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JL Audio 8W3v3-4

W3v3 Series 8" 4-ohm subwoofer

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Item# 1368W3V34 offer details

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JL Audio

Our take on the JL Audio 8W3v3-4

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 exploded view

Well-rounded performance

JL Audio W3v3 interior

The 8W3v3-4 subwoofer boasts an 8" 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.

Highlights:

  • 8" 4-ohm subwoofer
  • mineral-filled polypropylene cone with nitrile-butylene rubber surround
  • power range: 50-250 watts RMS
  • peak power handling: 500 watts
  • frequency response: 28-250 Hz
  • sensitivity: 83.24 dB
  • top-mount depth: 4-9/16"
  • sealed box volume: 0.3 cubic feet
  • ported box volume: 0.35 cubic feet
  • warranty: 1 year
  • Our 60-day money-back guarantee

Priced per speaker
 

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

Features and Specs

Features and Specs
Size
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8 -inch
Impedance
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4 ohms
Cone Material
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Mineral-filled poly
Surround Material
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Rubber
Ideal Sealed Box Volume (cubic feet)
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0.3
Ideal Ported Box Volume (cubic feet)
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0.35
Port diameter (inches)
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2
Port length (inches)
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18
Free-Air
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No
Dual Voice Coil
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No
Sensitivity
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83.24 dB at 1 watt
Frequency Response
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28 - 250 Hz
RMS Power Range (Watts)
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50-250
Peak Power Handling (Watts)
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500
Top Mount Depth (inches)
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4 9/16
Bottom Mount Depth (inches)
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N/A
Cutout Diameter or Length (inches)
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7 1/16
Vas (liters)
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15.29
Fs (Hz)
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35.14
Qts
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0.467
Xmax (millimeters)
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10
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

  • 8" Subwoofer
  • Black plastic trim ring
  • Owner's Manual

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

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 0.30 cu/ft. A diagram is provided in the owner's manual for a sealed box with external dimensions of 12" W x 10" H x 8" 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 0.35 cu/ft. A diagram is provided in the owner's manual for a sealed box with external dimensions of 12.5" W x 10" H x 9.25" D, assuming 3/4" thick material. (If you are using 5/8" thick materials, you should subtract 1/4" from each dimension.) A rounded port is recommended with the following dimensions:

  • Diameter = 2"
  • Height = 18"
 

Product Reviews

Review Summary

Average Customer Review:

11 people say:
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1-10 of 11 items >> Sort Results By: Date Reviewed | Rating | Helpfulness
 
5 out of 5

JL Audio 8W3v3-4

Written By Trax, Centereach, NY on Sunday, May 31, 2009
 
Possibly the best 8" subwoofer I've ever had the pleasure of listening to. The 8W3 is tight and has an extraordinarily quick response, but unlike other 8" drivers, it also has the distinct ability to explore low range frequencies, giving it attractive versatility.

I've paired four of these little guys in a sealed, polly-filled and glassed 3/4" MDF enclosure in my 350Z, using one JL Audio G1700 per each set of two subs. With each set wired at 2 ohms, each amp delivers 700 watts, making for an astonishingly impressive bass experience - surpassing many hard-hitting 10" and 12" subwoofer setups not only in clarity and response, but also low range as well!
9 out of 9 people found this helpful
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5 out of 5

Money well spent

Written By Scott, Modesto, CA on Wednesday, July 21, 2010
 
This gem fits perfectly into the factory hole in my 2011 Hyundai Sonata's rear deck. It does not hit the trunks' "torsion spring", but gets very close. The sound is really good. More than I expected... Currently I'm running it open-air, no box. It obviously would sound better in a box, but that's a future project. I'm running a JL-600/6 with channels 5 and 6 bridged, providing 200+ watts into this 4 ohm sub. Even my ultra picky 20 year-old daughter thinks it sounds really good. I tried the cheaper one series version of this sub, and thought it sounded good, but the amp pushed it too hard and it got quite warm to the touch. Upgraded to this one, and it made me smile right from the start. This version sounds much better, very realistic and accurate. I also use the remote wired base control on the amp, making sub volume very easy to quickly adjust to any music. Buy this, be happy.
4 out of 5 people found this helpful
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5 out of 5

The Great 8!

Written By Douglas, Colorado Springs, CO on Monday, September 22, 2008
Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
Crutchfield Customer Review

The reviewer purchased this item from us, verified by the email address on the order.

 
The JL Audio 8W3v3 is a fantastic sub. Fast and articulate with excellent thump and slam. Needed extra room in my SUV, so this replaced my old Infinty Basslink T with zero regrets. Exceeded my expectations of what I thought an 8" sub could do. Great sub for rock!
6 out of 6 people found this helpful
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5 out of 5

Still kick'in

Written By Johnny, Enterprise, AL on Monday, December 10, 2007
 
What can I say about JLs, they never fail!!! I am so amazed what a one 8" woofer can do, WOW!! What punch!!! I am using a Profile AP400 amp with a sealed factory box in my Nissan Sentra SPEC-V. Way to go JL!!!!
40 out of 49 people found this helpful
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5 out of 5

THE LITTLE SUB THAT COULD!....

