• JL Audio W3 Car Subwoofer Review
  • Subwoofer Size Buying Guide
JL Audio 12W3v3-2: main picture thumbnail JL Audio 12W3v3-2: alternate picture thumbnail JL Audio 12W3v3-2: alternate picture thumbnail JL Audio 12W3v3-2: alternate picture thumbnail JL Audio 12W3v3-2: alternate picture thumbnail

JL Audio 12W3v3-2

12" Single 2 ohm W2v3 Series Car Subwoofer

  • 4.8

(31 reviews)

Read 31 reviews

Write a review

Specials with this product

  • Free Ground Shipping to the 48 statesdetails

Price Information

$299.95

–$50.00

$249.95

Add an Optional Extended Warranty

Add

$26.99

$

In Stock

save to wish list

Why Shop Sonic?

Find the right amplifier for your subwoofers
SONY Marine Gear Giveaway

Customer Testimonial

In a word, FANTASTIC. Item was exactly as advertised, shipping was rapid, and communication was top-notch. Pricing was highly competitive, especially with included accessories, which were exactly correct for the application. This is online shopping at it's finest. Thanks a million!

- Joel Songer from Milwaukee, WI

See more…

Clean and Efficient W3v3 Series JL Audio Woofers

If you are tired of your bass sounding weak or not deep enough or simply looking for that woofer that will make your car audio system complete. Then look no further than the JL Audio 12W3v3-2, with a power rating of 500W RMS and Single 2 ohm voice coil, this woofer perform as elegantly as it looks. With more surface area than a 10" woofer this 12" woofer will be able to provide a deeper amount of bass without sacrificing any of the performance.

JL Audio is all about performance and quality. They manufacture products to meet extremely high standards and anything less than those standards is not good enough to carry the JL Audio name. The W3v3 subwoofer is one of the cleanest, most efficient, and best sounding subwoofers in its class. This series is available in a 6.5”, 8”, 10”, 12”, and 13.5” size woofer that can pretty much fit any vehicle size. The W3v3 features a DM Optimized Motor System that provides constant and strong linear excursion that result in reduced distortion and higher bass reproduction. These woofers also feature Elevated Frame Cooling technology that delivers cool air directly to the voice coil of the woofer. This increases power handling and sound quality. The W3v3 series subwoofers offer many more patented technologies that truly make this series stand out above the rest. If you are struggling on a decision, the decision if simple JL Audio, it will never disappoint.

Product Features:

  • 12" Single 2 Ohm W3v3 Series Subwoofer
  • Power Handling:
    • Peak: 1000 watts
    • RMS: 500 watts
    • Recommended Power Range: 100-500 watts
  • Impedance: Single 2 ohms
  • Mineral-filled polypropylene upper cone with a metallic JL Audio medallion logo gives the W3's a whole new, classy and sophisticated look
  • NBR (Nitrile Butadiene Rubber) surround
  • DMA-optimized, long linear excursion capability to virtually eliminate distortion and increase sound output
  • Perform outstanding in compact sealed or ported enclosures
  • DMA (Dynamic Motor Analysis) modeling to deliver unsurpassed dynamic stability and low-distortion operation within intended power range
  • Elevated Frame-Cooling creates a pathway for high-velocity air to flow directly across the top-plate and onto the voice coil
  • Vented Reinforcement Collar improves the rigidity and stability
  • Insert Molded Suspension Coil Terminal Sub-Assembly ensures precise lead wire length, lead wire entry and exit angles
  • Customizable Trim Ring can be painted to match the installation theme
  • Floating Cone Attach Method allows the cone and surround to be aligned independently of the spider/coil assembly
  • Surround Stress-Relief promotes smooth, consistent surround behavior at all excursion levels
  • Efficiency: 87.15 dB
  • 1-year SonicElectronix.com warranty
JL Audio 12W3v34 Recommended Power Range

Product History:

