JL 12W3v3-4 or Type R's with JL 500/1v2

[FMLx10]

New to car audio and I'm getting subs for the first time. I went to car toys and the guy suggested 2 JL 12w3v3-4's to a JL 500/1v2 in a custom ported box that he could make me. Is that a good setup? I heard a lot of crap about JL's and also how they blow easy if not hooked up right or how they are way too overpriced? Or are 2 Alpine 12" Type R's better? I went into the store wanting type r's but i'm not sure which I should get now. Hoping to get some opinions. And those type r's would be hooked up to the JL 500/1v2. My other question is, is that amp even good? and will it power my subs? The guy said watts means nothing when shopping for a good amp. He said that theres a power supply blah blah, and like it's pure watts going into my subs and it's one of the best amps they have - it'd be more than enough and the amp would blow my head off. So any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

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[robertoyoung08 10+ year member]

jl's were my first sub. in fact i stuck with them for a while, i kept getting rid of them and buying them over a couple times. I really liked them, I also have a friend who loved them and wouldnt get rid of them. Their really good subs, they have really good combination of sq and spl for that type of subwoofer. Their more sq than spl. If your getting a good deal on them go for it, I've never really heard type r's to compare them to jl, but i know jl makes really good products. In all the ones i've owned, i only blew one, and its because i didnt break it in. As for the amp, the guy is right, theres more to it than watts, 500/1 is a good amp. All JL amps are made very well. I had a kicker 1000.1 running them, so i was giving them 500 watts each, and they handled it really well. My friend that i mentioned ran his on an MTX amp 500 watts also and they sounded really loud. You might be able to get a better deal on type R's but JL is really goood. Some say its over priced and all that, but you can get good deals on them and their awesome subs.

 

[ThatChevyGuy 5,000+ posts]

you are going to overpay out the *** at cartoys, i mean like 400-600 extra on the subs, amps, and install vs. buying them from ebay or another retailer and installing them yourself.

Do some reading and ask questions along the way and do it all yourself

When something goes wrong youll know what to do.

 

[southpoleman69 10+ year member]

imo, since i have the w3v3 4s,yes they are overpriced, jl always is and always will be, but i love my jls. however, im getting rid of them, because im ready to move to bigger and better. also, i dont like alpine type rs at all, to me, they are not compareable. and they wont blow "easily" only because what your saying, is for everything. all subs can blow easily if not hooked up right. im running a rf p1000.1 to my w3s and they sound great, just not good enough for me.

 

[FMLx10]

Is the JL 500/1 enough to power both 12W3V3's? or should i get the JL 1000/1v2? I know someone that'll sell me the 1000/1v2 for $250. And whats the next step up in JL for 12" subs?

 

[jadon087 10+ year member]

you can buy my two 8 inch jl audio w7 and put that 1000/1 on them and they will sound better than those w3's and probably cost less

 

[southpoleman69 10+ year member]

actually the 500/1 is perfect for the 2 w3s, but jl is under rated, and i wanted better. my w3s will do what 1 13.5 w7 will do without a doubt, and alot of people think they sound better than the w7.

in any case, if u can get a 1000/1 for 250, with no issues, and it looks good, pick it up, even if you dont use it, just resell it, because 250 for that amp is very cheap

 

[LoggedOut 10+ year member]

in any case, if u can get a 1000/1 for 250, with no issues, and it looks good, pick it up, even if you dont use it, just resell it, because 250 for that amp is very cheap

THIS. ill buy it for 275.