Trying to decide out of these two 12" subs....Had a listen to them both today, the Infinity sounded really nice, it was in a ported box, the JL sounded a bit crappy but it was in the wall at JB hifi so I'm not going to let that be the decider! I have heard good reviews about them both, and am really stuck as to which one i should get!
The dude at JB reckons the JL sucks in a sealed box, as the VC gets too hot? I have never heard of this before so I don't know what to believe. I would prefer a sealed box to a ported one, as I am more interested in SQ than SPL.
The infinity I listened to was in a ported box, and the guy reckons it'd be even nicer in a sealed box.
Anyone care to add any comments or tell me about their experiences with either or both of these subs?
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See my car and stereo at
http://home.iprimus.com.au/t00ch/car.htm
*1987 Corolla Twin Cam 16
*Pioneer DEH-6350
*Kenwood KFC-6905 2way 6x9
*2x Kenwood KFC-W2503 10inch Tornado Subs
*Infinity Kappa Perfect 6.5" splits
*Kicker Ix 404 amp
*Jaycar 4x50w amp
[Edited 1 time by tooch on 23 September 2002 at 16:42]
Full Version: Infinity Kappa 120.1 or JL 12w0?
i've never auditioned the infinity subs, but they have a good reputation. however, i notice the infinity website suggests the kappa series is up to 'version 3'. or at least that's the impression i'm getting, so not sure how that compares to the '.1' you've seen. 
the JL's are tried and trued, so are a reliable product.
if you like the sound of them (literally), then either would be a good choice.
i too haven't heard of any reliability issues with the W0's in sealed boxes, so no idea where that info came from. they would suit something like 1.5cuft sealed each and perform nicely.
i can't find relevant info on the infinity sub regarding box requirements.
do you have the thiele-small specs?
my only other suggestion is to plan well ahead and consider what you might want in the future. is it worth considering a premium single 12" sub instead? i gather you'll run it off the jaycar for now, but you may be upgrading the subamp in the future too. at which time you'll then get the best from any sub. and if the sub's a 4ohm version, and the amp's a nice subamp stable to at least 2ohm mono, then there's also the option of adding a second sub.
so, for the price of a couple entry level subs, you could consider the likes of a JL 12W3 or alpine SWR-1221D type-R, which should be <$400 each.
hope this helps.
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/////ALPINE audison DYNAUDIO »»»morel polkaudio OPTIMA Stinger LIGHTNINGAUDIO
Issues of harassment, conflict, vindictive allegations, or unfairness, personal or observed, should be reported to me via Private Messages or at [email="shiny_car@caraudioaustralia.com"]shiny_car@caraudioaustralia.com[/email]
the JL's are tried and trued, so are a reliable product.
if you like the sound of them (literally), then either would be a good choice.
i too haven't heard of any reliability issues with the W0's in sealed boxes, so no idea where that info came from. they would suit something like 1.5cuft sealed each and perform nicely.
i can't find relevant info on the infinity sub regarding box requirements.
do you have the thiele-small specs?my only other suggestion is to plan well ahead and consider what you might want in the future. is it worth considering a premium single 12" sub instead? i gather you'll run it off the jaycar for now, but you may be upgrading the subamp in the future too. at which time you'll then get the best from any sub. and if the sub's a 4ohm version, and the amp's a nice subamp stable to at least 2ohm mono, then there's also the option of adding a second sub.
so, for the price of a couple entry level subs, you could consider the likes of a JL 12W3 or alpine SWR-1221D type-R, which should be <$400 each.
hope this helps.
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Hmm I'm probably wrong about that .1 part so it's probably the version 3.....
And I was also thinking about upgrading the subamp and yeah also the possibility of a better sub......I was (and still am) seriously considering the 12w3....if I get a bit more money together!
The jaycar will run it for now, but there's a very high chance of an upgrade in the near future!
I'm leaning very much towards JL at the moment, due to the fact they are so tried and proven and are so known to be good.......I think I'll have to save some more $$$ and go for the w3!
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See my car and stereo at
http://home.iprimus.com.au/t00ch/car.htm
*1987 Corolla Twin Cam 16
*Pioneer DEH-6350
*Kenwood KFC-6905 2way 6x9
*2x Kenwood KFC-W2503 10inch Tornado Subs
*Infinity Kappa Perfect 6.5" splits
*Kicker Ix 404 amp
*Jaycar 4x50w amp
And I was also thinking about upgrading the subamp and yeah also the possibility of a better sub......I was (and still am) seriously considering the 12w3....if I get a bit more money together!
The jaycar will run it for now, but there's a very high chance of an upgrade in the near future!
