Boston Acoustics VS JL W7 Subs
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 170
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From: Dearborn Mi
Boston Acoustics VS JL W7 Subs
Wondering of anyone out there compare the Boston G5 subs to the JL Audio W7 line? They look pretty cool and they have those complementary radiators that supposedly make the bass deeper. Not too bad of a price either $399 each for the 12" (Compared to the JLs).
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 2,985
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
So far it is the reference that Car Audio and Electronics compares other subwoofers to. The MTX 9500 and the new JL W6 came real close to it though in their reviews. Yes, the MTX came so close that is what I'm considering for my next subwoofer to damage my hearing with.
PS I've owned JL subs since 1991 (my four 15W5s were stolen
) but I still have six 18W6s 
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,271
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From: Breaking the borrowed C5. SoCAL
Blu-
I can't comment specifically on the Boston G5's as I have never heard them. But based on my experience with the W7's, I'd guess you'd never be disappointed with them. Mine are only 8", but if you're considering 12's I'd venture to guess the grin factor would go up exponentially (or at least at a very steep straight line). I bought my 8W7's based on past experience with JL products and the fact that they the latest and greatest from JL. I hadn't realized until recently in what high regard people in audio hold these subs.
NV
I can't comment specifically on the Boston G5's as I have never heard them. But based on my experience with the W7's, I'd guess you'd never be disappointed with them. Mine are only 8", but if you're considering 12's I'd venture to guess the grin factor would go up exponentially (or at least at a very steep straight line). I bought my 8W7's based on past experience with JL products and the fact that they the latest and greatest from JL. I hadn't realized until recently in what high regard people in audio hold these subs.
NV
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 802
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From: Bueche Louisiana
compare
how would it compare to 2 alpine type r 12s in terms of performance air space and sq
i know its gonna be hard to beat when you compare price
i can get 2 alpines brand new for 191 bucks
any deals on the w7 12
i know its gonna be hard to beat when you compare price
i can get 2 alpines brand new for 191 bucks
any deals on the w7 12
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
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From: Sacramento CA
I'd put my money on the W7 for sound quality over the Alpines.
Honestly, 1K clean watt to the W7 is all anyone really needs for sound quality. The only reason to go louder, is just to boom and destroy your hearing. Once you get too loud, it no longer blends with the rest of your system, and sound quality goes out the window then, don't you think?
I run my IDMAX (Similar sub to w7, about half the price.) at 1000 watts, but usally only have it at 60% volume. The point where it blends in beautifully.
If you are going with lesser subs, I'd go with the JL w3 or Image Dynamics ID series... over the Alpine type Rs.
Two of those would be plenty loud.
Heck, for sound quality purpose, a single "regular" sub would be fine...
But I'm a big fan of "Go with too much, and turn it down" as opposed to "Go with just right, and run it WOT."
Honestly, 1K clean watt to the W7 is all anyone really needs for sound quality. The only reason to go louder, is just to boom and destroy your hearing. Once you get too loud, it no longer blends with the rest of your system, and sound quality goes out the window then, don't you think?
I run my IDMAX (Similar sub to w7, about half the price.) at 1000 watts, but usally only have it at 60% volume. The point where it blends in beautifully.
If you are going with lesser subs, I'd go with the JL w3 or Image Dynamics ID series... over the Alpine type Rs.
Two of those would be plenty loud.
Heck, for sound quality purpose, a single "regular" sub would be fine...
But I'm a big fan of "Go with too much, and turn it down" as opposed to "Go with just right, and run it WOT."
Last edited by Kale; Nov 24, 2004 at 08:14 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 0
From: Breaking the borrowed C5. SoCAL
Originally Posted by Kale
I'd put my money on the W7 for sound quality over the Alpines.
Honestly, 1K clean watt to the W7 is all anyone really needs for sound quality. The only reason to go louder, is just to boom and destroy your hearing. Once you get too loud, it no longer blends with the rest of your system, and sound quality goes out the window then, don't you think?