JL Audio 12W3v3-2 thumbnail
(newest, current model)
JL Audio 12W3v2-D2 thumbnail
(previous model, replaced by JL Audio 12W3v3-2)
Subwoofer Specifications
Subwoofer Series W3v3
Subwoofer Size 12"
Peak Power Handling 1000 watts
RMS Power Handling 500 watts
Voice Coil(s) Single
Impedance (Per Voice Coil) 2 ohms
Sensitivity 87 dB
Xmax (millimeters) 13 mm
Subwoofer Design Round / Circle
Main Cone Color Black
Woofer Composition Mineral-Filled Polypropylene
Woofer Surround Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR)
Subwoofer Grille Optional (Accessory required and sold separately)
Re-Cone Kit Available No
Recommended Enclosure Specifications
Recommended Enclosure Type Ported / Vented
Sealed
Minimum Sealed Box Volume 1.25 cubic feet
Maximum Sealed Box Volume 1.25 cubic feet
Minimum Ported Box Volume 1.75 cubic feet
Maximum Ported Box Volume 1.75 cubic feet
Top-Mount Depth 6.65"
Cutout Diameter 11.0625"
Shallow Mount Installation No
Warranty and Return Policy
Return Policy Standard Return Policy
Parts Warranty Duration 1 year
Labor Warranty Duration 1 year
Warranty Provider Sonic Electronix
Customer Review Summary for JL Audio 12W3v3-2
Average Customer Rating is 4.8 out of 5 stars:
  • 4.8
based on 31 Reviews
Share your thoughts with others:
Rating Distribution:
5 star:
.
.
87%
4 star:
.
.
6%
3 star:
.
.
6%
2 star:
.
0%
1 star:
.
0%
what's this?
Average Attributes Rating:
Durability
  • 4.7
4.7
Value
  • 4.7
4.7
Features
  • 4.7
4.7
Design
  • 4.6
4.6
Usability
  • 4.9
4.9
what's this?
Quick Comparison:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews:
December 22, 2010 Bang for the Buck
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
Review by
Nate Dizzle from Edgewater, FL
Overall
  • 4.0
Durability
  • 4.0
Value
  • 5.0
Features
  • 3.0
Design
  • 3.0
Usability
  • 4.0
I had the 12W3v2-D2 and loved them, well 5 years later and my stupidity while installing speaker covers (which were the wrong ones anyway) they got ruined, replacements were impossible to find. So I found a great deal at Sonic (local shops wanted an extra $100 a piece) and ordered them right away. Shipping was fast and right on! Installed subs, and loved them as much as my previous ones. After some break in, I noticed the bass was hitting a little harder than the previous version, even though they are only a single voice coil! I only have about 300 watts running to each sub(actually slightly less) and they still sound great! When I hooked my system up originally I wasn't looking for obnoxious bass, but turn these bad boys up and even with the little amount of power, they bang and bang hard!! Perfect for my enjoyment inside the vehicle, without the crappy sound on the outside of the vehicle, plus no worries about being pulled over!! If I have the money in the near future I would love to throw a class D 1000 watt amp to them and hear them really scream!!!!! BUY THESE SUBS AND SAVE SOME CASH!!!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
Report Abuse | Write a Review
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Delicious
October 24, 2009 Excellent Entry Level Sub
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
Review by
Zack from Gray, GA
Overall
  • 5.0
Durability
  • 5.0
Value
  • 5.0
Features
  • 5.0
Design
  • 5.0
Usability
  • 5.0
For the price of this subwoofer, you honestly can't beat it. It purely has the smoothest sound of any sub in its price range. Bass is tight and clean, no matter what genre of music you listen to. I can rock out with some double bass, or pound my ears with some heavy hitting bass. At 300 watts RMS, this thing will just not die! I have pushed this sub to my stereo's limits multiple times and it never falters to deliver perfect sound every time.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
Report Abuse | Write a Review
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Delicious
September 11, 2010 great sub
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Review by
gator from owen wisconsin
Overall
  • 5.0
Durability
  • 5.0
Value
  • 5.0
Features
  • 4.0
Design
  • 4.0
Usability
  • 5.0
I have two of these in a 95 camaro. I have a 1600 watt hifonics amp to them in a ported 3 cu box (1.5 per sub) and an orion hcca ten with a power acoustic ps2-2600 amp bridged to it and my setup hit about 154 DBs! Best sub for the money. I was never a jl fan until a friend talkd me into buying these.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
Report Abuse | Write a Review
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Delicious
August 30, 2010 Great Quality
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Review by
G_E from Denver, CO
Overall
  • 5.0
Durability
  • 5.0
Value
  • 5.0
Features
  • 5.0
Design
  • 5.0
Usability
  • 5.0
The sound quality out of my JL is exactly what I have come to expect in clarity. If you have a larger vehicle get 2 12" I have one and its loud enough.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