I'm leaning very much towards JL at the moment, due to the fact they are so tried and proven and are so known to be good.......I think I'll have to save some more $$$ and go for the w3!
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See my car and stereo at
http://home.iprimus.com.au/t00ch/car.htm
*1987 Corolla Twin Cam 16
*Pioneer DEH-6350
*Kenwood KFC-6905 2way 6x9
*2x Kenwood KFC-W2503 10inch Tornado Subs
*Infinity Kappa Perfect 6.5" splits
*Kicker Ix 404 amp
*Jaycar 4x50w amp
how much is the 12W3 these days? i would've thought 2x 12W0's was more than a single 12W3.
oh, or have you been considering only the one W0 or infinity all along!
whoops, my bad.
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/////ALPINE audison DYNAUDIO »»»morel polkaudio OPTIMA Stinger LIGHTNINGAUDIO
Issues of harassment, conflict, vindictive allegations, or unfairness, personal or observed, should be reported to me via Private Messages or at [email="shiny_car@caraudioaustralia.com"]shiny_car@caraudioaustralia.com[/email]
[Edited 1 time by shiny_car on 23 September 2002 at 18:35]
oh, or have you been considering only the one W0 or infinity all along!
whoops, my bad.
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[Edited 1 time by shiny_car on 23 September 2002 at 18:35]
just giving my inputs to the SQ discusions
before i start, street pricing for the 12w0's are just under 200 bucks, and for the 12w3, anything under 350 is a great price, so the pair of w0's will cost a little less...
i have personally owned a pair of 12w0's for a few months before i went crazy and went all out SPL. i honestly sometimes do miss the SQ of the JL's. i'm not bagging the bahns, as i have never had then in a box tuned below 45hz, but i don't want to take anything away from the JL's.
physically, the JL's look like a tiny sub (well compared to the bahns anyway, but most 12" subs would ), but don't let those small magnets fool you, they can play great, tight, low bass, and will small amounts of power, can still make your hair rise.
WHEN i do retire from SPL, i would not hesitate to buy another JL sub, hmm the w7's are very tempting, and i can get the best of both worlds
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2002 Holden Astra
HU: Blaupunkt Miami Beach
Front Stage: Orion XTR 6.2
Front Amp: PPI 2360 2x90
Subs: 2 x Audiobahn 1200Q
Sub Amp: JBL 1200.1
Dead Last at Drag Combat 2-3 Woofer class
Winner at BAS 161-260sq inch.
before i start, street pricing for the 12w0's are just under 200 bucks, and for the 12w3, anything under 350 is a great price, so the pair of w0's will cost a little less...
i have personally owned a pair of 12w0's for a few months before i went crazy and went all out SPL. i honestly sometimes do miss the SQ of the JL's. i'm not bagging the bahns, as i have never had then in a box tuned below 45hz, but i don't want to take anything away from the JL's.
physically, the JL's look like a tiny sub (well compared to the bahns anyway, but most 12" subs would
), but don't let those small magnets fool you, they can play great, tight, low bass, and will small amounts of power, can still make your hair rise. WHEN i do retire from SPL, i would not hesitate to buy another JL sub, hmm the w7's are very tempting, and i can get the best of both worlds
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2002 Holden Astra
HU: Blaupunkt Miami Beach
Front Stage: Orion XTR 6.2
Front Amp: PPI 2360 2x90
Subs: 2 x Audiobahn 1200Q
Sub Amp: JBL 1200.1
Dead Last at Drag Combat 2-3 Woofer class
Winner at BAS 161-260sq inch.
Hmm yeah the w7.....man i was almost drooling when I saw that! 
But yeah I'm thinking the single 12w3.......was originally thinking of getting just one 12w0 or Kappa 120.1 but then I thought that I'd probably just end up upgrading anyway so might as well go all out! Sorry bout the confusion Shiny!
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See my car and stereo at
http://home.iprimus.com.au/t00ch/car.htm
*1987 Corolla Twin Cam 16
*Pioneer DEH-6350
*Kenwood KFC-6905 2way 6x9
*2x Kenwood KFC-W2503 10inch Tornado Subs
*Infinity Kappa Perfect 6.5" splits
*Kicker Ix 404 amp
*Jaycar 4x50w amp
But yeah I'm thinking the single 12w3.......was originally thinking of getting just one 12w0 or Kappa 120.1 but then I thought that I'd probably just end up upgrading anyway so might as well go all out! Sorry bout the confusion Shiny!
