Subwoofer choice

[Ratpack]

I am looking to add subs to my car and wondering which would be better. I already have the factory sub, but it is not adequate for my liking. I have had the JL Audio subs before, but the specs for the Focal look better. They are about $50 more, but that isn't a factor. Each will get about 400 wats RMS if that matters.

Focal RSB-250	JL Audio 10W0v3-4

Condition	New Stock	New Stock
Features and Specs
Size	10-inch	10-inch
Impedance (Ohms) The amount of resistance that a sub presents to your amplifier -- the higher the number, the more resistance. Some factory subs are 4-ohm models, but many premium systems use low-impedance subs to get more power out of the factory amp. When you replace a 2-ohm factory sub with a 4-ohm aftermarket model, you'll have to turn your radio's bass control up a little more to get the same level.	2, 8	4
Cone Material	Polypropylene	Polypropylene
Surround Material	Butyl Rubber	Foam
Basket Material	Steel	Steel
Grille	None included	None included
Free-Air	No	No
Dual Voice Coil	Yes	No
Sensitivity	88 dB at 2.83 volts	84.07 dB at 1 watt
Frequency Response	35 - 500 Hz	25 - 250 Hz
Max RMS Power Handling	250	300
Peak Power Handling (Watts)	500	600
Top Mount Depth (inches)	4 3/8	4 15/16
Bottom Mount Depth (inches)	N/A	N/A
Cutout Diameter or Length (inches)	9 3/16	8 13/16
Frame Width The distance across the frame, useful in determining fit in vehicles with restricted mounting locations.	10.634	10.526
Frame Length The distance across the frame, useful in determining fit in vehicles with restricted mounting locations.	10.634	10.526
Vas (liters)	42	31.01
Fs (Hz)	29	32.09
Qts	0.59	0.604
Xmax (millimeters)	0	11.4
Parts Warranty	1 Year	1 Year
Labor Warranty	1 Year	1 Year
Box Requirements
Ideal Sealed Box Volume (cubic feet) The ideal recommended interior volume in cubic feet that a ported box needs for the sub to deliver its rated performance. Your sub will perform best if the box volume is within 20% of this ideal spec.	0.71	0.65
Minimum Sealed Box Volume (cubic feet) The minimum recommended interior volume in cubic feet that a sealed box needs in order for the sub to deliver its rated performance.	N/A	N/A
Maximum Sealed Box Volume (cubic feet) The maximum recommended interior volume in cubic feet that a sealed box needs in order for the sub to deliver its rated performance.	N/A	N/A
Ideal Ported Box Volume (cubic feet) The ideal recommended interior volume in cubic feet that a ported box needs in order for the sub to deliver its rated performance. Your sub will perform best if the box volume is within 20% of this ideal spec.	0.88	1.125
Minimum Ported Box Volume (cubic feet) The minimum recommended interior volume in cubic feet that a ported box needs in order for the sub to deliver its rated performance.	N/A	0.87
Maximum Ported Box Volume (cubic feet) The maximum recommended interior volume in cubic feet that a ported box needs in order for the sub to deliver its rated performance.	N/A	1.35
Port diameter (inches)	N/A	N/A
Port length (inches)	N/A	N/A
Owner's Manual	Owner's Manual	Owner's Manual
Photos
Photo: Front

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[S550HPP]

Pair the sub power handling with your amp channel output. They're all similar in same price range and need time to break in, as well as DSP for optional tuning.

I have a $300 JL in a OE enclosure that's dynamatted in and out connected to 400W Kenwood mono block and it puts out. Some really cheap ones are also good the JL brand probably pulls.a $150 premium alone haha.

 

[TonyT930]

I would go with the JL Audio in a ported box

 

[Ratpack]

Pair the sub power handling with your amp channel output. They're all similar in same price range and need time to break in, as well as DSP for optional tuning.

I have a $300 JL in a OE enclosure that's dynamatted in and out connected to 400W Kenwood mono block and it puts out. Some really cheap ones are also good the JL brand probably pulls.a $150 premium alone haha.

