jl-audio 8.1 microsub

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $350.00 from Daytona Audio

Year / Model Reviewed:
2005 coupe

Summary:
I am reviewing the 8.3 Microsub. JL Audio made three microsub enclosures in the mid-late 90's. There was the 8.1 which was a ported enclosured the smallest of the three microsub's this enclosure housed an 8w1 driver with a 100 watt RMS rating then there was the 8.2 microsub which is essentilay the same as the 8.1 but instead housed two 8w1's then the last microsub was the 8.3 which is totaly different than the other two as this enclosure is sealed and housed three of the legendary 8w6 subs with a 600 watt rms rating.
I have had the 8.3 microsub in and out of my cars for the last 8 years and it continues to put a smile on my face I have tried "upgrading" to bigger and more powerfull subwoofer's (13w7,13w6v2,two 10w6v2's etc) and always come back to the little microsub this subwoofer setup provides the tightest cleanest bass I have heard even after owning much newer subs and it is so incredibly small (only 8 inches deep) and when fits snug against the back seat giving me virtualy full use of my trunk, I can tell you right now it is very hard to find a subwoofer setup that provides good bass without taking up the trunk. I have tried giving the microsub diferent amounts of power (between 250-1000 watts)and this little enclosure definantly starts to come alie after the +700 watts mark currently I run a JL Audio 1000.1 to the litte 8w6's and it handles it beautifuly as long as all bass enhancements are turned off. I realy can't say enough good things about it it's so small and light (about 25 lbs) handles good power and plays every kind of music with accuracy not heard in most subwoofer setups if your looking to shake the neighborhood thios is NOT the setup to go with but if your looking to save space/weight and have some of cleanest sound for your music this is it.

Strengths:
Size,weight,power handling, sound quality

Weaknesses:
For people who like to show off thios subwoofer enclosure will not drop as low as they would want but for 8 inch subs they do a great job and give plenty of lowend for music listening.

Similar Products Used:
bazzoka,w7's,w6's. w6v2's,hx2's type r's

Price Paid:  $400.00 from CruisnConcepts

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 8.3 Microsub

Summary:
This is a review for the 8.3 Microsub which contains three 8w6's wired into 4 ohms in a common chamber sealed box and has a 600 watt rms rating. I have had the Microsub for about a year and a half being pushed by a JL 500.1...the sound quality from this setup is amazing...the bass hits extremly hard and tight and has decent low end....one great thing about the microsub is that it is very small I have it in the back of my Saturn Sc2 and takes up little or no trunk space but has the output of a set of 10's or decent 12's but the output is extremly clean...I would reccomend this setup to anyone looking for quality bass looking to keep trunk space. I would reccomend the JL 500.1 to push the subs....the 500.1 pushes out a good 600 watts at any ohm from 1 to 4 ohms..some people have pushed 1000 watts to the three 8w6's with no problems...just keep the bass boosts off.

Strengths:
Very small Very good output for 8's High power handling Great sound quality

Weaknesses:
The w6 series are VERY power hungry...I would put at least a good 600 watts to the 8.3. Lacks the lowend some people are looking for.

Similar Products Used:
JBL 8inch bass tube (nice output,poor sound quality)

Price Paid:  $150.00 from World Hifi

Year / Model Reviewed:
 JL Audio 8.1 Microsub

Summary:
This is an excellent choice for someone who wants just a little bit of bass added to their stock audio system without being obscene. It gives a great feel and adds alot of quality to your music, no matter the type you prefer: rap, rock, country; it makes a great difference. I put it in my Toyota MR2 Spyder, which if you are familiar with, is very very lacking of storage space. I kept it for about a month and then found out a friend could put two 10's in my car for more bass and more thump. Now that's what I have, but after getting the 10's the 8.1 almost compares since I'm still using the 120 watt Kicker amp. It has excellent good quality clear sound. For anyone who wants some good sounding clear bass with a tiny bit of thump, I would highly recommend buying one of your own. MY JL AUDIO 8.1 MICROSUB AND 120 WATT KICKER AMP (PRACTICALLY NEW) IS FOR SALE!! IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BUYING EITHER OR BOTH PLEASE END ME AN EMAIL AT BROOKISAN@YAHOO.COM!!

Strengths:
good clean sound, adds depth to music of any kind, fits tight spaces, high quality product

Weaknesses:
not enough bass for my particular taste

Price Paid:  $150.00 from World Hifi

Year / Model Reviewed:
 JL Audio 8.1 Microsub

Summary:
Basically the JL Audio Microsub was suggested by the salesman at my local audio place. Personally I think I got a good price on the whole thing considering you get a box + the woofer. I told the guy I didn't want to sound obscene, I just needed a little bass for my Toyota MR2 spyder. He told me he had the perfect thing-- It is wonderful to fit into a tight space. However if you ARE looking for just "a little bit of clean sounding bass" to add to your stock stereo system, I would highly HIGHLY recommend this to you. It just wasn't enough for me. I AM SELLING IT THOUGH, HOWEVER SINCE I GOT 2 10" SUBS PUT IN BY A FRIEND... I AM SELLING IT AND A KICKER 120 WATT AMP. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED PLEASE EMAIL ME AT brookisan@yahoo.com

Strengths:
Easy to fit in tight space, nice clean good quality sound, good bit of thump for size

Weaknesses:
It was not enough bass to suit my style, I realized I wanted more thump and louder sound. It was only used for about 2 months. So I then baught 2 10" power acoustic subs and my friend built a small box to fit in my car...

Similar Products Used:
10" Power Acoustic Subwoofers

Price Paid:  $150.00 from Car Toys- Portland

Year / Model Reviewed:
 JL 8.1 Microsub

Summary:
A very musical sounding sub. Produces great results in a small space. Even if cost were no object-this sub would be a contender- for under $200, I feel it is an outstanding value- especially where available space is limited. My musical tastes run from acoustic to electric/techno: this sub delivers.

Strengths:
Tight- exceptional transient response- solid bass with no overhang. Impressive output for such a small box,easily mistaken for a 10". Articulate on multiple bass instruments- will not "mud" unless overdriven. Very faithful to the source material within SPL limits.

Weaknesses:
Overall SPL (it's only an 8" sub). CAN be overpowered given bass-heavy program material. Will not shake the car like a bigger sub can. Noticeable rolloff below 30hz (compared to a 12-15" sub).

Similar Products Used:
I listen to a lot of live music. Current HOME system is a LARGE limited edition signature model from E.J. Cerwinski (Cerwin-Vega)"Loud is beautiful-If it's clean". I've also used Alpine,Pioneer,Infini