JL w3v3 or Alpine type r 1043d

Let me first say that sometimes, living in Canada sucks. I've been doing some research on some great subs that I've read about, but to get them across the border would, more often than not, cost more than either of these options.

That said, I'm down to these two subs for my truck. I'm reading positives and negatives on both of them, but the positives seem to come up more often. There is a $70 difference between them, but that's not going to bother me, I just want some good bass.

First, I would consider myself a basshead. In my younger days, "SPL above all else" was my battle cry. Now I like a little more musical sound, but still love me some SPL. They will live in a 0.625 cu. ft. sealed enclosure, and with either wired for a 2-ohm load, will see 500w. The box size is right in spec range for either option, so they seem pretty even there. Currently I'm running a JL W1v2 sub with 300w, and it's okay, but there's always room for more.

Has anyone run both, or are you currently running one of them? What do you think, would a basshead be happy? Audio pros, please chime in, and give my your feedback too. I'm close to pulling the trigger, I just need to know which gun to fire?

 

Flip a coin heads for JL and tails for Alpine. You can't go wrong with either one but I do prefer JL Audio

 

I say JL too, I have had them before and they sounded pretty good.

 

where your .625 sealed enclosure is placed in your truck will play a large role in how loud your bass sounds. that being said, I had an alpine type R 1043 in my truck before i started working in car stereo and it was pretty damn loud. I've installed countless JL 10w3's in many different applications and have always been impressed with the sound quality. If you want tight, "musical" bass, the JL is superior to the alpine. I don't think you'll have anything to complain about as far as volume level with the JL. The alpine might be able to get a little bit louder. In terms of quality and reliability, the JL 10w3 is the better woofer.

 

Thanks guys. After countless youtube comparo's, spec reading, checking and rechecking, I decided. I went with the JL W3v3. Mostly because I'm impressed with what my W1 can do, but still wanted more. So, "go with what you know", and my past experience with JL, and that's where I landed. I also read in numerous places, the JL is a little more "musical". It seems to handle transients better, like double kicks in metal. I listen to a lot of rock and metal, so that was important to me. I'm sure I'll be happy, just have to wait for the delivery guy next week.

 

Good luck you won't be disappointed. Post up here if you have any more questions and I'll do my best to answer them.

 

good luck to you .

 

So I received my JL Audio W3v3 last night, and installed it. I just wanted to let people know that you can fit a W3 in a DC Tacoma.

I purchased a SuperCrewSounds single 10" box, with the optional mounting depth of 6". Well, it truly is a 6" depth. The W3 is 5.93" deep, and it fits, barely, but it fits. And without it even being broken in, the bass is deeper, and hits with more authority than my old JL W1v2. I'm very pleased with the results. I got the W3 in the 2-ohm version, so it's getting 500w from my Alpine MRP-M500 amp.

So it is possible to get some serious boom in your DC truck, if you get the right box. Just wanted to let everyone know it's possible.

 

You got pic's of this set up? Did you have to remove the plastic off of the back of the seat?

 

Just grabbed some.

Amp under seat.


Close-up of sub in the box


Showing the single sub box with the W3 installed.


I did remove the plastic, but it's not necessary. I had it off once before, for a failed attempt with 12" drivers and fiberglass. It rattled with the old sub, so I pulled it, and it's much better. But no, you don't have to remove the plastic.

 

I've been telling all you 2nd geners that forever. Good job though I'm sure you will continue to love them.

 

No doubt I'll love it. I've been tuning my system with the new sub for the last couple days. I still have the gains down on the amp, and the bass boost on the deck is set to 0, and I'm still getting more performance than the W1 I had. My bass tuning song is "Brass Monkey" from the Beastie Boys. Just stupid! I can feel the kick, and it tickles my ears, and it's not even full on yet. I'm almost scared. I am SO glad I ordered my sub box with the additional depth. It was either this sub, or a double box and a second W1. This was definitely the better choice. Another couple weeks at this setting, then I'll start to turn it up and get full power from the amp and sub. What fun!