POLL: JL12W7 vs. JL10W6 vs. IDMAX 10

[Aviation Jones 10+ year member]

Hoping to make this easy with the poll, but add opinions if you feel so inclined.

Here's the situation. I currently have a JL 12W7 in a big ported box that weighs a metric poop ton. It's installed in the trunk of my 2010 Chevy Malibu, which has sport springs installed (1.25" lower). I've recently picked up a new hobby involving motorcycles and decided to install a hitch to pull around a small trailer. You see where this is going?? No, not well thought out. Goes without saying. I've already dinged the hitch a few times going in and out of parking lots, and all that weight directly over the rear suspension does not help at all.

Anyway, trying to reduce weight in the back so it doesn't sag even further when the trailer is hooked up. The W7 and custom box weights 90+ lbs. I've been wanting to trade out the ported 7 for awhile now anyway, I don't need all that bottom end. I'm a rock guy. So I feel that a 10" sealed sub would not only save some weight, but would suit my taste. A 10W6 and a .75 sealed box weighs in at 37 lbs. I've always wanted to try out an IDMAX also, so thought of going that route as well. The amp would be a JL 500/1.

What do you think?

Click to read more...

 

[tommydh 10+ year member]

I'd go with a little larger sealed box but the w6 is a good coice. Try looking at Sundown SD-2 they are a great 10 that needs .5 Cu.Ft. sealed

 

[Boomsday 10+ year member]

I am one of the few that prefer the sound of the IDmax over the w6 and w7, in all honesty you cant go wrong with either, the only upside to the iDmax would be if you ever wanted to throw more power to it you could no problem

 

[Aviation Jones 10+ year member]

I'd go with a little larger sealed box but the w6 is a good coice. Try looking at Sundown SD-2 they are a great 10 that needs .5 Cu.Ft. sealed

That Sundown looks kinda beefy. They remind me of my old Adire Audio Shivas, which were my favorite subs to date. Was hoping to make around $500 for the sale of my W7/box combo. I know more $$ doesn't always mean better sound, but that would be my rough budget for a new sub and box.

 

[tommydh 10+ year member]

I'd go with a little larger sealed box but the w6 is a good coice. Try looking at Sundown SD-2 they are a great 10 that needs .5 Cu.Ft. sealed

That Sundown looks kinda beefy. They remind me of my old Adire Audio Shivas, which were my favorite subs to date. Was hoping to make around $500 for the sale of my W7/box combo. I know more $$ doesn't always mean better sound, but that would be my rough budget for a new sub and box.

You can get the SD-2's for 150 bucks and under it is very similar specs to a W6 but alf the cost. Im a rock guy myself and I have these they are great subs for te cost. Plus it can be shallow mounted

 

[Aviation Jones 10+ year member]

I am one of the few that prefer the sound of the IDmax over the w6 and w7, in all honesty you cant go wrong with either, the only upside to the iDmax would be if you ever wanted to throw more power to it you could no problem

...And wow, had no idea they could handle that much power. Recommended 1000 RMS?

 

[tommydh 10+ year member]

I just offer my opinion. I have used JL alot I just cant see anything bad in saving a lil money. If you really want to spend all of it tho you can get the sub and box then give the rest to me.

 

[Boomsday 10+ year member]

...And wow, had no idea they could handle that much power. Recommended 1000 RMS?

yep the are rated at 1k, about 7 years ago I had one sealed in my grand am on a rd 1000.1 and it was loud and sounded great

 

[Aviation Jones 10+ year member]

I just offer my opinion. I have used JL alot I just cant see anything bad in saving a lil money. If you really want to spend all of it tho you can get the sub and box then give the rest to me.

And I thank you for the opinion. I like trying out some off brand stuff. It seems like a lot of people are happy with them by reading reviews on other sites. I was skeptical about the Shivas all those years ago too, but they were amazing. Even with my garbage 16 year old style installation. Haha

 

[Aviation Jones 10+ year member]

yep the are rated at 1k, about 7 years ago I had one sealed in my grand am on a rd 1000.1 and it was loud and sounded great

Do you remember what size box you used? And I've heard that the JL slasher amps will put out more than they are sold as. For instance my 500/1 could produce more like 650 RMS? Not sure how much weight that statement holds though.

 

[Boomsday 10+ year member]

Mine was a 12" and i think it was like 1.3 cuft or something like that, with polyfill...Thats when I still had to try and conserve trunk space...

and i think the JL amps have regulated power supplies so they put out what they say they put out, nothing more nothing less

 

[tommydh 10+ year member]

back in the day amps were sometimes underrated. I know PG, RF and JL used to have some lines seriously under rated. I had the punch power 50Ms they were rated 50x1 but they were easiy 500+. I think after the cea rating if its a rated amp under that its what it is at 4 ohms

 

[Aviation Jones 10+ year member]

I wish I could remember what year I bought my 500/1. I've been using it for a LONG time. It's at least 6 years old I think. Idk what "back in the day" would constitute. Either way it doesn't matter, any of these subs would probably be happy married to a 500/1.

 

[Hoodlum007 10+ year member]

Why the SD not the SA series?

 

[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

Image Dynamics > Sundown any day.

You have to be careful of the nut huggers. They will recommend Sundown over anything around here even if it doesnt fit the bill.