JL Audio HO112RG-W3V3 Enclosed Car Subwoofer

JL Audio HO112RG-W3V3 is an enclosed car subwoofer designed to add bass to a car audio system. Its enclosure has a slot port, and the driver faces the rear. When deciding whether it suits your system, pay particular attention to the 2 Ω nominal system impedance, your amplifier, and the space the enclosure will occupy in the vehicle.

Enclosure design

The coupled-chamber design and slot port are part of this model’s enclosure. Consider the driver and enclosure as one complete system. If you remove the driver and install it in a different box, the system specifications on this page will no longer describe that combination.

Because the driver faces the rear, check how much room will remain behind the enclosure before choosing its position. Keep luggage clear of the rear-facing side and the port opening. It is worth checking the position with the items you normally carry in the car already in place, so you can judge the space as you will actually use it.

Choosing an amplifier

The system’s 2 Ω nominal impedance matters when selecting an amplifier. The amplifier’s speaker output must be suitable for that load. If an amplifier is rated to operate only above a higher minimum impedance, do not connect this enclosure to that output. Check the amplifier’s permitted speaker load before making the connection.

The 500 W continuous power handling rating (RMS) describes the load the subwoofer system can handle over time. It does not mean that you must set the amplifier’s power or volume to 500 W. Once you have selected a suitable amplifier, match its gain to the level of the audio source and listen for audible distortion as you adjust the system.

Connecting multiple subwoofers changes the total load presented to the amplifier. The nominal impedance of this model alone is therefore insufficient to plan a connection involving more than one subwoofer; the complete arrangement needs to be considered.

Finding room in the car

Check the enclosure’s width, height, and depth against the space where you intend to put it, while allowing room at its rear-facing side. Measure the boot or trunk opening especially carefully: the enclosure has to pass through that opening before it can be placed inside. The dimensions of the interior space alone will not tell you whether you can get the enclosure into position.

The enclosure’s top-surface depth is smaller than its overall external depth. This difference helps you assess how its shape may fit beside a sloping rear seatback. Start your measurements with the larger overall depth, then use the top-surface measurement to understand the enclosure’s profile. The smaller measurement does not represent the depth of the whole box.

The enclosure’s 21.27 kg net weight also matters when planning its position. Once installed, it should not be free to move around while you carry other items. Choose a way to secure it that suits the vehicle and the position you have selected. Mounting accessories are not specified as part of this package.

Finish and protective grille

The enclosure is covered in dark grey carpet with a black insert. Consider the finish if the enclosure will be visible in the boot or trunk. An aluminium-bar protective grille is included to cover the driver. The grille does not remove the need to leave room around the rear-facing side and the port, so account for both when arranging luggage.

Adjusting the sound

After installation, begin with the amplifier gain set low. If the amplifier has a low-pass filter, adjust it in relation to the car’s main speakers. Aim for a smooth transition between those speakers and the subwoofer, rather than simply making one part of the frequency range as loud as possible.

If the amplifier offers phase control, compare its settings while seated in your usual listening position. Choose the setting at which the bass works better with the front speakers. This is an amplifier adjustment; phase and filter controls on the enclosure itself are not specified.

Technical specifications

Product type	Enclosed car subwoofer
Continuous power handling (RMS)	500 W
Nominal system impedance	2 Ω
Enclosure design	Coupled chamber
Port	Slot port
Driver orientation	Rear-facing
Finish	Dark grey carpet with black insert
Protective grille	Included aluminium-bar grille
External width	819 mm / 32.25 in
External height	387 mm / 15.25 in
Overall external depth (D1)	343 mm / 13.5 in
External top-surface depth (D2)	190.5 mm / 7.5 in
Net weight	21.27 kg / 46.9 lb

FAQ

Can I connect this subwoofer directly to my car stereo?

Choose a subwoofer amplifier whose speaker output can operate with a 2 Ω load. The presence of connections on an audio source does not, by itself, show that its output is suitable for this enclosure.

Does the amplifier have to be rated at exactly 500 W?

No. That figure is the system’s continuous power handling rating, not a required amplifier setting. What matters is that the amplifier can operate with the enclosure’s 2 Ω load and that its gain is adjusted appropriately.

Can I push the enclosure against the boot or trunk wall?

Leave clear space for the rear-facing side and the port opening. Before settling on a position, check that neither the wall nor anything you carry blocks them.

Which depth should I use to check whether the enclosure will fit?

Start with the overall external depth, D1. The smaller D2 figure describes only the depth of the top surface; it cannot stand in for the depth of the entire enclosure.

Is an amplifier with a minimum permitted load of 4 Ω suitable?

No, if its output is not designed for a 2 Ω load. This enclosure has a 2 Ω nominal system impedance, so the load permitted by the amplifier determines whether you can connect it.