Fake JL Audio 8W7???

[picniick]

So here we go. Bought this 8w7-Ae from someone who claims it is brand new and never used. I didn’t realize anything shady when we meet with his positive attitude and all the excitement. This is my first time ever seeing a W7 in person and it just seems weird, weird enough to create an account and start asking questions... 

Let me start off by saying that the top and center seem to be real. The Logo, Foam, and Voice Coil seem like factory condition but what do I know. The foam has some creases and a hole the size of a finger nail, like it was punctured. Will this have any long term performance effects ? 

The main reason I am posting this is because the magnet does not look right to me. All the pictures have a huge bulky deep black magnet. Nothing like my pictures, They look worn down and glued. Literally looks like someone slapped two small *** magnets together and glued it. The “serial number“ says it was made in 2014. I read online the older models can be different. Could this be the case? The internet is no help I can’t find shit. There is nothing about w7’s anywhere, I have been looking for days... so can anyone help me? Ask me questions if you have to. I just want to get to the bottom of this.

So please help with the following,

1.) Will a finger nail size hole effect anything or eventually start ripping? Along with the creases?? 

2.) How does the speakers top and internals look to you? 

3.) Does the magnet seem legit for its age ? 



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[MattinMO]

I’ve owned a ton of JL Audio including w7’s and I could be wrong but looks legit to me. JL doesn’t put magnet boots on subs they sell in factory enclosures for some reason. 

 

[THATpurpleKUSH 5,000+ posts]

Looks legit to me too. Just seems to be missing the rubber boot thats on the magnet.  You could call JL Audio and give them the serial number and have them verify.

 

[picniick]

Ok wow ? ,there are magnet boots? So all the W7’s I’ve seen in pictures have rubber around the magnet this whole time? My guess is so they don’t chip? Well that would make sense given I’ve never seen one in person. Ok so the magnets are smaller than I expected and could be paranoid because I dropped a couple hundred $$ on a subwoofer. I’ll call JL Audio to verify the serial Number for sure..

and seriously, thanks for the quick replies ! ?

 

[THATpurpleKUSH 5,000+ posts]

Grab a tube of Amazing Goop from Home Depot and apply it to the inside of the surround over that tear. That tear will open up more over time and will leak air pressure causing a loss in output and maybe a slight audible whistling noise. 

 

[picniick]

Grab a tube of Amazing Goop from Home Depot and apply it to the inside of the surround over that tear. That tear will open up more over time and will leak air pressure causing a loss in output and maybe a slight audible whistling noise. 

Ok I see. I’ll be sure to get some Goop and put it Inside the foam to seal the tear/creases for a clean finish before putting this in my car. Thanks for the advice and Info! 

 

[ThxOne Premium Member]

Ok I see. I’ll be sure to get some Goop and put it Inside the foam to seal the tear/creases for a clean finish before putting this in my car. Thanks for the advice and Info! 

Yes and let it cure/dry completely before you install the subwoofer. That stuff is caustic.

 

[picniick]

Will do, Thanks for everyone’s help

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

Looks legit.  Magnets look like that (one of the reason a lot of companies put boots on them).  Do get some goop on the surround and keep an eye on it, add a little more as needed.  That's not a terrible place for the surround to be cracking, you can keep that alive for a good long time with DIY band-aids.