Written By JIMMY, MIDLAND,TX on Monday, August 25, 2008
 
I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS SUB AND HAD IT INSTALLED IN A VENTED PROBOX, ALONG WITH A TOTAL MOBILE MONOBLOCK 250.1 AMP..THIS SET UP WAS INSTALLED IN MY SUBURBAN....THE RESULTS.....THIS ONE 8 INCH SUB SOUNDS LIKE A SET OF HARD HITTING 10 INCH SUBS OR EVEN SOME 12 INCH SUBS, KINDA FUNNY JUST COMING FROM ONE 8 INCH SUB! EVERYONE THAT HAS SEEN AND HEARD THE BASS FROM THIS SUB HAVE ALL BEEN SHOCKED. THE SOUND IS NOT ANYTHING NEAR WHAT I EXPECTED! THE BASS IS GREAT FOR MY STYLE OF MUSIC (BOOMY)! I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS SUB TO ANYONE WANTING TO DRASTICALLY IMPROVE THE LOW END ON THEIR SYSTEM SET-UP!
4 out of 6 people found this helpful
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5 out of 5

8 inch wonder!

Written By Matt, The Great State of Arizona on Saturday, March 03, 2012
Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
Crutchfield Customer Review

The reviewer purchased this item from us, verified by the email address on the order.

 
I have two of these in a double cab Tacoma and they sound great. Never thought 8's could sound so powerful. Installed in. 38 cubic foot enclosures round ported to ±34 hertz.
Pros:
Its a JL Audio
Cons:
Its a JL Audio. $$$
1 out of 1 people found this helpful
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
"Coolness Factor"
Build Quality
Ease of Use
Sound Quality
Value
 
5 out of 5

Love them!!

Written By B. Griggs, Sierra Vista, AZ on Sunday, July 31, 2011
 
Got a pair of these under the backseat in my 2008 Sierra Crew Cab and WOW!!!! I have both of them running in a 2ohm parallel config and my Alpine 500W mono is doing a fine job pushing them
1 out of 1 people found this helpful
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5 out of 5

In a word, WOW!

Written By Jon W, Mt. Pulaski, Il on Friday, January 21, 2011
 
I have a pair of these in custom enclosures in the trunk of my '05 Honda Accord and they are amazing! I listen to everything from classical to metal and have not found anything these don't do incredibly well. They perfectly reproduce the bass guitar in Vanessa Williams Best for last as well as the nail driving double bass in Slayer Angel of Death. I have all JL equipment in my car and can't imagine anything sounding any better. Gets loud enough to hurt you but is so clean it doesn't sound loud and is completely balanced, I love my JL system!

Factory head unit, C5-653 front (4" in q-forms, 6" in door, tweeter in dash) C5-525x in rear deck, Clean Sweep, 500/5 amp, 1 farad Street Wires cap.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful
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5 out of 5

Perfect

Written By Ray, Denver, CO on Wednesday, February 23, 2011
 
When I say perfect i mean PERFECT!!! . I had got an after market head unit and speakers sounded great all it was missing was that thump. I wanted somethin that had some crisp bass.I looked around at kenwood,kicker,and pioneer but nothin stood out then i heard this lil guy. I was like that is what i have been lookin for. Everyone was like don't get a 8" get a 10 or a 12. That one 8 won't give you any bass. I didn't want much anyway because i have a three month old daughter. Boy were they all wrong this thing sounds crisp and hits. Everyone that listens to it is like I can't belive that is one lil 8" sub.it sounds like a 10". JL audio made a winner with this one.
3 out of 4 people found this helpful
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4 out of 5

Fantastic 8"

Written By Anton, North East, NJ on Tuesday, March 25, 2008
 
I have had this sub for more than a year now in my Jeep Wrangler. It is driven by an Alpine MRP F250 (I know, I know, I should have gotten the M450 instead!)... anyway, I built a custom false floor enclosure and performs wonderfully!
The only reason I did not give it 5 stars was because of the premium price but then again, you get what you pay for. I love this sub and would do it all over again! One thing is for sure, I am sick of proving that "I only have one 8" sub" to people!! Tight, accurate mirror shattering (if you like that kind of thing) bass can easily be mistaken for much larger cones. Turn down the bass and you get the perfect low end fill to any type of music (I listen to everything!).
16 out of 16 people found this helpful
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1-10 of 11 items >>

Learn more about Component Subwoofers

Learn more about Component Subwoofers

Subwoofer Shopping Guide

Subwoofer Shopping Guide

Ken Nail
7/13/2008
based on 257 ratings (18 comments)
 

Subwoofers are speakers dedicated solely to reproducing low frequencies. No matter what kind of music you like, or at what volume you listen to it at, they can be a crucial part of your overall...

 
Video: How to Choose a Subwoofer

Video: How to Choose a Subwoofer

Ken Nail
9/14/2010
based on 463 ratings (23 comments)
 

The first step to choosing a subwoofer actually begins with the enclosure and how you want the sub to perform. In this video we'll tell you about the different types of subwoofer enclosures...

