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JL Audio W6 vs Rockford Fosgate P3 Subwoofers

JL Audio W6 vs Rockford Fosgate P3 Subwoofers


JL Audio W6

The JL Audio W6 series has long been a staple for virtually unbeatable bass performance in small, compact enclosures. The JL Audio W6v3 features many of the same patented technologies as the W7 series, including a patented cooling structure that increases power handling and sound quality.

Rockford Fosgate P3

Rockford Fosgate designed the P3 subwoofers to stay strong even when the bass gets hot. This Punch P3 sub features a rigid anodized aluminum cone that holds its shape through heavy play while staying light and responsive. Rockford Fosgate uses a new technique to attach the oversized rubber surround to the cone that increases the available cone area up to 25%, so this sub can push more air for even bigger bass. The aluminum cone acts as a giant heat sink, directing heat away from the copper-clad aluminum voice coils. Special venting keeps the voice coils cool, so you get incredibly consistent bass performance over time. These P3 subs feature an extended pole piece and bumped backplate that leaves more room for a heavy excursion, so it'll hit deeper lows without "bottoming out." The dual 4-ohm voice coils allow you to wire the sub for 2-ohm impedance to get maximum power output, or for 8-ohm impedance if you're using multiple subs. The P3 series subs work equally well in a sealed or ported enclosure, so you can choose the kind of bass you want for your system.

Sizes

The JL Audio W6 series comes in a 10" and 12" model. With the P3 subs, Rockford Fosgate has offered available sizing at 10", 12", and 15". If you're looking for a little larger subwoofer between these two lineups, Rockford Fosgate's 15" P3 sub has you covered.

Voice Coils

The JL Audio W6 series features a dual 4-ohm coil for both the 10" and 12" models. In the P3 subs, Rockford Fosgate has used a dual-coil construction and has included both 2-ohm and 4-ohm models at each size. If you're looking for a bit more versatility with your difference in ohms, you'll want to start by looking at the P3 subs.

Power Handling

The JL Audio 10" and 12" models in the JL Audio W6 series have the same RMS power handling at 600 watts. In the P3 series, Rockford Fosgate has included RMS power handling at 500 watts in the 10" models up to 600 watts at the 15" models. JL Audio has packed a bit more power handling into the W6 lineup at comparative sizing compared to the Rockford P3 lineup so if you're looking for better power handling, be sure to start your comparison with the JL Audio models.

Mounting Depth

When comparing the mounting depths between the two lineups here at comparable sizing, The Rockford Fosgate P3 models have a shallower mounting depth by a good margin. If you've got an installation design that has you shopping for space-saving options, the thinner installation of the P3 models will be the best place for you to begin your search.

Recommended Enclosure Size

While the P3 models do have a shallower mounting depth at comparable sizing, the recommended enclosure sizes for both the JL Audio W6 series and Rockford Fosgate P3 models are almost identical for both sealed and ported enclosures. Rockford Fosgate lists their recommended sealed enclosure volume with a range between two numbers, and the P3 model from JL Audio sits directly in between that range at JL's single recommended volume for their sealed enclosure at comparable sizing. For the ported enclosure, The JL Audio manufacturer recommendation is slightly smaller than JL Audio's recommendation, but the numbers are very close to each other for comparison.

Recommended Amplifiers

The recommended amplifier for your subwoofers will vary greatly depending on the size and quantity of subwoofers you select for your installation. The following lists are comparisons between amplifiers for subwoofers in the same dimensions between the different models and brands. The list begins with a factory recommendation for amps that provide enough power handling for the subwoofer(s), and then move on to our professional recommendations that may vary slightly from the factory recommendations. These Classic Car Stereo recommendations may be an amp with a higher price point that will service the subs better, or an amp that provides RMS power handling over the recommended amount which will allow you to not have to maximize the output on your amp to provide full power to your subs.

Sub: (Qty 1) JL Audio W6 10"

  • Factory Amp Recommendation(s): XD600/1 600/1v3
  • Classic Car Stereo Recommendation: XD600/1

    Sub: (Qty 1) Rockford Fosgate P3 10"
  • Factory Amp Recommendation(s): Dual 4-ohm R2-500x1. OR T750x1bd or P1000x1bd. OR Dual 2-ohm P500x1bd
  • Classic Car Stereo Recommendation: T750x1bd

    Sub: (Qty 2) JL Audio W6 10"
  • Factory Amp Recommendation(s): 1200/1v3 or XD1000/1
  • Classic Car Stereo Recommendation: XD1000/1

    Sub: (Qty 2) Rockford Fosgate P3 10"
  • Factory Amp Recommendation(s): Dual 2-ohm P1000x1 or T750x1bd. OR Dual 4-ohm P1000x1 or R2-1200x1
  • Classic Car Stereo Recommendation: P1000x1bd

    Sub: (Qty 1) JL Audio W6 12"
  • Factory Amp Recommendation(s): XD600/1 or 600/1v3
  • Classic Car Stereo Recommendation: XD600/1

    Sub: (Qty 1) Rockford Fosgate P3 12"
  • Factory Amp Recommendation(s): Dual 4-ohm T750x1bd, P1000x1bd, or R2-1200x1. OR Dual 2-ohm R2-750x1
  • Classic Car Stereo Recommendation: P1000x1bd

    Sub: (Qty 2) JL Audio W6 12"
  • Factory Amp Recommendation(s): 1200/1v3 or XD1000/1
  • Classic Car Stereo Recommendation: XD1000/1

    Sub: (Qty 2) Rockford Fosgate P3 12"
  • Factory Amp Recommendation(s): Dual 4-ohm P1000x1bd, R2-1200x1, or Dual 2-ohm T1500-1
  • Classic Car Stereo Recommendation: P1000x1bd is probably the way we would do it. Billy badass would do the T1500-1

    Price Points

    The price points between the two models of subwoofers are one of the biggest comparative differences to look at here. The W6 lineup from JL Audio is one of their premium models and comes with an upgrade in materials and technologies from the manufacturer. If you are a JL Audio fan and any of the reasons above, plus these upgrades in materials will be a worthy enhancement for your installation if you do have the money available for your installation. However, with a price jump at over double the comparable model, we'd be remiss to say that if you're looking for some affordable punch to your installation, the Rockford Fosgate P3 models have some comparable values to the W6 lineup here. The P3 series might be a great budget subwoofer for your installation.

    In Conclusion

    When comparing these two separate brands and the W6 and P3 subwoofers, the main difference guiding your decision here may very well be the price point. While the W6 subs from JL Audio are almost more than double the price of the P3 subs, they feature many of the same technologies and construction materials used in JL Audio's top of the line W7 series of subs just above it. For any JL Audio die-hard, the W6 series is an amazing subwoofer and worth the cost for those upgrades. However, Rockford Fosgate's P3 series remains a great budget option with similar RMS power handling at comparable sizing at a much better price point. It's likely your installation budget will heavily influence your choice between these two subwoofer series here.

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