JL Audio 12W3v3-4 12 Inch Subwoofer Driver

JL Audio 12W3v3-4

12 Inch Subwoofer Driver

Overview

This powerhouse 12-inch driver delivers potent performance and world-class sound quality in medium power applications. Several exclusive JL Audio technologies and proprietary assembly techniques are applied to the 12W3v3 to enhance linearity and reliability.

The 12W3v3-4 is best used with amplifier power in the 150W - 500W range and is optimized to operate in a compact 1.125 cu. ft. (31.8 l) sealed enclosure, or a 1.75 cu. ft. (49.6 l) ported enclosure.

Specifications

General Specifications

• Continuous Power Handling (RMS) 500 W
• Recommended Amplifier Power (RMS) 150 - 500 W
• Nominal Impedance (Znom) 4 Ω

Physical Specifications

• Nominal Diameter 12.0 in / 300 mm
• Overall Diameter (A) 12.5 in / 318 mm
• Mounting Hole Diameter (B) 11.0625 in / 281 mm
• Bolt Hole Circle Diameter (C) 11.7 in / 297 mm
• Motor Outer Diameter (D) 5.5 in / 140 mm
• Mounting Depth (E) 6.65 in / 169 mm
• Driver Displacement 0.071 cu ft / 2.01 L
• Net Weight 14.50 lb / 6.58 kg

Parameters

• Free Air Resonance (Fs) 26.72 Hz
• Electrical “Q” (Qes) 0.472
• Mechanical “Q” (Qms) 7.572
• Total Speaker “Q” (Qts) 0.444
• Equivalent Compliance (Vas) 2.844 cu ft / 80.54 L
• One-Way Linear Excursion (Xmax)* 0.510 in / 13.0 mm
• Reference Efficiency (no) 0.31%
• Efficiency (1 W / 1 m)** 87.15 dB SPL
• Effective Piston Area (Sd) 80.600 sq in / 0.0520 sq m
• DC Resistance (Re) 3.563 Ω

* Xmax specifications are derived via one-way voice coil overhang method with no correction factors applied.
** Efficiency (1 W / 1 m) is not an accurate indicator of a subwoofer’s output capability and should not be used as a comparison to other subwoofers to determine which one is “louder”.

Sealed Enclosure Specifications

• Wall Thickness 0.75 in / 19 mm
• Front Baffle Thickness 0.75 in / 19 mm
• Volume (net int.) 1.125 cu ft / 31.8 L
• External Width (W) 21 in / 533 mm
• External Height (H) 14 in / 356 mm
• External Depth (D) 10 in / 254 mm
• F3 43.7 Hz
• Fc 50.2 Hz
• Qtc 0.83

Ported Enclosure Specifications

• Wall Thickness 0.75 in / 19 mm
• Front Baffle Thickness 0.75 in / 19 mm
• Volume (net int.) 1.75 cu ft / 49.6 L
• External Width (W) 29 in / 737 mm
• External Height (H) 14 in / 356 mm
• External Depth (D) 12.625 in / 321 mm
• Internal Slot Port Width (SW) 1.375 in / 35 mm
• Internal Slot Port Height (SH) 12.5 in / 318 mm
• Internal Slot Port Length (SL) 26.8125 in / 681 mm
• Port Extension Length (EL) 13.5 in / 343 mm
• Tuning Frequency (Fb) 30 Hz
• F3 35 Hz

Enclosure Notes
* The enclosure recommendations listed above are external dimensions which assume the use of 0.75 in (19 mm) thick material. If you are using 0.625 in (16 mm) thick material, subtract 0.25 in (6.5 mm) from each dimension. Do not use any material with a thickness of less than 0.625 in (16 mm) as this may compromise the rigidity of the enclosure.
* All enclosure volumes listed above are net internal volumes! Driver displacement, port displacement and brace displacement must be added to obtain the final gross internal volume. All enclosure dimensions above have already taken this into account.
* When using multiple subwoofers in a common enclosure you will need to recalculate the enclosure and port dimensions. For assistance please contact your authorized JL Audio dealer or JL Audio Technical Support.
* We recommend the use of this speaker in a bi-amplified system using high-quality satellite speakers and a high-quality amplifier. We do not recommend the use of this subwoofer with a passive crossover (coil), as this type of device will adversely affect performance.
* All specifications are subject to change without notice.

Safety Notice
Prolonged exposure to sound pressure levels in excess of 100dB can cause permanent hearing loss. This high-performance speaker can exceed this level. Please exercise restraint in its operation in order to preserve your ability to enjoy its fidelity.

When installing a subwoofer in your vehicle, it is extremely important to secure the enclosure firmly. We recommend bolting the enclosure through the metal of the floorpan or the frame of the vehicle with large diameter washers for reinforcement. If an enclosure is not firmly attached, it can become a projectile in a collision. This is particularly important in a hatchback, station wagon, sports utility vehicle, or van.

Technology

Dynamic Motor Analysis - DMA Optimized Motor
Summary:
JL Audio's proprietary Dynamic Motor Analysis system is a powerful suite of FEA-based modeling systems, first developed by JL Audio in 1997 and refined over the years to scientifically address the issue of speaker motor linearity. This leads to vastly reduced distortion and faithfully reproduced transients... or put simply: tight, clean, articulate bass.

Elevated Frame Cooling (U.S. Patent #6,219,431 & #6,229,902)
Summary:
JL Audio's patented Elevated Frame Cooling design delivers cool air 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.

Floating Cone Attach Method - FCAM™ (U.S. Patent #6,501,844)
Summary:
This assembly technique, conceived by JL Audio, ensures proper surround geometry in the assembled speaker for better excursion control and dynamic voice coil alignment.

Vented Reinforcement Collar
Summary:
JL Audio's Vented Reinforcement Collar (VRC®) improves the rigidity and stability of the cone/spider/voice coil junction and directs airflow over the voice coil windings for improved thermal performance.

Insert Molded Suspension / Coil / Terminal Sub-Assembly (U.S. Patent #7,379,558)
Summary:
Spiders, voice coils, terminals and lead wires are preassembled, using a patent-pending process, onto a composite carrier for improved precision and reliability.

Customizable Trim Ring
Summary:
This removable ring can be painted to match the installation theme and directly receives JL Audio grille mesh inserts (sold separately).

Engineered Lead-Wire System (U.S. Patent #7,356,157)
Summary:
Carefully engineered lead-wire design and attachments ensure controlled, quiet lead-wire behavior under the most extreme excursion demands.

Built in U.S.A. with Global Components
Summary:
JL Audio's Miramar, Florida loudspeaker production facility is one of the most advanced in the world.

Since most of our premium loudspeakers incorporate proprietary, patented technologies requiring specific assembly techniques, we find it is vital that the people who designed them have close access to the people manufacturing them. The following JL Audio products are built in our Miramar, Florida factory, with global components:

• Subwoofer Drivers: W7, W6v3, TW5v2, TW3, TW1, W3v3 
• Enclosed Car Subwoofers: Stealthbox, PowerWedge, ProWedge, H.O. Wedge & MicroSub Enclosed Subwoofers
• Marine Loudspeakers, Marine Subwoofer Drivers and Marine Enclosed Loudspeakers
• Home Subwoofers: Dominion, E-Sub, Fathom and Gotham