the same kind of power to the music in your car. And a car sub is not all about the boom that you hear on a street corner (although that's cool too) - you can pair a component sub with your choice of enclosure to get bass just the way you like it, from tight and punchy to fat and loose. And once you experience music in your car with a well-tuned subwoofer, you'll never go back.

Our take on the JL Audio 12W7AE-3

by Jo Greene

Celebrating 10 years of unrivaled bass performance

AE logo

Ten years ago, JL Audio redefined low-frequency reproduction with their masterful, designed-from-scratch W7 subs. Now, the Anniversary Edition W7 Series 12W7AE-3 12" subwoofer features the latest refinements to this groundbreaking design, highlighted by a satin-black frame, silvery anodized trim ring, and special anniversary logo.

Group shot

Innovative design for impressive performance

Six patented technologies help this W7 sub deliver unmatched performance:

    W-Cone
  • W-Cone™: a dish-shaped outer cone is supported by a second W-shaped inner cone attached to the sub's voice coil structure. This design creates a super-rigid, lightweight cone that responds rapidly for accurate bass without unwanted coloration.

  • OverRoll surround
  • OverRoll™: an innovative mounting method lets the surround wrap around the outside of the mounting flange. This method allows for more useable cone area than conventional surrounds, so this sub moves more air for deeper lows.

  • Floating Cone Attach Method
  • Floating Cone Attach Method (FCAM™): precision engineering aligns the voice coil, and woofer cone for incredibly linear woofer movement, which means you'll hear exceptionally accurate bass.

  • Spider attachment
  • Plateau-reinforced spider attachment: a collar on the voice coil eases stress on the spider for extended excursion and improved reliability.

  • Elevated frame cooling and pole piece
  • Elevated frame cooling and cross-drilled pole-piece: cone movement pumps air through vents in the frame and machined holes in the pole piece. Your voice coils stay cooler, even when you're pushing your system.


JL Audio craftsman

JL Audio's W7 subs are hand-assembled and tested in Mirimar, Florida

Profound bass for the music-lover

Each W7 sub is built to meticulous standards at JL Audio's factory in Miramar, Florida. JL Audio put 30+ years of sonic expertise into their legendary W7 subwoofers, so you can expect smooth, powerful bass that enhances your favorite music.

Highlights:

  • 12" 3-ohm subwoofer
  • polypropylene W-Cone with polyester foam surround
  • solid cast-alloy basket
  • no grille included: optional grille rods available
  • power range: 400-1,000 watts RMS
  • peak power handling: 2,000 watts
  • frequency response: 18-200 Hz
  • sensitivity: 86.2 dB
  • top-mount depth: 9-1/2"
  • sealed box volume: 1.375 cubic feet
  • ported box volume: 1.75 cubic feet
  • warranty: 1 year
  • Our 60-day money-back guarantee
Shop all JL Audio Component Subwoofers
     

    Hands-on research from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?)

    Features and Specs

    Features and Specs
    Size
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    12 -inch
    Impedance
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    3 ohms
    Cone Material
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    Polypropylene
    Surround Material
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    Polyester foam
    Ideal Sealed Box Volume (cubic feet)
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    1.375
    Ideal Ported Box Volume (cubic feet)
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    1.75
    Port diameter (inches)
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    N/A
    Port length (inches)
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    N/A
    Free-Air
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    No
    Dual Voice Coil
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    No
    Sensitivity
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    86.2 dB at 1 watt
    Frequency Response
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    18 - 200 Hz
    RMS Power Range (Watts)
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    400-1000
    Peak Power Handling (Watts)
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    2000
    Top Mount Depth (inches)
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    9 1/2
    Bottom Mount Depth (inches)
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    N/A
    Cutout Diameter or Length (inches)
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    10 1/2
    Vas (liters)
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    66
    Fs (Hz)
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    27.2
    Qts
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    0.482
    Xmax (millimeters)
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    29
    Parts Warranty
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    1 Year
    Labor Warranty
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    1 Year

    Product Research

    Product Research
    What's in the box?

