JL Audio W0

JL Audio W0 subwoofers are timeless and the gold standard when it comes to value-priced, entry-level subwoofers. These JL Audio W0 series subwoofers provide plenty of clean, hard-hitting sub-bass to fill out the bottom end of your music. The JL Audio W0 series is the go-to for many car audio enthusiasts when they are looking for affordable performance. For the money, you will not find a woofer capable of its output and power handling.

Kicker CompVR

The Kicker CompVR subwoofer line is the most popular among all of the Kicker subwoofers. The Kicker CompVR has been around forever and is a benchmark for performance among car audio subwoofers.

Sizes

The JL Audio W0 series subwoofer comes in three sizes, a 10", 12", and a large 15" model. The Kicker CompVR series also comes in a 10", 12", and 15" model. These two lineups stack up against each other exactly and will allow us to easily look at the other categories when comparing the two series of subwoofers.

Voice Coils

All of the JL Audio W0 series features a single-coil 4-ohm construction model. The Kicker CompVR series come with a dual voice coil in both 2-ohm or 4-ohm configurations across all of the models. There's a wide variety of choices here between ohms and sub sizing with the CompVR line, but less so with the W0 series being limited to single coil 4-ohm only models.

Power Handling

The W0 handle 300 watts RMS in the 10" and 12" models and the 15" can handle 500 watts. The Kicker CompVR series woofers handle more power as the subwoofers get bigger with the 10-inch handling 350 watts, the 12-inch 400 watts, and the 15-inch at 500 watts RMS. For comparably sized subwoofers, we do see better power handling from the CompVR series at the smaller sizes with the 15" model having the same handling at 500 watts.

Mounting Depth

When comparing similarly sized subwoofers in both lineups, we do see a shallower top-mounting depth from the JL Audio W0 lineup when compared to the Kicker CompVR line. In installations requiring as much space-saving design as possible, the JL Audio W1 line would be a great place to start when comparing similarly sized models.

Recommended Enclosure Size

Both manufacturers offer recommended enclosure sizing for both sealed and ported enclosures for the JL Audio W0 and CompVR lines of subwoofers. Between comparably sized models of subs, both have recommended enclosure sizes in sealed and ported dimensions with the JL Audio W0 lineup offering single recommendations compared to the low end and high-end recommendations of the Kicker CompVR models. The W0 lineup does fall inside the low and high recommendations of the CompVR models in both sealed and ported enclosures so these recommendations could seem to be comparable with each other. Be sure to look at the specifics at each size when planning what will work best for your installation.

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. 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.

(1) JL Audio W0 10"

Recommended Model

10W0v3-4

Recommended Amplifiers

JD500/1

RD500/1

Our Favorite

JD500/1

(1) Kicker CompVR 10"

Recommended Model

43CVR104

Recommended Amplifiers

CXA400.1

KEY500.1

Our Favorite

CXA400.1

(2) JL Audio W0 10"

Recommended Model

10W0v3-4

Recommended Amplifiers

JD500/1

RD500/1

Our Favorite

JD500/1

(2) Kicker CompVR 10"

Recommended Model

43CVR102

Recommended Amplifiers

CXA800.1
 

Our Favorite

CXA800.1

(1) JL Audio W0 12"

Recommended Model

12W0v3-4
 

Recommended Amplifiers

JD500/1
 

Our Favorite

JD500/1

(1) Kicker CompVR 12"

Recommended Model

43CVR124 (2 Ohm)

43CVR122 (1 Ohm)

Recommended Amplifiers

KEY500.1 (2 Ohm)

CXA400.1 (1 or 2 Ohm)

Our Favorite

CXA400.1

(2) JL Audio W0 12"

Recommended Model

12W0v3-4
 

Recommended Amplifiers

JD500/1

RD500/1

Our Favorite

RD500/1

(2) Kicker CompVR 12"

Recommended Model

43CVR122 (2 Ohms)

43CVR124 (1 Ohm)

Recommended Amplifiers

CXA800.1
 

Our Favorite

CXA800.1 @ 1 Ohm

(1) JL Audio W0 15"

Recommended Model

15W0v3-4
 

Recommended Amplifiers

JD1000/1

RD1000/1

Our Favorite

JD1000/1

(1) Kicker CompVR 15"

Recommended Model

43CVR152 (1 Ohm)

43CVR154 (2 Ohms)

Recommended Amplifiers

KEY500.1 @ 1 Ohm

CXA800.1 @ 2 Ohms

Our Favorite

CXA800.1 @ 2 Ohms

(2) JL Audio W0 15"

Recommended Model

15W0v3-4
 

Recommended Amplifiers

JD1000/1

RD1000/1

XD1000/1

Our Favorite

JD1000/1

(2) Kicker CompVR 15"

Recommended Model

43CVR154 (1 Ohm)

43CVR152 (2 Ohms)

Recommended Amplifiers

CXA800.1 @ 1 Ohms

CXA1200.1 @ 2 Ohms
 

Our Favorite

CXA1200.1 @ 2 Ohm

Price Points

The price point for the JL Audio W0 models at comparative sizes is almost exactly similar. With many of the specifications above being similar, you can see why the two models are so comparable, and priced so competitively with each other.

In Conclusion

The JL Audio W0 and Kicker CompVR lineups are almost the same in terms of so many of their categories. They offer the same versatility in sizing selection, almost the same RMS power handling at comparable sizing, and very similar pricing structure. To decide between these two lineups, it might come down to your preferred manufacturer. It's hard to select between much else. Whether you're a fan of JL Audio or Kicker, both options are great decisions for your installation when selecting between the two for your install.