Report Abuse | Write a Review
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Delicious
September 15, 2009 12W3v3-2
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Review by
Enox from Donna, TX
Overall
  • 5.0
Durability
  • 5.0
Value
  • 5.0
Features
  • 5.0
Design
  • 5.0
Usability
  • 5.0
this sub is amazing, theres just no other word for it. im feeding it with 300 rms and sounds awesome, the bass is tight, deep, and clean. i also love the way the drums kick you with this sub. i have it on a sealed box that i also bought from sonic, sonic u are gr8!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
Report Abuse | Write a Review
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Delicious
View All 31 Reviews for JL Audio 12W3v3-2
Subwoofer Grilles
Protect your subwoofer while making your enclosure look great! These subwoofer grilles are the perfect addition to your new subwoofer.
  Product Price Add?
12" Universal Subwoofer Grille 12" Universal Subwoofer Grille
Protect your subwoofer with this aluminum grille that is simple to install.
$18.99
Speaker Wire
Choose from our recommended speaker wire to hook up your amplifier to your new subwoofer. The higher quality of speaker wire that it used for this connection, the better your subwoofer will sound.
  Product Price Add?
15 ft. of 12 AWG StreetWires Speaker Wire 15 ft. of 12 AWG StreetWires Speaker Wire
This SuperCable from StreetWires is a noise free link between your amplifier and your subwoofer.
$24.99
20 ft. of 12 AWG Kicker Speaker Wire 20 ft. of 12 AWG Kicker Speaker Wire
Kicker uses twisted pair technology and hyper-flex cable to provide you with the cleanest sound and a simple installation.
$39.95
Sound Dampening Material
Get the most sound out of your new subwoofer with some high quality sound dampening material. It will keep the road noise out and the music inside the car.
  Product Price Add?
Dynamat Rubber Roller Dynamat Rubber Roller
Install your Dynamat with ease! This heavy duty rubber roller is designed specifically to install your Dynamat!
$18.99
Dynamat Extreme Bulk Pack Dynamat Extreme Bulk Pack
36 ft. Dynamat Xtreme Bulk Pack enhances the sound for your entire car!
$159.99
Bass Reconstruction Processors
These sound processors are perfect for enhancing the lower frequencies of a car audio system. After some installation and tuning, your new system will sound better than ever!
  Product Price Add?
The Epicenter by AudioControl (Gray) The Epicenter by AudioControl (Gray)
The original bass booster expander with included remote will enhance the bass of your new system.
$159.99
Enclosure Accessories
These accessories are designed to help you build the custom enclosure that you have always wanted, or add to the box that you already bought. Either way, these products can assist you in achieving better sound, better looks, and more bass!
  Product Price Add?
20 oz. Bag of Poly-Fil 20 oz. Bag of Poly-Fil
Polyester fiber fiberfill adds better bass to your system.
$5.99
16 oz. Can of Adhesive Spray 16 oz. Can of Adhesive Spray
Spray adhesive used for adhering carpet to subwoofer boxes without bubbles.
$5.99
Binding Post Terminal Cup Binding Post Terminal Cup
Use this to easily install a binding post terminal to your subwoofer enclosure.
$4.99
Banana Clip Terminals Banana Clip Terminals
These high grade banana clips allow you to plug into your banana clip ready terminal for a secure connection.
$4.99
Installation, Tools & Accessories
Don't forget to get the tools and accessories that will help you install your new subwoofer in your vehicle. Whether you opt for the professional installation card or the do-it-yourself method, you will need the following to help you out!
  Product Price Add?
Car Stereo and Speaker / Subwoofer Installation Tool Kit Car Stereo and Speaker / Subwoofer Installation Tool Kit
Includes Test Light, Crimp/Splice Tool, Multi-bit Screwdriver and more.
$14.99
System Optimization and Tuning
Use these items to assist in testing and tuning your new car audio system to perfection!
  Product Price Add?
Scosche SPL Meter Scosche SPL Meter
Monitor the noise level of your new car audio system with this SPL meter measuring from 60-135 dB.
$24.99
AutoSound 2000 CD-102 AutoSound 2000 CD-102
High frequency test CD specifically designed for the set-up and evaluation of sound system imaging and placement.
$12.99
AutoSound 2000 CD-103 AutoSound 2000 CD-103
Audiophile reference series test disc for evaluation of all audio components.
$12.99
Main Product
  Product Price Add?
JL Audio 12W3v3-2 JL Audio 12W3v3-2 $249.95

For more information on wiring subwoofers, visit our Subwoofer Wiring Guide: Subwoofer Wiring Guide

Product Summary

Manufacturer: JL Audio
Model number: 12W3v3-2
UPC: 699440921534
Weight: 19.00 lbs
Internal SKU: 12w3v32
Internal product ID: 7254