    Download owner's manual

    • 12" Single voice coil subwoofer (attached to an MDF baffle board with 12 Phillips-head screws)
    • Owner's manual
    • On-line product registration information

    Our Product Research Team

    At Crutchfield, you'll get detailed, accurate information that's hard to find elsewhere. That's because we have our own in-house Product Research team — they open the box, verify contents, check the owner's manual, and record dimensions, features and specs. We stay on top of new products and technologies to help people make informed choices.

    Features
    Enclosure Compatibility

    Features

    W-Cone: The JL Audio W7AE subwoofers utilize a patented W-Cone design; the unit-body cone assembly maximizes cone stiffness with minimal mass. The shape also provides torsional rigidity, critical to maintaining voice coil alignment at the suspension limits. Two lightweight mineral-filled polypropylene skins are bonded together at the perimeter and the center of the assembly. The lower skin's cross-section is shaped like a W and the upper skin is the part of the cone visible from the top.

    OverRoll Surround: OverRoll Surround technology allows JL Audio to make use of the entire footprint of the speaker, placing the surround further to the outside than in a conventional woofer. This means the oversized surround can support greater x-max without sacrificing cone area. An added benefit is that the mounting holes are sealed by the surround, resulting in an improved box seal.

    Ultra-Long Voice Coil: The W7AE subwoofers feature an ultra-long voice coil to enhance linear excursion, power handling and control. The large surface area of the coil offers excellent heat dissipation, while the winding height provides the necessary motivational force to achieve the excursion of the W7AE design.

    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.

    Dynamic Motor Analysis (DMA): DMA is JL Audio's proprietary analysis method aimed at improving dynamic motor behavior. As a result of DMA optimization, W7AE motors remain linear in motor force over a long range of excursion, and also maintain a stable fixed magnetic field in the gap over a wide power range. This leads to reduced distortion, faithfully reproduced transients, and tight, clean, articulate bass.

    Forced Air Cooled: The elevated frame design of the W7AE delivers cool air through slots directly above the top-plate to the voice coil. This not only enhances power handling, but also sound quality by minimizing dynamic parameter shifts and power compression.

    Radial Cross-Drilled Pole Piece: This venting system enhances heat dissipation and power handling by directing air flow onto the voice coil former, working in conjunction with the Forced Air Cooling technology.

    Progressive-Roll Spider: The large, progressive-roll spider provides precise control and motor/voice coil alignment without limiting excursion prematurely.

    Plateau-Reinforced Spider Attachment: A derivative of JL Audio's VRC technology, this suspension attachment relieves stress from the spider material at high excursions for enhanced reliability.

    Co-Extruded Double Lead Wires: The extruded casing and carefully engineered attachments ensure controlled lead-wire behavior under the most extreme excursion demands. Two conductors are used per connection for ample current carrying capability.

    Enclosure Compatibility

    Sealed Box: The recommended sealed box volume is 1.375 cubic feet; a diagram is provided in the owner's manual for a sealed box with external dimensions of 15.5" W x 15.5" H x 15.0" D, assuming 3/4" thick box material (If you are using 5/8" thick materials, you should subtract 1/4" from each dimension).

    Ported Box: The recommended ported box volume is 1.75 cubic feet; a diagram is provided in the owner's manual for a slot ported box with external dimensions of 22.5" W x 15.5" H x 15.5" D, assuming 3/4" thick box 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: 1.75"
    • Slot Height: 14.0"
    • Slot Length: 24.0" (a right angled port with a 7.625" extension)
     

    Product Reviews

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    Reviews for the JL Audio 12W7AE-3

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    5 out of 5

    Ridiculous Bass

    Written By Sean, Richmond, CA on Tuesday, April 09, 2013
     
    I have owned many JL products over the years and as usual this sub is well built and puts out consistent deep pounding bass with zero distortion. I had 2 installed in my 2003 Mustang Cobra with 2 JL 1000/1 amps pushing each sub. They are flat amazing, can seariously enhance Country music and handle the demanding bass of Hip Hop with ease. when they're really cranked it felt like they could make your Eardrums rupture and stop your heart. no joke. I have had JL 15's, 12W6's, 10w6 and these are hands down the best.