Can you share the specs and some photos of your set up?

 

[Mach1Racer]

The Focal vs JL Audio for subs.

In full disclosure, I have only ever owned JL Audio, Rockfordfosgate, and Precision Power subs. Currently have a JL Audio sub in my Mach 1.

Now, if you’re picking a sub, there are some things I use to make my determination of which is better for me.

1. Frequency Response. Knowing the type of music I like (R&B, Rap, Live Gospel). There is a need for a lower frequency response because rap in particular often has a heavy bass line that goes into the lowest frequencies of human hearing.

Focal 35-500Hz vs JL 25-250Hz, JL Audio is playing a lower frequency and I need that.

2. Xmax which is the Maximum Linear Excursion of the cone and voice coil; tell me how far this sub is capable of moving to hit the lower notes. However, Focal has not released this measurement.

3. -3 DB CUTOFF FREQUENCY (F3) shows the speakers starts to attenuate its output at certain frequencies. The JL Audio sub -3 db is 29.6 Hz and the Focal is -3db is 33Hz using the chart I found on Focals website.

Bottom line, I would go with the JL Audio sub due to my taste in music and desire for deep bass. However, I will say that I appreciate the Butyl Rubber surround material at this price point from the Focal. Lastly, I’m not a Focal hater because the entire interior component speakers in my car is Focal.

If at all possible, go to a shop where you can listen to both perform. Your ears will tell you more than these values can because YOU have to like what YOU hear in the end of the day.

 

[greasy]

I am running this 10” sub in my car and I love it. Doesn’t need a ton of box volume to sound great.

 

[Ratpack]

Thanks for all the input, I have decided to go with the JL Audio. I have had them before and really liked the sound they produced. Now to figure out the best placement for 2 of them in the trunk of a convertible and actually get the bass into the cabin. Even better if it sounds good with the top down.

 

[Shadetree]

I am looking to add subs to my car and wondering which would be better. I already have the factory sub, but it is not adequate for my liking. I have had the JL Audio subs before, but the specs for the Focal look better. They are about $50 more, but that isn't a factor. Each will get about 400 wats RMS if that matters.

Focal RSB-250	JL Audio 10W0v3-4

Condition	New Stock	New Stock
Features and Specs
Size	10-inch	10-inch
Impedance (Ohms) The amount of resistance that a sub presents to your amplifier -- the higher the number, the more resistance. Some factory subs are 4-ohm models, but many premium systems use low-impedance subs to get more power out of the factory amp. When you replace a 2-ohm factory sub with a 4-ohm aftermarket model, you'll have to turn your radio's bass control up a little more to get the same level.	2, 8	4
Cone Material	Polypropylene	Polypropylene
Surround Material	Butyl Rubber	Foam
Basket Material	Steel	Steel
Grille	None included	None included
Free-Air	No	No
Dual Voice Coil	Yes	No
Sensitivity	88 dB at 2.83 volts	84.07 dB at 1 watt
Frequency Response	35 - 500 Hz	25 - 250 Hz
Max RMS Power Handling	250	300
Peak Power Handling (Watts)	500	600
Top Mount Depth (inches)	4 3/8	4 15/16
Bottom Mount Depth (inches)	N/A	N/A
Cutout Diameter or Length (inches)	9 3/16	8 13/16
Frame Width The distance across the frame, useful in determining fit in vehicles with restricted mounting locations.	10.634	10.526
Frame Length The distance across the frame, useful in determining fit in vehicles with restricted mounting locations.	10.634	10.526
Vas (liters)	42	31.01
Fs (Hz)	29	32.09
Qts	0.59	0.604
Xmax (millimeters)	0	11.4
Parts Warranty	1 Year	1 Year
Labor Warranty	1 Year	1 Year
Box Requirements
Ideal Sealed Box Volume (cubic feet) The ideal recommended interior volume in cubic feet that a ported box needs for the sub to deliver its rated performance. Your sub will perform best if the box volume is within 20% of this ideal spec.	0.71	0.65
Minimum Sealed Box Volume (cubic feet) The minimum recommended interior volume in cubic feet that a sealed box needs in order for the sub to deliver its rated performance.	N/A	N/A
Maximum Sealed Box Volume (cubic feet) The maximum recommended interior volume in cubic feet that a sealed box needs in order for the sub to deliver its rated performance.	N/A	N/A
Ideal Ported Box Volume (cubic feet) The ideal recommended interior volume in cubic feet that a ported box needs in order for the sub to deliver its rated performance. Your sub will perform best if the box volume is within 20% of this ideal spec.	0.88	1.125
Minimum Ported Box Volume (cubic feet) The minimum recommended interior volume in cubic feet that a ported box needs in order for the sub to deliver its rated performance.	N/A	0.87
Maximum Ported Box Volume (cubic feet) The maximum recommended interior volume in cubic feet that a ported box needs in order for the sub to deliver its rated performance.	N/A	1.35
Port diameter (inches)	N/A	N/A
Port length (inches)	N/A	N/A
Owner's Manual	Owner's Manual	Owner's Manual
Photos
Photo: Front

