jl-audio 8.1 microsub Subwoofers

jl-audio 8.1 microsub Subwoofers 

DESCRIPTION

speaker in a box

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 12  
[Mar 22, 2008]
shawn28
Model Reviewed: coupe

Strength:

Size,weight,power handling, sound quality

Weakness:

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.

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.

Similar Products Used:

bazzoka,w7's,w6's. w6v2's,hx2's type r's

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 19, 2003]
shawn a
Model Reviewed: 8.3 Microsub

Strength:

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

Weakness:

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.

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.

Similar Products Used:

JBL 8inch bass tube (nice output,poor sound quality)

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 23, 2003]
Brooke
Model Reviewed: JL Audio 8.1 Microsub

Strength:

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

Weakness:

not enough bass for my particular taste

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!!

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Jun 23, 2003]
Brooke
Model Reviewed: JL Audio 8.1 Microsub

Strength:

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

Weakness:

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...

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

Similar Products Used:

10" Power Acoustic Subwoofers

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Nov 04, 2002]
BFDeihl
Model Reviewed: JL 8.1 Microsub

Strength:

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.

Weakness:

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).

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.

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

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 07, 2001]
Thunder
Model Reviewed: JL 8.1 Microsub

Strength:

This sub is incredible! It gave me the deep bass I have been looking for in my standard cab truck. I cant believe the clean, strong sound that this little thing puts out!

Weakness:

Have not found any yet

I was having trouble finding a sub that would both fit behind the seat of my truck (standard cab) and give me the deep clean bass that I have been looking for. The JL wedge was very shallow and just didn't hit the lows I was hoping for. The Bazooka was a bit better, but still left me hanging and looking for more. Then I put this little JL 8.1 microsub behind my seat. The first thing I liked was that it actually fit. Second, it put out some of the deepest, cleanest bass that has ever been played in my truck. It sounds like a boxed 10". I would reccomend this product to anyone looking for incredible bass yet doesnt have very much room.

Similar Products Used:

JL 8 wedge, 8" Bazooka tube

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Oct 31, 2000]
Matt

Strength:

Great transient response, great output/frequency response for an "8 sub, small size, very efficient

Weakness:

None

The microsub is a well designed sub/enclosure combo. Excellent sound quality, great output (for a "8 sub). I've used 20+ different types of sub setups over the years, and these have the best sound quality, except that low frequency (approx. <35Hz) response is limited compared to larger setups using 12's and 15's.

Similar Products Used:

Kicker, Bazooka, JBL, other JL's, MTX, many others

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Sep 14, 2000]
Mark

Strength:

It was about the same, great, but not earth shaking.

Weakness:

Waist of money if it was no better than what I have!!!

My 8" punch with .33 CF enclosure was great but I thought the JL mini sub may be better.

Similar Products Used:

I ended up getting a JL CS110R-W0 (same style with 10" sub. It plays very tight and very loud. Paid $160.00 for it from a local shop.

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
3
[May 04, 2000]
Matt

Strength:

None

Weakness:

None

I got the JL Audio 8.1 MicroSub as a birthday gift last year. I was really surprised at the bass response I got from it. It was incredibly clean hard hitting bass for such a small sub. I will say this, if your looking for a sub that pounds, this is not it. If you want the car next to you to shake at stop lights, this sub might get the job done, but it will blow out in about a week. If you looking for a deep, hard hit, that goes well with stock mids and highs, this is the best sub to get. If your looking for something that you can hear three blocks away, you will need to upgrade to a couple 10"'s, or a 12.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 05, 1999]
Larry Kim
an Audio Enthusiast

I bought a microsub last christmas and for the money and for the size of the woofer, it really pounds!! Being a somewhat of a bass head though, I needed just a little more.. it's the best of both worlds.. it's clean like a sealed and hits deep like a ported box (that's because it's actually and sealed and ported box at the same time!!!).. quality in workmanship too.. I'd go the 8.2 or 8.3 three if you want something that will for sure satisfy any normall listener, even if it's rap or r&B.. when you crank an 8.1 you're really working a single 8 pretty hard, it's keeps it composure pretty good, but it can't defy the laws of physics.. if you have a matchback though and 8.1 wold be perfect... $199 MSRP is also quite reasonable..

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-10 of 12  

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