OWNER’S MANUAL
Subwoofer Driver
Congratulations on your purchase of a JL Audio subwoofer component. Your JL Audio subwoofer is a
precision loudspeaker which has been engineered to produce the highest quality sub-bass performance
in your vehicle. Authorized JL Audio dealers have extensive technical information for many different
applications of your new speaker. They also have the knowledge, skills and tools to build a high-quality
enclosure that will maximize the performance of your speaker. We highly recommend that you have your
enclosure built by an authorized JL Audio dealer.
Inside you will find specifications and two recommended enclosures for your speaker; one is a sealed
enclosure, the other is a ported design. Both types of enclosures will give you excellent sound quality and
low-frequency extension. The sealed enclosure is a better choice if space is extremely tight, but the ported
enclosure will produce 3dB more output at the same power if you have the extra space to work with.
All specifications are subject to change without notice.
SUBWOOFER
12WX-4
RECOMMENDED SEALED ENCLOSURE
Volume
(net int.)
External Dimensions
(Width x Height x Depth)
F3
(Hz)
Fc
(Hz)
Qtc
1.375 ft3
38.94 liters
16 in. x 19 in. x 11.75 in.
406 mm x 483 mm x 298 mm
39.0
50.78
1.04
SUBWOOFER
12WX-4
RECOMMENDED PORTED ENCLOSURE
Volume
(net int.)
Enclosure External Dimensions
Round Port Specs
(Inner Diameter x Length)
Tune to:
(Hz)
F3
(Hz)
Port Information
(Width x Height x Depth)
1.750 ft3
39.56 liters
18.5 in. x 14.75 in. x 16.5 in.
470 mm x 375 mm x 419 mm
4 in. x 18.75 in.
102 mm x 476 mm
Round port requires a 90˚ elbow
to fit in the specified enclosure
30
39
• The enclosure recommendations listed are external
dimensions which assume the use of 3/4" (19mm)
thick material. If you are using 5/8" (16mm) thick
material, subtract 1/4" (6.5mm) from each dimension.
Do not use any material with a thickness of less than
5/8" (16mm) as this may compromise the rigidity of
the enclosure.
• All enclosure volumes listed are net internal
volumes! Box volume displacement, port
displacement and brace displacement must be
added to obtain the final gross internal volume. All
enclosure dimensions listed have already taken this
into account.
• When using two subwoofers in
a
common
enclosure simply double the required volume and,
in the case of a ported enclosure, use two times the
recommended port(s).
Prolonged exposure to sound pressure levels in excess of 100dB can cause permanent hearing loss. This high-performance
speaker can exceed this level. Please exercise restraint in its operation in order to preserve your ability to enjoy its fidelity.
• We recommend the use of this speaker in a bi-amplified
system using high-quality satellite speakers and
amplifiers. We do not recommend the use of this
subwoofer with a passive crossover (coil), as this type of
device will adversely affect performance.
When installing a subwoofer in your vehicle, it is extremely important to secure the enclosure firmly. We recommend
bolting the enclosure through the metal of the floorpan or the frame of the vehicle with large diameter washers
for reinforcement. If an enclosure is not firmly attached, it can become a projectile in a collision. This is particularly
important in a hatchback, station wagon, sports utility vehicle, or van.
JL AUDIO 12WX-4
3
RECOMMENDED CONTINUOUS (RMS) POWER RANGE FOR ONE SUBWOOFER DRIVER:
MEDIUM GRAY (MINIMUM):
LIGHT GRAY (OPTIMUM):
DARK GRAY (MAXIMUM):
BLACK (WARRANTY VOID):
From a reliability standpoint, this zone represents
very comfortable operating power range for
This zone represents the best compromise
between long-term reliability, high-output and
low-distortion performance. This power level is
lower than the woofer’s continuous power rating
(as published in its specifications), but you will still
be taking advantage of the woofer’s, low-distortion
performance range without undue risk of failure.
Slightly more SPL will be gained by pushing
the power into this zone, but typically not more
than 2dB, compared to the light gray zone. The
subwoofer driver is designed to operate safely
up to this power range, but not beyond. Operate
with caution.
We do not recommend operating woofers at this
level of power. In this zone, there is a very high
probability that the driver will fail due to excessive
heat and/or mechanical stress.
Subwoofer drivers operated at these levels of
power are NOT covered under warranty.
a
each driver. This level of power will not stress the
woofer but will not extract all of its performance
potential, either.
Use of less than the minimum power level will
not damage the woofer, but may result in
unsatisfactory performance.
JL Audio offers an extensive line of high-performance subwoofer drivers to fit a wide variety of enclosure and power applications. When designing systems with our drivers, it is very important to achieve a
good power match between the subwoofer amplifier and the subwoofer driver's capabilities. The power levels listed in the above chart represent continuous (RMS) amplifier power per woofer and assume
that the user will regularly make full use of that power without drastically overdriving the amplifier(s). Make sure you factor system impedance and the total number of subwoofers into your calculations.
Adhering to these power recommendations will result in systems that are both reliable and enjoyable.
JL AUDIO LIMITED WARRANTY (USA)
Automotive Subwoofer Components
JL AUDIO warrants this speaker to be free of defects in materials and
workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the original date of purchase.
Any applicable implied warranties are limited in duration to the period of the express
warranty as provided herein beginning with the date of the original purchase at
retail, and no warranties, whether express or implied, shall apply to this product
thereafter. Some states do not allow limitations on implied warranties, therefore
these exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights,
and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
Damage caused by the following is not covered under warranty: accident, misuse,
abuse, product modification or neglect, failure to follow installation instructions,
unauthorized repair attempts, misrepresentations by the seller. This warranty does
not cover incidental or consequential damages and does not cover the cost of
removing or reinstalling the unit(s). Cosmetic damage due to accident or normal
wear and tear is not covered under warranty.
If you need service on your JL AUDIO product:
Thiswarrantyisnottransferableandappliesonlytotheoriginalpurchaser
of the product from an authorized JL AUDIO dealer. Warranty is voided if
the factory-applied product serial number is removed or defaced.
All warranty returns should be sent to JL AUDIO freight prepaid through an
authorized JL AUDIO dealer and must be accompanied by proof of purchase
(a copy of the original sales receipt.) Direct returns from consumers or non-
authorized dealers will be refused unless specifically authorized by JL AUDIO with
a valid return authorization number. Warranty expiration on products returned
without proof of purchase will be determined from the manufacturing date code.
Coverage may be invalidated as this date is previous to purchase date. Return only
defective components. Non-defective items received will be returned freight-collect.
Customer is responsible for shipping charges and insurance in sending the product
to JL AUDIO. Freight damage on returns is not covered under warranty. Always
include proof of purchase (sales receipt).
Should service be necessary under this warranty for any reason due to
manufacturing defect or malfunction, JL AUDIO will, at its discretion, repair or replace
the defective product with new or remanufactured product at no charge.
For Service Information in the U.S.A. please call:
JL Audio customer service: (954) 443-1100 during normal business hours (Eastern Time)
JL Audio, Inc
10369 North Commerce Parkway, Miramar, FL 33025
International Warranties:
Products purchased outside the United States of America are covered only by that country’s distributor and not by JL Audio, Inc.
Printed in China
JLA12WX_MAN_11_09
|