    The only downside is they are big & heavy (not a good thing for a Mustang) and they take alot of power to run, I had a High output Altenator w/ an adjustable Voltage regulator & 6 phase rectifier (similar to an ambulance system) with an Optima battery and a copaciter and it still dipped the volts. This was only when it was cranked up and was not a big issue, but upgrades to the electrical system are a must to keep up with this setup.
    Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
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    5 out of 5

    It's pretty dang good!

    Written By Mustangman, Richland, WA on Wednesday, March 27, 2013
     
    I think "ease of use" and ""Coolness Factor" are ridiculous things to rate a product on. They're strictly an opinion and have no imperical reference.

    This thing is a beast! It's HEAVY! It's BIG, but it requires a sealed enclosure that's just slighly bigger than the speaker. If you can fit the box it comes in into your car, you'll be able to fit a sealed box.

    Needless to say, this speaker POUNDS! I don't have a lot of car audio experience, so I decided to just go with the best and not deal with anything else. I'm not disappointed. I have one sub powered by a JL 1000/1 and this puppy takes it. I drive a pickup and this produces plenty of good, clean bass to really enhance my musical experience.

    I do think it's built quite well, and if it's not abused, should last for a very long time. If you have a local car audio shop, go talk to them, you just might get a better deal. This is absolutely a pricey item and if you live in an area where crime is a problem, you probably won't want to advertise that you have this sub- which is hard to do- when you have it, and you have the power to push it, you want to. That's just how it goes.

    Personally, I think the appearance of this sub is quite nice, but it's buried in a box and I'll never see it again. One sub is plenty! if you're using it to listen to music. If you're trying to show off or compete- well, one is still enough. If you can afford it, buy it. You probably won't be disappointed.
    Pros:
    Very good sound. Really pumps the noise. Relatively small box for the size and power handling
    Cons:
    Price, but, good stuff (and a JL label) costs money. Power consumption. Size (It's still a monster)
    Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
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    5 out of 5

    The Best Subwoofer Money can buy

    Written By Will M., Easton, Maryland on Monday, February 11, 2013
     
    JL Audio makes amazing products and this one is top of the line in woofers. If you have enough money to buy this woofer then don't even think twice you need this subwoofer if you are serious about your car's audio
    Pros:
    Everything
    Cons:
    Price and weight
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    1-3 of 3

    Accessories

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    StreetWires 14-gauge Super Cable™ Speaker Wire Translucent blue jacket — priced per foot (Clear)
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    Stinger PRO Series 16-gauge Speaker Wire Black jacket — priced per foot
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    Dynamat Xtreme Trunk Kit 5 sheets, 20 square feet
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    Dynamat Dynaliner One 54" x 32" sheet (1/8" thick)
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    Dynamat 19100 License Frame Kit
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    Dynamat SuperLite Tri-Pak Triple package — 3 sheets, 12 square feet (Model #10612)
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    Dynamat Xtreme Wedge Pack 1 sheet, 4 square feet
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    JL Audio SGR-12W7 Grille rods for 12" W7 subwoofers
     
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    Metra Speaker Terminal Round terminal cup with binding post connectors (for do-it-yourself box builders)
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    Metra Speaker Terminal Square terminal cup with binding post connectors (for do-it-yourself box builders)
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    Metra Speaker Terminal Round terminal cup with spring clip connectors (for do-it-yourself box builders)
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    Metra Speaker Terminal Square terminal cup with spring clip connectors (for do-it-yourself box builders)
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    Rated 5-stars by consumers

    For a more in-depth review and enhanced detailed information on the JL Audio 12W7AE-3, please visit the Crutchfield website product page (/S-wnQH6Nes3ZJ/p_13692115/JL-Audio-12W7AE-3.html ).

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    Dynamat Xtreme Trunk Kit
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    • Front

      JL Audio 12W7AE-3
    • Anniversary Edition Badge

      JL Audio 12W7AE-3
    • Back

      JL Audio 12W7AE-3
    • Factory in Mirimar, FL

      JL Audio 12W7AE-3
    • Hand-assembled

      JL Audio 12W7AE-3
    • Spider

      JL Audio 12W7AE-3
    • Terminals

      JL Audio 12W7AE-3