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JL Audio TW1 vs. TW3 Subwoofer
JL Audio TW1
The JL Audio TW1 subwoofers are a low-profile, thinner version of the JL Audio W1 subwoofer line. The JL Audio TW1 offers very minimal front side or top-end mounting depth, making them perfect if you are tight on space underneath a seat, or if you have a down-firing enclosure. Compared to the TW3, the TW1 has deeper backside mounting depth, inside the box, if you will, whereas the TW3 will require more clearance on the outside of the box.
JL Audio TW3
The JL Audio TW3 series subwoofers provide full-size subwoofer output in a low-profile frame. The TW3 series subwoofers do not need much air space to operate and have become very popular due to their space-saving design that avoids sacrificing any output. The TW3 series is capable of a greater excursion than that of the JL Audio W3 model. These JL Audio subwoofers have become one of our "go-to" woofers because they can fit just about anywhere. Their output stacks right up against the W3 series.
Sizes
The JL Audio TW1 series comes in a 10" and 12" model. The JL Audio TW3 series also comes in both a 10" and 12" model allowing the sizes between the two lines to stack right up against each other.
TW1
TW3
Voice Coils
3 The JL Audio TW3 series comes with a dual voice coil in both the 10" and 12" models and features your choice between a dual 4-ohm voice coil or a dual 8-ohm voice coil in each size.
TW1
TW3
Power Handling
The JL Audio 10" and 12" models in the TW1 series have the same RMS power handling at 300 watts at both 2 and 4-ohms. The JL Audio 10" and 12" models in the TW3 series both have a higher RMS power handling at 400 watts for both the 4 and 8-ohm models.
TW1 - 10" & 12"
TW3
Mounting Depth
If a shallower mounting depth is a must-have in your comparison between the two models, the TW3 space savings will be well worth the upgrade over the TW1 series. A side by side comparison of each speaker size will show a space savings of just over an inch when comparing the specifications side by side between the two models at the same size.
Recommended Enclosure Size
When comparing the enclosure size between the two models, the dimensions are less noticeable and very close between the TW1 and TW3 series of subwoofers. If these areas are a primary concern as a customer, be sure to check the exact specifications as the differences between the two may be negligible to your purchase. Also, be aware that the TW3 series does feature different enclosure sizes between the 4 and 8-ohm models at the same speaker size.
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.
Single 10" TW1
Recommended Model
Recommended Amplifiers
Our Favorite:
Single 10" TW3
Recommended Model
Recommended Amplifiers
Our Favorite:
Single 12" TW1
Recommended Model
Recommended Amplifiers
Our Favorite:
Single 12" TW3
Recommended Model
Recommended Amplifiers
Our Favorite:
Price Points
The price points between the two models are pretty similar, especially when considering the benefits of the shallower mounting depth of the TW3 series over the TW1 series. In many installations, the TW3 purchase should be well worth the difference between the two.
In Conclusion
The TW3 is the better subwoofer. But, the TW1 works really well if you are limited in space with the woofer protrusion, if you have a very very small enclosure, or in lower power applications (less than 250 watts per subwoofer). If you are limited in space and you want a shallow subwoofer from JL, the TW3 is the better woofer. If the TW3 doesn't fit, go TW1. If you don't have the amplifier power for the TW3, go with the TW1. Otherwise, TW3 all the way.
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