platinum00
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 74
- Reaction score
- 38
- Points
- 57
- Boat Make
- Yamaha
- Year
- 2018
- Boat Model
- AR195
- Boat Length
- 19
So I was on the hunt for a subwoofer to go in a 2018 AR195. Started out in my typical process, researching and creating a list of subwoofers and there specs. I don't know why but decided against Free Air / Marine Grade subs. Maybe because of the price, maybe because the performance. Most likely because I don't have experience with them. I already had and amp that is set at 500 watts x1 RMS @ 2 ohm so my power requirements were limited in my search. I also had a ported box that was 1.8cu/ft and tuned to 33hz so tried to stay close to the ported box requirements.
I ended up down to 2 options. JL W3v3 and Alpine Type R. Both 12 inch 2ohm. I couldn't decide so just ordered both of them to see which one I liked better. My thought was I would just throw the one I didn't want for the boat in my car. This is not an exhaustive test by any means and there are a ton of variables here. box, amp, placement, mic, etc.. However it suited my needs to determine which direction I wanted to go. Anyway, thought I would share in case it helps someone else.
Summary: The JL W3 in my configuration has a advantage over the Alpine. Fit and finish of the JL is very basic and poor in comparison to the Alpine. I was shocked when I pulled them both out of the box how much more substantial the Alpine was. If I was basing my decision on first impression and looks alone, Alpine wins hands down. JL looks and feels like a cheap basic sub with a nice logo on it. My assumption is if I had some more power to throw at these the Alpine would start to walk away.
Attached is the full list of subs I started with. Highlighted in pink are the marine subs and in green are the Alpine and JL. Couple Pics of the subs and then the graph showing the comparison. This was done using REW and UMIK-1 calibrated microphone. After 21hz the JL has over 6db peak over the Alpine and noticeable increases throughout. From a sound perspective, you can surely hear and feel the bump around 30 hz.
I ended up down to 2 options. JL W3v3 and Alpine Type R. Both 12 inch 2ohm. I couldn't decide so just ordered both of them to see which one I liked better. My thought was I would just throw the one I didn't want for the boat in my car. This is not an exhaustive test by any means and there are a ton of variables here. box, amp, placement, mic, etc.. However it suited my needs to determine which direction I wanted to go. Anyway, thought I would share in case it helps someone else.
Summary: The JL W3 in my configuration has a advantage over the Alpine. Fit and finish of the JL is very basic and poor in comparison to the Alpine. I was shocked when I pulled them both out of the box how much more substantial the Alpine was. If I was basing my decision on first impression and looks alone, Alpine wins hands down. JL looks and feels like a cheap basic sub with a nice logo on it. My assumption is if I had some more power to throw at these the Alpine would start to walk away.
Attached is the full list of subs I started with. Highlighted in pink are the marine subs and in green are the Alpine and JL. Couple Pics of the subs and then the graph showing the comparison. This was done using REW and UMIK-1 calibrated microphone. After 21hz the JL has over 6db peak over the Alpine and noticeable increases throughout. From a sound perspective, you can surely hear and feel the bump around 30 hz.