It more or less comes down to what your listening preference is. I have the JL 10w3 in my truck in a sealed box. It’s very good and is right for my truck in that it hits hard and loud to overcome all the noise in the vehicle. It’s accurate enough for that environment and I have it paired to JL components in the doors.
My Mustang has the B&O system with the center speaker disconnected. I replaced the sub in the factory box with the Focal RSB. I put dynamat on the box inside and out, and loosely filled it with wool. I didn’t expect too much, but I’m very happy with it after breaking it in. It’s musically accurate, goes as deep as I could hope in this arrangement and as loud as I need it. It’s not the same sound as the JL; it’s more balanced as less “bump”.
I should probably just mention that I work part time in a small film studio doing post audio production, so you may have a different opinion. Everyone’s ears are different.

 

[Evolvd]

Thanks for all the input, I have decided to go with the JL Audio. I have had them before and really liked the sound they produced. Now to figure out the best placement for 2 of them in the trunk of a convertible and actually get the bass into the cabin. Even better if it sounds good with the top down.

Let us know what you come up with for your enclosure. I too have a vert that I’m trying to figure how I want to fabricate the enclosure without taking up too much space.

 

[Mach1Racer]

Let us know what you come up with for your enclosure. I too have a vert that I’m trying to figure how I want to fabricate the enclosure without taking up too much space.

Grease’s spare wheel box setup above is the truth! I would do just that for the Vert.

 

[Ratpack]

Let us know what you come up with for your enclosure. I too have a vert that I’m trying to figure how I want to fabricate the enclosure without taking up too much space.

Space isn't too much of a concern, I have that worked out, it tucks back into the trunk so that very little usable space is used. Just trying to determine if I fire up, Back (like my last vert) or down. I am leaning towards down this time.

 

[Evolvd]

Space isn't too much of a concern, I have that worked out, it tucks back into the trunk so that very little usable space is used. Just trying to determine if I fire up, Back (like my last vert) or down. I am leaning towards down this time.

Back should net you the most sound reproduction, but it might be worth building a makeshift box and test it out.

 

[Evolvd]

Grease’s spare wheel box setup above is the truth! I would do just that for the Vert.

My vert is a daily and I have a spare in there that I want to keep.

 

[Ratpack]

I have seen some tests with firing back vs down and seems there isn't much difference in the output. Plus down allows me to use clear panels so you can see inside the box and adds a little more "WOW" factor to the trunk.

 

[TonyT930]

Thanks for all the input, I have decided to go with the JL Audio. I have had them before and really liked the sound they produced. Now to figure out the best placement for 2 of them in the trunk of a convertible and actually get the bass into the cabin. Even better if it sounds good with the top down.

This is how I did mine. The amp rack is in the spare tire well. JL Audio 12W3 4 ohm

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