JL 12W3V3 vs FI BL12

[dsmdavid]

I am going to be purchasing 2 12" sub woofers here coming up in February (yay for tax returns) and I was hoping to obtain some opinions and information on these FI subs. Until today, I had no idea this company even existed. I understand that these two specific models are really like comparing apples and oranges, versus comparing granny smith apples to red delicious.

While, on the spec sheet, it's obvious the BL's would be far superior in handling--is their overall performance enough to legitimize spending $200 more dollars?

If I go with the JL W3s (rated @ 300W RMS) I will be powering them with a 500W RMS mono channel amp @ 2 Ohms.

If the FI BL12s come out to be the better option, I will need to seriously juice up the amp I get to push two 800W RMS 12s. I haven't looked at any amps in the 1600W RMS range, but I don't want to run anything lower than 2 Ohms. Any suggestions here would be helpful as far as high powered amps are concerned as far as where to do research on them, prices, brands that have a better rep than others as far as high powered amps go.

Price really isn't an object in my way...

so, the question is will the BL12s be too much for my car -- 2006 KIA Spectra. I don't need chest pounding, heart stopping, make your ears bleed bass...but at the same time I do need high quality sounding bass, smooth bass, bass that just makes you go "man, this is a clean set up." In everyone's collective opinions, with 2-JL Audio 12W3V3 in a custom sealed box with the right specifications and tuning, would they deliver premium quality bass comparable with that of the FI BL12s?

Also, if anyone knows of any review sites for FI Car Audio, it would be much appreciated.

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[spark plugs. 10+ year member]

if you're more into sound quality, why not look at the fi q?

 

[thegreatestpenn 5,000+ posts]

just because a sub can handle 1000wrms, doesn't mean you need to feed it that much. For example, a few years back I had a RE HC and ran it on about 400wrms for a while. It still got loud, still got low. Also once I got a bigger amp, the sub could handle it. So if you don't want tons of power but still want the Fi's, don't be afraid just do it. And yes your car can handle all that power with electrical upgrades. I've seen 2 15's stuffed in a spectra and it was stupid loud

 

[PsychoTheRapist 5,000+ posts]

I would recommend the Fi Q over the Bl, especially if you want to go sealed. Also, check out Sundown Audio for an amplifier to push them. Good luck to you.

 

[dsmdavid]

Thanks for the advice, like I said I know absolutely NOTHING about the Fi's. I will look into the Q series!

 

[dsmdavid]

just because a sub can handle 1000wrms, doesn't mean you need to feed it that much. For example, a few years back I had a RE HC and ran it on about 400wrms for a while. It still got loud, still got low. Also once I got a bigger amp, the sub could handle it. So if you don't want tons of power but still want the Fi's, don't be afraid just do it. And yes your car can handle all that power with electrical upgrades. I've seen 2 15's stuffed in a spectra and it was stupid loud

My concern really isn't the power. I will be purchasing a 2 FARAD cap from Tsunami before I actually put the system in. My concern is the difference in sound between the two. I guess it's simply a perception opinion, but would the W3V3s be completely out matched?

I am a firm believer in if you're going to buy a sub rated at 1000W RMS you should at least do it the courtesy of giving it the power it wants/was designed for. The price difference between a 5 Channel monoblock amp that can power all my interior components and the JL W3V3 subs and 2 different amps to do the job with the Fi Q's is huge. If I ran the Fi Q's on the same 5 channel monoblock amp -- would their sound be better than the JL W3V3s. I have never heard a set of Fi's and could use the help.

While I said price isn't an object in my way, value is. If I gave the Q's the power they need, I'd be spending over $1,000.00 more dollars giving them what they want. Worth it?

I think I might get the Q's for now. Set them up on the 5 chan monoblock amp and if I'm feeling bold in the future, just get a high powered single channel amp to push the subs to capacity. Does this seem like the smarter choice? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/cool.gif.3bcaf8f141236c00f8044d07150e34f7.gif

 

[ABSOLUTEAUDIO 10+ year member]

Fi Q over jl w3 any day!

 

[skinnymofo 10+ year member]

why not do a one sub set up? you wont need as much power and you could just port it if you want more output.

also, youd be better off buying a small battery over a capacitor

 

[BJ The Man 10+ year member]

dont go with a cap. caps=waste

 

[BJ The Man 10+ year member]

fi q is very nice though. it can take more power for future upgrades and its also going to re sell better on here if you ever need new subs.

just a thought.

 

[dragnix 5,000+ posts]

i don't see how u can compare the w3v3 to the BL, totally different subs

 

[alxmlr789 10+ year member]

i don't see how u can compare the w3v3 to the BL, totally different subs

x2

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

Throw a single 15" Fi Q D2 in there. Sure, 2 12" subs look nice, but you have to take these points into account:

a) 2 12" subs = double the power required

b) 2 12" subs = almost double the price

c) 1 15" sub = similar in cone area to 2 12's

IMO, single sub setups are more impressive. When you say "yeah, that's only one 15," jaws drop. So, in your case, 1 15" sub = win. Smaller amp, less money, just as loud.

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

Oh, and there's nothing wrong with wiring your sub down to 1 ohm

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

 

[ivan0507 10+ year member]

can't compare bl 12 with jl w3 ,is totally different class .if you want information just log no to ficaraudio.com .