im debating on these two subs. $$ is not an issue with these two, i would get the 13w7 but $$ is an issue on that one. which one will get louder with better sq?
do you guys know anywhere online where its cheaper because the place where im gettin my install done want 600 and ive seen it cheaper online but i wanted to save as much $$ as possible
I think it depends on your choice of amplifier and the power you have to play with.
Personally I have tried a 13W6v2 sealed and then a 12W7 ported running off a JL 500/1, the amp tuned perfectly for the sub in each case, and I found that for me, the W7 won by far.
The clarity and detail was right up there with the W6v2 but with so much more depth; the W7 punched with so much more authority and, as one of its reviews pointed out, listening to it really was a completely addictive and absorbing experience.
In terms of SQ I wouldn't say the W6v2 is 'better' - they both sound different. The best way I can describe it is that the W6 would hit every beat with perfect accuracy... then stop, hit the next beat, then stop. This gave it a more intricate and 'delicate' sound. The W7 also picked up every single beat but then it would blend one beat into the next, resulting in a constant, smooth crescendo which dealt out wave after wave of deep, chunky, addictive bass that made the W6 feel weedy by comparison.
In terms of SPL there was simply no comparison, the W6v2 (even when ported) never even got close; the W7 made everyone's jaws drop, filled the car with loads bass regardless of frequency; and dropped so SOO low, producing earthquake-type near-seismic waves that the W6 couldn't dream of; in fact the W7 just took the goalposts and simply ran away with it.
Then I hooked up the W7 to a class AB zapco mono reference amp giving about 900W RMS and it got even better ... I realised that 500-600W RMS would get a W7 loud and sound good but really it needs its full rated power (preferably with a bit of extra headroom) to get the most SQ out of it.
Just my 2c; hope you enjoy your sub 'cos you can't go wrong with either of these anyway.
The 13w6v2 is the better choice I think. The 13w6v2 has 100.4 sq. in, with .85 inches xmax, while the 12w7 has only 84 sq. inches, with 1.15 inches xmax.
If you ported the 13w6v2 it would be almost as loud as the 12w7 but would sound nicer, and with less power. The 13w6v2 is the smart choice I think.
Keep in mind his review of these subs above is comparing a w7 ported to a w6v2 sealed.
Yeh, it comes down to what amp you'll be using I guess?
My friend has a 10W7 ported in a 2001 BMW 3 series and by God it bumps! ... and has great SQ to boot.
The guy waiting to put 500/1 to 12W7 ported... yeh go for it, if you're after SPL it can be played to hurt. Turn it up further and it'll hurt real bad - just watch your hearing!
Bear in mind that with this setup you'll only be getting like 85% of the SQ from that woofer (which is still darn good!) (but you'd notice it most when the amp's being stretched hard on the lowest notes); but then another way to look at it is that the woofer will be putting every last ounce of power from your amp to (very good) use.
As for W6 vs W7, I should have clarified; I actually started with a 12W6v2 sealed, then moved to 12W7 sealed, then 13W6v2 sealed, 13W6v2 ported, followed by 12W7 ported (currently I'm on 2 Diamond Audios TDX 12s ported to try something different, but that's another story ... )
I'd say if you have 700-1000 watts available and are not hung on maximising SPL, seal the 12W7 and ENJOY!! It'll sound extremely addictive and cause very loud tremors should you so wish.
Failing that, with 400-600W go with 12W7 ported (or 10W7 either sealed or ported); failing that W6v2 ported, and if you really must, W6v2 sealed.
Remember to install with proper wiring, enclosure, tuning etc etc or you'll end up wondering where your hundreds of $$ actually went, and why your mate with a single 12" infinity kappa running off a 200 RMS alpine amp is louder ...