 
Dual Voice Coil Subwoofers

Dual Voice Coil Subwoofers

Crutchfield Writing Team
6/16/2003
based on 142 ratings (207 comments)
 

Dual voice coil subwoofers are a popular choice among car audio enthusiasts who want more flexibility in wiring their sound systems.

 
Subwoofer Enclosures

Subwoofer Enclosures

Crutchfield Writing Team
3/12/2012
based on 318 ratings (58 comments)
 

The type of bass you get from your component subwoofer doesn't depend on the woofer alone. You'll need a strong, tightly constructed enclosure for optimum subwoofer performance.

 
Tuning Your Subs

Tuning Your Subs

Buck Pomerantz
12/9/2011
based on 285 ratings (93 comments)
 

Having a subwoofer in your car is a good thing, but if the subwoofer isn't properly tuned, it won't sound as good as it should. This article describes how to adjust your amplifier so that your...

 

Accessories

Things you'll need

Sealed & Ported Boxes
Choose a sealed or ported box to house your subwoofer.
Sound Ordnance™ Bass Bunker
Pair of sealed 8" wedge-style enclosures (Model BB82W)
$59.99
In Stock
 
 

Accessories we recommend

Speaker Wire
It's critical to have good wire, and none is included with the sub.
StreetWires 12-gauge Ultra Cable™ Speaker Wire
Blue/copper jacket — priced per foot
$1.00
In Stock
 
 
StreetWires 14-gauge Ultra Cable™ Speaker Wire
Blue/copper jacket — priced per foot
$0.75
In Stock
 
 
StreetWires 14-gauge Super Cable™ Speaker Wire
Translucent blue jacket — priced per foot (Clear)
$0.99
In Stock
 
 
StreetWires 16-gauge Super Cable™ Speaker Wire
Blue jacket — priced per foot
$0.40
In Stock
 
 
Stinger PRO Series 16-gauge Speaker Wire
Black jacket — priced per foot
$0.30
In Stock
 
 
Show more items
Dynamat
Reduce ambient road noise and your vehicle's "rattles," for better sound inside your car.
Dynamat 19100
License Frame Kit
$14.99
In Stock
 
 
Dynamat Xtreme Wedge Pack
1 sheet, 4 square feet
$39.99
In Stock
 
 
Dynamat SuperLite Tri-Pak
Triple package — 3 sheets, 12 square feet (Model #10612)
$69.99
In Stock
 
 
Dynamat Xtreme Trunk Kit
5 sheets, 20 square feet
$169.99
In Stock
 
 
Dynamat Dynaliner
One 54" x 32" sheet (1/8" thick)
$69.99
In Stock
 
 
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Grilles
Add a grille and keep your sub safe.
JL Audio SGR-8W3v3/W1v2
Grille for 8" W3v3 and W1v2 subwoofers
$13.99
In Stock
 
 
Box Hardware
These can be useful if you are building a custom box.
Springback Handle
$9.99
In Stock
 
 
Corner Protectors
$9.99
In Stock
 
 
Rubber Feet
$5.99
In Stock
 
 
Speaker Wire Terminals
If you're building your own sub box, add speaker wire terminals for easy speaker wire connections.
Metra Speaker Terminal
Round terminal cup with spring clip connectors (for do-it-yourself box builders)
$3.99
Out of Stock
 
 
Metra Speaker Terminal
Square terminal cup with spring clip connectors (for do-it-yourself box builders)
$3.99
In Stock
 
 
Metra Speaker Terminal
Square terminal cup with binding post connectors (for do-it-yourself box builders)
$9.99
In Stock
 
 
Metra Speaker Terminal
Round terminal cup with binding post connectors (for do-it-yourself box builders)
$9.99
In Stock
 
 
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Extras

Test Discs
Autosound 2000 discs are designed to test specific performance parameters of your vehicle's audio system.
Autosound 2000 CD Set
$69.95
In Stock
 
 
 
Add selected to cart
 

For a more in-depth review and enhanced detailed information on the JL Audio 8W3v3-4, please visit the Crutchfield website product page (/ISEO-rccbcspd/p_1368W3V34/JL-Audio-8W3v3-4.html ).

Recommended Accessories See more accessories

Your featured item

JL Audio 8W3v3-4
JL Audio 8W3v3-4
W3v3 Series 8" 4-ohm subwoofer
$199.99
Low Stock
 
 

Sealed & Ported Boxes

Sound Ordnance™ Bass Bunker
Pair of sealed 8" wedge-style enclosures (Model BB82W)
$59.99
In Stock
 
 

Speaker Wire

StreetWires 12-gauge Ultra Cable™ Speaker Wire
Blue/copper jacket — priced per foot
$1.00
In Stock
 
 

Dynamat

Dynamat 19100
License Frame Kit
$14.99
In Stock
 
 

Grilles

JL Audio SGR-8W3v3/W1v2
Grille for 8" W3v3 and W1v2 subwoofers
$13.99
In Stock
 
 

Protect your gear with an extended warranty

Add 3 Year Warranty
Square Trade Warranty
$27.99
In Stock
 
 
 
Add selected to cart
 
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JL Audio 8W3v3-4