------------------
See my car and stereo at
http://home.iprimus.com.au/t00ch/car.htm
*1987 Corolla Twin Cam 16
*Pioneer DEH-6350
*Kenwood KFC-6905 2way 6x9
*2x Kenwood KFC-W2503 10inch Tornado Subs
*Infinity Kappa Perfect 6.5" splits
*Kicker Ix 404 amp
*Jaycar 4x50w amp
the 12W3 sounds like a good idea or even a Hertz HS300 from the online store
good luck
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HU-Pioneer DEH5450(coming soon)
Front-
Rear-
Front stage amp-looking
Sub-Looking
Sub Amp-Jaycar 2x150rms bridged @ 450rms
good luck
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HU-Pioneer DEH5450(coming soon)
Front-
Rear-
Front stage amp-looking
Sub-Looking
Sub Amp-Jaycar 2x150rms bridged @ 450rms
Hey, just adding my experience, if anyone is still reading this post...
I have a 12w0 in a ported enclosure(from JB so i dunno its details..) fed 150watts and compared to other subs in the same price range, the JL wins hands down...
My most recent experience was when i installed a kicker 'comp' (although in a sealed enclosure)which im sure is a similar price, connected to a jaycar 1x220 or watever watt amp, and it sounded nowhere near as tight, or loud(enclosure....) as mine, surprising seeing it had more power going to it...
And as for W3s...they POUND! So yeah JL is a good idea!
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Panasonic --Cd..
Pioneer GM-X542 --Sub Amp
Kenwood KAC-749S --Speaker amp
JL VR600-CS --6' Splits
Pioneer TS-A6979 --6x9's
JL 12W0-4 ..........
Suzuki Swift Gti
I have a 12w0 in a ported enclosure(from JB so i dunno its details..) fed 150watts and compared to other subs in the same price range, the JL wins hands down...
My most recent experience was when i installed a kicker 'comp' (although in a sealed enclosure)which im sure is a similar price, connected to a jaycar 1x220 or watever watt amp, and it sounded nowhere near as tight, or loud(enclosure....) as mine, surprising seeing it had more power going to it...
And as for W3s...they POUND! So yeah JL is a good idea!
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Panasonic --Cd..
Pioneer GM-X542 --Sub Amp
Kenwood KAC-749S --Speaker amp
JL VR600-CS --6' Splits
Pioneer TS-A6979 --6x9's
JL 12W0-4 ..........
Suzuki Swift Gti
Inclined to agree with the previous opinions... go for the W3... I am really happy with mine...
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CAR: 1994 Dark Blue/Purple VR Commodore (Stock as hell!)
DRIVER: One 6'6" Lanky Wigga
AUDIO GEAR: Pioneer // JL Audio // JVC // Stinger
MORE GEAR TO COME: Sub Amp // Sound-Deadening // Neons // Alarm
NEXT A.C.T. CAR AUDIO AUSTRALIA MEET: Meet up on Oct. 13th and cruise to Syndicate sound-off (Refer to topic in Events, Shows and Meetings' forum)
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DRIVER: One 6'6" Lanky Wigga
AUDIO GEAR: Pioneer // JL Audio // JVC // Stinger
MORE GEAR TO COME: Sub Amp // Sound-Deadening // Neons // Alarm
I've found the kappa sound good... but they're no where near as good as the Kappa Perfects... don't know how much they sell for tho.
Perfects are around $499
Perfects are around $499
Hey there, yet another advocate of the old JLW3, initially when I was buying my subs I went out and bought a set of Pioneers current top of the range woofers, they were nice, pounded extremely tight all day (for the one day I had it ) but then I was at uni, and then I was suggested I give the W3's a bit of a listen, back then I was not as versed as I am know in terms of quality audio, and I judged products purely on fancy cone designs, and materials, I first saw the W3's and I must say I was dissapointed by the apperance. I then gave them an audition, and I haven't turned around since, very nice subs, and they have been pounding nicely every since I got them, I love them, go the W3's
Having said that though, there are heaps of excellent subs in that price range, eg. Alpine Type R's and the IDQ's, all quality woofers.
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Source Unit: Clarion DXZ925 Front Stage: Pioneer TSW1635 Bass Bullets Sub Bass: 2 x JL12W3D2's Front Stage Amp: KACPS401T Sub Bass Amp: JL500.1
) but then I was at uni, and then I was suggested I give the W3's a bit of a listen, back then I was not as versed as I am know in terms of quality audio, and I judged products purely on fancy cone designs, and materials, I first saw the W3's and I must say I was dissapointed by the apperance. I then gave them an audition, and I haven't turned around since, very nice subs, and they have been pounding nicely every since I got them, I love them, go the W3's Having said that though, there are heaps of excellent subs in that price range, eg. Alpine Type R's and the IDQ's, all quality woofers.
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