1st gen type r's (only rolled surround version) were the cat's pajamas. very successful design, best sounding, best looking, and won innovation awards throughout the industry. they were the flagship alpine sub used in all of alpine's show cars during the time (f1 status rsx) every variant after the 1st gen are just not up to par with them with the corrugated surround and build quality, imo.
i believe alpine increased production and built more for quantity over quality based on the success the original initially yielded. these days i see the newer styles up for sale everywhere and can't help but think these dummies bought into the namesake.
i'm a devout old-schooler, though, so my opinion is rather biased.