I run my IDMAX (Similar sub to w7, about half the price.) at 1000 watts, but usally only have it at 60% volume. The point where it blends in beautifully.
If you are going with lesser subs, I'd go with the JL w3 or Image Dynamics ID series... over the Alpine type Rs.
Two of those would be plenty loud.
Heck, for sound quality purpose, a single "regular" sub would be fine...
But I'm a big fan of "Go with too much, and turn it down" as opposed to "Go with just right, and run it WOT."
Honestly, 1K clean watt to the W7 is all anyone really needs for sound quality. The only reason to go louder, is just to boom and destroy your hearing. Once you get too loud, it no longer blends with the rest of your system, and sound quality goes out the window then, don't you think?
I run my IDMAX (Similar sub to w7, about half the price.) at 1000 watts, but usally only have it at 60% volume. The point where it blends in beautifully.
If you are going with lesser subs, I'd go with the JL w3 or Image Dynamics ID series... over the Alpine type Rs.
Two of those would be plenty loud.
Heck, for sound quality purpose, a single "regular" sub would be fine...
But I'm a big fan of "Go with too much, and turn it down" as opposed to "Go with just right, and run it WOT."
*Note: my Big Mac is rated at 300W into 4ohms. CSR, when they reviewed it, measured something like 590W into 2 ohms for each of channels 5 and 6. Now if we assume linearity and that the W7 is 3 ohms (assumed across the freq. range) we can assume each sub is seeing 400~450W at full tilt; but still 450W vs. 300W X two subs still adds less than 3dB overall. ...Well, just trying to put a little bit of quantitative info in with the subjective.
-NV
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 170
Likes: 1
From: Dearborn Mi
Thanks for all the feedback guys, it sounds like JL has a reputation that is difficult to match. I was originally thinking of a 12" JL W7 until I heard some news that the G5 was going to sound better and do it with a smaller volume. (This came from someone that is very knowledgable about speaker design) Does anyone have a 12" W7 in vert? My main concern is keeping enough space for at least one set of golf clubs. I know that sounds totally weak but that's one of my other hobbies.
Thanks again everyone.
PJ
Thanks again everyone.
PJ
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
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From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Originally Posted by Nelson V.
FWIW, I am running 300W* to each of my 8W7's. More often than not I have it at well under 50% volume. The only time I ever ran out of volume was playing some Marvin Gaye at 85MPH with the top down.
*Note: my Big Mac is rated at 300W into 4ohms. CSR, when they reviewed it, measured something like 590W into 2 ohms for each of channels 5 and 6. Now if we assume linearity and that the W7 is 3 ohms (assumed across the freq. range) we can assume each sub is seeing 400~450W at full tilt; but still 450W vs. 300W X two subs still adds less than 3dB overall. ...Well, just trying to put a little bit of quantitative info in with the subjective.
-NV
*Note: my Big Mac is rated at 300W into 4ohms. CSR, when they reviewed it, measured something like 590W into 2 ohms for each of channels 5 and 6. Now if we assume linearity and that the W7 is 3 ohms (assumed across the freq. range) we can assume each sub is seeing 400~450W at full tilt; but still 450W vs. 300W X two subs still adds less than 3dB overall. ...Well, just trying to put a little bit of quantitative info in with the subjective.
-NV
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,369
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From: Cranford, New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
I have a 12W7 powered by a 500/1 (a little underpowered in my opionion, i wish i had bought the 1000/1 but it too late now) in my Grand Cherokee, and it is UNBELIEVABLE!!!! I could only imagine what it sounds like in my vette. The only problem would be drowning out the sound of me at WOT 
Heres a Link to my sub
Heres a Link to my sub
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,682
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta GA
Originally Posted by BeastieBoys21
I have a 12W7 powered by a 500/1 (a little underpowered in my opionion, i wish i had bought the 1000/1 but it too late now) in my Grand Cherokee, and it is UNBELIEVABLE!!!! I could only imagine what it sounds like in my vette. The only problem would be drowning out the sound of me at WOT
Heres a Link to my sub
Heres a Link to my sub